Anti-marijuana course still going strong in Janesville
Photo 
Carrie Kulinski
JANESVILLE — Dear Marijuana,
I have mixed feelings bout you. ...I have tried to quit, but then I don't want to.
I have been smoking since I was 12 years old, and I don't really realize how much I actually smoke.
I want to say I can quit, but in my heart I know I won't. So yeah, I don't know how I feel about you at this point in time.
—From a Janesville student's class assignment during the Delta-9 course, taught and created by Carrie Kulinski
Carrie Kulinski knows it's an uphill battle.
She teaches the dangers of marijuana in a culture that often winks at pot smokers.
She knows that both locally and nationwide, the illegal weed is second only to alcohol in its popularity among young people.
Kulinski works with some of the Janesville School District's most at-risk students, including those who were expelled or have been chronically truant. Even so, she has made an impact.
Many students who were sure they were smoking a harmless plant aren't so sure anymore. Some have considered going straight after experiencing the anti-marijuana course that Kulinski created.
Kulinski notes that no long-term study has been done on her former students' habits, but each time she surveys them at the end of her course, at least some indicate their thinking about pot has changed.
It all started five years ago. Kulinski had heard repeatedly from the district's health teachers that students were asking to learn more about marijuana.
But the school district's anti-drug curriculum focused mainly on alcohol.
So Kulinski created her own curriculum.
She named it Delta-9 after the name for marijuana's psychoactive ingredient, delta-9–tetrahydrocannabinol.
Gazette readers first heard of Kulinski's efforts in 2007.
The headline over the article, "Weed whacker," has stuck. Friends call her "WW."
While some found the name disrespectful for such a serious topic, Kulinski takes it in good humor.
The Gazette article also made her well-known in the drug-prevention community. Turns out, very few anti-marijuana courses exist. So when someone does an Internet search for marijuana curriculums, one of the first to pop up is Delta-9.
The course she created has been sold to 54 anti-drug programs across Wisconsin and as far away as an Army base in Hawaii.
At $200 a pop, the sales aren't doing much for the school district's budget, but each dollar subsidizes the district's CRES Academy, a small charter school that helps students who are returning to the district after going through drug or alcohol rehabilitation.
She has also taught others across the state how to deliver Delta-9, at $100 an hour.
Kulinski holds a master's degree in counseling and is licensed for social work and counseling. Early in her career, she worked third-shift detox for Parkside Lodge, a drug/alcohol treatment center later bought out by Mercy Health System.
She joined the Janesville School District as its coordinator of programs that focus on alcohol, tobacco and other drugs in 1999. The position expanded over the years but remains part time.
She oversaw the creation of district ATODA committee, and that group put together a drug-education plan for the district. It was one of the first in the nation to have such a comprehensive plan with elements coordinated from elementary through high school, she said.
Kulinski also coordinates the CRES Academy and teaches Delta-9 at Rock River Charter School and the Truancy Abatement and Transitional Education Center.
She tells students she's not there to brainwash them. She just wants them to learn the facts, and it's up to them to decide how to respond.
"Most students don't feel marijuana is harmful," she said. "You know, ‘It's a harmless plant.'"
That attitude has become more widespread over the past five years, she said, probably because the drug has become more accepted in the culture.
And that's probably why youthful marijuana use has increased, she said.
The latest national study shows marijuana use among high school seniors increased from 33 percent to 35 percent from 2009 to 2010. Use among 10th-graders edged up one percentage point, to 29 percent. Among eighth-graders, use went up two points, to 14 percent.
Local trends generally mirror the national numbers, Kulinski said.
Kulinski said she likes her students to challenge her, and many take her up on that. She responds with the latest research, including scans that show brains of marijuana users working harder to overcome the drug's effects.
She tells them that the brains of chronic users work 40 percent to 50 percent slower than non-stoners. She tells them their brains aren't fully developed until age 25.
And it doesn't take much to get students to agree that pot affects short-term memory or to understand that the smoke can damage the lungs.
"It's never dull when I teach a Delta-9 class, especially when they're users. But I like that," she said.
Kulinski noticed while teaching that students talked about marijuana as if they had a personal relationship with it. So she asks them, halfway through the course, to write a letter to the drug. Some don't write much.
Dear Ganja,
Why did you have to come into my life? You can get me into a lot of trouble. I need to stop smoking you.
Farewell, goodbye.
Kulinski's job has always depended on grants. The latest one runs out in June. She is fairly confident the state will renew the grant, but until she gets the notification, she has to worry that she could be out of a job.
Meanwhile, Kulinski has a new idea: She's working with teachers of high school marketing students to create promotional materials to get the word out about Delta-9 to potential customers.
"I don't see going out and paying for this when we have talented students right here in our district who can do it," she said.
Kulinski also is hoping Delta-9 will be adopted for use in Rock County's underage-violators program.
And she's considering writing a book based on those letters. Working title: "Dear Mary Jane."
Dear Marijuana;
You have destroyed my life. ...My dad loves you and not me. ...Once, I found you under my dad's couch, and I flushed you down the toilet. My dad quit talking to me for months. You got me high when I was 8 years old. My dad and I smoked you in the truck. I went home and fell down the stairs. ...
Dad shared you with one of his friends. Thanks to you, that friend molested me. He kept doing this. I told my dad, and thanks to you, he blamed it on me. ...I'm always living my life in fear that you will come back and destroy everything.
Why can't you just stay away forever?
I hate you!
Jan 12, 2011 at 3:47 p.m.
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Dear sensimilla,
Thanks for being there for me for the past 11 years. Growing up in the "Just Say No" generation I believed everything adults told me about you. "It'll make you lazy." "It's a gateway drug." "It kills brain cells and makes you stupid." "People who smoke pot are losers." The list goes on and on.
I remember being at an outdoor concert when I was 17. People were passing a joint, and when someone offered it to me, I was scared. I wish I had taken a hit that day, so we could have become friends five years earlier than we did.
Eventually, in my early 20s, I found a group of friends who enjoyed you. They showed me it was possible to enjoy you while still being upstanding, productive members of society. (By the way, these people are still my closest friends to this day, even though we have lived hundreds of miles apart for nearly a decade.)
While at first I smoked you for recreation, I quickly learned that you possess medicinal qualities. Growing up, I was known to have an extremely short and violent temper -- getting into fights, being destructive, committing theft and vandalism. I was headed for trouble.
I'm not naive enough to believe that you cured me of these ills; I'm fully aware that I grew as a person and realized what I was getting into. What I do know is that alcohol only exacerbated my temper, lowered my inhibitions and caused other problems.
Since meeting you, I have been a much more relaxed, even-tempered person. I am more at ease in social situations. I think before I speak. I consider others' feelings before my own. Some argue that this is not a result of my relationship with you, and they are right. All you have done is help me see the error of my past ways.
Oh, and about those so-called truths about you that were hammered into my head as a youth? Firsthand experience has proven them all to be grossly inaccurate. I am not lazy, I haven't used you as a gateway to a "better high," and I certainly don't think you make me underachieve.
I know people have plenty of reasons to dislike you, and that's OK. You're not for everyone. Some people find relief in prescription drugs, some in legal drugs or in harder, illegal drugs. Some put themselves on a pedestal because they don't "need" anything to alter their minds. Kudos. But you’ll never find me looking down on someone for their personal choices. That's what bugs me so much: those who put you down oftentimes are those who have never met you.
I hope that someday I can consume my medicine legally, with no fear of repercussion. I know that day is coming, and when it arrives, it will be in large part because of people like "thekid3477" who put their name/reputation on the line to advocate for you. I promise to do all I can to aid this fight and to spread the message that, despite people like the "Weed Whacker" who refuse to admit that you have positive qualities, I’m an example that you don't ruin lives. People ruin their own lives.
See ya at 4:20!
Jan 12, 2011 at 3:29 p.m.
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Dear Alcohol,
You almost destroyed my parent's marriage and my normal life. My Mom & Dad turned into different people when the use you and they used you a lot! My Uncle used to be just like them and many times they would all drink together and fights would break out. When they were not drunk they loved each other, but when they drank they would fight. My Uncle left one night and ran into a car full of kids coming back from a basketball game. Thankfully they all lived but it scared him into not drinking. He smokes pot now, but he's nice again and fun to talk to. He never acts mean any more and he helped my parents to quit drinking too. When I get to be an adult I WILL not use alcohol, I've lived through the Hell of what it can do to a loving family. My Uncle told me that I shouldn't do any of it until I'm an adult, I told him thanks for changing and helping my family act civil again...
Jan 12, 2011 at 12:46 p.m.
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Dear Mary Jane,
I forgot.
Nononono, wait....while you're out,get some...sour cream and onion chips, with some dip, man. Some beef jerkey, some peanut butter. Get some Hagen-Dagz ice-cream bars. A whole lotta of chocolate. Gotta have chocolate, man. Some popcorn, pink popcorn. GRAHAM CRACKERS!!! Graham crackers with the marshmallows. Little marshmallows with little chocolate bars and we'll make some s'mores man. Celery, grape jelly, Captain Crunch with the little crunch berries, pizzas, we need two big pizzas, man, everything on 'em, water, a whole lotta water and.......Funyuns.
Jan 12, 2011 at 12:01 p.m.
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Dear Mary Jane,
I remember you filling up my lungs when I was 5. I went through a lot of Cheetos, Doritos, and red Kool Aid with you. I never liked the way you made me feel especially this one time when my friend and I got really high and we went over to his uncle's house to eat. I felt scared when everyone in the house was looking at me sitting in the living room. Or, that time when I took a ride with my brother and his friends while they filled the car up with smoke. After I got out of the car (without even taking a crucial role in the joint rotation), my eyes were bubbly. I don't hate you for that because I made a decision to stop hanging around with you. I can't seem to understand why some people hate you worse than you alcohol or tobacco? I don't get it. They kill more people than you do every year yet you are prohibited from being carried around for casual use. Bye Maryjane, I never really liked you but I don't hate you.
BYE,
Jan 12, 2011 at 11:59 a.m.
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dear marijuana,
i use to consume legal drugs. i was never violent or anything when i consumed them, but i just...kept...making...the...wrong...choice. you help give me focus, and i know there are doubters, but you helped me become a better man, mostly because you opened my mind to a different perspective on life. i wont go as far as to say you saved my life...but you saved my life. thank you and i will do everything in my power to re-educate people on your true benefits and dispel the ugly lies that have been spread for far to long. i owe you at least that.
yours truly,
kid
Jan 12, 2011 at 11:47 a.m.
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This comment was put in a 6 foot water bong and smoked by the site staff. (without coughing)
Jan 12, 2011 at 11:32 a.m.
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(Some time ago)
Dear Marijuana,
I started smoking you when I was 12 years old. We had a lot of good times. We were arrested more than once, but I know it wasn't your fault. You didn't make the laws. I know it wasn't the cop's fault. He doesn't get to choose what laws he can enforce. I know it wasn't my fault. Civil disobedience has been used successfully many times in the past, and I'm a fighter. In fact, because I'm such a fighter, I joined the Marine Corps when I was 18. I'm sorry that we had to part ways. I can't practice civil disobedience and fight for our country at the same time. Thank you for the good times. When I needed a non-addictive way to relax and enjoy life, I knew from the start I could count on you.
(Years later)
Dear Marijuana,
I'm back!
Jan 12, 2011 at 11:24 a.m.
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FSchultz, thanks for your input. However, I think the issue that many commenters here are raising is the fact that this is a SEPARATE curriculum supplementing regular health curriculum.
The questions being asked are more along the lines of why MJ is singled out for additional focus when other, harder, more-dangerous drugs do not receive similar attention. For example, why not a separate program for prescription drugs/opiates, which are as easy for kids to access -- if not easier -- than finding someone to sell them some weed.
Maybe I'm off-base here, but that's my interpretation.
Jan 12, 2011 at 10:34 a.m.
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Perhaps a little clarification would help:
The Janesville School District has a K-12 anti-drug program, mostly through its health classes, that focuses heavily on the most heavily used drug, which is alcohol, but also on marijuana, tobacco and the wide range of other illicit drugs. Carrie Kulinski and a district committee oversee all these efforts. This article focused on just one aspect.
--Gazette reporter Frank Schultz
Jan 12, 2011 at 10:07 a.m.
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I have to say that I'm completely disgusted with the presumption in that child's letter that marajuanna was to blame for her molestation. This is fear mongering at its worst. Also, I like freeradical's points. The profit margins on marajuanna are much too low to ever be accepted by the health care industry. Not to mention, obesity is becoming a huge issue with children, and the resources spent on "weed wacking" could be used to address that.
Jan 12, 2011 at 9:53 a.m.
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Doesn't anyone else find it ironic the Gazette posted this article
http://www.gazettextra.com/news/2011/jan......
Claiming the decision for this would be delayed, nearly on the day that the decision was made?
Seems quite convenient if you're on the council. I'm not saying I disagree with it, these kids were actually showing up in the ER from fake pot(not something that would happen with marijuana, mind you.).
But I do find it quite disheartening that our voice is stifled in the comments, then it would ALMOST appear as though the city council and the gazette are in cahoots to manipulate the public's impact on important issue, as black and white as they may seem. This is quite disturbing, quite unbecoming.
Am I the only one who put this together?
Jan 12, 2011 at 9:46 a.m.
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" We don't understand it Mrs Simpson! We've tired Ritalin, Adderal, Concentra, Prozac, and Xanax, yet your son still turned to drugs!"
So true. So many kids, so many pills.
So true. As long as pharmaceutical companies are making their money, and the lobbyists are making theirs all is "good". Especially when they deny marijuana has any sort of health benefits, then they create and patent marinol-a synthetic form of THC(the active ingredient as we all know unless you are uneducated) as try to sell it. So marijuana is bad for us, but you make it in a lab, put it in a pill and slap price tag on the controlled market and suddenly all the benefits you denied in THC are ready and waiting in marinol? HAHAHA
Not funny.Especially because marinol is nothing compared to THC, they haven't been able to mimic nature and her delicate processes.
And for you bible thumpers;
If god put everything on the planet...and marijuana is illegal- is that implying that god made a mistake?This applies to other things as well.
Jan 12, 2011 at 5:06 a.m.
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re: US patent# 6630507....hhhmmmmm!
Jan 12, 2011 at 12:06 a.m.
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In the interest of balance the school should have a course on the benefits of marijuana and hemp. Though the hemp part may be to much for a single semester, the marijuana benefits seem to also be growing (pun intended) with the new study coming out of Madrid. But when it comes to minors I think they should be encouraged to limit their use to hemp shoes, backpacks, fuel ... Now, where did I put that roach?
Jan 11, 2011 at 5:43 p.m.
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off topic...but a good read one of the last federal medical marijuana patients. yes the hypocritical federal govt at one time acknowledged the medical benefit. the best part?? the tax payers pay for about 300 joints A MONTH!! socialist pot heads!!
http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/01/11/v-...
Jan 11, 2011 at 4:33 p.m.
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thekid, billnewbie must have really had his thinkin' cap on when he came up with that one. That's why believers don't want to get in lengthy conversations about belief, it doesn't stand up to reasoning.
Jan 11, 2011 at 3:45 p.m.
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hey gfan...i had a lenthy convo w billnewbie one time about why his god would have put the plant here...if not to consume and he basically agreed that god may have put it here for animals to use as medicine...just not human animals:)
Jan 11, 2011 at 2:59 p.m.
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She qualifies "at risk" students as those that have been expelled or are truant? Ok, if a kid got busted bringing drugs to school then he's a stupid kid for bringing it on school grounds in the first place. But pot smoking does not make you truant. Where is the parent kicking the kids ass out the front door to go to school? Don't blame pot for truancy. Thats just silly.
Jan 11, 2011 at 2:31 p.m.
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It's billnewbie, don't expect clear thinking.
billnewbie, consider this:
He [god] causeth the grass to grow for the cattle and herb for the service of man, that he may bring forth food out of the earth. Psalms 104:14
I wonder how many of the children re: the story above have christians for parents.
Jan 11, 2011 at 1:50 p.m.
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ill ask you again billnewbie where you see anyone 'advocating that children should smoke marijuana'??
Jan 11, 2011 at 1:27 p.m.
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I wouldn't have believed it if I didn't see it myself but there are people here who are actually advocating that children should smoke marijuana. Now that's pathetic.
Jan 11, 2011 at 12:59 p.m.
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"pathetic and full of misinformation"
fromjanesvilletowaukesha-I thought the same thing. Two VERY DIFFERENT ISSUES going on here.
Jan 11, 2011 at 12:58 p.m.
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good, the first step is admitting that YOU have a problem.
Carrie, can you confirm that?
Jan 11, 2011 at 12:56 p.m.
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Indeed, pathetic and full of misinformation.
Jan 11, 2011 at 12:50 p.m.
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your guesswork is disgusting. You have NO IDEA if carrie picked it or a current or former student asked to have it published. YOU HAVE NO CLUE about that.
pathetic and full of misinformation
Jan 11, 2011 at 12:47 p.m.
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Just one post indeed. One of many. The fact is that of all the social ills this is right down there on the list near drinking raw milk. The most sickening part of the article is that this, "Educator," decides to assimilate smoking pot with touching children in inappropriate ways. This idea is nearly as sick as the act itself. You chose which letter would be published correct Carrie? In addition I would assume those letter to be confidential. Disgusting.
Jan 11, 2011 at 12:38 p.m.
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Tobacco and alcohol are legal yet I choose not to smoke or drink. Why? Because I am aware of how they harm the body. If tobacco and alcohol were illegal, I still would not smoke or drink. We keep wasting millions of dollars on the war on marijuana when we should be waging a tougher war on drunk driving deaths and alcoholism. If people choose to smoke marijuana, big deal, it is their health they risk. Stop plugging up the justice system with marijuana violations. Make it legal to grow it, regulate it, and and tax it.
Jan 11, 2011 at 12:37 p.m.
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The kids want to blame marijuana rather than the summation of the rest of their choices? Marijuana is the least of them. Perhaps they turn to marijuana because it makes them feel good, then when it doesn't solve their problems they turn it into a scapegoat. Marijuana is not the cause of their problems. But this lady is making 100$ an hour teaching other people to tell people it is. I'm not saying she's doing a bad thing, just saying the letters in the article perpetuate the myth that it's something that controls someone's life differently than say....the media, cell phones, being tied to electronic devices all day, being brought up in a careless throw it away now and figure the rest out later society. Of these, marijuana is probably a lesser evil. Certainly no worse than the beer commercials splattered all over prime-time TV with fat men, and attractive illiterate women waiting on them hand and foot. Certainly no worse than Magazine covers at every turn, with more half naked women and boasts for "101 sex tips you can try-TONIGHT!". No, with so much going on around unchecked and unchallenged, if anything, the marijuana PROBABLY HELPS. More than anything, I think.
Jan 11, 2011 at 12:35 p.m.
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Legalize it and tax it! Not any different than alcohol! Do we need to spend money on teaching kids the affects of drugs?? Isn't that the parents job?
Jan 11, 2011 at 12:33 p.m.
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these comments are ignorant and disgusting.
Carrie is absolutely amazing with these kids. She, on her own, answered a need of the district. Health teachers said kids were asking about marijuana and they wanted more information.
Carrie did an incredible amount of research to find FACTS related to the effects of marijuana use. She wrote a curriculum that the district profits from. Carrie does not get the $100 per hour or $200 per curriculum sold... CRES Academy AKA School District of Janesville does.
Carrie does not need me to defend her but I will. I have watched her work with these at-risk kids...sad that they respect her more than the "adults" on this board. Her goal is to educate kids about marijuana because they had told their health teacher they wanted more education about marijuana. Just like all the other drugs listed...students should be informed before making the decision to use. Carrie provides the information.
Carrie does not just teach Delta 9. She works incredibly hard for this district on all ATODA issues. If students ask about cocaine or heroin she will provide them with education...thankfully most are not using those.
This woman is incredibly knowledgeable and does not deserve the childish disrespect she received on this comment board.
Carrie, remember this, CONSIDER THE SOURCE. Don't let the ignorant and stupid deter the incredible work you do.
Carrie, THANK YOU!
Jan 11, 2011 at 12:17 p.m.
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Helping kids is a noble cause, no doubt. It just seems to me and others that your views on the dangers of marijuana usage are a bit misplaced, overblown, dated & ineffectual.
Jan 11, 2011 at 12:01 p.m.
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I'm just trying to help kids...........so sad
Jan 11, 2011 at 11:39 a.m.
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As long as she can perpetuate the myths surrounding this issue, she will continue to have unjustified income. Out of all the things to waste taxpayer money on, this course would come in just behind a course called, "Driving less can reduce your fuel consumption."
Jan 11, 2011 at 11:19 a.m.
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I have been a cigarette smoker since I was 15 and I'm much older then that now. This woman should be teaching kids to stay away from cigarettes not weed. I would quit smoking cigarettes tomorrow if they legalized weed. Smoking kills more people than weed! Come on people! Doesn't take a rocket scientist. Oh and I'm addicted to smoking cigs. Tried to quit and can't. But I can go all week without smoking pot. I use weed for my Crohn's disease. It helps immensly.
Jan 11, 2011 at 11:16 a.m.
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i understand grandy. its nice that im on the top of your mind when a pot story comes up:) feel free to become a fan:)
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Thekid3477...
Jan 11, 2011 at 11:14 a.m.
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billnewbie...ive tried to follow along but i may have missed it. could you please tell me which post, or copy/paste the post that "actually advocate that children should have legal access to marijuana."
im sure you wouldnt just make stuff up. thats not the typical anti-potter mojo...
Jan 11, 2011 at 11:05 a.m.
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People make their own choices. They choose whether to take that first drink, that first puff off of a cigarette, their first hit of pot. Its what they choose to do after that first hit or drink that determines their path in life. I have lots of friends that I experimented things with in high school. Many, including myself, went on to have fulfilling careers. Those that didn't, honestly, knew even back then that they wouldn't have careers. Its about character. I have many friends who still experiment with mj. I don't put them down or think less of them for this. They are very successfull people fully capeable of balancing work, family, and a social life.
Jan 11, 2011 at 11:04 a.m.
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So it's true. Some marijuana fans are so defensive of their favorite drug that they actually advocate that children should have legal access to marijuana. Wow.
Jan 11, 2011 at 10:10 a.m.
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Another huge waste of time and money. Somebody PLEASE explain to me why pot is STILL illegal! We can drink til we can't walk or talk, smoke cigaretts til we give OTHER people cancer but I can't get high in my own living room! Make it legal tax it and watch the money roll in!
Jan 11, 2011 at 9:57 a.m.
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"Dad shared you with one of his friends. Thanks to you, that friend molested me. He kept doing this. I told my dad, and thanks to you, he blamed it on me. ...I'm always living my life in fear that you will come back and destroy everything"
Now I've heard it all....blaming pot for turning someone into a pedophile.
Jan 11, 2011 at 9:41 a.m.
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'My comment on your previous stances on this subject was the object of my comment'
have we discussed minors using marijauna before?? if so then you know my stance on this subject and your first comment was wrong
frg....you crack me up man. bravo. good point on the reefer madness statistic.
Jan 11, 2011 at 9:41 a.m.
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evansvillehousewife - I agree with your post. Prescription drug use/abuse should is a much more critical topic that schools need to address. Prescription drugs are killing young people because they have no understanding of the effects on their bodies. I'd rather my child understood the harmful effects of mixing painkillers and opiates and mood-altering pills than have them learn about a harmless plant.
Jan 11, 2011 at 9:02 a.m.
Jan 11, 2011 at 7:58 a.m.
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I'm all for education, but this "anti-marijuana" course is questionable. Here's some things that all students need to know, and many have difficulties with.
1. How to cross the street. (Start at about age 3).
2. The English language.
3. Simple math.
4. Personal finance.
5. Starting your own business.
6. Physical fitness.
7. Diet and nutrition.
8. American History.
9. Geography.
10. Economics - supply and demand! It is apparent to me that most people do not really understand this simple concept.
Once all the basics are covered, then we move on to such advanced topics as addictive behaviors, drug and alcohol use, etc. Putting together all the previous knowledge, it can be shown why the "War on Drugs" is worse than just legalizing everything, as any drug dealer would know.
Jan 11, 2011 at 6:32 a.m.
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A couple quotes from the article:
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"It all started five years ago. Kulinski had heard repeatedly from the district's health teachers that students were asking to learn more about marijuana."
&
"'Most students don't feel marijuana is harmful," she said. "You know, ‘It's a harmless plant.'"
That attitude has become more widespread over the past five years, she said, probably because the drug has become more accepted in the culture.
And that's probably why youthful marijuana use has increased, she said."
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So 5 years ago she started her curriculum, and in the 5 years since positive feelings about marijuana and youthful marijuana use have both increased. Boy, her program is working like gang busters. Students were asking to learn more about marijuana, and apparently they've learned that they love it. A marijuana advocate in teacher's clothing? I think maybe. You go Ms. Kulinski!
Seriously folks, do we want to turn kids to the harsh realities that go along with becoming a DOC statistic just because they like to free their mind a little bit on the weekends?
Jan 11, 2011 at 5:23 a.m.
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good posts.
jag: you absolutely have a right to your opinion. and in case you havent noticed, i truly enjoy a good discussion about the hypocrisy of illegal marijuana. your opinion started out insulting, or attacking, ANYONE who uses marijuana and then you turn around and accuse me of attacking, when at the risk of sounding like an 8 year old...you started it:) truly jag, i would love to sit down and buy you a coffee, or a beer, or whatever your choice, and see if i can dispel your theory that all pot smokers are weak. there are millions of pot smokers in the u.s. some you meet every day, unlike myself tho they dont come out and tell you they are pot smokers so you never know. i have a group of good friends, all like me who smoke pot, and all like me who are successful in their jobs and lives...far from weak.
Jan 11, 2011 at 1:48 a.m.
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Ask any police officer if he (or she) would prefer to deal with a pot smoker or a drunk. I'd be willing to wager that the reply would be nearly 100% for the pot smoker.
.
Alcohol is evil stuff. Pot usually makes the user happy, giddy, and a little bit silly.
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Generally speaking, it's harmless.
.
I agree with what the writer below submitted, with regard to superstition.
Jan 11, 2011 at 1:38 a.m.
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The anti-marijuana hysteria and superstition continue.
What's worse for a young person -- getting high once in a while, or being thrown into "the system" for getting high once in a while ... and having that mark on his/her record for life?
We've wasted -- and continue to waste -- billions of dollars on the war against pot. If it were legalized, it could be taxed. This nation would make billions of dollars from it, instead of spending so much to fight it.
Marijuana should have the same restrictions as alcohol: 1) Don't give it to the kids, and 2) Don't DUI.
At the very least, it should be available to those who wish to use it for its true medicinal purposes. Why do we ignore the pleas of thousands of cancer patients, for example? Doctors prescribe heavy-duty drugs for them ... but in most states, they're not allowed to prescribe a simple joint.
As for the effects on the lungs ... a good percentage of tobacco smokers inhale a pack or two a day. The average pot user smokes perhaps one or two joints in the course of a week.
I haven't smoked it in nearly 30 years, myself. But for cryin' out loud, please stop listening to these superstitious busybodies. Legalize it.
Jan 11, 2011 at 1:30 a.m.
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The school's anti-drug policy? Does the school have a policy on using Ritalin to control little boys that are fed a processed diet, denied exercise, and babysat by hours of violent video games?
" We don't understand it Mrs Simpson! We've tired Ritalin, Adderal, Concentra, Prozac, and Xanax, yet your son still turned to drugs!"
Jan 10, 2011 at 10:31 p.m.
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kid: you forget to change names? and I said it was IMO, I have no right to have one? and thank you for pointing out my typo at least your head is somewhat clear tonight but you still need to get a life, JMO
Jan 10, 2011 at 9:17 p.m.
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He [god] causeth the grass to grow for the cattle and herb for the service of man, that he may bring forth food out of the earth. Psalms 104:14
I wonder how many of the children re: the story above have christians for parents.
Jan 10, 2011 at 8:16 p.m.
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You make a lot of sense, kid. I don't think billy boy has ever toked up.
Jan 10, 2011 at 7:47 p.m.
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'Justaguy may have just as strong a claim for authority for his opinion as that judge does, for all we know.'
you cant be serious?? i could post a quote from jesus christ himself talking about how they use to smoke pot in between carpenter jobs and you wouldnt trust it.
Jan 10, 2011 at 7:43 p.m.
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'Yeah lets all smoke but we'd all be better people ... NOT. IMO pot is for weak people who come up with all kinds of cons trying to say how much good it does ... but they are only fooling themselves ...'
what does that have to do with the story jag??
ill highlight part...'POT IS FOR WEAK PEOPLE'
thats not an attact?? i mean attack...;)
Jan 10, 2011 at 7:36 p.m.
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We all have perspectives, Kid. Justaguy has his, you have yours and I have mine, so does Judge Douglas. I don't know much about you and I don't know much about Justaguy, and I know nothing about Judge Douglas other than this one position he has taken. His position suggest authority but its been my experience that not everyone with an impressive title is dependable. And federal judges particularly are very often political appointments, with less regard for credentials than politics. In short, a title does not automatically confer authority when someone with a title gives an opinion. Justaguy may have just as strong a claim for authority for his opinion as that judge does, for all we know.
Jan 10, 2011 at 7:33 p.m.
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thekid: Get a life, all you ever do is attact people that don't agree with you.
Jan 10, 2011 at 7:23 p.m.
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'Yeah lets all smoke but we'd all be better people ... NOT. IMO pot is for weak people who come up with all kinds of cons trying to say how much good it does ... but they are only fooling themselves ...'
jag: what in that statement is pertaining to the story?? i understand this is not about alcohol, but you were the one who veered off topic sir. your comment has NOTHING to do with minors using marijuana. instead you instantly attempt to insult anyone who smokes pot so i simply asked you a question...of which you of course have no answer. not that i expected you would all the sudden find the wisdom youve never posted with and have an intelligent conversation.
billnewbie: the link had nothing to do with the story. id have posted it in my first comment if it did. JAG in usual delusional juvenile way wanted to start the discussion about stereotypes and people 'fooling themselves' and i in my usual way i countered with questions that wont get answered and a link to someone with A LOT of real experience. im sure you agree that the judge probably has a little more experience to form an opinion...than JAG...yes??
Jan 10, 2011 at 7:10 p.m.
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"marijuana is the least of their worries in this wonderful city", so you say. But even if true (a highly unlikely contention), are we suppose to ignore marijuana use among our kids? What other "worries" among our kids should we just ignore that are too insignificant to bother with according to you, I wonder? Are you so committed to the acceptance of marijuana use as being harmless that you deny that children are damaged by it? Are you so committed to its legalization that you are willing to let children have access to it too no matter the consequences to them? What a callous attitude.
Jan 10, 2011 at 7:10 p.m.
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I agree with "billnewbie." These grant funds are not coming from local tax payers, but from state taxpayers (whoever those people are.) 35% of my graduating class from Craig equals 525 people, all of whom deserve misdemeanor possession charges.
Jan 10, 2011 at 7:03 p.m.
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gonefishin: So I should go by what you say? go figure ... use your head, if it's clear enough.
Jan 10, 2011 at 6:57 p.m.
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From what I can see, Judge Douglas is not advocating legal access to marijuana for juveniles, so the reference to his statements don't actually apply to this story.
Jan 10, 2011 at 6:48 p.m.
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So, it's a waste of time and money to give kids a new perspective towards healthier choices and reasons to make those healthier choices concerning marijuana use? And because alcohol is much more of a problem than marijuana for kids, we should just quit trying to do something about marijuana use? It seems to me that some folks are so defensive of their favorite drug that they can't even see the value in trying to restrict its use and harmful effects among the young.
I noticed from the story above that the Delta-9 program is funded by a grant, not local school district funds. Therefore the personnel cuts the school district is considering must not include this program. Whether the state continues the grant is yet to be determined though.
Jan 10, 2011 at 6:48 p.m.
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How did I know this would bring you out of the woodwork? If you'd bother to read the story you would see this isn't about drinking but yet that's all you try to do is spin your words to try to better your chance for legal pot.
Jan 10, 2011 at 6:38 p.m.
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so then jag, in your wise opinion, what/whom is alcohol for?? weak minded people who are only fooling themselves as well??
is this retired JUDGE fooling himself as well??
http://qctimes.com/news/opinion/editoria...
Jan 10, 2011 at 6:31 p.m.
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Yeah lets all smoke but we'd all be better people ... NOT. IMO pot is for weak people who come up with all kinds of cons trying to say how much good it does ... but they are only fooling themselves ...
Jan 10, 2011 at 6:05 p.m.
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WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY.
Jan 10, 2011 at 6:02 p.m.
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Very informative article. It appears we have here an opportunity to put 35% of our children/grandchildren in prison for this crime of smoking pot. Think of all the law enforcement jobs we'll create!
Jan 10, 2011 at 5:37 p.m.
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Its great to see classes like this where people are getting the help that they need. One of the problems with the way they are presented however is they put too much emphasis on blaming the drug. More often the problem lies in the individuals ability to conduct themselves in a productive and responsible manner.
Simply put, it would be nice to see more people emphasizing the true issue for many of the people in these classes; marijuana is illegal and committing crimes leads to tough consequences. Just because the laws may be wrong for many reasons, they still can't be broken without punishment.
Wasting so much effort vilifying marijuana doesn't work because people see right through that. Instead, just attempt to make it clear to them that their only way to fix their circumstances is to make better choices in life.
Then give them some ideas of what better choices are.
Jan 10, 2011 at 5:12 p.m.
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Wow, the last part of this article, the letter, is very powerful. I think publishing these letters in a book could be an incredible and powerful read.
Jan 10, 2011 at 5:02 p.m.
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I don't believe kid would support giving underagers alcohol so I doubt he would be for those same kids using marijuana (based on his posts in the past). The issue is their age not the plant. I like to drink beer but also support anti-drinking classes in our schools. I agree that adults not kids should have the right to make decisions about what goes into their bodies and then be willing to live with the consequences.
Jan 10, 2011 at 4:31 p.m.
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And this is one of the people we are going to let go???
Jan 10, 2011 at 4:24 p.m.
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use caution grandy. your ignorance is showing. not sure why you would assume any dift...but i (obviously) fully support educating our children on the potential risk/reward when ingesting ANY drug. i advocate for adults/medical patients to have the option to smoke marijuana. while i(we) know what drug does more carnage to our youth than all others...it is important to make sure the youth know there are places, people, or options to turn to if they feel their lives are being affected by drug use.
education will trump fear any day