Marijuana debate

[SHOUTrvb]

I agree with several of the reasons above to legalize it. The point about driving stoned is a good one as well. Not always applicable, but usually less dangerous than driving inebriated. The simpler fact is, by legalizing it, we allow more of it to enter the system, but the chaos will eventually die down and only the highly-active users will be drastically effected. Otherwise it'd be normally simple to quit and move on with your life. Plus, as said, it could be taxed; helping the economy rather than hurting it like it does now.

[Patrickh]

cigarettes and alchohol are not illegal... why marijuana? It causes far fewer problems than these other two.

[Tural]

Probably for the same reason we don't negotiate with Cuba. Tradition/it's been that way for a while.

[-DeToX-]

Well Canada decriminalized weed(I don't believe totally, but very much so), or so I have been taught in my civics class, but you still get a ticket as you would a parking ticket. It just doesn't go on your criminal record.

But mostly for the purpose of "Teens shouldn't have to burden a offense on their criminal record for something as small as weed."

But I would still think it should be legalized totally.. but the taxing is a big problem with it.

[Cryticfarm]

Meh, legalize it just to make Malolo happy.

[theycallmechad]

This topic is pointless. Pot smokers refuse to hear anthing negative against it, and anti-drug people refuse to hear that it can be good. Proof or no proof (which NOBODY has provided), nothing will be accomplished by having this thread still open.

[SHOUTrvb]

Some good points have been noted, Chad, and people are listening. I understand why you would be against this thread, so no worries there. But it would appear that you're only seeing the blunt face of the thread; being "is it good or bad?". Those who have any knowledge on the subject know that's not where it ends. Wrong or right, it's going to continue. The opinions of those in this thread won't change anything. What needs to be considered is the best way to control something as uncontrollable and Marijuana use. How can we turn something bad into a benefit to our Country and maybe even discourage usage at the same time? That's the subject.

Edit: And I'm not saying you don't have any knowledge. So there's no confusion.

[Danke]

Have you ever had a Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger from Wendy's while high?

Never tasted anything that good ever. My friend walked for an hour at 3 AM in the morning to get to a 4 AM Wendy's over here. BEST SANDWICH EVER.

That being said, I don't really care if it is or isn't.

[Ragdoll]

This topic is pointless. Pot smokers refuse to hear anthing negative against it, and anti-drug people refuse to hear that it can be good. Proof or no proof (which NOBODY has provided), nothing will be accomplished by having this thread still open.

Not true, I have been listening and I do know that there are negatives (mostly longterm). But what drug doesn't? With weed, I believe, the benefits outway the risks.

[Tural]

and anti-drug people refuse to hear that it can be good

I disagree, as I am a staunch anti-drug advocate, as well as one of the most stubborn people on this site, and I'm listening intently to what they are saying.

[HPDarkness]

I think if Marijuana was legalized. Crime/Murder rate would go down, honestly people would be too busy getting high and thinking about other things rather than crime.

But then again it could bring up the crime rate, people could start stealing money to buy more >_>

[OwnZ joO]

and anti-drug people refuse to hear that it can be good

I disagree, as I am a staunch anti-drug advocate, as well as one of the most stubborn people on this site, and I'm listening intently to what they are saying.

I wouldn't say there's anything "positive" about weed, but there are no good reasons for the government to decide for everybody whether or not they can use it.

As for crime, I think the crime would just change, people would no longer be getting arrested over marijuana, along with some drug dealers shifting to other drugs and some probably stopping.

[GametagAeonFlux]

Have you ever had a Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger from Wendy's while high?

All my friends tell me Steak n' Shake and Wendy's are about 100x better than normal when high.

[noscottno]

cigarettes are worse.

lies, actually 1 joint is equal to 10 cigarettes.

It isn't worse than cigarettes. In fact, it is not nearly as bad.

The latest research on the effects of marijuana on lung cancer shows that marijuana smokers actually have lower rates of lung cancer than people do not smoke pot. It seems to provide a protective effect. This research was done by Dr. Donald Tashkin of UCLA, the leading expert on the topic.

Every major government commission report on marijuana in the last 100 years has concluded that marijuana is not a serious threat to either individual or public health. You can read the full text of these reports at Major Studies of Drugs and Drug Policy - http://druglibrary.org/schaffer/Library ... tudies.htm

The largest study of the health effects was done by Kaiser Permanente. They surveyed the health records of 65,000 patients over a number of years. They found no significant differences between the health records of pot smokers and people who did not smoke pot. see http://www.druglibrary.org/crl/aging/sidney-01.html

The World Health Organization studied the comparison between alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana in health effects. They concluded that marijuana is safer than either alcohol or tobacco by a wide margin. See
A Comparative Appraisal of the Health and Psychological Consequences of Alcohol, Cannabis, Nicotine and Opiate Use - http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/hem ... -index.htm

The number of deaths produced by tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana in the US in a typical year is as follows:
Tobacco - about 400,000
Alcohol - about 100,000
Acetimenophen (Tylenol) - about 2,000
Marijuana -- no recorded deaths in history.
See How many people are killed by drugs?
http://druglibrary.org/schaffer/library/basicfax3.htm

Care to repute your claims?

[hollow121314]

I like how people are like "It's not as bad as the other drugs make it legal". Why do people need to do drugs to feel good about themselves? I hate the smell of that smokey crap. Go ahead smoke it but stay the hell away from me.

[GametagAeonFlux]

I like how people are like "It's not as bad as the other drugs make it legal". Why do people need to do drugs to feel good about themselves?

Because we live in a sad, sad world. Stress from work, family, self, news, etc. Shit idk.

It's their decision to do drugs, and if you don't want to do them, great...but if they do, I don't think you have the right to tell them it's wrong.

[Senor_Grunt]

Does it really matter whether or not we legalize it? If its illegal, people are still going to be using it, regardless of whether or not its illegal. If it is legalized, nothing will change. All that will really happen is more people will begin to smoke it, and smoke it in the open, because it is legal.

If you can't beat em' join em'

[Tural]

Does it really matter whether or not we legalize it?

Yes. That's kinda the entire point of this thread. Taxes, resources put into enforcing it, plenty of other stuff mentioned. Yes. It does matter. The act of smoking it isn't the important issue here.

[RaVNzCRoFT]

Does it really matter whether or not we legalize it?

Yeah, the biggest point discussed in this thread is that it could be taxed if sold legally. So it does make a difference.

[[cc]z@nd!]

wow, i got into this one late. i'd have to say i pretty much agree with what most everyone's been saying. scientific studies have found that marijuana is far less dangerous than much more common drugs like tobacco and alcohol. while there are some states that don't very strictly enforce pot laws, there is still significant strain one our budget and justice system because of it.

it really stands a chance this election since the economy is going to be an issue, and i think people would like to find a way to decrease government spending, especially after the iraq war cost us a couple trillion. i'd like to see it legalized since the pros greatly outweigh the cons in this one.