Welcome to General Chat - GAW Community Area
This General Chat area started off as a place for people to talk about things that are off topic, however it has quickly evolved into a community and has become an integral part of the GAW experience for many of us.
Based on its evolving needs and plenty of user feedback, we are trying to bring some order and institute some rules. Please make sure you read these rules and participate in the spirit of this community.
Rules for General Chat
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Be respectful to each other. This is of utmost importance, and comments may be removed if deemed not respectful.
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Avoid long drawn out arguments. This should be a place to relax, not to waste your time needlessly.
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Personal anecdotes, puzzles, cute pics/clips - everything welcome
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Please do not spam at the top level. If you have a lot to post each day, try and post them all together in one top level comment
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Try keep things light. If you are bringing in deep stuff, try not to go overboard.
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Things that are clearly on-topic for this board should be posted as a separate post and not here (except if you are new and still getting the feel of this place)
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If you find people violating these rules, deport them rather than start a argument here.
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Feel free to give feedback as these rules are expected to keep evoloving
In short, imagine this thread to be a local community hall where we all gather and chat daily. Please be respectful to others in the same way
someone suggested this ought to be reposted here (as well? or instead?):
Legalize All Drugs, Yes or No?
I'm kind of for legalizing all drugs, slowly, while also putting in place societal infrastructure for discouraging the abuse of drugs and to help people who become addicts.
I can elaborate on further reasons for legalization of drugs if requested; it is not however a top priority to me as a policy issue so I don't focus on it as much for that reason.
What do you think about drug legalization or criminalization?
I think the first step is to fairly categorize drugs honestly. I live in a legal state for Marijuana, and have used it illegally since , like, forever, but now I can grow it openly without being criminalized. I will argue anyone into the ground about how criminalizing it was a plan by the government to fund CIA operations, to bolster big pharma. I do believe abuse of alcohol is far more dangerous. It is obvious that laws against the other drugs, meth, coke, fentanyl, oxy con, heroin, have not done a thing to stop the use, it is a lucrative business as there are countless customers who are willing to ruin their lives and commit crimes to use. On the other hand, there are medications that have been classified as opiods, like tramadol, that have made life bearable for sufferers of chronic pain. I have been taking the same dose for 10 years, and yes, I am dependent on it, to move somewhat pain free, and I now have a physical dependence on it, in that case , it is addictive. It got grouped into that opiod category several years ago, but at least my doctor prefers me to not be bed ridden. Legalization would do one thing, it would remove the cartels controlling it, it would break them, and for that, it may be worth it. Junkies will be junkies, a sad lot of dysfunctionals seeking to get high, only to discover their misuse has led them to taking something all the time, not to get high, but just to not feel like they are dying. But how would that work? Cocaine stores? Heroin boutiques? Pain relief, when managed, does not lead to trying to get high, weed will give you a buzz and mushrooms have a therapuetic affect. If you can relax at the end of the day with a cocktail or a few cold ones, why not the same with pot? The problem is, as it always was, is that some people just want to seek happiness and feeling good instantly. Losers incapable of finding happiness, I don't think they should be just given that option, and by whom? The government? It won't work in the USA, too big, too much regional differences, too many already dependent on the government to support them. Dependence is a risky game, but I do not think pain medication should be withheld for people who honestly need it, chronic pain is life threatening, treating it should not stigmatize the person who needs it.
did kratom help (it is mildly addictive but natural and overdose unlikely)
and legal, which is a good argument for why other less or equally dangerous drugs might be legalized
Kratom is sketchy, and I would have to drive to NY to get it, it is not legal in Vermont. I prefer to go through this with my doctor, with a prescription. That way, if or when I would need surgery, as I did with my hip replacement, everyone knows how to regulate any additional pain med I may need post surgery, to avoid over dependence. Besides, driving to another state to secure a drug that is known to be addictive, known to cause liver trouble, is un regulated , is just too sketchy for me, I am 73 years old with end stage Lyme Disease, tramadol was used extensively before all the oxy contin laws went into affect, it's considered a clean drug as far as liver, etc, and over doses occur when you take more than you need. If I found myself needing more, there are other things like supplements, PT excercise, and rest. I take it because I am still holding down a job that requires me to not rest all day long, I want to stay functioning, my greatest joy comes from nature, and I want to be out in it and moving and gardening for as long as I can. With chronic pain, you have to accept that pain management is not going to remove the pain altogether, that is where people start taking more and get addicted.. I am not 45, I have a degenerative condition, I don't expect my body to feel like heaven all the time. If it does, I am high on something. I don't want to be high, just want remain active as normal, because if I layed around all the time , that would make me less healthier.