Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Legal marijuana is taking a bite out of drug cartels' profits

washingtonpost.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

61–70 of 238 posts

Re: Legal marijuana is taking a bite out of drug cartels' profits

#61

Post by Mz »

pcl wrote: post #5

The cartels, of course, are adapting to the new reality. Seizure data appears to indicate that with marijuana profits tumbling, they're switching over to heroin and meth. This is a really interesting development. There's always been this "gateway drug" argument around pot: once people start with marijuana, they'll move onto the harder stuff. I can imagine that there might be a correlation, but I expect that the causa…

There's always been this "gateway drug" argument around pot

I have studied ...bunches of stuff. And I believe a huge factor is the fact that marijuana is illegal, so you cross an important legal threshold when you try it and that can become a slippery slope. I think details like that probably matter more than the substance per se. Addiction is hard to solve in part due to shame and all kinds of social reinforcement.

If you have a bad habit that won't get you stigmatized, ostracized and arrested, friends and family can be excellent sources of support for helping you break the habit. But when you can't TELL ANYONE...don't be surprised when a bad habit is exponentially harder to break when deprived of amiable social support.

Re: Legal marijuana is taking a bite out of drug cartels' profits

#62

Post by winter_blue »

anon987 wrote: post #11
pcl wrote: post #5

The cartels, of course, are adapting to the new reality. Seizure data appears to indicate that with marijuana profits tumbling, they're switching over to heroin and meth. This is a really interesting development. There's always been this "gateway drug" argument around pot: once people start with marijuana, they'll move onto the harder stuff. I can imagine that there might be a correlation, but I expect that the causa…

Here's to hoping people realize and deal with the real gateway drug: Prescription opiates

Opioids are actually much less harmful than other stuff, even alcohol. Alcohol is a neurotoxin, i.e. it literally kills brain cells. On the other hand, everyone's bodies produces opioids naturally. Endorphins are opioids, and the rush you get when you work out at a gym, is you getting mildly high on the natural opioid, endorphin (whose name is short for "endogenous morphine").

Synthetic and natural opioids have the same mode of operation on your brain as endorphins. They bind to these things called "opioid receptors"[1] in your brain. There is a biological purpose for the existence of these receptors. Quoted from Wikipedia: "The endogenous opioid system is thought to be important in mediating complex social behaviors involved in the formation of stable, emotionally committed relationships."

Opiates actually seem to have a significant benefit to people suffering from severe and refractory major depression, where all other legal anti-depression medication has not helped them.[2] Now compare this with alcohol (ethanol) -- a substance that recklessly goes around destroying cells in your brain and your liver, which people take just to get rid of some social anxiety. Huh.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opioid_receptor

[2] http://www.opioids.com/antidepressant/opiate.html

Re: Legal marijuana is taking a bite out of drug cartels' profits

#63

Post by eru »

rl3 wrote: post #57
jacobolus wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Alcohol, in small doses (0.5–2 drinks) is a pretty good anxiolytic.

This. Problem is some people sober up fast after that little, so a continual low-level intake can be required. That said, I've found I'm more productive with whiskey than without lately.

That's a dangerous slope you are sliding down there..

Re: Legal marijuana is taking a bite out of drug cartels' profits

#64

Post by simplexion »

david-given wrote: post #37
bitwize wrote: post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Isn't sugar known to be just as addictive and almost as harmful as alcohol these days?

Ban oxygen. Approximately 93% of all people who have ever consumed it, even once , have died.

Oxygen is necessary to you living... sugar not so much.

Re: Legal marijuana is taking a bite out of drug cartels' profits

#65

Post by rl3 »

eru wrote: post #63
rl3 wrote: post #57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This. Problem is some people sober up fast after that little, so a continual low-level intake can be required. That said, I've found I'm more productive with whiskey than without lately.

That's a dangerous slope you are sliding down there..

To qualify the previous statement, I've been using low amounts of alcohol to break anxiety related to lack of productivity. It helps with actually getting things done, as opposed to being stuck in a nervous loop overthinking things.

Once I've built momentum again I just cut out the alcohol entirely. It's kind of like a bootstrapping process, or perhaps boozestrapping..

I can't recommend anyone actually does this though, especially if you're prone to problems with alcohol. Personally, I've far more to fear from RTS games as far as addictions are concerned.

Re: Legal marijuana is taking a bite out of drug cartels' profits

#66

Post by x0x0 »

pcmaffey wrote: post #38
dominotw wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>Demand is demand, and a black market economy is worse than a transparent & regulated economy. would this apply to gun ownership too?

Yes. And it's always humorous (sad) when people use ideological reasoning to defend their right to x (e.g. guns). But then are blind to how it applies to y (e.g drugs).

You can't grow a gun in a pot in your kitchen window.

Re: Legal marijuana is taking a bite out of drug cartels' profits

#67

Post by oxide »

jamesfe wrote: post #43
random_upvoter wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Interestingly, in Colorado it's legal for a company to fire an employee who has (legally) smoked marijuana. So even with legalization drug tests may remain a thing.

It's interesting, but taken through some lenses, maybe that's still OK? I've never smoked, but I wonder if I'd like my doctor to be high when he operates on me, or for an armorer to reassemble my rifle while high. Does marijuana influence attention to detail? Is there a way to ensure that people don't get high while at work, that they stay sober on the job? Anecdotally, from watching high people while I was in univer…

only problem is that drug tests don't prove current intoxication unless it's specifically designed to do so. the drug tests you are referring to, pre-employment and workers comp drug tests, are urinalysis.

you'd know this already if you weren't naive

Re: Legal marijuana is taking a bite out of drug cartels' profits

#68

Post by vectorjohn »

jamesfe wrote: post #43
random_upvoter wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Interestingly, in Colorado it's legal for a company to fire an employee who has (legally) smoked marijuana. So even with legalization drug tests may remain a thing.

It's interesting, but taken through some lenses, maybe that's still OK? I've never smoked, but I wonder if I'd like my doctor to be high when he operates on me, or for an armorer to reassemble my rifle while high. Does marijuana influence attention to detail? Is there a way to ensure that people don't get high while at work, that they stay sober on the job? Anecdotally, from watching high people while I was in univer…

This has always been a really bad argument, the myriad ways it's been made. I wouldn't want my doctor drunk while he operates on me either. But failing a marijuana drug test says absolutely nothing about weather you are under the influence of marijuana. If you could detect alcohol in the blood a week after taking a drink, it would be clearly stupid to have random alcohol tests that cause you to lose your job if a trace is found.

The way to ensure that people do a good job is fire them if they don't do a good job. No need for indirect methods.

Re: Legal marijuana is taking a bite out of drug cartels' profits

#69

Post by mystikal »

x0x0 wrote: post #66
pcmaffey wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes. And it's always humorous (sad) when people use ideological reasoning to defend their right to x (e.g. guns). But then are blind to how it applies to y (e.g drugs).

You can't grow a gun in a pot in your kitchen window.

You can't print a joint at your computer.

Re: Legal marijuana is taking a bite out of drug cartels' profits

#70

Post by gregpilling »

caseysoftware wrote: post #32

> The latest data from the U.S. Border Patrol shows that last year, marijuana seizures along the southwest border tumbled to their lowest level in at least a decade. That does not mean there are less drugs being imported, just that less are being seized. I worked with the Border Patrol years ago and it was astounding how they tracked success: - When arrests increased, they celebrated that enforcement was working. - W…

Speaking of the US Border, it is way more porous than many people think. Here is a photo of the 2 strands of barbed wire that make up the border fence near Locheil Arizona.

If you ride your dirt bike along the border there (I did), then you will find a few dirt roads that cross the border that look heavily used. I spent 8 hours down there and was not approached by any Border Patrol (Saw some from 100 feet away, but no contact)

There is so much stuff crossing the border, in so many places.

https://www.google.com/maps/@31.333054,-110.626566,3a,75y/da...

Post reply on HN