Edit to above:
TLIK – care to substantiate any of the above with facts and/or references?
Majority of these arguments have been, and continue to be the political arguments for the primary American organization lobbying to criminalize marijuana.
Again, I’m not at all steeped in the political side of it, but the only thing I took away from reading about both sides and their respective arguments is that studies mean nothing.
Both sides say they have studies that actually contradict, and yet they stick to their guns as though studies are the end all emet. Again I repeat- for your own sakes- don’t believe everything you heard growing up, simply because that’s how you grew up. And for your own sake, dont judge others unfavorably because of your potentially misguided beliefs.
And to add to Adams’ point – we as a people are far more tolerant of other dangerous forms of recreation. Its a mistake to think the negative attitude towards pot stems from societal morals and ethics- it’s deeply rooted in the American psyche because of ancient propaganda dating far back prior to prohibition, which labeled cannabis use as an “evil” and that’s just how it’s always been. For many sephardim who’s grandparents and great grandparents lived in the Middle East- a little arak and hashish on a celebratory evening was considered quite normal.
I’m happy prohibition came up because I wonder if that bottle of schnapps would still be on the table at shul if prohibition had occurred in recent years as opposed to the early 1900’s. I know, I know, our generation is too degenerate to accept such a concept as prohibition- I don’t disagree.
An argument i can hear is that most, or many of us simply don’t possess the self awareness to know when we’ve had too much (to smoke, drink, anything…) and so substance abuse can send many people on a downward path of destructive behaviour and avonot- and this is what we should teach our children when the bill passes in our states. That there are many evils in the world which can also be used in moderation for good- it’s not up to the govt or our leaders to label these things kosher or not kosher, it’s up to US to take individual responsibility of is this kosher or not kosher for ME. If we are strong willed and never lose sight of what’s important, then we’ll be able to defeat and subsequently distance ourselves from temptation. If we are weak, then we will succumb and spiral into self destruction- those are the 2 ends of the spectrum, and then of course there are all the levels in between. If you’re still too old school to hear me out on the pot thing, then re-read this last paragraph and apply it to drinking or whatever other disorders or addiction that may gdforbid exist in your life.
Again I repeat- for your own sake- don’t believe everything you heard growing up, simply because that’s how you grew up. And for your own sake, dont judge others unfavorably because of your potentially misguided beliefs. For that matter, don’t judge anybody unfavorably ever