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Whats your take on legalizing marijuana?
Posted by Imaginnation • 2/04/09 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: drugs, legalization, Marijuana, politics
I'm trying to construct a new blog post about this topic, but what really matters is your opinion.
Why/why not should marijuana be legalized?
User Comments
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Well there's certainly 2 sides to this issue for sure.
In my humble opinion, making drug use illegal especially marijuana doesn't make sense. People don't say, well I would smoke it but it's illegal so I won't. Running red lights is illegal but people still do it. They're not going to not do it because of the law. They will or wont do it based on their personal opinion of the drug versus being healthy. I haven't seen any substantial evidence that making marijuana illegal has reduced the usage of marijuana, but it has increased the sales of Ding Dongs and Ho Ho's.
Plus, when things are illegal, they're more expensive, and the demand increases, people then commit theft, armed robbery, etc to get money to support their habits. Maybe not so much in the case of marijuana.
Then there is the issue of costs of prison and jails. Putting people in jail and prison for smoking pot itself shouldn't be a burden of expense of the taxpayer. Perhaps only if used in connection of another crime or in the event they are so stoned they run a red light like Mr. Magoo because they were busy munching on their twinkies and hit and hurt or killed someone.
Many lawmakers are opposed to making it illegal because they know of the costs and the overall effect the law has on curbing usage. It's minimal. But then again, crime pays... for many states. They receive federal funding for incarcerating people and it creates jobs, and a complete industry in itself.
But this is just my humble opinion.-
Great opinion!
I think the whole part about crime and punishment is where it angers me.
Paying for jail inmates who abuse marijuana is just absolutely absurd...
Personally, I think if someone wants to use marijuana, they should be able too...as long as it does not harm or damage anyone or anything.
Then again, if it was legalized, hemp could replace a million different industries and jeopardize big business. -
I'm pro Ding Dongs and Ho Hos... so I guess that makes me pro-weed too...;^)
keep smiling,
Ben -
paloozaz
I agree with you. America has created an enormous debt by squandering trillions of dollars on the so-called "war on drugs". They have imprisoned hundreds of thousands of the little dealers and mules at public expense, without getting near the "drug lords," and thereby have demonstrated that the idiotic "war of drugs" is costly and ineffectual. Worse still they have saddled generations to come with the obligation to pay that debt. The same is also true of Mexico.
Obviously, the most sensible way of dealing with this artificially created problem of supply and demand for a natural occurring plant, a weed that can be readily grown in many climatic zones in the backyards of both countries, is for both countries to decriminalize marijuana and cut the cartels off at the knees.
Decriminalizing marijuana would free up trillions of dollars that could be put to good use in both countries. It would mean that the jails that are bursting at the seams would not be full of small time dealers and mules and the court system that's plugged up with these petty criminals could be relieved of the burden that draws so heavily on tax dollars. It would also mean that policemen and women could be put into service in areas where their labor is sorely needed. -
I agree with all of the reasons stated and would add to it the possible benefits of marijuana. One new study shows that marijuana is a better drug for Alzheimer's. Aricept is only 22% as effective as TCH which is the main ingredient in marijuana. Also, those who smoked marijuana in the 60's and 70's rarely come down with Alzheimer's.
Given that if Alzheimer's continues to rise ad the present rate just treating that disease alone will bankrupt our medical system.
I recently did a post on this on my blog with links to the information.
I'm hoping my misbegotten youth has a nice side benefit. ;-)
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It is like prohibition, lots of people don't want it to be legal because it creates an illicit large scale source of cash. There is a certain outlaw mentality which goes with it that makes it more popular because it is illegal and therefore appears dangerous. Making it illegal in a way makes more people use it.-
True that, making marijuana legal would definitely drop the demand side of it.
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Yeah... my drinking definitely slowed down when I turned 21...
"It's legal now?... wow, this sucks!"
keep smiling,
Ben
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Personally, I'm against drugs. Not against OTHER people using drugs, just myself. So I really don't have a horse in this race, so to speak.
BUT
I do not see the rationale behind criminalizing marijuana. It does not deserved to be classified as a dangerous chemical that the government "should" keep out of the hands of the average person. It makes people goofy and passive. Some moralists like to say, "Well it's a gateway drug!" Bullshit. It's only a "gateway drug" because people who are willing to break the law to smoke weed are also willing to break the law to do other drugs.-
Yeah that whole gateway drug deal is a big pile of crap. God I hate the word "gateway". haha.
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Legalize it, tax it and with the money made, open free treatment to help addicts in need.
Or at the very least, it should be decriminalized.-
Thats what I'm thinking! The profits from legalizing marijuana would be endless. I don't understand how cigarettes are allowed to be sold when obviously the health effects are so much worse than those of marijuana. (then again Marlboro has a patent on the marijuana cigarette.)
I definitely agree about the treatment, stop treating drug abusers as criminals and start treating them correctly. -
"Legalize it, tax it and with the money made, open free treatment to help addicts in need.
Or at the very least, it should be decriminalized."
Big WORD to this.
Funny that this conversation should come up here. I got into a huge debate about the very same thing earlier on today, on another board.
My opinion was not popular, to say the least. -
Aimaggination & salomey5: Word back atcha! It would solve so many problems, too. For example, the prisons and jails are overcrowded with addicts. BUT if there were free and available treatment, many would seek it. I was a heroin addict for 6 years and I had nothing but struggles trying to get help. It was only by (practically) divine intervention that I was able to get into treatment. I had no money, no insurance and was too f*cked up to figure out what to do. If there had been treatment available, I am quite sure I would have only been a junkie for 4 years.
Two years is a lot of time to lose. -
I commend you for getting out of it. Good for you.
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@salomey5--thank you. I have 15 years clean as of January 18. I am currently writing a memoir about my experiences as a punk rock musician, working in the sex industry, as a heroin addict--and my 15 year journey of recovery and redemption.
Life is truly beautiful today.
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Personally, it's never made sense to me to make marijuana illegal; I mean, what's the statistics on crimes committed while on marijuana? I can't find any that listed pot as the only drug taken (now mixed with alcohol or some other drug, yes. Marijuana by it's lonesome? No). To that effect, alcohol (in my opinion) is a far greater danger, and it is still legal and advertised for.
Either way, it's not that important to me, per se, but the logic legislators use fails to make much sense.-
yeah its pretty weird, I've never read any reports on anybody smoking marijuana and hacking their family or something. I mean who would get so violent off it? ha.
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You're welcome MTyler.
I totally agree with you, Sunny, I too believe that alcohol is much more dangerous than weed.
You're very unlikely to see stoners get violent, abusive, or having black-outs.
With booze, it's another story. -
Also, alcohol kills more people than ALL other drugs combined!
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@imaginnation: you're right. How many people feel like doing *anything* besides eating or sleeping? They wouldn't have the energy for much else. *g*
Now, for those stoners who actually get behind the wheel of a car (and go, like 15 mph) that's more dangerous, and I don't agree with it, since it puts others at risk from the stoner's personal choice. But, that, too, can be compared to alcohol, and I bet pot would still come out on the low end for serious/fatal accidents. And if marijuana was legalized, then safeguards (like those for drunk drivers) would have to be instituted in some fashion.
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@ Mtyler77. Being a punk rock musician, let me know if you ever want to jam sometime.
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Where do you live? I'd love to. I have a small group that I jam with every once in awhile.
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There is no doubt that Marijuana is a health hazard…Some people would argue that Mcdonalds type fast food,junk food snacks, candy etc. are perhaps even greater health hazards…Cigarrettes and alcohol are also known health hazards..
What would be the downside of legalizing Marijuana ?….More Usage and increased physical/mental health problems…Perhaps even greater driving and work “impairedment” problems….
There is very little evidence if any that supports any arguments that allowing marijuana use would increase criminal or behaviour that would hurt society..
Some benefits of allowing marijuana use include using the other parts of the plant for the manufacture of pulp products we currently chop down the planet’s forests for..
By legalizing marijuana do you mean a citizen could legally grow marijuana in his home(w/electrical permit etc.) or yard and smoke what he/she grows himself ?
Or do you mean you could smoke marijuana but only buy it from government authorized agencies at government set prices and failure to so would result in criminal charges ?-
Marijuana could be legalized with exactly the same restrictions that currently exist for alcohol and tobacco. We wouldn't be any better off but it is hard to see how we would be much worse off. BTW, I have been in an environment where dope was regularly smoked over a very long period of time and people still did their jobs.
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What is needed is intelligent education about the sensitivity and fragility of the human being and the effects of drugs and fast food -
live above the influence... -
should have been legalized over 40s years ago
not has damaging as alcohol
scientifically proven to be beneficial for certain ailments!!
i'm still shocked it carried a stigma -
I was going to make a new discussion on this but I found this one instead. Here is my opinion if anyone cares...
Similar to what Windroot said, legalize it with similar restrictions to tobacco and alcohol.
It's amazing that in this day and age we allow the government to control this drug the way they do! We allow for innocent people to get their lives ruined because they were caught with a natural plant that is far less harmful AND addictive than alcohol. Yes, you heard me, less harmful and addictive than alcohol. Yet, we do nothing about it.
Now is the time it should be legalized, if not for all the other reasons, do it for the economy alone. Billions of dollars could be made by selling and taxing it. Not to mention all the new jobs in farming, processing, marketing etc.
People fail to see the beneficial qualities of this plant that has been dubbed "evil". It's not just a drug, its a hemp plant. Hemp is easily grown and quickly renewable. It can be used to make everything from paper, clothes to fuel!
So why is it not legal? Because the people keeping it illegal are the ones banking off of it. Think about it....
Police don't want it legal because it would greatly reduce their need for narcotics departments and k-9 units.
Big Pharma doesn't want it legalized because lets face it, doped up people are comfortable happy people. It would be a lot easier and cheaper to purchase some legal marijuana than purchase high priced pharmaceuticals with the same benefits and more side effects.
Big Oil doesn't want it because it can be used as an alternative fuel source, similar to corn. Every crop would be a dollar out of their pocket.
Big Paper doesn't want it legal because they would then see a rise in a MAJOR competitor with a much faster renewable crop.
It's tough in todays world to find individuals who do not agree to some of these issues. Just read this discussion, it speaks for itself.
The problem is we have these all these major corporations and government departments who's greedy pockets will not allow anything otherwise, and lets face it, money talks.
That's my opinion.-
Why do we put restrictions on alcohol and tobacco? If either of them had never been discovered and were found today, they would be illegal. Tobacco is addictive and kills millions a year world wide. Alcohol is linked to addiction, violence, drunkenness, deaths etc. I love a whiskey and enjoy a social drink but I wouldn't hold alcohol up as an example of controlled drug use. -
Restrictions on tobacco and alcohol are left-overs from the mercantilism days. It's where government goons get their money.
Read up on the prohibition and see how well that went..
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Marijuana should not be legalised! Think of all the pharmaceutical companies selling snake oil to deal with a myriad of ailments from headaches to menstrual pains and glaucoma who would be put out of business when it becomes legal. Think of the poor factory workers in those companies who are entitled to their minimum wages. Those people have a right to earn a living! Also consider the poor law enforcement officers who would have to be in the line of fire instead of busting real criminals like enterprising college kids and jaded middle-aged cancer sufferers.
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I read you but I won't be surprised if some posting to this thread don't get it.
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But seriously, in South Africa, it is estimated that marijuana puts R 4 billion into the pockets of the poor. That's because marijuana is a traditional remedy in virtually all our cultures. Even though it is illegal. If it became legal, the government would regulate it much like they do alcohol and drugs and the price would become much higher (as it would be taxed). This would take plenty of money way from the poor people, who often cultivate or sell marijuana to put their kids through school.
So, in principle I have no problem with legalising marijuana but it doesn't really make a difference to anything but the price. -
Yeah, it's funny how that works...
Change don't always change things!
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I work with people that started out on marijuana. This was their introduction to drugs and the scene. For some people it becomes their life. Some become paranoid and have relationship issues. Some stay home, smoke dope, watch DVds and masturbate. Well thats what one person told me. Marijuana is another time thief - get off your ass and make a life for yourself.
Smoke dope if you want but don't try and pretend its harmless for everyone.
Nice talking with you
Sarnie-
So the people who are paranoid, have relationship problems, and stay home, eat Doritos, watch DVD's and masturbate are OK - or should we make all that stuff illegal, too?
Or is it just the bit about marijuana that makes it bad? But not alcohol, prescription meds, and all manner of other products out there? -
Oh heavens forbid staying home, watching DVDs and masturbating when you could be out there in the real world, planting marijuana, making your own porn and..
Wait, there was a downside. I'm sure there was. Wait for it..
No, it escaped me. I'm sure I'll find it. -
If there is a bad thing about weed... it's how consistent it tends to be.
If I smoked weed every day... I would sit at home, giggle, eat, watch porn (I'd be too lazy to make porn), giggle, think thoughts that would seem very deep to me at the time, eat, and have sex with whatever woman was willing to hook up with a giggling, tubby, pothead.
It's still nice to do this a couple of times a week... but occasionally I have to work towards other goals as well -
Ok wait! Some people who smoke will have some issues, mj has mood altering effects. People with depression should not use mj. However mj used in conjunction with certain prescription medications does wonders for people suffering with bipolar.
Just like alcohol mj should have an age limit. Though it should not be kept away from people who really need it and if you honestly think that the other drugs on the market are better then you need to do some research. I know a few people close to me that are living better lives now that they have had added it to their daily cocktail. They can eat, sleep and for those suffering with bipolar their mood swings are lessened and they can actually make it through situations they would normally not be able to with just their normal meds.
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Hi there,
I'm a timethief because I stole my life back from the grim reaper of death - twice. When I had cancer and the only thing that relieved my nausea was marijuana tea. Then one day a drunk driver decided to get behind the wheel of his car and ploughed into mine changing my life forevermore.
I believe marijuana is a natural occurring weed that ought to be decriminalized. I further believe that legalization would be ridiculous because it will only lead to the gov't handing production over to the pharmaceuticals, taxing it like liquor and cigarettes and then squandering the tax money on pet projects, while citizens go without health care and housing. What's more is that as flamingpoodle has pointed out -- it's the pharmaceutical companies and the right wing "war on drugs" supporters, who are seeing to it that marijuana remains illegal.-
The right wing war on drugs is ironic, as the right wing is meant to be against government intervention.
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Hi Anok
Is marijuana a non addictive social smoke. Non hazardous, doesn't lead some people in to further experiments, doesn't introduce people in to a crime life style. Does it make better people, improve our lives, stop mental health problems, feed the poor etc.
We don't really need it. It does hurt some people.-
Marijuana is not physically addictive. The fact that it is grouped with heavier drugs in legal terms is treason. It has nothing to do with its physical or chemical properties.
Think about it: Marijuana. Class A (or whatever it is) drug. I tried it, it's not so bad. How bad can freebase cocaine be? That's why people get hooked on heavier stuff. A great deal of your concerns would be dealt with if marijuana were classified among other drugs of similar chemical and physical properties. You'd go from marijuana to thujone and back to marijuana. And stay there.
Actually, some studies show that marijuana in moderate uses cure mental health problems like depression, whereas with heavy use it causes depression. There are plenty of chemicals in marijuana.
Cars kill more people than anything. Are we going to ban cars? -
So does driving. So does having sex. A lot of things "hurt some people".
Unlike drugs that act more like epidemics than a substance that might hurt some people under certain circumstances - marijuana offers a great deal of benefits which has already been listed above. And not just for smoking or recreational use, either.
It has medicinal benefits for those goign through chemo, or those who have MS. The plant offers us a renewable source of energy as well as a more easily renewable source of paper, rope and building materials (those hemp fibers are strong!).
So it may cause someone to sit at home and masturbate. It may even become a party drug for some - and lead to hard drug use. SO does alcohol, but hey, no one wants to talk about that.... -
"We don't really need it, it does hurt some of us"
Im sorry if this sounds rude, but that just sounds completely ignorant. Lots of stuff hurt us, should we let the government control everything that is hazardous? They also want to control the internet because it is deemed as a potential terrorist threat. In fact Former Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller said the internet represents a serious threat to national security. But in reality its because the internet is threatening to him, his family, his lies and represents a problem to many other corrupt elitists.
The point im making is that many of the reasons marijuana is illegal are for similar reasons. By condemning it, many people made a huge profit. However, the war on drugs was then launched through main stream media and marijuana was classified as many things it is not. But the lies that were told were trusted and believed by many because it was coming from a "reliable" source. However, is main stream media really a reliable source? In the end, they're only reporting what gets ratings.. ahem.. money.
You see, its been drilled into so many people heads that marijuana is evil and horrible for you, yet alcohol and cigarettes are far worse, however the people that produced, sold, and regulated them to us consumer whores were smokers and drinkers, and well we cant have them illegal now can we. -
SOME PEOPLE... but not everybody. Are you truly that clueless? Have you not heard what it can do for people with cancer? Seriously? There are other drugs out there that are legal and have caused grave damage to people. Fight that instead!
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Hi Flaming poodle
Are we going to ban cars. Well we spend a shit load of money trying to make them safer! If the car is a dangerous speeding bullet, why would we want to legalise a killer that is on the scale of cars.
Its interesting that you suggest that you continue taking like drugs for the future. Hey I've an idea! Lets not do them at all. Will the world stop spinning? just a thought
Sarnie-
why would we want to legalise a killer that is on the scale of cars.
How many marijuana overdoses are recorded every year? How many car accidents, domestic abuse cases, and violence in homes are due to smoking pot?
How on earth is marijuana a "killer on the same par" as cars? -
Yes, I agree. Let's all quit drugs and toughen it through the trials and tribulations of child birth (hey, it's only natural), dentistry, head trauma, flu, the common cold, menstrual pains (hey, it's only natural, can't be that bad, it's only once a month for crying in a bucket). Morphine? Can it. If you can make it to hospital, you can make it out of hospital. Even if they have to carry you out again. Stop whining! It could've been worse, we could've been on drugs! And driving! At the same time!
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I do not smoke or take drugs but I beleive that people should have a chose weather to smoke marijuana or not.-
Choice is a wonderful thing!
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I have mixed feelings about this issue...
On the one hand... I have a schizophrenic uncle whose schizophrenia is a direct result of excessive marijuana use when he was a teenager. His entire life has been destroyed by drug-use, you can't get rid of schizophrenia...you don't get better if you stop smoking marijuana, you can't have a transplant to make it better.
On the other hand... it being illegal hasn't stopped people using it, but it has caused problems related to illegal drug-dealing. And we allow alcohol and cigarettes which cause considerable health problems.
I suppose the key is education. The vast majority of people have no idea that marijuana can have such severe side-effects. Obviously most people are fine, but for those people who end up with severe psychological problems there is no going back.
If people were made fully aware of the risks involved I think legalising marijuana might be a good idea because it would eliminate drug-related crime and also prevent people hiding what they were doing.-
I just need to make this point clear, because people can get confused on this issue, re: Schizophrenia and drug abuse:
www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/schizophrenia/what-causes-schizophreni...
Scientists have long known that schizophrenia runs in families. It occurs in 1 percent of the general population but is seen in 10 percent of people with a first-degree relative (a parent, brother, or sister) with the disorder. People who have second-degree relatives (aunts, uncles, grandparents, or cousins) with the disease also develop schizophrenia more often than the general population. The identical twin of a person with schizophrenia is most at risk, with a 40 to 65 percent chance of developing the disorder.7
Some people who abuse drugs show symptoms similar to those of schizophrenia, and people with schizophrenia may be mistaken for people who are high on drugs. While most researchers do not believe that substance abuse causes schizophrenia, people who have schizophrenia abuse alcohol and/or drugs more often than the general population.
Substance abuse can reduce the effectiveness of treatment for schizophrenia. Stimulants (such as amphetamines or cocaine), PCP, and marijuana may make the symptoms of schizophrenia worse, and substance abuse also makes it more likely that patients will not follow their treatment plan.
Marijuana does not cause schizophrenia, but it can make it worse, or interfere with treatment. -
Sorry, yes, should have made that clear. People who are susceptible to mental illnesses often have their conditions worsened or triggered by excessive marijuana-use. If you aren't likely to be schizophrenic you won't suddenly get it by smoking a joint!
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Thanks, yes - I just wanted to be sure people knew that, too
Any mental illness should be handled with care when you are concerning drugs, alcohol (including caffeine and nicotine) - even prescription medications should be taken very seriously, and under a doctor's supervision. -
Thanks Anok, I was thinking that before I saw your comment. Almost anything can heighten a problem. Mental issues alone can cause some people to create dependencies.
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I feel they should legalize it or decriminalize it. Why waste tax payers' money putting people in jail, ticketing them, etc for smoking pot. I don't think they will though because it would be hard to tax something that the individual can grow themselves.-
I'm sure our clever government could find a way... there are still plenty of hillbillies making illegal moonshine, but most people prefer going to the liquor store... it's easier... it's legal.
Unfortunately, I'm equally sure the government would find something just as stupid/pointless to waste our money on... but if I was high on store-bought weed, I probably wouldn't care...
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I'm not really clear on why it became illegal in the first place. Does anyone know?-
Yes, marijuana got caught up in the US drug and substance control laws in the 50's and 60's and 70's.
The US has had a tough time with drugs, mainly due to wars and the "medications" used to treat wounded soldiers, paired with an influx of foreigners bringing in heavy drugs such as opium during immigration. Drug industries were also unregulated at the time, so "snake oil" and tonics cantained very hard drugs such as morphine, and opium in an over the counter form that people were told to take regularly for good health.
But, in the 50's, 60's and 70's, acid was becoming very popular, and social experiments were all the rage - acid, and it's counterpart pot - were seen as heavy influences to the counter culture that was threatening the US from the inside out. Racism was also at play - some states and lawmakers pushed it as a drug that made black men rape white woman and all that propaganda.
So both were made illegal, along with a slew of other drugs over the US's history. -
Also to protect the paper and textile industries. You can get much more fibre from hemp (which isn't even psychoactive) and marijuana (which might be..) than from pine trees and cotton.
Pine trees have to grow for a decade or two before they can even be harvested and the rate of return is very low. Not to mention the impact on underground water in areas where they are not indigenous. You can harvest hemp and marijuana every year and it's called weed for a reason - it grows anywhere. And it doesn't impact underground water reserves.
With cotton, you can only use the cotton heads. You can use the whole hemp plant for fibre - roots, branches, leaves and all. That leaves very little to roll in any event. -
yeah I read that recently poodle, all to save someones empire on plastics. Can't remember his name but it was earlier than the 50's I think.
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if people want it they can get there hands on it almost anywhere, they only hram themselves and nobody else. i lived in holland for 4 years, it got the better of me and my head was mashed in, i aint had any for over a year.
but the people who do like it, i dont think they should get in trouble for taking it.
its a catch 22 situation, i sit on the fence with it.
when you do come off it, you have a lot of dreams to catch up on haha...... a lot a lot -
Even with alcohol, which is legal (I hope!), it is estimated that only between 6 and 8 percent of users are problem users. More than that, heavy alcohol use is on the decline.
Would something like marijuana follow a similar pattern if it were legalised?-
Not in the UK...we've had a major surge in binge drinking in recent years, to the extent that the government want to set a minimum price per unit so that you can't get drunk as cheaply.
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I wonder what kind of Brits they took for this study then?
www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/expert_advice/article533246...
Must've been the right kind. Not that close-minded kind. -
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Study. Done in UK.
Only 6 per cent of women and 8 per cent of men drink at what even the strict Department of Health considers a hazardous level. For the other 90 per cent-plus of the population, moderate drinkers as well as teetotallers, alcohol doesn't represent a health problem. Moderate drinkers even have a small but significant advantage over the teetotallers in the longevity stakes.
A surprising statistic is that, in the majority of the population, damaging patterns of drinking are falling.
In the UK. -
Well, that is surprising, especially as most of the media are telling us how we all drink too much! And being in any town centre on a friday night doesn't give that impression!
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Pot will never be legal here (U.S.). Many other substances may become illegal too. After all, after all, when/if we pull out of Iraq, Halliburton is gonna want to build prisons here, and we will need to find a reason to put people there. Of course I could be wrong, they could leagalize it, and just put people in prison based on their CPU Browsing History.
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Already happening.
People are being put into prison (indefinitely using the Patriot Act) based on their browsing history. In other words, if you Google "terrorist camp fund raising" and have taken one foreign trip, you could either be a Professor of International Economics, journalist doing a story or a fundraiser for Al Quaeda. Doesn't matter, you have just tagged yourself for investigation. The Patriot Act allows the prosecuting body (Justice and Homeland Security) any justification no matter how flimsy to arrest you and can detain you permanently. -
what if you just put that phrase in a discussion board response?
With my luck, I'll be off to the Ministry of Love thanks to my Jefferson quotes in the "Police Brutality" thread.
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I heard that the state of Connecticut (or was it New Jersey? Eastern seaboard all kind of blends together for me) has decided to stop short of decriminalizing marijuana. Due to lack of resources (monetary and human), they have decided to stop PROSECUTING marijuana possession.
It's still illegal to possess it, use paraphernalia, and distribute, they're just not going to prosecute it anymore. -
Maybe if cannabis was decriminalized, its other benefits can be explored (epsecially hemp, which does not get you high, but try telling that to politicians).
Biofuel, paper, clothing, plastics, hemp oil (contains more Omega-3 than any other plant apart from flax), animal feed, medicine, natural beauty products etc etc. And that's just hemp! It could bring a lot of economic benefits, just like it used to before prohibition.
And the occasional quality toke won't do much harm either.
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Why do you think they call it "dope?"-
Dopamine, perhaps?
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stimulants raise levels of dopamine. Cannabinoids release serratonin
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There was recently an excellent editorial in The Economist on drug prohibition/legalization. I'm a subscriber and some of the content on The Economist web site is accessible to subscribers only, but I think this one is open. Here's the link: www.economist.com/opinion/displaystory.cfm?story_id=13237193 -
I really think weed is lot like coffee (only it's illegal, it smells worse, it's used much more in propaganda, and the high is much better... but other than that. .).
Tons of people have a cup of coffee before work. It helps them get going. Some have a few cups a day... so it helps them keep going. And then there's the occasional speed freak that downs 10+ cups a day.
I know people that smoke a little weed before work. It helps them relax. A few of them smoke on their breaks too... it helps them stay relaxed. And then there are a few real 'heads' out there that do their best to stay blazed all day... even if they're working.
If meth was legalized, it might be the new coffee. If coffee was made illegal, it might be the new meth.
Generally speaking, people like doing drugs. People have always liked doing drugs... and they probably always will like doing drugs. Some people are willing to break the law to use drugs, while some people aren't.
Making one more drug legal or illegal... won't change much... some preferences might be adjusted ("Coffee's illegal now?... guess I'll have to try crack").
My preference is toward more freedoms, so my heart sings along with Peter Tosh... "Don't criticize it... Legalize it!"
Looking at the feedback society offers though (and what appears to be 'history' as well), I don't suspect much will change either way.
keep smiling,
Ben-
I think it smells better than coffee.
Legalize it. We've come close a couple of times in Canada...
It's no more criminal than having a drink. -
It is not legal in Canada to use cannabis for recreational purposes, or for any purposes other than medical use -- yet.
What are the Marijuana Laws in Canada?
It is legal in Canada to use cannabis for medical purposes. Many people use the plant for treating conditions such as anxiety, stress, depression and pain. Many people also use cannabis for conditions such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, hepatitis, arthritis and other conditions.
Medical Marijuana is Legal in Canada
For medical purposes, many Canadians are prescribed a daily amount or dosage of marijuana in grams per day from their health professional. This daily quota ranges considerably, and determines how many cannabis plants are allowable for government licenced personal cultivation and medical use.
www.medicalmarihuana.ca/legal.html
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It’s illegal because government can’t control its use or production.
I would rather see people smoking pot than drinking and driving any day.
Is it a gateway drug, no!
I wouldn’t use it for two reasons; it gives you gyno and you go through life clueless using it.
Look what happened to the Indians, they smoked one to many peace pipes LOL-
"I wouldn’t use it for two reasons; it gives you gyno and you go through life clueless using it.
Look what happened to the Indians, they smoked one to many peace pipes LOL"
Oh my god -
Cannibis is native to the Asian continent. Native Americans smoked tabacco, or (in some western states) peyote. Uhgh
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Top Drug Warrior Distortions
www.drugwardistortions.org/
The Coalition for Medical Marijuana
www.medicalmj.org/
Drug Sense
www.drugsense.org/pages/mission.htm
Latest Medical Marijuana Recommendations for President Obama
According to the ASA website, "Americans for Safe Access is the nation's largest organization of patients, medical professionals, scientists and concerned citizens promoting safe and legal access to cannabis for therapeutic use and research. Most recently ASA has released policy recommendations for President Obama and his Administration including:
1. End federal raids, intimidation and interference with state law;
2. Encourage advanced clinical research trials that meet accepted scientific standards;
3. Ensure the quality and objectivity of information disseminated by federal agencies;
4. Authorize affirmative and legitimate defenses in federal trials; and
5. Remove cannabis from the list of schedule I controlled substances."
For more details, "Medical Marijuana Policy Recommendations for President Barack H. Obama and His Administration (2009-2013)," is available from the CSDP research archive. PDF www.csdp.org/research/ASA_Presidential_Recommendations.pdf -
In Morocco I think it is legal. A lot of people sit arounnd doing nothing but smoking dope all day long. The key is nothing and more nothing. My understanding is that there is no real danger, it is more of a social and business drain because of the loss of productive or meaningful social acts. Imagine what it would do to our society if someone could smoke a pack of dope every day... Imagine again if a big company was advertising for it on television or on the internet... smoke dokes... Turning it over to giant companies might not be a good idea...
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Hemp (Cannabis sativa) was first brought to North America by the Puritans.
In the 17th century hemp was encouraged by the government in the production of rope, sails, and clothing; however, hemp use declined in the late eighteenth century. In the late nineteenth century, cannabis became a common ingredient in medicine and was openly sold at pharmacies.
Major General George Washington, U.S. Revolutionary War hero and first president of the United States, shown here on a U.S. dollar treasury note, cultivated Indian Hemp (Cannabis sativa indica, i.e. medical cannabis, which could also be used for fiber, although not as well as regular hemp) on his farm. "Make the most you can of the Indian hemp seed. Sow it everywhere." -- George Washington, in a letter to his farm manager
Thomas Jefferson, the co-author of the American Declaration of Independence, which was drafted on paper made of cannabis fiber, was the third president of the United States. He cultivated cannabis.
Benjamin Franklin, started the first American paper mill, which made paper exclusively from cannabis.
The decision of the United States Congress to pass the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 was based on hearings, reportsand in part on testimony derived from articles in newspapers owned by William Randolph Hearst, who had significant financial interests in the timber industry, which manufactured his newsprint.
Legal history of cannabis in the United States
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legal_history_of_marijuana_in_the_United_States -
Unlike everyone else that seems to be so bored out of their mind, they think you want to read fifteen pages of what somebody else said somewhere if you look hard enough.
Bottom line. It'll be legalized just like alcohol was legalized. It's all a matter of when. -
Laws really do matter, think about that the next time your watching c-span and thinking how boring. If drugs were legal there would be a lot less gang wars, less killing down on the border, no more dads in prison, a good economy from the tax revenue and farm jobs. Basically far less crime. And I don't even use anything, well except for caffeine love that java.
The ones who use it, will use it. The ones who do not use wont start just because it legal. -
I am for legalizing it. There are worse crimes in the world than smoking a bowl. Most intelligent people don't drink and drive or show up to work drinking, so I don't see why they would smoke and drive and show up to work high. I know they will, and already do, but they could treat it the same way as drinking, you get fired for showing up high, you get a ticket for driving under the influence. -
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Why tax it?
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I think it is a good idea. -
Can't legalize it, to much Bureaucracy and miss information surround it. If you legalize marijuana it could be a "gateway drug" that leads to legalizing all drugs. There is just to much money and jobs at risk here. For years marijuana has been a easy revenue tool for our court system.
We have build up a profitable commerce system on illegal narcotics, reversing the law would be a threat to the U.S monetary system. Can you imagine how much crime would drop on the streets? Law enforcement would lose thousands of jobs, the Federal Government would have to cut thousand of federal law enforcement jobs. That also does not included private sector i.e: security, building prison, guards, treatment centers etc etc...
Think about this... What benefit would are Government have in not securing the boarders post 9/11? Million of dollars worth of narcotics travel past the border every year, not including weapons and kidnapping. IMF including illegal narcotics data when they estimate GDP of countries like Columbia. There are four currencies in this world; Weapons, Gold, Oil and drugs. All of which goes up in value when "paper" currency inflates.
It's business nothing personal.-
[miss information]
Fail.
[If you legalize marijuana it could be a "gateway drug" that leads to legalizing all drugs.]
Oh really? Care to elaborate?
[There is just to much money and jobs at risk here. For years marijuana has been a easy revenue tool for our court system.]
There will still be plenty of court cases for them to make their money off of without marijuana. As long as there are people, there will be criminal and civil cases.
[We have build up a profitable commerce system on illegal narcotics, reversing the law would be a threat to the U.S monetary system.]
Assuming this is true, the effects would be short-term.
[Can you imagine how much crime would drop on the streets?]
Isn't that a good thing?
[Law enforcement would lose thousands of jobs, the Federal Government would have to cut thousand of federal law enforcement jobs.]
I think "thousands" is a bit of an exaggeration here. What it would entail is cops being able to focus on actual crimes that actually hurt people rather than petty drug possession crimes.
[It's business nothing personal.]
Honorable businesses would survive the short-lived chaos, while some drug dealers would not. All for the better, I say. -
Do you think maybe this guy is making a lot of money selling marijuana and is worried he'll go out of business when people sell it for so much cheaper?
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I got that impression; yeah.
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What! making money selling marijuana? I based my argument on how I think the Government would see it as a threat.
Yes I do believe if it is legalized it could on should be a "gateway drug" to legalizing another narcotics, what's wrong with putting coca back in coca-cola?
Yes thousands of jobs in the DEA will be lost in that case so it will have a economic impact. Even with cops on the street there will be cuts backs due to the drop in crime. Yes drop in crime would be a good thing BUT it will impact many jobs.
Most criminal cases are drug related, this will have a big impacted on the courts.
Big Pharm will be affected also.. And educated public who are informed about the natural healing benefits of marijuana will be a danger too them. The biggest "disease" in the country is stress and anxiety, which can be treated with marijuana.
Look at the benefits in hemp. Hemp has all the fatty acids the body needs. It's pact with omega 3,6 and 9. Hemp as a better bio impact then cotton for making clothes.
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Fear dominates much of world drug policy, we're told scare stories that aren't true and then asked to make decisions based on the unsubstantiated rhetoric we have been spoonfed. Have a look at this article: alexanderwalters.blogspot.com
It's about fear, and how our fear pushes us into making decisions that aren't rational, and how governments and advertisers know this and manipulate it.-
Are you accusing our trustworthy governments of fear mongering?! how dare you...
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I'm so in favor of legalizing and so believe the time has come that I'm part of a whole company dedicated to cannabis friendly travel, including Medical Marijuana Discovery Tours.-
That argument against pot is that it makes people slow, for example responding to a threat that died more than 7 months ago.
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OK. This has been an issue here in the UK recently.
On the one hand you have various medical scientists claiming that Marijuana is harmless, and on the other you have the government promoting the drug from class C to class B.
This decision doesn't really effect me if I'm honest - I don't smoke anything. But I think there's some sense in saying that Marijuana can lead on to more dangerous (or even just dangerous) drugs. I think there's something to be said about the fact that once you're smoking one thing, it's not that big of a step to start taking more extreme drugs.
But if we just take it on its medical implications then sure, legalise the stuff. I don't care. -
I don't think freedom of choice should be legalized because people will start to think for themselves.-
Lol, that sarcastic argument is just begging for this response:
If you want freedom of choice, shouldn't we legalise murder so people can chose to murder or not?
I'm not even that against the idea of Marijuana being legalised, it's just that that argument had to be answered. -
I am not sure if you noticed or not, but murder is legal and justified if you are the right color and if it is for a good cause. Do you think the United States was founded by a bunch of white dudes?
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I'd like a monthly allotment, like food stamps -
Legalize it and tax it so we can pay our way out of national debt! -
Legalize it! Not only can it be taxed to help pay off our debt, but the time/costs of arresting, booking and jailing pot dealers will no longer burden law enforcement so they can focus it on more important issues.-
Exactly! 8-)
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Legalize weed! I don't smoke it anymore, but I had a friend with stomach cancer and my friends mom had Leukemia, even though they both died, without marijuana they probably would have died a lot faster. Not to mention that they were much more comfortable because of weed. My friends step-dad was a police detective and he feels the same way. But if it were legal the government wouldn't make as much money from it as they do now. (that's my own conspiracy theory that is backed up by a lot of cold hard facts)
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