Marijuana

[HappyHippy123]

I wanted to bring up the current issue dealing with the legalizing of marijuana in america. In my opinion (which is just an opinion, just as much as yours is) if someone who is under the influence is not driving, in a public place such as a resturaunt, if you're not harming anyone else around you, then it should be legal. Also, I think that if it is going to be illegal, the penalties should not be more severe than the effects of the drugs are on your body over a long period of time.

Please reply, this is a serious issue. Don't just be like YEAH I SMOKE POT, MUNCHIES 420 HELL YEAH SMOKE WEED!

[falconsfan14]

Yea, i used to smoke but i quit. *bows* It should be legal but there should be an age restriction, lets say 18. Sounds fair. There would also have to be designated areas in which you could smoke it and not be able to get in a car and go kill a mother and 2 kids on the way back from soccer practice.
My opinion
I think weed is a good thing though, even though it does have long term effects on the body, as do ciggerettes, but it is more healthy than smoking cigs. (Dont question that, im very knowlageable on the subject) There are too many restrictions on what we can and cant do, even though it does keep order in this great country of ours, we should be able to do whatever we want to do but be aware of the consiquences. Maybe, just because weed gets you high, that doesnt mean its bad. Weed is just something to help you deal with problems or to have a good time, just like drinking =/.

America has made it more of a political issue than a social issue. Live your life how you want, not how people tell you too.

[HappyHippy123]

18 is a fair age. Though I am 16 :P But 18 would be a more reasonable age. I'm glad someone took this seriously.

[ringzing]

i to believe weed should be legal it doesnt harm anyone i am 13 soon to be 14 and i smoked weed for a while until a girl ODed on triple c so i decieded not to smoke at all but i think it should be legal at the age of 18 just like cigrettes

[The_Q]

I, personally, believe that it should be legalized without age restrictions. It's been proven that the benefits of having illegal drugs, not just marijuana, cause so much net gain that the net loss is next to nothing. Far over $12 billion* would be generated from simply knocking down the size of police enforcement and the opportunities kept by the would-be felons.

I believe that it is a person's right to purchase whatever they wish to purchase at the lowest price they can find ( no theft). The government is not allowed to impede upon this right in any way. The government should be weakened to the point where only law enforcement survives and that is there only to protect the rights of the individual (Life, Liberty and Property) and nothing more.

I also believe that you're going about thinking improperly for this forum. I agree with you but only at the end. Legalization is good for the reasons I've listed (benefits > costs) and not because you think so. Put some evidence into your posts or don't post at all. Falcon, you're getting the hang of it, just add some more evidence and a tad more thought and you'll be set. Everyone else in this thread should be ashamed at themselves.

*I'll look up the old number tomorrow. I'm sure it's grown since then.

Q

[hEaLiNgViSiOnAnGeLicMiX]

I am all up for the legalization of marijuana. Why? Because there have been multiple cases where some people were legally given marijuana for certain illnesses/medical conditions. After recovering, obviously they lose the right to be in posession of said drug. But, after the use of marijuana they become somewhat addicted, and spend hundreds of dollars trying to get their hands on pot. One of the many reasons as to why marijuana is so expensive is because of the fact that it's illegal. Harder to transport...blablabla. By legalizing it, it will lower the prices by a significant amount.

However..

someone who is under the influence is not driving, in a public place such as a resturaunt, if you're not harming anyone else around you, then it should be legal.

Cigarettes are legal. But guess what? Smokers are infact harming those around them, especially in public places. Second Hand smoking, asthma, the list continues.

Other than physical effects, there are mental affects aswell. How do you think a mother with a 7 yearold child would react so someone openly smoking marijuana infront of them? It all goes with the whole image of 'being cool' and 'looking mature'. Kid sees 'cool kid' smoking pot. Kid wants to be cool. Kid smokes pot. It sounds a bit farfetch'd, but it does happen.

but it is more healthy than smoking cigs.

I wouldn't question wether or not marijuana isn't as bad as cigarettes. However, that's like saying jumping off a bridge isn't as bad as shooting yourself in the head. They both cause negative effects to those who are drug addicts/abusers.

So I'm kind of on both sides on this whole issue, but I just offered some of my opinions that's all.

[jewpinthethird]

Originally Posted by hEaLiNgViSiOnAnGeLicMiX

I wouldn't question wether or not marijuana isn't as bad as cigarettes. However, that's like saying jumping off a bridge isn't as bad as shooting yourself in the head. They both cause negative effects to those who are drug addicts/abusers.

You forget, there is more than one way to get high off of marijuana than smoking. All the toxins from marijuana leave the body completely in time. And there are many different ways to get high off of marijuana. Smoking it is just the simplest way.

I'm all for the legalization of marijuana. I mean, it isnt like legalization makes it any easier to obtain. Hell, if anything, it'll make it hard to get a hold of. Drug dealers dont care about your age, pharmacists and store clerks do.

[mica3gold]

I feel that if cigarettes are legal then marijuana should be too. Both have serious long term effects. If it was legal, I think less people would smoke it. I believe many do it just because it is illegal.

[Mindfields]

I like Q's post.
Before he posted that, I had no idea that drugs could give that much of an effect on the economy.
So now I know a bit more about drugs, yay.
The same laws that apply for Alcochol drinking should apply for smoking, as they both are toxins. For instance, you know how it's illegal to drink and drive? Well, you shouldn't be able to smoke and drive without atleast a ticket.
Besides Q's reasoning, I think that they should still be outlawed, drugs that aren't for medical purposes are bad and you shouldn't do them.

[falconsfan14]

Smoking doesnt effect you like drinking does. Drinking effects your awareness and since of direction, not to mention how you think. Smoking doesnt really do that, sure it gives you a LITTLE buzz, but its not enough to really effect you. Now, i could see why smoking weed and driving would be illegal. It effects since of direction, awareness, consionceness(sp?), vision, brain activity, and basic motor skills. Yes, weed should be legalised, but it should be like drinking, you cant frink and drive, or smoke and drive. No smoking it on the street, it should be for places like a bar or home, or the beach. Places where you cant get into much trouble.

[blahblah18]

Hmm, this reminds me of several things, one of them is something I meant to ask Q and his silly free market economy.. actually 2 things.
1. Should all drugs be legal?
2. Should antitrust laws be stricken

Guess you shouldn't answer #2 in this thread, but please do answer #1

Also, the strongest argument probably for legalization is that it allows governmental regulation and governmental income when they tax it like they do cigarettes

[hEaLiNgViSiOnAnGeLicMiX]

Smoking doesnt effect you like drinking does. Drinking effects your awareness and since of direction, not to mention how you think.

Falc, your statement is not only unjustified, but false aswell.

Originally Posted by http://www.nida.nih.gov/Infofacts/marijuana.html

The short-term effects of marijuana can include problems with memory and learning; distorted perception; difficulty in thinking and problem solving; loss of coordination; and increased heart rate.

All of the things I bolded extremely important when it comes to driving. Therefor, smoking marijuana does have many similar affects to those of alchohol.

it should be for places like a bar or home, or the beach.

Smoking cigarettes was recently banned from all public places in Canada. The reason is simple; the tabacco is affecting not only the smokers, but those around them aswell. Marijuana can do the same. If you were to sit a room with someone smoking marijuana for about an hour, and did a drug test the following day, there is a possibility that the result would be positive.

I know my post makes me sound like I'm really against the whole legalization idea, but really I'm not. I'm just stating that if it were legalized, it would have to be controled. It should be something that can only be done in the home, and nowhere else. But that's just my two cents..

[The_Q]

Also, the strongest argument probably for legalization is that it allows governmental regulation and governmental income when they tax it like they do cigarettes

I purposely didn't mention taxes because it generates nothing positive and nothing negative. The amount gained is the same amout lost (The taxpayer pays x dollars and gets x dollars in services back) There's no net gain from this.

I think things would be a lot easier if drugs were legalized, yes. But your antitrust laws thing got me thinking. Thanks.

Q

[emccky]

No one has EVER died directly from Marijuana, so what is the problem of having it legal? It should be the same as alcohol, an age limit, and if you are caught driving under the influence or anything like that you get a heavy fine.

[hEaLiNgViSiOnAnGeLicMiX]

no one has EVER died directly from Marijuana, so what is the problem of having it legal?

When certain substances are made illegal, it is not necessarily because of a possibility of it leading to death.

[hydrojakep]

I'm up for marijuana legalization, but i'd also like to see the government controlling all sales. That means for each oz of weed sold this much money goes to the government. That would improve our economy greatly.

[JurseyRider734]

People who smoke Marijuana are ignorant.

Obviously you guys don't know all of the effects of Marijuana, which is kind of sad. I've convinced someone to not ever smoke Marijuana(their decision) after they asked me to describe the effects of the drug, and also with the effects of alcohol. They decided not to drink or do drugs ever again.

I don't really have time to type this all out, but i'm going to anyways.

Marijuana kills dopamine. If you don't know what dopamine is, it's the natural stimulant that causes adrenaline. It makes you feel happy/energized/motivated and what not. It's "unrenewable", or once it dies you can never regain it back. When you're on an adrenaline rush dopamine goes into these little...uh...slots in your brain. The chemical in Marijuana, THC, will replicate the dopamine and fill up these slots and the dopamine has nowhere to go, so it dies and will never be replaced. Eventually your happy type of feeling you get after you win a soccer game or play some kind of concert or something you acomplish will decrease. Not only does this happen, but smoking Marijuana harms your lungs and will do all of that whole not being able to drive/not thinking straight deal. I hope Marijuana never becomes legal and the penalties for catching people with the drug is raised much higher.

[suicidalmuskrat]

If anything, I'd like alcohol to be banned and Cannabis legalized...Eventhough I'm a fan of the drink, and don't smoke pot much (yeah, I have a few times), I think that pot is overall much less dangerous than alcohol. For one, I agree with whoever said it doesn't effect your driving as much. I don't know if there have been tests on this or anything, but personally I find this true. Obviously sober is the best option, and so there would have to be similar laws in place as there are for drinking. My personal opinion is that all drugs should be legalized. If people want to damage themselves, what place am I in (or anyone in the government) to stop them? Even if it's an addiction, it gives them short term happiness. And if they want that short term happiness in exchange for long term suffering, it's not our place to judge that.

@ jurseyrider: So what? People do abusive things to their body all the time (smoke, drink, eat fatty foods, drink too much soda, go sun-tanning...) Why don't we try to enforce laws on this? My step mom has skin cancer, caused from the sun (tanning too much or whatever), and millions of other do as well, so why not enforce laws on things like that if it's the governments job to keep individuals safe? Point being, we can't keep them safe from everything, and the individual should be responsible for themselves.

EDIT: and if weed kills the dopamine responsible for adrenaline, or euphoric emotions, wouldn't that work for anger, sadness, disappointment as well? And wouldn't that be optimal for people who have a lot more sadness/anger/hatred in there lives than happiness? They could just cut out all of the extremes, and be overall much happier because of it. Sounds unfair for me to take that away from them.

[msbrunnettemickey]

Oh God... Kids don't do drugs...

I'm also with marijuana legalization.
Even if no one has ever died from it, you can ruin your life for just being sick, and having an ugly conscience about people you can harm around you.

You people probably heard...
We have learned a lesson from history:
Alcohol prohibition did not work, and there is no logical reason to believe that marijuana prohibition is a better idea.

Yeah, that is just stupid. And what about the government? Well, you are not wasting your money on taxes. (Just wanted you guys to know)

[hEaLiNgViSiOnAnGeLicMiX]

Alcohol prohibition did not work, and there is no logical reason to believe that marijuana prohibition is a better idea.

Yeah, that is just stupid. And what about the government? Well, you are not wasting your money on taxes. (Just wanted you guys to know)

One of the reasons that alchohol prohibition didn't work is because it has become apart of our culture. It is no longer one of those things we have because we feel like getting drunk and forgetting about all the troubles we have in the world. Alchohol is consumed during celebrations on a frequent basis. It's you 18th birthday? You and your friends go out for a drink to celebrate. It's a wedding? The man and wife share a drink.

It's also become connected to religion aswell.

Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink.

Just a couple decades ago, said drink was alchohol. It stopped because kids who were forced to go to church with parents often go drunk off of the alchohol, and would come back later to get more.