Most things that effect the state of mind of a person probably isn't good for performing any task that requires focus and concentration. Because logic says so.
My beliefs on all drugs are as follows.
As an American that values freedom I believe we should have the right to do whatever the hell we want within reason. "Within reason" means no murder, no assault, no abuse, etc. If it's to be a place where everyone can be happy we don't need laws from the federal government saying how things should be everywhere. This goes for all things, from cannabis to seat belts, but I don't think the entire nation should be under the "only law is harm none" idea either.
Certain places have types of people that have different desires and a different ideal of what the perfect place is. So, instead of a federal government laying down a nation-wide blanket of restrictions we need the individual communities to decide what the individual communities should be allowed to do and what not to. It means it would be harder to know what's legal and illegal in different places, but if each place has a spot where the laws are easily locatable then that wouldn't be as much of a problem.
Basically the chain of command should be: Towns and cities, counties, states, federal government. With towns and cities having the most power and the federal government only existing for international trades and relations.
The reason cannabis is a banned drug in most countries is because it is much easier to grow than tobacco; and it is not as addictive as tobacco. Most countries have a Tax on tobacco. That is because most people would not be able to grow tobacco, it is difficult. Cannabis will grow in a dustbin lid, if it gets enough light and heat.
It is the "lobbying" of the Tobacco Barons that keeps this plant against the law.
I have smoked it; eaten it; and grown it in my back garden. Not really worth the trouble in England; not enough Sun. It is readily on-sale (privately) anywhere in England. But is still classified as a Class B drug; against the law except for possession of a very small amount for one's own use.
As for being "dangerous", tobacco is far more dangerous.
Cannabis, to a Rastafarian is part of his/her religion!
From what I've researched on tobacco, it isn't really the plant that is dangerous. The smoke is the worst part and it will be the same for any plat; tobacco, cannabis, or backyard garden weeds. The worst part about the smoking of tobacco is all the chemicals and other junk that is put in it to make it cheaper for mass production, including a type of artificial tobacco which is put in cigarettes to make them require less real tobacco.
On a side note, when I was smoking all natural tobacco from my pipe around some welder friends who smoked cigarettes a guy who didn't smoke at all stepped out of the shop and covered his nose at them. He came across what I was smoking and decided to linger a bit because he enjoyed the smell. Not only does it smell and taste better, it is much healthier than any other type of tobacco.
Hakura is correct, to a certain extent. Most of the harmful effects are not from tobacco, but from the chemicals in cigarettes. A cigarette rolled from pure tobacco, if left in an ash-tray, will "go out", a commercial cigarette will burn away, because it is made to do that!
However, even pure tobacco does have tar and nicotine, both harmful in the long run. What I am saying is that although both cannabis and tobacco are, perhaps, harmful to the body, cannabis is less harmful than tobacco. Even pure tobacco.
Cannabis as well as tobacco have been used in the study and workings of many in the arts over the years. Same as alcohol, peyote, mushrooms, and many other drugs. Some much more harmful than cannabis.
Along my path working I have come across the use of such things. Im not saying that it is for everyone, in fact I would suggest learning with out the use of such, but we all follow our own paths and ethics. Those who do choose to work with such things should do so with great care for their mental and physical health.
You can also use the rest of the plant for things, it doesn't just have to be smoked to be effectively used. Hemp oils are very good for the skin and can be used in baths lotions and the such.
I use hemp in my practice i use it to bind up my herbs to make smudging stix or to include other herbs... As far as cannabis which is different i think its a great and old medicine... I really dont know about specifics this is just what i think and do.... lucky for me its medically legal out here so ya as i was saying good material hemp and good medicine for the indica....
My sincerest apologies if I gave the impression that I don't believe tobacco is harmful, I meant to be saying that the chemicals the cigarette manufacturers put in the cigarettes are what makes them as harmful as we know the plant to be. The plant in it's natural form, due to the tar more than the nicotine, is still harmful.
Some studies have shown that nicotine, although addictive, is not really a harmful chemical on it's own. In fact small amounts are beneficial to humans mostly in the fact that it calms the brain and can improve focus.
I loved the post of tying herbs with hemp! My father and older brother were bricklayers, and thirty or forty years ago, the building line used was always hemp. Hemp was also used on sailing ships. It was the strongest known rope, until nylon came along.
