We like seeing substantive and spirited discussion here, but please note that personal attacks -- argument ad hominem -- are not appropriate here and will be removed. Also, to Mike's first comment, we try to be clear that covering the news is not the same as agreeing with it. If it were, we couldn't keep you all informed. I urge you to read this Editorial FAQ entry for more.

Here are two links (of many) that address this "more potent pot" nonsense. "The Myth of Potent Pot" www.slate.com/?id=2074151 "Marijuana Health Mythology" www.paranoia.lycaeum.org/marijuana/facts/mj-health-mythology.html You can find many more articles debunking this continuous-loop canard by Googling "marijuana potency debunked" WARNING: If you read these articles or Google for more, you will be exposed to the reality-based world. Proceed at the risk of undercutting your profitable pre- (and mis-) conceptions.

Stronger marijuana means people smoke less marijuana. Stronger marijuana is safe and 75 years of prohibitionists taking aim at marijuana for nonsensical, but financial reasons. Stop the war on marijuana today. We do our country much more harm by having it illegal. George Soros is working to keep kids out of jail. Bravo, Mr. Soros, Bravo!

Interesting that those charged with enforcing the laws are willing to bend if not break them to fight decriminalization. At some level this reveals the underbelly of the whole "war on drugs" - the vested interests of pharmaceuticals and law enforcement in the status quo.

Decriminalizing marijuana, and placing the same restrictions on its use as alcohol, would greatly reduce the negative impact on teenagers and everyone else. Most marijuana users "age out" of their use by their early to mid-20s, unlike alcohol and tobacco. Most teenagers who are forced into treatment (or worse, prison) for their marijuana use have a much harder time aging out of the stigma and other negative consequences (e.g., loss of college financial aid) of their treatment or criminal justice experience. Most probationers (and parolees) who are sent or remanded to prison for a failed drug test go back into the system for a positive marijuana test -- not because marijuana is more hazardous than meth, cocaine or heroin; but because it is detectable for much longer periods of time. And as far as the tired "urban myth" that today's pot is stronger than in years past, please do some serious reading on this issue -- that nonsense has been debunked numerous times. Of course, we will never convince someone with reality-based information when their livelihood depends on never being convinced. My sincere thanks to Join Together for continuing to cover all sides of this issue.

Im tired of hearing how bad marijana is Mike I'd rather see kids smoke a joint than drink and drive

I don't understand why Join Together seems to be in support of any effort to legalize marijuana. You have smart people on your board and I beleive they know that the marijuana we are seeing today, especially being used by teens is so much stronger than just a few years ago. How can you spend so much ink on legalizing this when most of us in the field are picking up the casualties of this new pot. Please start focusing in on how are we going to pay for the treatment we need to give these kids rather than kissing up to George Soros and his gang.