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Public Affairs coverage from our award-winning staff |
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Congressman Warns of Super-Potent Marijuana Hitting Suburbs
Produced by Tony Arnold on Monday, June 15, 2009
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Illinois U.S. Congressman Mark Kirk says there's a new strain of highly potent marijuana hitting Chicago's suburbs and he wants to crack down on dealers.
The slang name for the special strain of marijuana is kush. It's grown specifically to be more potent than regular marijuana.
KIRK: This is not your father's marijuana here.
Congressman Mark Kirk made his announcement in a federal courtroom in downtown Chicago, where the smell of some kush recently seized by suburban police overwhelmed the typically neutral courtroom. Kirk says he wants stricter penalties for dealers selling kush.
KIRK: We have heard the drug dealers say that they are moving to the sale of kush because its penalties are so low.
Kirk's proposed legislation would send dealers to jail for up to 25 years. Meantime, the head of an Illinois group pushing to reform marijuana laws says increasing the jail time for kush dealers won't deter them from selling the more potent pot - as long as there's still a demand.
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Todd, New York // Monday, June 15, 2009 @ 10:29 PM
That's totally absurd. I hope you Chicago voters speak up and tell this fella he's swimming way upstream on this one.
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Mike H, Connecticut // Tuesday, June 16, 2009 @ 12:22 AM
"This is not your fathers marijuana here." Well my take on this statement is as follows; so this new weed is bad, which to me insinuates that its alright to not worry about the old (our fathers weed). I don't see that my portrayal of his quote is really far off, I mean read it aloud and see what pops into your head. Weed is weed. This pandering is just wasting time and resources in congress which can be used for useful projects like fixing the the economy. The first stop should be to stop the prohibition and laws that are against Marijuana which cost our nations tax payers 41.8 billion dollars a year. Prohibition didn't work with alcohol and the law against it was repealed. Alcohols tax revenue helped then. Marijuana can be one of the solutions today. It would also curb violence because transactions and trafficking wouldn't be in "underground" intense situations but instead would be regulated. It would also take a large amount of income from the Mexican drug cartels because if you buy pot from Americans, the money stays in America. Its really astonishing that the public ignores these arguments despite how prevalent marijuana is in society because it is deemed taboo. If any of you are as concerned with the economey and the real crime in this country do something about it. Write your congressmen and tell them what the people really want.
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Mike Jones, San Fran, CA // Tuesday, June 16, 2009 @ 1:41 AM
This congressman must think we are idiots or something, the American people want better Cannabis if Kush is better than don't try to scare tactics, their getting desperate because the truth about how Marijuana could have saved thousands of lives of the really sick is comming out. Prohibition is almost over he's just desperate to put a different twist on it.
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David Zonars, Columbus Ohio // Tuesday, June 16, 2009 @ 6:34 AM
This man really needs to wake up! He has No understanding on how Medical Marijuana,Can Really help the suffering of Cancer patients!What would he do if his Dad was going trow cameo ? Let him suffer ? He really needs to wake up and stop acting like a fool!I believe he just wants to get in the news and nothing more!My God 25 years for helping someone feel better ! Wake up Man!! This 2009 not 1879!
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Fred Evil, Herndon, VA // Tuesday, June 16, 2009 @ 7:58 AM
This is ludicrous. The rest of America is realizing that cannabis is NOT deadly, less disruptive, and far safer than cigarettes or alcohol, and this bonehead wants to drag us back into the dark ages on cannabis Prohibition?!
It is time to stop vilifying, demonizing and incarcerating cannabis afficianados. They hurt no one but themselves! And in America, as long as what you do harms no one else, what business is it of government to tell you what to do?
The VAST majority of cannabis afficianados are hard-working, tax-paying, home-owning, child-rearing American CITIZENS, who want nothing more than to relax with a substance OTHER than alcohol.
DON'T TREAD ON ME!!!
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Adam // Tuesday, June 16, 2009 @ 9:29 AM
Congressman: weed doesn't kill people. alcohol does.. alcohol is a poison. weed is not. is logic ever going to come in to play?
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Mike, Fayetteville // Tuesday, June 16, 2009 @ 11:06 AM
This is just another plow to keep their racket going. These people don't care about the sick and dying, just money. Pass this bill and ALL pot will become Cush when someone is arrested. Yhese people should be run out of government and replaced with caring people who think more of the sick than they do of Money.
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CSConradEsq, Houston, Texas // Tuesday, June 16, 2009 @ 11:35 AM
So, people buy stronger pot so they don't have to smoke as much. Thus, they inhale less smoke, with all the health problems inhaling smoke entails. Pretty dumb. Like saying beer is OK, but liquor is bad because liquor will get you more drunk than beer.
We know you can get just as drunk on beer as on liquor -- you just need to drink more. This is just political grandstanding to kiss the rump of the far right. It would be scary if there was a chance it would pass.
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MM dad, San Diego // Tuesday, June 16, 2009 @ 12:20 PM
So the 100% THC pill given out by doctors and approved by the FDA is okay? But MMJ that is 20% THC on the high side is not? How can you claim to be pro-science?
Regulation and laws to guide us is what we need. Personal responsibility is key here. If you are under the influence then do not drive. Just like alcohol. If they do bust them!
Why don't all of you politicians just realize this is going to happen, the people are voting for it. So get on board and get a plan into place to regulate, tax, and accept it? Most of your concerns can be fixed by regulating it and protecting the users.
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Austin // Tuesday, June 16, 2009 @ 12:26 PM
Ok the Priests of the Shiva Sect of Hinduism have been growing acres of cannabis in the Himalayas for 5000yrs you think they learned any new tricks in the past 40yrs? Cannabis' genetics haven't gotten any more potent people just realized how to grow it right. The Shiva's cannabis is much stronger than anything we have here. I hope this was atleast an interesting fact for you all
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Tom Madden, Oak Park // Tuesday, June 16, 2009 @ 12:44 PM
Sounds like Congressman Kirk has been reading old Nelson Rockefeller bios. NY tried to demonize "crack" because it was so much worse than cocaine, when in fact it was merely a way to punish the poor, who couldn't afford blow. Now NY State is lamenting the fact that their prisons are overrun with non-violent drug peddlers and users. Decriminalize, it's NORML.
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mike, so cal // Tuesday, June 16, 2009 @ 1:10 PM
is kush somthing new? this jerk must have just got onboard.90 % of the smoke grown today exceeds 20%.where does this jerk get off thinking KUSH is anything different than any other smoke.maybe he is thinking mexican pot is supurb.sounds like he doesnt even know what marijuana is.evedently he's never smoked it..BIGGETT
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Joe Siler, Terrell, Tx. // Tuesday, June 16, 2009 @ 1:10 PM
No this idiot does not have a clue. if he did he would know that the stronger the cannabis, the less you consume. In this day and age of enlightenment putting someone in jail for dealing a specific type of cannabis is beyond absurd. In the days of alcohol did they put people in jail longer for selling bootleg whisky, than bootleg beer? Go on the internet and learn the truth congressman. If you do this you will not run your mouth while your head is firmly stuck up your, well you know.
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Elizabeth, Cary // Tuesday, June 16, 2009 @ 2:47 PM
After reading the comments above, I can't believe how many people think drugging themselves is a good choice. Have any of them read Brave New World by Aldous Huxley? I'm glad there are restrictions on drugs, and all the pot users I was friends with are losers now (I'm in my 40s).
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Fireweed, In a van down by the river // Tuesday, June 16, 2009 @ 5:56 PM
Every article I've read this year, or seen on t.v., has invariably been followed by an overwhelmingly pro-marijuana response. America obviously wants pot legalized. Yet the government and mainstream news channels seem to be oblivious to this inconvenient fact. Only CNN is shedding light on this issue. I plan to watch Anderson Cooper all week as he runs his special on the marijuana issue.
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LadyJ, Logan Square // Tuesday, June 16, 2009 @ 6:32 PM
He's clearly out of touch with his constituents, unless they are uptight OLD rich white people...oh yeah, that IS his constituents!
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gwg421, somewhere,mn // Tuesday, June 16, 2009 @ 7:06 PM
The first time I saw mark kirks picture I thought of Alfred E. Neuman, of Mad magazine fame.
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Erica, Kansas // Tuesday, June 16, 2009 @ 7:48 PM
I bet this guy isn't even aware of the FDA approved 100% THC pill. Politicians. Just like them to propose a bill and not know anything about it.
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4Sweet2Leaf0, TN // Tuesday, June 16, 2009 @ 8:24 PM
I don't recall EVER seeing such ignorance towards the legislation of Marijuana. Kush, or "koosh" as Kirk would say, is an indica-dominant strain of cannabis, identical to hundreds of other common cannabis strains sharing a similar THC percentage. Rest assured, it isn't this "new modified superweed" Kirk claims it to be. What a stupid thing to say. However, If you do want to talk about some genetically modified "superweed", what about G-13, A GOVERNMENT PRODUCED STRAIN OF MARIJUANA, CONTAINING UP TO 28% THC. It would be wise to study hard on the subject you wish to address next time.
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George Baker, PLace // Tuesday, June 16, 2009 @ 9:26 PM
THC and cannibinoids are non-toxic anyways, stronger pot means nothing! It means you will smoke less.
Legalize, Tax, Regulate, Educate
Stop putting people in jail for something that really isnt near to as dangerous as what people think.
Cannabis prohibition is mainly because of economic reasons, not health issues. Eating 3 mchickens and drinking a large pop at McDonlads is A LOT worse than smoking a joint.
Drug Czar's also argue that cannabis causes people to get "into" drugs and not care about their life, but the same happens with someone who gets a new videogame and plays online all day, doesnt go outside and is getting fat from eating too many chips and Mr. Twinkies...... I personally think I would be in better health if I got high and went out and went to a social event and was active.
Cannabis:
My personal opinion on cannabis is that it should be legal and that it should be one of the most legal drugs around. Cannabis is not harmless, smoke inhalation is OBVIOUSLY not good for the lungs, but Cannabis can be eaten much like alcohol is drinkable. In some people cannabis can cause schizo/psychosis, but nothing is harmless. People can die from eating peanut-butter because of allergies, and its no different with cannabis. A person could have a disposition for it. One study showed that people would have gotten the mental illness at some point in their life even without cannabis. They suggest cannabis can just trigger it at an earlier age. If Cannabis did hold risk to mental well-being as much as people say then why is the schizo and psychosis rates not changing when Cannabis use was going up.
Now here is the strongest arguement;
Alcohol and tobacco which in some cases are more addictive than ILLEGAL heroin, kills hundreds of thousands a year, either from cancer, overdose, stupid accident because of lack in cognitive abilities. Cannabis has killed...........................................................................0 people. You can smoke joint after joint for a week and you would forget where your weed is before you can even come remotely close a lethal dose.
Now I am a cannabis user and with my experience (everyone reacts differently) , if I ingest it I get short-term memory interruptions for about 10 -14 hours after i use it. If I dont use for one day, my memory is fully functional and i'm not trying to make it look good but I feel I can think a lot more logically and creatively than before I ingested, and I feel more at peace and unaggrevated. Might I add, the short-term memory disruptions caused at about 4-5 hours after ingestion do not cause me to loose my ability to function mentally at all. They are very minor.
The idea of putting someone in jail for using a substance which has not killed one person and in fact could be the opposite of what people think is just stupid. Two studies have found that cannabis could cause braincell growth and another study found cannabis can stop cancer. Rick Simpson, a farmer from Nova Scotia, claims to have actually cured many peoples cancer with his hemp oil which is high in THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol). One study they did in jamaica involving IQ tests, full body examinations, basically the works in tests and found that cannabis users had a slightly higher iq than the non-users and found no problems in health. Another good example of this study is the movie "Super High Me" where they did similar things to a comedian named Doug Benson, and even the doctor there found no problems in his health.
Doctor Robert Malamede also testified and has research andstudies to show that marijuana compunds (cannabinoids) are good for the brain!
Another doctor,Raphael Mechoulam, PhD did a huge speech on our brains endo-cannibinoid system. Alot of info can be found in the video section of medicalcannabis.com, these physicians outline cannabis risks, and found no danger.
Cannabis DOES NOT HAVE TO BE SMOKED!
It can ingested using a vaporizer which heats the substance up to where only the active ingrediants get released, mostly if not all toxins are avoided with this method.
It can be eaten in the form of brownies, cookies, milkshakes... anything that contains fat.
WHAT IF cannabis did kill people and was actually a dangerous drug like crack cocaine, heroin, alcohol, tobacco and others? Does that justify the cause of locking people up, and basically throwing away a persons chance of life(school, work, college) along with seperating/ruining their families. Is THIS WHAT CANADA Is REALLY ABOUT?
If you would like referances too any of these studies, just ask and I will send them to you asap.
Legalize, Tax, Regulate, and Educate
Thank you so much for your time!
Best Regards,
George
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Brandon, New Jersey // Tuesday, June 16, 2009 @ 9:58 PM
Obviously this Congressman is another one of the people who fight to get something banned that they know absolutely nothing about (is this Harry J Anslinger reincarnated?).
A few points:
1. if the cannabis is stronger you will smoke less hence you inhale fewer toxins created by the combustion of the plant material (if you vaporize than it requires you ingest far less of the drug and almost no toxic by products since it is not being combusted)
2. it is impossible to have a fatal overdose of THC (and other cannabinoids)hence there is no inherent danger (with regard to cannabinoids) between smoking 1 joint and smoking 3 joints.
3. instead of wasting time and millions of dollars in fighting cannabis legalize it, tax it and make money off of it!
4. there is no legitimate reason not to legalize it considering there are hundreds of thousands of legal "drugs" in the USA that are more addictive and harmful than cannabis ever will be.
All these congressmen need to get their heads out of their rears for once, see the light of day, and make legitimate arguments (that are backed by science) against the things that they oppose. Then and only then will the be respected and not hated by everyone.
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Curtis, Phoenix // Tuesday, June 16, 2009 @ 11:15 PM
Wow the ignorance and absurdity is mind blowing. Will anyone except the extremely misinformed vote for this man again?
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Giga, Alaska // Tuesday, June 16, 2009 @ 11:29 PM
i find it comforting to see that not a single response supports this congressman
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James, South Carolina // Wednesday, June 17, 2009 @ 1:51 AM
Unfortunatley, he reminds me of our governor in South Carolina, Mark Sandford. Coincidentally, he is from Chicago.
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Bird, Edmond/ Oklahoma // Wednesday, June 17, 2009 @ 2:17 AM
It's stupidity like this that makes me seriously ponder how many intelligent people work in our government.
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Kevin, Philadelphia // Wednesday, June 17, 2009 @ 9:52 AM
So many lies and misconceptions. This guy is a fool. Curiously, he has no problem with the FDA approved Marinol, which is 100% THC.
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Anthony Wallace, Greenville, TX // Wednesday, June 17, 2009 @ 10:16 AM
Our country, or really our whole world, will never work right or be in harmony until people like Mark Kirk figure out they are battling a PLANT!!! These people will never win the war on drug because you can't even begin to regulate public morality.
Thomas Jefferson once said "some of my finest hours have been spent on my back veranda, smoking hemp and observing as far as my eye can see."
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Prof. Snoods, Philadelphia // Wednesday, June 17, 2009 @ 10:33 AM
Wow. 25 years for possession of a vegetable? Bet this Mark Kirk guy does not know a single fact about Cannabis. What a chump.
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edddie, plymouth // Wednesday, June 17, 2009 @ 10:52 AM
Kush isnt new, Kush is a name. Bunk weed has seeds and low thc Kush has high thc and NO seeds, it can also be crossed and hybridized for color AND taste.
orange kush is deffinently the best, with blueberry a close second.
ALL weed is grown to be good .... sometimes it gets pollinated, or you used the wrong seeds ..... the reason you see the kush is because more people are growing CORECTLY
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kenneth mabie, ashland, Va // Wednesday, June 17, 2009 @ 11:29 AM
@ Elizabeth, Cary
you are saying thatjust because a group of people you knew are losers now that that gives you the right to punish others that use responsibly? i mean there are alot of people i know that use alcohol and are giant losers, so should we ban alcohol? oh wait we tried that and it didnt work, now did it? that is the point there liz is that it SHOULD BE REGULATED AND LEGALIZED, so that we dont have to go to criminals to have our relaxation and medication, YOU can simpily walk in to a liquor store and buy your drink and walk in to a pharamacy and get your pills, and go home and "medicate", but what if the tables were turned? what if us "pothead losers" were in charge and you had to go to a street dealer to get your precious pills? and had to worry that if you were in your own home that the door would be kicked in because you were "medicating" ? i noticed that you also said the comments above your were misinformed/uneducated/or just plain stupid... well in all honesty the comments made above you and below are much more informed than your "thank god its illegal that will stop it" comment, i mean seriously would you call willie nelson a loser? i doubt it, what about vincent vangoh? abbie hoffman? no these people were very successful in their professions, and made some of the worlds most beautiful art, and enlightened us with new ways of thinking, not to mention a pot smoking black man named snoop dogg most likly has a butt load more money than you will ever see in your life, i call that successful, you know what is a loser its a self rightous female dog that comes on to a website and offers no insight to an issue and then says that every one who disagrees is a loser, i bet you are one of them people that dont think eveolution is real either, but thats for a different time and place to argue about, REMEBER KIDS! GOD IS GOOD MAN IS NOT MAN MADE BEER GOD MADE POT, POT IS A PLANT IT GROWS FROM THE GROUND IF GOD DIDNT WANT IT IT WOULDNT BE AROUND.... LEGALIZE
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Mike R, Naperville // Wednesday, June 17, 2009 @ 2:16 PM
Another publicity stunt from an immoral and/or ignorant politician. Not sure whose payroll he's on.
My first concern is the constitutionality of enacting a law when is imposible for the average citizen to verify
their compliance to that law. I know I dont carry around a gas chromotography kit in the trunk of my car. How is anyone supposed to know the concentration of THC in their marijuana?
Prohibition always pushes the potency of the prohibited substance to the extreme. Bottom line, people want to be in possession of as little of said material as possible while still achieveing the desired effect. Legalize it and regulate it an you will see varying potencies, just like alcohol or cigaretts.
The next major point is that the vast majority of people are able to responsibly meter their intake. If I were to find myself in possession of one bottle of 100 proof liquor, I would not find it necessary to guzzle the entire bottle. If I am in possession of 1oz of marijuana, I will likewise not smoke the entire thing in one bong load. With marijuana, more is not better. All that matters is the desired result. If I have strong pot, I smoke less. If I have week pot, I smoke more.
This concludes todays lesson on common sense.
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Alex, Chicago IL // Wednesday, June 17, 2009 @ 2:54 PM
Mark Kirk is brain-dead.
I swear this guy gets dumber by the day.. I dont even know what to say anymore. Responding to his ludacris actions would be difficult to summarize.
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Slightly Stoopid // Wednesday, June 17, 2009 @ 6:48 PM
Sensemilla... and everybody wants to get some.
Duh, people this "new" stuff kush is what has caused the economic downfall and recession in this country. Mark Kirk is just the smartest man in the country... or not.
Some of them call it marijuana... either a indica (kush comes from a indica) or a sativa, and could be sensemilla (no seeds).
What is this moron Mark Kirk smoking himself? He needs to google more often...
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Justin K, Reisterstown MD // Wednesday, June 17, 2009 @ 9:07 PM
This is absolutely disgusting. I cannot wait until the truth about cannabis comes out, and the world will see how misguided it was... This issue is more serious than anyone can imagine. Cannabis is much more powerful than anybody could ever imagine, and in fact the higher the potency, the better. Concentrated cannabis extracts, mainly hemp oil developed by Rick Simpson, can cure practically any disease known to man, including terminal cancer, diabetes, arthritis, MS, cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disorders, pain disorders, mental disorders, and even physical wounds. I've seen hemp oil work myself so I know it works, not to mention I've talked to terminal cancer survivors and other people who have benefited immensely from this medicine. This is not a game, the world is at stake, and the government is committing a genocide greater than the Holocaust by prohibiting this plant. By the way, you can learn all about hemp oil by visiting phoenixtears.ca or searching Rick Simpson on Google.
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Jman, Jer Z // Wednesday, June 17, 2009 @ 10:45 PM
Maybe one day we will get to the bottom of this all. We'll learn of back room dealings between pharmaceutical companies (how dare we allow a medicine that someone can easily grow), oil companies (keep hemp out of here), law enforcement and penal agencies (keep those anti-drug tax dollars coming our way) and the politicians like this clown who get campaign contributions and a chance to get up in front of the cameras and everyone how much they care about America's children. The bottom line is, to quote Randy Newman, "It's money that matters".
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Jreed, evanston // Thursday, June 18, 2009 @ 8:26 AM
What a waste...strikes me as classical fear pandering to drum up support. Seriously, enough is enough with the negative motivations! when will our political class step up and legislate without resorting to base manipulations pandering to unfounded fears. They're supposed to be the educated ones right?
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G.Lucas, elgin // Thursday, June 18, 2009 @ 8:40 PM
wow these comments make me think that I am on some subversive website not CPR. I do hope that these views are reflective of general consensus not a fringe group. By the way I think Mark Kirk is picking this subject because its always been a convenient whipping boy, I mean how can a public official not be anti-drugs? I hope his constituents give him hell for wasting time on this when he should be working on universal health care or the economy.
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Mark Ferrell, Rolla, Missouri // Friday, June 19, 2009 @ 9:54 AM
It isn't that Mr. Kirk doesn't know the facts. In fact, I'm confident that he knows exactly the kind of misinformation he spreads. He does so because of the $$$ he probably receives from tobacco, oil and the pharmaceutical industries. All in the name of greed, in my opinion.
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Eric, clarion // Friday, June 19, 2009 @ 12:43 PM
All i am going to say is impeach Mark Kirk then put him in jail for 25 years and lets see how he likes it!
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John F, Logan Square // Friday, June 19, 2009 @ 1:58 PM
So a 25-year sentence for selling this plant. If out at 12 years for good behavior, you are spending nearly $500,000 (half of a MILLION dollars), to arrest, prosecute, incarerate, and monitor probation for this felon.
I very much want my voice heard when it comes time to deciding whether we want to spend a half of a million dollars to lock up someone dealing kush. I think the aburdity speaks for itself.
Figures from: http://www.cga.ct.gov/2008/rpt/2008-R-0099.htm
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Mike, Auburn, Washington // Friday, June 19, 2009 @ 2:07 PM
Stonger Pot, I would like proof, please send to.....
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Sessy, Atlanta // Friday, June 19, 2009 @ 2:43 PM
Great - just what we need more pot heads really spaced out
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WDMAX, Hawaii // Monday, June 22, 2009 @ 11:22 PM
Let me see...
Stronger pot? Hmmm, certain chemicals or contents in the products we consume are present in various amounts. To eat one Big Mac would amount to a safe, albeit high amount of fat, food consumed by millions of people. Some people are satisfied with just one. Now there are people that consume 2-3 a day to feel the same level of satisfaction and they inevitably consume larger amounts of fat. If there existed a Big Mac with twice to three times the amount of fat, possibly the 2-3 Big Mac a day person would only eat one and feel satisfied.
Cannabis with low levels of THC is consumed by millions of people that just want to relax. If they want more THC they smoke more in order to get the desired affects (feeling of satisfaction). A higher THC Kush strain Indica or Sativa hybrid would give the same person a level of satisfaction at a lower rate of consumption (one hit). People who know this are people that smoke cannabis.
"Pot heads" as you call them don't continue to smoke cannabis when they have reached a level of satisfaction. Usually the "pot head" stops and when s/he gets too high finds a place to chill out or fall asleep.
Same is true for alcohol. If you want a buzz you have one beer if you want to get drunk you drink a couple of pitchers of beer or break out the Tequila, JD, Gin or Vodka and have at it. Only problem is you can drink yourself to death with alcohol. You can not smoke yourself to death with cannabis (although the munchies may present a problem if you are in the vicinity of a Big Mac).
Hashish is a very potent concentrated mostly Indica strain of marijuana/cannabis. Most "pot heads" don't smoke hash because it's just too potent. If hash was a popular product then the cartels would find a way to get it to their customers in the U.S.
Mark Kirk is an idiot. Unfortunately birds of a feather flock together in our nations congress. This too will come to pass.
Remember is is okay to say no to drugs. When you had enough and someone offers you a joint, "just say no".
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