Why are so many on the left enamoured of smoking marijuana? (attorney, compare)

[blind melon]

Originally Posted by wutitiz

Actually prohibition was largely a progressive initiative, much like the anti-tobacco drive of the past 20 years.

The Progressive Roots of Prohibition - Taki's Magazine

Progressives were involved but to say it waa largely progrssive is false, unless you consider Christian groups peogressive

[glass_of_merlot]

Because they like to be high?

[wutitiz]

Originally Posted by blind melon

Progressives were involved but to say it waa largely progrssive is false, unless you consider Christian groups peogressive

There was a lot of overlap among progressives, Christians, and feminists at the time.
What it meant to be 'progressive' in turn-of-the-century Minnesota | MinnPost

Those who would today be today considered conservatives, like HL Mencken, lampooned the idea of prohibition. Progressives also pushed for and got the genesis of the War on Drugs with the Harrison Act of 1914. Before that, any American could walk into the corner pharmacy and buy marijuana, opium, or cocaine. Progressives put an end to that.

[andywire]

To me, drug prohibition of any kind is an affront to personal freedom. I'm not interested in preaching or pushing my beliefs on others. I think there are many drugs that do more harm than good. It doesn't mean I have a right to tell anybody else what they can and cannot put in their bodies.

To me, this type of approach should define the small government, conservative crowd. Since that is not the case, I believe many conservatives are actually frauds, who would prefer something of a sissy nanny state... Just as long as it imposes their views on others. Actually, I think they are just told what to think by their media overlords.

[MoNative34]

Originally Posted by wutitiz

He explained, "we're more relaxed; we're not as uptight as the right."

I take it he's never browsed this forum.

[USAGeorge]

Actually I'm pretty much on the conservative side, don't understand the lefts logic but all in on decriminalizing marijuana. It's going to be legalize by more and more states anyway. The federal law is already not being enforced and the government is just slow walking it....Probably a wise thing to do.

[shooting4life]

I enjoy the irony of the anti smoking crowd being pro pot.

[natalie469]

Originally Posted by shooting4life

I enjoy the irony of the anti smoking crowd being pro pot.

These are 2 separate issues. The tobacco industry has prospered on addicts of nicotine. Many die of lung, throat and tongue cancer. Nicotine will kill you and has no medicinal purposes. Pot on the other hand has always had medicinal purposes. And when have you heard of pot having the damaging effects that cigarettes have. Sorry, no irony at all

[dv1033]

Originally Posted by wutitiz

Actually prohibition was largely a progressive initiative, much like the anti-tobacco drive of the past 20 years.

The Progressive Roots of Prohibition - Taki's Magazine

It was a religious movement.

[Phil P]

Interesting topic. I know marijuana smokers from both parties, but most opponents to mj legalization are from the right.

What interests me is that a lot of anti marijuana people are actually pretty hard/loyal drinkers. From my experiences as a college kid, I can't even tell you what marijuana even does (after trying it three times) except burn your throat. I'll have to try gummy bears next or something. With alcohol I have seen a lot of bad things that were caused simply by that drug.

I guess part of it is the hypocrisy of don't touch my booze, but you can rot in jail for another substance that's significantly less harmful, but it's not a part of my culture, so I disapprove.

Although I think marijuana is pretty well understood by most of the younger populace. It's other drugs like disassociatives and psychedelics that are really misunderstood IMO. Many people that are fine with legalizing pot, but would look at you like you are stupid if you would suggest legalizing PCP or ketamine, cause people still assume the myths of the past about disassociatives that are just as off course as the reefer madness myths. The same medical use argument for pot can be applied to disassociatives; from reports, they are looking to be some of the best antidepressants.