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nacrypt

Today, I called up Steven Steiner at the DAMMADD organization. They have a toll free number: 866-DAMMADD where you can snitch on people. Also, if you press a different option it connected me to Mr. Steiner directly. He actually sat there and argued with me about drug politics for like 20 minutes. If he talked to me, maybe he'll talk to you, so call him up and tell him what you think or just leave a message. Remember, be nice, we want him to respect our arguments and position, not think we're a bunch of lunatics.

Anyway, I tried to explain to him the parallels between marijuana prohibition and the history our country's failed attempt at alcohol prohibition. He said he doesn't like alcohol either and thinks that it should be illegal. This shows the frame of rationality (or lack of it) that he is in. I told him that legalizing and regulating marijuana like alcohol is the only realistic method of preventing minors from accessing it. Well, he disagreed but that's no suprise. Like many others he approaches from a moralistic stance and repeatedly said the if I had children I would feel different. I have no idea what I'll think when I do have children but I've discussed the issue at length with my own parents and they support legalizing marijuana and eliminating the risk of criminal penalties.

He also said that he had tried marijuana himself when he was younger. I asked him if he felt that he should have been punished for doing that but he declined to answer. Then he said that his brother was a convicted coke dealer who had his parole violated when he was caught with a joint. This makes me think that he has blamed the drugs themselves for his family becoming a victim of prohibition.

I asked him about the notion of personal freedom when choosing a recreational intoxicant and using it responsibly, but he was unconvinced. He seemed very against the idea of "medical" marijuana. Though, he declined to comment on the story of Harvard Emeritus Ph.D. in psychiatry, Lester Grinspoon's son, who used marijuana to increase his appetite and reduce nausea during chemotherapy. This boy later died of his cancer, but his father was very thankful that marijuana was able to increase his quality of life before he died. I tried to keep the discussion on the topic of personal, responsible, recreational use for those who are 21+ since that is my personal concern. The idea of pot being sold at liquor stores seems too much for him.

This guy is a classic example of what we are up against, ardent moralists who have their fingers poised to call the police. Fear not good pot-smokers... the era of marijuana prohibition will not last forever! This guy and the fools like him will never be convinced by mere rational debate, they must be bypassed. We'll take our case directly to the people themselves, like we've done in Denver!

It can never hurt to waste this fools time a little bit and tell him that there are people out there who disagree with him and are willing to do what it takes to change a bad law.

 

Victor_vicious

This post got my attention by its title. If this conversation had been recorded and aired it would have been awesome. VV

Buzzby

I currently avoid arguing with professional drug warriors, one-on-one. You're obviously not going to convince them that you're right and they're wrong. The only use for such confrontations (private ones) is to hone your pro-legalization arguments.

I love debating them in public. I take a predatory delight in shredding their poorly defended positions. Going in for the kill... Priceless!

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Lothar121

I personally think Steiner actually helps our cause. He is so irrational when he testifies and so obnoxious that it turns law makers off to his message.

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sterbo

Steiner's comment is one of those classic, idiotic riffs that lightweight debaters use when they can't garner an intelligent argument.

Just my opinion as as a father...

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bananahands

its amazing how you are able to keep calm and stick by good points in your argument while his points are irrational. I think you did an amazing job

kcbennie

I have to say, I am a parent of a beautiful 1 year old girl. I would much rather my daughter smoke weed when she's a teenager than drink any day of the week. All of the horror stories that you hear about teenage girls usually involve alcohol. You never see stoned chicks end up in a bathtub with a shaved head, or on "Girls Gone Wild," or gang raped by the football team (who 95% of are drunk jock morons).

I personally used to be an avid drinker. There was a six month period of my life where I drank a fifth a night, and two years after that where I darank a half a fifth a night. Now I may have anywhere from 2 to 8 drinks once or twice a month, if I drink at all. My reasons for putting the breaks on are the obvious health concerns, but equally my anger of the double standard. It makes me so mad and frustrated that not only is alcohol legal, but often it's expected. I can't count how many times I've been at a party and one of my drunk ass friends would say "You're not drinking? What's the matter with you?" Like something is wrong with me. Meanwhile, no matter how stoned I get at the party, I won't end up throwing up, embarassing myself, ofending my friends and family, wrecking my car, getting arrested for driving drunk, killing someone with my car, and possibly drowning on my own vomit while I sleep. I think that comparing pot to alcohol is one of the best things that mj actavists can do to help the cause.

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"My friend said 'Man, the weather is really trippy' and I said 'The weather's not trippy. It's just the way that you perceive the weather that is in fact trippy.' And then I though to myself 'I should've just said 'Yeah.''"

- Mitch Hedburg

Broliette

Thank you kc, I have to agree with everything you said.

I can't even add; it's exactly my story and feeling (cept for the child part; but I know I would feel the same way.)

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SpiralArchitect

From their website;

These guys are absolute loonies, arguing, debating, even a discussion with them is nothing but a waste of breathe IMO. I totally agree with your well made argument narcrypt, and I still applaud you for your efforts. I bet the guy was absolutely furious afterwards, too bad he couldn't smoke a bowl to chill out.

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Jdezle21

"... a grass roots organization..."

Hmm, if only they meant smoething different by this.