Should marijuana be legalized for recreational purposes

[LizardofOz]

The thing about testing for the harder drugs vs pot is it is a massive disparity, and many people will do harder drugs over pot just because it doesn't stay in your system as long. cocaine (or crack) for example can be out of your system in as little as one day no matter how big you are or how much you smoke. Marijuana on the other hand could take anywhere from a week to a month to get out of your system because of how it works in your system. So really, another great advantage of marijuana being legal would be it would drive down the demand for harder drugs, and using prescriptions for recreational purposes.

 

[Kal'Stang]

No, it is not. I quote the relevant definition from your link to the medical dictionary for narcotic:


Pot is not physiologically addictive like a narcotic, nor is it classified as a scientific narcotic. It is only subject to the same restrictions as a narcotic.

You seem to have forgot the last two words in that defination. "or not". And yes pot is addictive. I have a friend that quit the stuff about 6 months ago and he still occasionally feels the need to smoke it.

and they do NOT support this action.

In all the ones that I have read over the years they DO support that action.

Anecdotal and theft was no caused by the drug. Emotional pain - get over it. The fact that you have banished her says it all. Seems there is more to your opposing legalization.

Knew you were going to say that. *rollseyes*

Oh wait...those are her actions and were not caused by pot right? Pot doesn't alter a persons personality right? That is such bullcrap.

 

[GayLibertarian]

Why not legalize *all drugs*?

 

[Johnny]

Why not legalize *all drugs*?

I actually agree with that.
YouTube - Ron Paul on marijuana, prohibition, and personal freedom

 

[Kal'Stang]

I actually agree with that.
YouTube - Ron Paul on marijuana, prohibition, and personal freedom

Try and start up and run a buisness with a bunch of tweakers and then come back to us. Society is no different than a business.

 

[LizardofOz]

Why not legalize *all drugs*?

I hear this a lot you know, just let people do what they want right? The problem with this is that the vast majority of drugs that are illegal are illegal for a very good reason. Unlike the pot scare, heroin could kill you in a flash, crack cocaine makes people incredibly violent, and crystal meth is a soul sucking drain on the human race.

 

[Kal'Stang]

I hear this a lot you know, just let people do what they want right? The problem with this is that the vast majority of drugs that are illegal are illegal for a very good reason. Unlike the pot scare, heroin could kill you in a flash, crack cocaine makes people incredibly violent, and crystal meth is a soul sucking drain on the human race.

Something we can both agree on. *looks to see if the sky is falling*

It is also another reason why I am against the legalization of MJ. Once you start with one then the rest will follow. It's a slippery slope. And someone just asking the question proves that people would want all of them legalized eventually.

 

[LizardofOz]

The difference here, is that scientific evidence can prove how dangerous it is vs other drugs, this graph summarizes it best:

If we were to do it that way, then we might as well get rid of alcohol and tobacco products, but what are the chances of that happening?

 

[Areopagitican]

Something we can both agree on. *looks to see if the sky is falling*

It is also another reason why I am against the legalization of MJ. Once you start with one then the rest will follow. It's a slippery slope. And someone just asking the question proves that people would want all of them legalized eventually.

And?

If you can't trust people to make responsible decisions about potentially debilitating narcotics, how do you expect them to make responsible decisions about infinitely more complex issues; such as raising a child or maintaining financial solubility? You can't have it both ways.

 

[Your Star]

The difference here, is that scientific evidence can prove how dangerous it is vs other drugs, this graph summarizes it best:

If we were to do it that way, then we might as well get rid of alcohol and tobacco products, but what are the chances of that happening?

This is the thing that annoys me about this issue. We have worse drugs legal now, in tobacco, and alcohol, but weed is illegal. It doesn't make sense.

 

[LizardofOz]

All politics. Where I live in Kentucky, some farmers have big ass signs on the side of their barns that say "Thank you for continuing to smoke!" I think that kicks ass honestly, I wish I could see signs like that on the side of weed farms.

 

[Your Star]

All politics. Where I live in Kentucky, some farmers have big ass signs on the side of their barns that say "Thank you for continuing to smoke!" I think that kicks ass honestly, I wish I could see signs like that on the side of weed farms.

Smoking's not my thing, but I do love brownies

Now that would be something to see in the store. New from Pillsbury Weed brownie mix. I can picture the word baked being prominent on the box :lol:

 

[Kal'Stang]

The difference here, is that scientific evidence can prove how dangerous it is vs other drugs, this graph summarizes it best:

If we were to do it that way, then we might as well get rid of alcohol and tobacco products, but what are the chances of that happening?

Where'd you get the graph?

Edit Note: BTW, tobacco is slowly becoming illegal...hadn't you noticed? Hell from what I understand it is illegal to smoke while driving in California...not sure if that is just with or also without kids though. Either way tobacco is going the way of the dodo.

 

[Kal'Stang]

And?

If you can't trust people to make responsible decisions about potentially debilitating narcotics, how do you expect them to make responsible decisions about infinitely more complex issues; such as raising a child or maintaining financial solubility? You can't have it both ways.

You can't make responsible decisions about debilitating narcotics. It is irresponsible to use them in the first place. And yet they are used. People are irresponsible with them.

Are you really trying to say that people can make responsible decisions while on that crap?

 

[Mustachio]

You can't make responsible decisions about debilitating narcotics. It is irresponsible to use them in the first place. And yet they are used. People are irresponsible with them.

Are you really trying to say that people can make responsible decisions while on that crap?

What about handguns and knives? It's irresponsible to have a handgun. Statistically, if you own a handgun it will more likely end up hurting or killing one of your family members than ever be used successfully for self defense. What about swords? Why the hell would anybody want to own a sword? Is there any valid way to use it that isn't irresponsible?

What about drugs you can get from a doctor, like vicodin, oxycodone, tramadol, xanax, ativan, carisoprodol, valium, codeine, ambien, seroquel, demerol, fentanyl, dilaudid, adderall, ritalin, focalin, prozac, klonopin... the list goes oooonnnn and on.

The amount of people in jail for drugs is absurd. It costs billions of dollars every year and accomplishes nothing. Meanwhile, the largest drug dealer in the country -- big pharm corporations, are amongst the most powerful lobbies in Washington. There's a huge problem with the entire system and legalizing marijuana (a drug I don't even use or enjoy btw) is a no brainer. Once a few prominent politicians support legalization, they'll all fall like dominoes and the vast majority of Americans will support efforts to legalize.

And marijuana is not addictive. That is, it's not physically addictive. Having cravings after quitting does not mean it's addictive. You can even have a mild to moderate physical or emotional reaction to quitting, but it's all psychological and you could experience the same thing if you quit a massive shopping habit, or you quit watching porn... pretty much anything.

 

[Johnny]

There's nothing irresponsible about smoking marijuana or drinking beer or smoking a cigarette or using dip or snorting coke.

There are millions of successful people in the world that recreationally used drugs.

This notion that we need laws that punish everybody because some might become crack head is assinine.

Marijuana in particular has no adverse side effects, you can't overdose, it doesn't make the user violent.

I know peole who've overdosed. I've seen the bad side of drugs and alcohol for that matter.

I've never seen marijuana destroy lives.

Remember the 1920's. Prohibition creates more crime and makes everything worse.

 

[LizardofOz]

@Kal: The study comes from a UK medical journal called the Lancet. Also I would agree with you that tobacco is being heavily restricted to keep children from smoking or at least help to deter it, but it is far from going illegal and will never be illegal here, nor in any other industrialized nation.

@Johnny: I am still going to have to disagree on stuff such as crack cocaine and the like. It is an incredibly bad drug and unlike pot, it could turn a perfectly normal person into a crazy crack craving asshole. I go by the old if God made it, then it should be ok motto though. You could argue that parts of crack are god made obviously, but the process to make it is incredibly hazardous.

 

[Johnny]

I agree with you on how bad crack is for instance. I know first hand what you're talking about.

But it's prohibition isn't making a difference. People are still doing it.

Somehow people need to not want to do it.

 

[Binary_Digit]

It doesn't matter how dangerous the drug is. When you make it illegal, you make it even more dangerous. Period.

Drug laws have no known effect on the rate of drug use. You don't reduce drug use by making harsh punishments. It doesn't work like that, and nobody has been able to produce any evidence that suggests it does.

People are sovereign entities and their bodies belong to them. What they knowingly and willingly put into their own bodies is nobody's business but their own. Not yours, not mine, and not the government's.

The rate of use of tobacco has been steadily declining for the past 42 years. We didn't have to lock people up to accomplish that, we did it through education and deglamorization. We should take a clue from that and implement it as the main strategy for waging the war on drugs.

The war on drugs has been failing because it's not a war on drugs, it's a war on drug users.

 

[Kal'Stang]

What about handguns and knives? It's irresponsible to have a handgun. Statistically, if you own a handgun it will more likely end up hurting or killing one of your family members than ever be used successfully for self defense. What about swords? Why the hell would anybody want to own a sword? Is there any valid way to use it that isn't irresponsible?

Guns and swords don't alter your perceptions, or ability to think clearly. Drugs do. Drugs will get you addicted to the point where you will do anything to get them. When was the last time that you heard of an addicted gun/sword owner killing someone to get their fix? Same question for druggies?

Bad bad analogy.

What about drugs you can get from a doctor, like vicodin, oxycodone, tramadol, xanax, ativan, carisoprodol, valium, codeine, ambien, seroquel, demerol, fentanyl, dilaudid, adderall, ritalin, focalin, prozac, klonopin... the list goes oooonnnn and on.

I don't even know half of those that you just named off. But if you're getting it from a doctor then I'm assuming that you are using a prescription. Last I looked you could get no more than what the prescription said...and only for as long as the doctor would give you the prescription. If you have one of those drugs without having a prescription for it then it is illegal to have em. Sorry but your point just went down the drain. FYI, if a doctor prescribes MJ to a patient then I have no problem with it. Because it is being used for medical purposes..not recreational purposes that are uncontrolled.

The amount of people in jail for drugs is absurd. It costs billions of dollars every year and accomplishes nothing. Meanwhile, the largest drug dealer in the country -- big pharm corporations, are amongst the most powerful lobbies in Washington. There's a huge problem with the entire system and legalizing marijuana (a drug I don't even use or enjoy btw) is a no brainer. Once a few prominent politicians support legalization, they'll all fall like dominoes and the vast majority of Americans will support efforts to legalize.

The amount of people in jail for drugs is absurd. I agree. Maybe those people should follow the law instead of using things that they know is illegal. What I find funny is people are always telling me that my sisters attitude and theivery is not because of the drugs and yet when it comes to people being in prison because of MJ it is suddenly the drugs fault. (ie it being illegal) What ever happened to "personal responsibility" there?

Also there have been a few prominent politicians in favor of legalizing MJ. But the majority of Americans do not want it legalized. Sorry bucko...you're outta luck.

And marijuana is not addictive. That is, it's not physically addictive. Having cravings after quitting does not mean it's addictive. You can even have a mild to moderate physical or emotional reaction to quitting, but it's all psychological and you could experience the same thing if you quit a massive shopping habit, or you quit watching porn... pretty much anything.

Marijuana's addictive properties:

 

[Kal'Stang]

There's nothing irresponsible about smoking marijuana or drinking beer or smoking a cigarette or using dip or snorting coke.

There are millions of successful people in the world that recreationally used drugs.

This notion that we need laws that punish everybody because some might become crack head is assinine.

Marijuana in particular has no adverse side effects, you can't overdose, it doesn't make the user violent.

I know peole who've overdosed. I've seen the bad side of drugs and alcohol for that matter.

I've never seen marijuana destroy lives.

Remember the 1920's. Prohibition creates more crime and makes everything worse.

Sorry wasn't alive in the 1920's. (I'm playing around btw.)

So because prohibition made more crime in one area you are suggesting that we legalize MJ? How about we legalize assassinations? Theft? That is prohibitited to. We still have those crimes so prohibiting it must not work...perhaps if we legalize it all then all crimes will stop all together!

Seriously, of course legalizing something will lower the crime rate. Because if it's not considered a crime then no crime is committed. Duh. There is a reason that society has laws. If there were no laws then there would be nothing but anarchy. Which is not conducive to a society that will grow and learn and expand. Dumbing down with drugs is not conducive to a healthy, growing society.

 

[Mustachio]

Guns and swords don't alter your perceptions, or ability to think clearly. Drugs do. Drugs will get you addicted to the point where you will do anything to get them. When was the last time that you heard of an addicted gun/sword owner killing someone to get their fix? Same question for druggies?

Bad bad analogy.



I don't even know half of those that you just named off. But if you're getting it from a doctor then I'm assuming that you are using a prescription. Last I looked you could get no more than what the prescription said...and only for as long as the doctor would give you the prescription. If you have one of those drugs without having a prescription for it then it is illegal to have em. Sorry but your point just went down the drain. FYI, if a doctor prescribes MJ to a patient then I have no problem with it. Because it is being used for medical purposes..not recreational purposes that are uncontrolled.



The amount of people in jail for drugs is absurd. I agree. Maybe those people should follow the law instead of using things that they know is illegal. What I find funny is people are always telling me that my sisters attitude and theivery is not because of the drugs and yet when it comes to people being in prison because of MJ it is suddenly the drugs fault. (ie it being illegal) What ever happened to "personal responsibility" there?

Also there have been a few prominent politicians in favor of legalizing MJ. But the majority of Americans do not want it legalized. Sorry bucko...you're outta luck.



Marijuana's addictive properties:

A marijuana user killing to get their fix? That's absurd.

I was trying to highlight the hypocrisy with our laws. It's true that much of what I said wasn't an argument for legalization, and it wasn't really intended to be. The argument for legalization is much simpler: marijuana isn't a harmful drug. And I don't need studies to tell me that, because I have personal experience. I smoked pot every single day for years, including every single day of high school. I finished with a 3.6 GPA, never once got in trouble for anything, worked after school to financially support my habit, participated on the speech and debate teams and won all conference as a tennis player. After college, I quit when it stopped being enjoyable to me and I didn't experience any problems quitting, and all these years later, I have no urge whatsoever to start up again. So it's easy for me to support legalization. I was as happier, as successful, and as productive a person at the height of my habit than at any point before or after.

In opposition to that, I drank alcohol heavily for a few months and it literally almost killed me more than once. So yeah, it's a no brainer. And the public may not support legalization now, but I think they will when mainstream politicians do. It won't be taboo and people won't be afraid of getting arrested for speaking out. Which is exactly how it should be.

 

[Captain America]

Soon come mon. Soon come....

 

[reefedjib]

Guns and swords don't alter your perceptions, or ability to think clearly. Drugs do.

There is nothing wrong and no crime committed by an individual who chooses to alter their perceptions.

Drugs will get you addicted to the point where you will do anything to get them.

Marijuana's addictive properties:

I quote:

The study reports that marijuana withdrawal includes increases in irritability, anxiety and physical tension, as well as decreases in appetite and mood.

Sounds as innocuous as caffeine withdrawal.

Dr. Wendy Swift, one of the study's researchers, said that "many clients expressed depression, they also attributed problems with concentration and memory, isolating themselves from others, and lack of motivation to their cannabis use."

These are symptoms of mild addiction. No reason to criminalize marijuana.

So because prohibition made more crime in one area you are suggesting that we legalize MJ? How about we legalize assassinations? Theft? That is prohibitited to. We still have those crimes so prohibiting it must not work...perhaps if we legalize it all then all crimes will stop all together!

Assassination, theft, etc are all crimes because they cause harm to other people. Marijuana does not. It should not be a crime.

Seriously, of course legalizing something will lower the crime rate. Because if it's not considered a crime then no crime is committed. Duh.

This is precisely the point. Legalizing removes the criminal enterprise supplying the drugs in this prohibition. Legalizing causes less harm.

Dumbing down with drugs is not conducive to a healthy, growing society.

Of course it is conducive to a healthy, growing society. Prohibition creates crime and criminal enterprise and that is what is not conducive to a healthy, growing society.

If you don't like it, don't use it, but don't tell me what I can or can't do to my mind or body.

 

[d0gbreath]

I think it's been all of two weeks since the last maryjane poll.


Standard answer:
Yeslegalizeitandbringthesupplychainintotheopenmarketandimposepurityregulationsandtaxesandtreatitlikebooze.

What he said.