Should we Legalize marijuana?

[Sensei Payne]

I know this topic has probably been beat to death...but there is a new article out.
http://reason.com/blog/2011/06/22/barney-frank-and-ron-paul-will

I got kind of excited when I heard my favorite 2012 Presidential Candidate is helping start the bill..it really would be about time for it.

Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) and Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) will introduce "bi-partisan legislation tomorrow ending the federal war on marijuana and letting states legalize, regulate, tax, and control marijuana without federal interference,"

 

[Big Don]

Several states, California is one, have legalized, so called medical marijuana. The net result? Damn few investigations or prosecutions for any marijuana dealing. The federal government's response? Nothing, none whatsoever.
BTW, I'm not surprised the truther likes this idea...

 

[Bob Hubbard]

It's only illegal because the tobacco and cotton industries have much better lobbyists.

Medically it's beneficial, for fabrics it's durable, and as far as 'harmful' goes, tobacco and booze are much worse.

legalize it, tax it, and put similar restrictions on as tobacco and booze.
I predict, we're fine.

gay nazi zombies will not ride dinos while the nation burns.
I promise.

 

[elder999]

Legalize it, tax the **** out of it, put some dealers out of business-make some others legal. Sounds good to me.

 

[astrobiologist]

Yes, we should legalize it. I mean, we all know how well prohibition worked for alcohol, right?

If we would like to stop adding to the drug cartel problems of latin american countries, if we'd like to help our economy by having a tax on a recreational and medicinal substance that many americans choose to use illegally right now, and if we would like to stop being the nation with the largest prison population and show the world that we can think progressively and help those who want to use recreational drugs to make smart decisions then we should totally legalize it.

 

[MA-Caver]

gay nazi zombies will not ride dinos while the nation burns.
I promise.

heh, they will if some folks smoke enough of it... :lol: remember it is a mild hallucinogenic

 

[Omar B]

Yes. That is all.

 

[Sensei Payne]

Several states, California is one, have legalized, so called medical marijuana. The net result? Damn few investigations or prosecutions for any marijuana dealing. The federal government's response? Nothing, none whatsoever.
BTW, I'm not surprised the truther likes this idea...

For the Record, this is an honest to God Statement.

I have NEVER smoked anything in my entire life. I don't like the smell, and honestly it really just sounds gross to me.

I feel that if people want to put something into there body...big brother shouldn't be able to tell you that you can't.

 

[CanuckMA]

Legalize it, tax the **** out of it, put some dealers out of business-make some others legal. Sounds good to me.

And it might be a boost to the junk food industry.

 

[poollshark]

Yes.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-9077214414651731007#

This is a link to a documentary called "The Union". I suggest that everyone should watch it. One of the biggest proponents of Marijuana legalization is Joe Rogan who is one of the many people interviewed for this film along with many high ranking police officials, politicians, college professors etc.
I especially recommend this for those who don't agree with legalization, get educated and make an informed decision.

 

[RandomPhantom700]

Yes, it should be legalized. As a mind-altering substance, marijuana is no worse than alcohol or tobacco. I'm not arguing for the criminalization of the latter two, but if they're legal substances, it's a logical disconnect to say that marijuana should not be one.

All other problems involving weed stem (no pun intended) from its illegality. Legalize it, regulate it, free up court & jail space, and watch the junk food industry skyrocket. Win-win.

 

[Bob Hubbard]

Other pluses:
- Crime rates would drop freeing police and courts to pursue more of the danger to society types rather than danger to snack food types.
- Economic benis as legal sales would add revenues to stores and municipalities.
- Decrease in 'dealers' and gangs due to removal of black-market
- Increase in life quality for those needing it medicinally as easier access and removal of prosecution phase in.

Also, don't forget, food sales will increase too. Also, "The Munchies" will be petitioned to Congress as a disease thereby giving our elected oafs something to do to justify their existence.

 

[Bill Mattocks]

gay nazi zombies will not ride dinos while the nation burns.
I promise.

I would not mind that as much as what will happen.

 

[Bill Mattocks]

Yes, we should legalize it. I mean, we all know how well prohibition worked for alcohol, right?

Specious argument. Prohibition also fails to stop the child sex slave trade. Shall we legalize that as well? Your logic says we should.

If we would like to stop adding to the drug cartel problems of latin american countries,

Drug cartels will cease to exist because they don't have a market for pot anymore? I guess they'll just give up on cocaine, crack, heroin, etc.

if we'd like to help our economy by having a tax on a recreational and medicinal substance that many americans choose to use illegally right now,

Uncle Sam, pimp and drug lord. Sounds great.

and if we would like to stop being the nation with the largest prison population and show the world that we can think progressively and help those who want to use recreational drugs to make smart decisions then we should totally legalize it.

Not interested in 'showing the world' anything at all. They do what they want, we do what we want. We are not them, and kissing their pucker is not something I'd advise. Word of experience here - the world hates us no matter what we do.

 

[Bill Mattocks]

As a mind-altering substance, marijuana is no worse than alcohol or tobacco.

Sez you.

All other problems involving weed stem (no pun intended) from its illegality. Legalize it, regulate it, free up court & jail space, and watch the junk food industry skyrocket. Win-win.

You can make the same argument for child pornography (except for the junk food part). That make it OK, then?

 

[Bill Mattocks]

Funny how the same people who in favor of the government's right to regulate the food we eat on the basis that it is 'bad for us', also tend to favor drug legalization, even though no burning substance sucked into the lungs could ever be called anything but unhealthy. Wonder why? Oh yeah, they like pot but don't like people eating Twinkies. Hypocrites.

The reason pot is illegal is because the majority of the country wants it that way. That's a good enough reason. I am part of that majority. Things are changing, so the laws may change. If it does, it does. I still won't like it. But as long as I have a vote, I'll vote 'no' on legalization.

 

[Dirty Dog]

It's only illegal because the tobacco and cotton industries have much better lobbyists.

Medically it's beneficial, for fabrics it's durable, and as far as 'harmful' goes, tobacco and booze are much worse.

legalize it, tax it, and put similar restrictions on as tobacco and booze.
I predict, we're fine.
[\quote]

Really? 4 joints a day gives you the same risk of cancer as a pack of tobacco cigarettes a day. Not what I'd consider "better" by any measure.

That doesn't mean I don't think it should be legal. I just don't think inaccurate info should be spread around.

I've said many times, including in this forum; smoke all you want. But don't pretend it's healthy.

Policy for MJ, alcohol and tobacco should be simple: legalize it, tax the crap out of it, and earmark the funds to pay for the medical care the users are going to need. And in the case of MJ and alcohol, which both have negative affects on judgement and reaction, use it to pay the people they harm.

 

[Dirty Dog]

Funny how the same people who in favor of the government's right to regulate the food we eat on the basis that it is 'bad for us', also tend to favor drug legalization, even though no burning substance sucked into the lungs could ever be called anything but unhealthy. Wonder why? Oh yeah, they like pot but don't like people eating Twinkies. Hypocrites.

The reason pot is illegal is because the majority of the country wants it that way. That's a good enough reason. I am part of that majority. Things are changing, so the laws may change. If it does, it does. I still won't like it. But as long as I have a vote, I'll vote 'no' on legalization.

Not exactly accurate.

I don't like pot. I don't use it. I also think it should be legal.

Regulation of foods and drugs is intended to ensure than when you buy a steak, it's a steak, not your neighbors cat. And when you buy tylenol, it's actually tylenol. It's not intended to prevent abuse. After all, if that where the case, people could get arrested for being fat, since obviously they're over-using (abusing) food.

The purpose of govt is not to protect people from their own stupidity. If you want to drink a gallon of vodka a day, it's legal. And I know people who do just that. If you want to smoke 2-3 packs of cigarettes a day, it's legal. And I know people who do just that.

If you want to destroy your mind and your body by whatever means, be it alcohol, tobacco, pot, crack... go for it. I don't care.

I only care when you make it societies problem. When you drive or do anything else that puts others at risk because of these drugs (and that includes alcohol and tobacco) then I care. I think punishments should be severe.

And when your liver fails from the booze, or you can't breath because of the crap you've inhaled, just remember: self inflicted, don't whine.

 

[Bill Mattocks]

Not exactly accurate.

I don't like pot. I don't use it. I also think it should be legal.

Regulation of foods and drugs is intended to ensure than when you buy a steak, it's a steak, not your neighbors cat. And when you buy tylenol, it's actually tylenol. It's not intended to prevent abuse. After all, if that where the case, people could get arrested for being fat, since obviously they're over-using (abusing) food.

You're missing the thread where the liberals are calling for the regulation of ingredients in processed food on the basis that it is 'unhealthy' and 'costs us money in terms of increased health care costs'. If that argument is legitimate, then those same people should be against the legalization of pot.

The purpose of govt is not to protect people from their own stupidity.

Agreed. But there are several comments in the next thread over that say exactly that, more or less.

If you want to drink a gallon of vodka a day, it's legal. And I know people who do just that. If you want to smoke 2-3 packs of cigarettes a day, it's legal. And I know people who do just that.

If you want to destroy your mind and your body by whatever means, be it alcohol, tobacco, pot, crack... go for it. I don't care.

I don't care either. Except I don't want pot or crack to be legal.

I only care when you make it societies problem. When you drive or do anything else that puts others at risk because of these drugs (and that includes alcohol and tobacco) then I care. I think punishments should be severe.

I want pot dealers to be executed, and pot smokers to spend time in prison. If it were up to me, that would be the law. If given the choice, that's how I vote.

And when your liver fails from the booze, or you can't breath because of the crap you've inhaled, just remember: self inflicted, don't whine.

I'm hip. But I don't like pot and I don't want it to be legal.

 

[RandomPhantom700]

Sez you.



You can make the same argument for child pornography (except for the junk food part). That make it OK, then?

Child pornography is illegal because a minor is too young to give consent or even realize the consequences of their actions. That has nothing to do with legalizing pot, and you know it.

And yeah, I do sez so. I've smoked pot (albeit only a couple of times) and I've gotten really drunk (alot more than a couple of times). There is no reason for the former to be illegal if the latter is not. Both can be abused, both can be used moderately, both have risks, both can lead to personal harm or harm to others if used irresponsibly. Yet one is legal, the other is not.