On The Legalization of Cannabis

[ICEE]

Of course, I don't smoke pot, and never intend to. But it's stupid for the government to make such a big deal out of it.

See, this is an opinion that I can agree with. You don't have to be a pothead to recognize that it isn't something worth making a huge deal about. To be honest, I doubt that the number of smokers would go up considerably (permanently that is) if cannabis were legalized. Drugs are something that cannot be stopped (Like guns but that is for a different thread) even if you want to. Even if they were banned entirely, people would still be getting them into the country just as easily as they are now.

I think that marijuana should be legalized for personal use, but not legal in public (for the same reasons as cigarettes are outlawed in public places, as well as secondhand highs).

Theres a time and place for weed. There will always be losers who get addicted to it and waste their lives, same as with alcohol, but thats no reason the rest of us shouldn't be able to enjoy it every now and then.

Just look at mexico and see how well that regulation and legalization is holding out.

Mexico is an awful example.

[bravo22]

Legalize it with proper regulation, basically the same way western countries handle the sale of alcohol. Don't sell it to minors, tax it fairly, and also raise awareness about the dangers of addiction through education. We've already helped a lot of people stay away from tobacco cigarettes by properly educating schoolchildren about its dangers, so if we take the same approach with marijuana, we can reduce the risk of people doing stupid things resulting from addiction.

I don't smoke it, but I see more problems with criminalizing it than with legalizing it.

Plus, legalizing it would put the drug cartels out of business, and save a lot of children from getting enslaved to make the dope, and improve public safety in some Latin American countries since these guys can't employ their private armies anymore.

Islam forbids intoxicants for recreation, whether it's alcohol or marijuana or whatever, so in Abu Dhabi where I live, the drug problem is tiny compared to western countries as the population is largely Muslim. But in more liberal societies and cultures, it's a different story, and thus different attitudes need to be taken.

Besides, marijuana is legal in the Netherlands, and afaik the Dutch have pretty normal lives - legalizing the stuff has not turned the entire country into potheads. I suspect this is because the majority of the populace has been properly educated about how addiction can be dangerous.

As for people turning to crime to fund their drug addictions - well, attacking the drugs will not do a damn thing! If you want to solve this problem, fight the actual crime itself. Start by employing more cops to patrol the streets. A drug addict is far less likely to mug the innocent pedestrian for money to buy drugs, if he knows there are cops watching.

Anyway, I can never understand the western fascination with getting high (seriously, why waste money on something so pointless?), but hey as long as they don't turn violent in the process I'm fine with it.

[annihilation]

I think they should legalize it.

It would bring in extra money and save some.

They should have better things to do than arresting drug addicts and drug dealers.
And actually put tax payers money to good use.

[Aerowyn]

I disagree with the idea that it is not addictive. It may not be your typical chemical dependency complete with painful withdraw symptoms like heroin but it is addictive. Lack of physiological addiction does not preclude psychological addiction which can be just as powerful as the former and harder to treat.

But keep in mind that anything can really be psychologically addictive. Pot, gambling, sex, washing your hands, etc. But that's a personal thing. It's not the drug lending to the addiction; it's the person.

PS. way to go with the poll guys, voting on every answer is win?

[Heathen]

for medicinal, for paper, cloth, for fun. Legalize it.


E: oh, and fyi, its not addictive.

The high is, but thats quite alright.

[EX12693]

God created ALL plants. For us to use. So I am. Why is there objection?

[annihilation]

Okay then.
Let's all go eat some Posion Ivy and strange berries!
Then let's go swimming in an active volcano.
We'll be fine. I mean, God did create it and all.

Also, God does not exist. Making you're argument invalid.

[Dwood]

Religion != idiocy

EX that statement did not fall under religion.

[CN3089]

On The Legalization of Cannabis

yeah sure why not just don't expect to not get looked down upon

God created ALL plants. For us to use. So I am. Why is there objection?

there is no god, deal with it~

[Mass]

Just look at mexico and see how well that regulation and legalization is holding out.

Mexico's solidity as a state is at risk and people are being murdered constantly because of the drug policies of the United States. The total prohibition of hard drugs and marijuana paves the way for a massive black market, and makes possible large criminal organizations which feed North American appetites and feed on American wallets. If cannabis is worth so much more per acre than tomatoes or other local crops, why would Mexicans grow anything else? After all, with all that drug money and the lack of simple restrictions on combat weapons in U.S. border states, protecting that crop is still more profitable than tomatoes, especially considering you have a 9/10 chance of hitting the market if you do it right.

Simply speaking, the continuous human catastrophe formerly known as the "War on Drugs" is a self-fulfilling prophesy. Moreover, It's really sad how you don't realize policies you support result in the ongoing deaths of innocent people ( and a lot who aren't...) outside our borders.

Thanks