Re: Legalize it!
 

[QUOTE=Schneed10;296067]You'd be irresponsible and a disappointment as a parent if you condoned anything illegal.[/QUOTE]

Would you ever let your child drink any form of alcoholic beverage before they reach 21 (e.g., at a wedding, family function, X-mas, etc.)? Because if every parent who has ever condoned an illegal act is a bad parent, I'd say that 99.9% of all parents are bad ones.

Re: Legalize it!
 

[quote=Mattyk72;296068]I think regarding kids they need to be educated and not hid or sheltered from drugs.

Whether we like it or not, kids are going to be curious and want to experiment no matter how great their home life is.

I'd personally feel alot better if I were open and honest with my kids rather than trying to pull the wool over their eyes with propoganda and that 'just say no' crap I was fed in the 80's.[/quote]

But as a parent you have to recognize your role, you can educate, but you have to draw the line at allowing anything illegal to take place. You have to teach them that there are rules and consequences, and that breaking the laws means there will be consequences. If you catch them drinking underage and you don't issue a punishment, you've essentially sent the message that the behavior is acceptable.

Whether you think underage drinking is acceptable or not is completely irrelevant. In the eyes of the law, it's unacceptable. As a parent, you have to make your kids accountable to the laws of the land, or you're failing them.

I do agree that it's important to educate them on the damaging effects of drugs, including alcohol and tobacco. so they can make their own decisions. This builds their confidence as you show faith in their ability to make sound decisions on their own. But ultimately you have to hold your children accountable when they do break the law, or they will grow up with depreciated respect for authority, thinking the laws don't apply to them.

Re: Legalize it!
 

This thread looks like it's headed towards hostility, I think we all need to smoke a joint and chill. ;)

Re: Legalize it!
 

I used to smoke weed all the time, but i don't think that it shouuld be legalized. Just like anything else it will get abused if it is legalized and for some reason people feel that if something is legalized then it is okay to use it. Also i don't understand the concept that if alcohol is worse than weed then weed should be legalized. Yeah, alcohol causes more problems than weed but that doesn't mean it should be legalized. Weed was a fun time for me, but all it did was make me fatter and lazier

Re: Legalize it!
 

[QUOTE=Schneed10;296075]But as a parent you have to recognize your role, you can educate, but you have to draw the line at allowing anything illegal to take place. You have to teach them that there are rules and consequences, and that breaking the laws means there will be consequences. If you catch them drinking underage and you don't issue a punishment, you've essentially sent the message that the behavior is acceptable.

Whether you think underage drinking is acceptable or not is completely irrelevant. In the eyes of the law, it's unacceptable. As a parent, you have to make your kids accountable to the laws of the land, or you're failing them.

I do agree that it's important to educate them on the damaging effects of drugs, including alcohol and tobacco. so they can make their own decisions. This builds their confidence as you show faith in their ability to make sound decisions on their own. But ultimately you have to hold your children accountable when they do break the law, or they will grow up with depreciated respect for authority, thinking the laws don't apply to them.[/QUOTE]

You sound like you're going to be or are a good parent. I don't necessary adhere to the same philosophy as I think there are exceptions, but good post.

Re: Legalize it!
 

medically yes, recreational no. leads to bigger and worse things

Re: Legalize it!
 

[quote=Mattyk72;296069]Marijuana also has many documented health benefits.

So I guess you're in favor of moderation? That can be done just the same with pot vs. booze.

I'm not hearing much of an objective argument from you on this.[/quote]

The objective part of the argument is that while tobacco is terrible even in tiny amounts, and while booze is terrible in excess, at least the government profits from their sale, meaning they have more funds to put to use. People act like the government taxing these things is wrong; that makes no sense. If you are going to use substances that destroy your health, or in a manner that destroys your health, or negatively affects society around you, then you should have to pay for it.

So my argument is keep marijuana banned, unless the US and/or states can figure out a way to profit from it. We could use more schools, roadway enhancement, lower health insurance for those of us who lead healthy lifestyles, etcetera. If marijuana tax helps pay for it, then OK, I'll live with it. I'll have all the losers to thank for improved government services.

Re: Legalize it!
 

[quote=Southpaw;296070]Just curious Schneed, but are you a bible thumper? No disrespect, but the people that only see the black and white of the marijuana issue are usually very religious or military.[/quote]

No I'm atheist/agnostic.

Re: Legalize it!
 

I understand your arguments that: (1) marijuana should be illegal because of its ill effects on people and society; (2) that parents should not condone illegal behavior; and (3) that marijuana should be taxed if it is legalized. But I don't understand why people who smoke weed are loser idiots. You can kill brain cells in a lot of different ways and marijuana use is just one of them. Moreover, only people who use it to excess suffer from its ill effects. Smoking a joint once a month isn't going to do much of anything to you, other than make you hungry.

Re: Legalize it!
 

[quote=Sheriff Gonna Getcha;296074]Would you ever let your child drink any form of alcoholic beverage before they reach 21 (e.g., at a wedding, family function, X-mas, etc.)? Because if every parent who has ever condoned an illegal act is a bad parent, I'd say that 99.9% of all parents are bad ones.[/quote]

No I wouldn't allow that.

And I think the reason that a lot of parents have is because when they were kids the drinking age was 18. Not many parents are letting their kids drink at 16, I would hope we all agree that would be extremely irresponsible. Many allow it at 19 or 20 though. I think it's based on how they were brought up.

And there's a fine line here with parenting. You might think it's OK for your 19 year old to booze up, and that's your opinion, and that's fine. If you want to let it happen, you have to look the other way, and make sure your child [B]doesn't know[/B] that you're looking the other way. They have to see you as an enforcer of the laws of the land (federal, state, and local laws, as well as the household's rules). If they realize that you're allowing it to go on, you're sending them the wrong message.

Re: Legalize it!
 

[quote=Sheriff Gonna Getcha;296086]I understand your arguments that: (1) marijuana should be illegal because of its ill effects on people and society; (2) that parents should not condone illegal behavior; and (3) that marijuana should be taxed if it is legalized. But I don't understand why people who smoke weed are loser idiots. You can kill brain cells in a lot of different ways and marijuana use is just one of them. Moreover, only people who use it to excess suffer from its ill effects. Smoking a joint once a month isn't going to do much of anything to you, other than make you hungry.[/quote]

That's the part where I'm not rational or objective, I fully admit that. It's a personal aversion to it. It turns me off and I immediately lose respect for those who do it.

Re: Legalize it!
 

I think there are some very good reasons already mentioned here against legalizing weed:

1) Not a profitable industry for big business

2) How do you and can you detect large doses of intakes that would impair one's ability to operate a vehicle.

3) What ages should it be legalized for?

***************************************************
Here's what I'll add to that list: Typically anything that's legal is used in excess. Generally speaking, we as humans tend to push the limits with things that are considered legal as opposed to those that aren't. So my concern right off the bat is, when and how do you draw bounderies on a substance that is legal.

The perception that goes along with being "high" or "stoned". I could be splitting hairs here, but someone that goes around stoned all the time could be considered cool. Usually teens wait until they're in a certain environment or setting before turning up the bottle and getting drunk. If we legalize weed, they'll blaze up right in the bathroom or parking lot and jet off to class.

Thirdly, people always seek ways to make what they have more potent. And here's what many aren't talking about. PCP was a "killer" drug during the 80s in D.C. If we legalize weed, we willing invite another host of illegal and underground supplements and activities to make it more powerful or to enhance one's high. You see where I'm going with this?

Re: Legalize it!
 

[quote=Schneed10;296083]
So my argument is keep marijuana banned, unless the US and/or states can figure out a way to profit from it. We could use more schools, roadway enhancement, lower health insurance for those of us who lead healthy lifestyles, etcetera. If marijuana tax helps pay for it, then OK, I'll live with it. I'll have all the losers to thank for improved government services.[/quote]
But in terms of legality, other than the driving aspects, I don't see why it shouldn't be legal.

I'm not against taxing it, but I don't see that as being the deal breaker in your argument.

It frees up tons of resources to focus on heroin, crack, etc...

I think substances in moderation, such as food, alcohol, and marijuana increase the quality of living. The governments job isn't to restrict something that has little/no long term ill effects.

Re: Legalize it!
 

[quote=Sheriff Gonna Getcha;296079]You sound like you're going to be or are a good parent. I don't necessary adhere to the same philosophy as I think there are exceptions, but good post.[/quote]

Thank you for the compliment, I can't think of a better compliment in the world. I've only got a 6-month old at this point, so I'm a ways from dealing with the drugs issue with her. Thank goodness.

I agree there are some exceptions and fine lines here and there. Like a 20 year old at his 26 year old brother's wedding, can he drink? There's certainly no handbook on being a parent and I should make sure I don't come across as preachy because each child needs to be handled differently in different situations. Being a good parent in the end probably just comes down to really thinking through the eyes of your child in each situation, relating to them, and determining what they need in their life.

If you've that 20 year old at his brother's wedding was an honor student and didn't get in trouble much growing up, then yeah, as a parent you probably can knock back a few with him. He's probably good to go in terms of respect for authority and stuff like that.

Re: Legalize it!
 

I don't buy the slippery slope argument as one that can honestly be used to oppose legalizing marijuana. First, the biggest gateway drug, if they exist, is alcohol. So, if you don't want to get the ball rolling in the first place, ban alcohol. Weed is usually just the second step in the chain. Second, I smoked weed as a teen, but I never had any compulsion whatsoever to use any "harder" drug and most of my friends felt the same. People who start using crack weren't made dumb by using pot, they used crack because they were dumb to start with.

Re: Legalize it!
 

[QUOTE]Like a 20 year old at his 26 year old brother's wedding, can he drink?[/QUOTE]

I would think that, at that point in his life, if he hasn't had anything to drink, he probably will use the good judgement you imparted on him and not drink.

Re: Legalize it!
 

[QUOTE=Schneed10;296099]Thank you for the compliment, I can't think of a better compliment in the world. I've only got a 6-month old at this point, so I'm a ways from dealing with the drugs issue with her. Thank goodness.[/QUOTE]

You take time to think about what you're writing so you deserve compliments, even when I disagree with your position. And congrats re: the baby! I don't know how I missed that.

Re: Legalize it!
 

I am torn bewteen two polar oppiste feelings. The hypocrisy of certain things being legal and others not is not lost on me but I think it is wrong to use the "well he did it too" type defense. One wrong thing being legal doesn't mean the other wrong thing should be legal too.

On the other hand I am abig proponent of the US gov staying out of our business so a big part of me wants to say everything should be legal.

Ultimately though I think having drugs legal is bad for our society so I am cool with them being illegal.

So I'd say yes it should be illegal but so should everything else that does similar things.

Re: Legalize it!
 

[quote=RobH4413;296098]But in terms of legality, other than the driving aspects, I don't see why it shouldn't be legal.

I'm not against taxing it, but I don't see that as being the deal breaker in your argument.

It frees up tons of resources to focus on heroin, crack, etc...

I think substances in moderation, such as food, alcohol, and marijuana increase the quality of living. The governments job isn't to restrict something that has little/no long term ill effects.[/quote]

[COLOR=black]1) You can't test it to see how stoned is too stoned for driving.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=black] [/COLOR]
[COLOR=black]2) The US climate is not as conducive to growing weed as South American countries. If legalized, we'd be at a competitive disadvantage to produce our own weed. We'd end up importing more of it from south America than we'd export, affecting the federal trade deficit. That's real bad for the strength of the dollar, and consequently that Sony Playstation (and all other foreign goods and services) will become more expensive. Sorry for the econ lesson.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=black] [/COLOR]
[COLOR=black]3) It will be sold all over the place, increasing accessibility to youth who otherwise would be deterred. I know you guys were all able to score it, but believe it or not, there are a number of kids out there who were always a bit too afraid of getting caught by the cops.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=black] [/COLOR]
[COLOR=black]4) Ciggarrettes and booze already have enough of a deleterious affect on our society. Tobacco increases the cost of healthcare for us all dramatically. More cancer, more heart disease, more emphysema equals higher cost of care. We all pay for it in health premiums. Alcohol results in rehab treatments, liver problems, fights, drunk driving deaths, gun accidents, all of which cost lives and money. We'll never be able to go back and ban these, which our society would be better off without - boon to standard of living notwithstanding. Why add another substance to the list?[/COLOR][COLOR=black][/COLOR]

Re: Legalize it!
 

I think society sends an inconsistent message by profiting off of town drunks day in and day out, yet adamantly opposing marijuana legalization
(especially medicinally).

What exactly are we saying to the youth?

"It's wrong to smoke marijuana, even in moderation, but if you want to go down to the bar and have at it... knock yourself out."

That's damn confusing growing up, and probably why many lose faith in a lot of the reasoning the government uses.

Re: Legalize it!
 

[quote=Sheriff Gonna Getcha;296103]I don't buy the slippery slope argument as one that can honestly be used to oppose legalizing marijuana. First, the biggest gateway drug, if they exist, is alcohol. So, if you don't want to get the ball rolling in the first place, ban alcohol. Weed is usually just the second step in the chain. Second, I smoked weed as a teen, but I never had any compulsion whatsoever to use any "harder" drug and most of my friends felt the same. People who start using crack weren't made dumb by using pot, they used crack because they were dumb to start with.[/quote]

I think when they say gateway drug when referring to weed, they're mainly talking about how you can get other drugs from the same guys you got the weed from. Or at least get connected through the guys that sold you the weed.

You're 16, and you want booze, you just go sit outside of 7-11 and wait for a shady looking guy to come up and give him money and ask him to buy it for you. But you can't get crack from that guy.

But with weed, you get the weed from a dealer. Then you decide hey maybe I'll try coke, or maybe the dealer pushes you to buy some coke. There's the gateway.

Not to mention that dealers sometimes lace the weed with other addictive drugs to get you to come back.

Now if you legalized weed, it takes away the gateway to other drugs, because now you're not dealing with an unscrupulous dealer. So I'll admit, there's the positive. But the corresponding negative is that legal marijuana will mean companies like Phillip Morris will produce it. And we all know how they lace their tobacco with things to make it more addictive in order to sell more. You can be damn sure they'll do the same thing with weed; and then a little weed in moderation won't be so easy to do. You'll be hard pressed to resist the urge to smoke it a lot more often.

Re: Legalize it!
 

[QUOTE=Schneed10;296067]You'd be irresponsible and a disappointment as a parent if you condoned anything illegal.[/QUOTE]

Have you ever exceeded the speed limit? Does that make you irresponsible, or a disappointment as a parent?

Re: Legalize it!
 

[quote=RobH4413;296118]I think society sends an inconsistent message by profiting off of town drunks day in and day out, yet adamantly opposing marijuana legalization
(especially medicinally).

What exactly are we saying to the youth?

"It's wrong to smoke marijuana, even in moderation, but if you want to go down to the bar and have at it... knock yourself out."

That's damn confusing growing up, and probably why many lose faith in a lot of the reasoning the government uses.[/quote]

Yes it is sending mixed messages, but legalizing marijuana and profiting off of it would reinforce a BAD message.

Just because one bad thing is legal doesn't mean they all should be.

Personally, I don't give a damn what message the government sends to our youth. If they legalize it, don't legalize it, what the hell ever. It's the PARENTS' job to send the ultimate message to our kids.

Re: Legalize it!
 

[quote=GhettoDogAllStars;296121]Have you ever exceeded the speed limit? Does that make you irresponsible, or a disappointment as a parent?[/quote]

Silly argument, not quite applicable. Sometimes it's actually safer to go 70-75 in a 65 because the traffic is flowing at that speed.

You go 65 when everyone else is going 75, you've got a problem with speed differential and ability to react to those around you.

Yes I've broken the speed limit, gotten a speeding ticket for going 80 mph in a 55. I'm not perfect, so I hope I don't come across as high and mighty as your post seems to suggest. But would I go 80 in a 55 with my daughter in the car? Hell no. Never have, never would.

Re: Legalize it!
 

[QUOTE=Sheriff Gonna Getcha;296103]I don't buy the slippery slope argument as one that can honestly be used to oppose legalizing marijuana. First, the biggest gateway drug, if they exist, is alcohol. So, if you don't want to get the ball rolling in the first place, ban alcohol. Weed is usually just the second step in the chain. Second, I smoked weed as a teen, but I never had any compulsion whatsoever to use any "harder" drug and most of my friends felt the same. People who start using crack weren't made dumb by using pot, they used crack because they were dumb to start with.[/QUOTE]

Excellent post. I couldn't agree more.

The slippery slope argument is really old. It's a form of fallacious reasoning, and nobody should get away with using it to support an argument.

Re: Legalize it!
 

[QUOTE=Schneed10;296124]Silly argument, not quite applicable. Sometimes it's actually safer to go 70-75 in a 65 because the traffic is flowing at that speed.

You go 65 when everyone else is going 75, you've got a problem with speed differential and ability to react to those around you.

Yes I've broken the speed limit, gotten a speeding ticket for going 80 mph in a 55. I'm not perfect, so I hope I don't come across as high and mighty as your post seems to suggest. But would I go 80 in a 55 with my daughter in the car? Hell no. Never have, never would.[/QUOTE]

I posed that question because it forces you to look at the gray area surrounding the law. Moral conscience is not derived from law.

I expected you to answer the way you did. I just thought this statement was a little too absolute:
"You'd be irresponsible and a disappointment as a parent if you condoned anything illegal."

Re: Legalize it!
 

[QUOTE=Schneed10;296115]2) The US climate is not as conducive to growing weed as South American countries. If legalized, we'd be at a competitive disadvantage to produce our own weed. We'd end up importing more of it from south America than we'd export, affecting the federal trade deficit. That's real bad for the strength of the dollar, and consequently that Sony Playstation (and all other foreign goods and services) will become more expensive. Sorry for the econ lesson.[/QUOTE]

I don't buy that premise. Marijuana isn't hard to grow (there's a reason it's called "weed") -- most people use hydroponic lamps and aren't reliant on climate factors.

Once it is legalized, why bother to buy an imported product when you can grow it just as easily in your garage?

Re: Legalize it!
 

[quote=Schneed10;296115][COLOR=black]1) You can't test it to see how stoned is too stoned for driving.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=black]2) The US climate is not as conducive to growing weed as South American countries. If legalized, we'd be at a competitive disadvantage to produce our own weed. We'd end up importing more of it from south America than we'd export, affecting the federal trade deficit. That's real bad for the strength of the dollar, and consequently that Sony Playstation (and all other foreign goods and services) will become more expensive. Sorry for the econ lesson.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=black]3) It will be sold all over the place, increasing accessibility to youth who otherwise would be deterred. I know you guys were all able to score it, but believe it or not, there are a number of kids out there who were always a bit too afraid of getting caught by the cops.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=black]4) Ciggarrettes and booze already have enough of a deleterious affect on our society. Tobacco increases the cost of healthcare for us all dramatically. More cancer, more heart disease, more emphysema equals higher cost of care. We all pay for it in health premiums. Alcohol results in rehab treatments, liver problems, fights, drunk driving deaths, gun accidents, all of which cost lives and money. We'll never be able to go back and ban these, which our society would be better off without - boon to standard of living notwithstanding. Why add another substance to the list?[/COLOR][/quote]
1) I agree with that 100%, that wasn't my point.

2) I really disagree with that assessment. Marijuana is conductive to growing in South America now because DEA agents aren't flying helicopters over fields destroying the crops. Marijuana grown using hydroponics would also negate any climate factors. If it were to become legalized, then there would be no problem providing more than an adequate supply.

You don't think, with the decline in cigarette smoking, that tobacco farmers around the country wouldn't jump out of there pants at the opportunity to grow more crops? I think the economic implications would most likely be beneficial.

3) You're absolutely right, I cannot argue with this here.

My only defense is that introducing something legally, will most likely lower the taboo associated with it, and thus decrease the demand to pursue it.
Also, you eliminate the possibility of accidentally consuming "laced" marijuana. It would be coming from a controlled environment and thus wouldn't pose as many risks.

Generally speaking, across the board those that want to score pot will do so. It's also safe to assume that those trafficking marijuana probably have an increased chance of being convicted of other crimes, including violent ones. You eliminate the potentially risky middle man, and the overall safety of the young (and usually stupid) population is increased. Sounds like a lot of random arguing, but the logistics are there.

4) Yes this is true, but marijuana would be about as high on that list of destructive substances as caffeine. I don't see much of a deleterious affect on society, other that the over-consumption of snack foods.

Re: Legalize it!
 

I truly believe pot will be legalized in this country within the next 25 years. The baby boomers are soon leaving power and the younger generation, across party lines, have a much more libertarian view on marijuana.

If tobacco is legal, there's no reason pot should be prohibited. Weed won't give you lung cancer. And contrary to tv commercials, the majority of pot smokers won't run over little girls on tricycles leaving a drive thru.

If pot is taxed like cigarettes, there is much money to be made for both government and R&D.

Re: Legalize it!
 

[QUOTE=Schneed10;296115][COLOR=black]1) You can't test it to see how stoned is too stoned for driving.[/QUOTE]

There are already devices that can detect if someone has consumed more than the legal limit of alcohol for driving. I think it's reasonable to assume that the same type of technology would be available in a relatively short manner. Once legalized, there will be many, many entrepreneurs and companies scrambling to come up with the patent for it.


[QUOTE=Schneed10]3) It will be sold all over the place, increasing accessibility to youth who otherwise would be deterred. I know you guys were all able to score it, but believe it or not, there are a number of kids out there who were always a bit too afraid of getting caught by the cops.[/QUOTE]

This gets back to parental responsibilities. Are the kids who are deterred by trying to acquire it really worried about being busted, or dare I say that some kids understand the dangers, and stay away based on their own well being? We will always have the problem of keeping kids away from drugs, tobacco, and alcohol regardless of the substances' legal status. The real difference will be the removal of the criminal stigma attached to marijuana. Once it is common and easily attainable, you'd be surprised what can happen to its mystique.


[QUOTE=Schneed10]4) Ciggarrettes and booze already have enough of a deleterious affect on our society. Tobacco increases the cost of healthcare for us all dramatically. More cancer, more heart disease, more emphysema equals higher cost of care. We all pay for it in health premiums. Alcohol results in rehab treatments, liver problems, fights, drunk driving deaths, gun accidents, all of which cost lives and money. We'll never be able to go back and ban these, which our society would be better off without - boon to standard of living notwithstanding. Why add another substance to the list?[/QUOTE]

So we should criminalize any activity that leads to an increase in the cost of healthcare? Would you agree that people with larger families can also affect the overall cost of medical coverage? A family of three for instance, wouldn't contribute as much to a rise in healthcare as would a family of five right? So would you propose legislation regulating how many children a couple can have?

Re: Legalize it!
 

[quote=Schneed10;296122]Yes it is sending mixed messages, but legalizing marijuana and profiting off of it would reinforce a BAD message.

Just because one bad thing is legal doesn't mean they all should be.

Personally, I don't give a damn what message the government sends to our youth. If they legalize it, don't legalize it, what the hell ever. It's the PARENTS' job to send the ultimate message to our kids.[/quote]
I don't think legalizing something that improves the quality of living (when used in moderation of course) is a bad message.

Why not make it illegal to get consume excess alcohol? I know it wouldn't be very popular, but it makes perfect sense to put a cap as to what your BAC can be?

I'm just curious, why do we have the right to get wasted? Why is considering legislation here not retro-active?
[B]--------------------------------------------------------[/B]

The reason is because we as Americans enjoy drinking. There is a reason the only amendment overturned [U][I][B]EVER[/B][/I][/U] is prohibition. We as Americans enjoy civil liberties that let us make decisions. That's what being "free" is all about. The problem is where to draw the line, and where to take destructive decisions away from society.

Ultimately, I really find it hard to believe that legalizing something like marijuana is that destructive. There is no reason that it should be illegal (pending a substance/driving policy), and quite frankly I think it's going to happen. When we as a country find something we like, we're going to get it.

Re: Legalize it!
 

[quote=Beemnseven;296127]I don't buy that premise. Marijuana isn't hard to grow (there's a reason it's called "weed") -- most people use hydroponic lamps and aren't reliant on climate factors.

Once it is legalized, why bother to buy an imported product when you can grow it just as easily in your garage?[/quote]

You're right, weed will grow just about anywhere and in almost any moderate climate.

Re: Legalize it!
 

[quote=Schneed10;296119]I think when they say gateway drug when referring to weed, they're mainly talking about how you can get other drugs from the same guys you got the weed from. Or at least get connected through the guys that sold you the weed.

You're 16, and you want booze, you just go sit outside of 7-11 and wait for a shady looking guy to come up and give him money and ask him to buy it for you. But you can't get crack from that guy.

But with weed, you get the weed from a dealer. Then you decide hey maybe I'll try coke, or maybe the dealer pushes you to buy some coke. There's the gateway.

Not to mention that dealers sometimes lace the weed with other addictive drugs to get you to come back.[/quote]

Something tells me you probably don't have much experience with drugs, not that it's a bad thing mind you.

But some of your thoughts here are ridiculous and sound like some sort of anti-drug propaganda. Dealers don't waste drugs on lacing weed. Weed is so potent nowadays it doesn't need anything added to it. Dealers don't push either, they have plenty of customers and business as it is. Drugs sell themselves.

And on a side note, you probably come in contact on a daily basis with plenty of people you would have no idea smoke weed and are highly functional and successful people.

Re: Legalize it!
 

[quote=itvnetop;296132]I truly believe pot will be legalized in this country within the next 25 years. The baby boomers are soon leaving power and the younger generation, across party lines, have a much more libertarian view on marijuana.

If tobacco is legal, there's no reason pot should be prohibited. Weed won't give you lung cancer. And contrary to tv commercials, the majority of pot smokers won't run over little girls on tricycles leaving a drive thru.

If pot is taxed like cigarettes, there is much money to be made for both government and R&D.[/quote]

The only thing is as we get older we tend to become more conservative. The same people who were wasted all through college are going to have a much different view of things when they are parents.

I think there's room for it to become much more decriminalized and maybe legal for medicinal use, but I doubt it will ever be legal for recreational use.

Re: Legalize it!
 

[quote=Mattyk72;296143][B]Dealers don't waste drugs on lacing weed.[/B] [/quote]
This is true, but lots of time mold can grow on pot, and that can have ill effects on your health.

Also, I've known locals in D.C. to lace marijuana with PCP. It's relatively inexpensive to do... and happens. (My roommate freshman year experienced this phenomenon... hence the reason you don't buy from locals)

Re: Legalize it!
 

[QUOTE]The reason is because we as Americans enjoy drinking. There is a reason the only amendment overturned [U][I][B]EVER[/B][/I][/U] is prohibition. We as Americans enjoy civil liberties that let us make decisions. That's what being "free" is all about. The problem is where to draw the line, and where to take destructive decisions away from society.

Ultimately, I really find it hard to believe that legalizing something like marijuana is that destructive. There is no reason that it should be illegal (pending a substance/driving policy), and quite frankly I think it's going to happen. When we as a country find something we like, we're going to get it.[/QUOTE]

This is a good point... I also think the more taboo something is in the US, the more kids are going to try it (and maybe even abuse it). In Canada, it's pretty much legal in Ontario to possess a certain amount. In Europe, the drinking age is a bit lower and the older people know how to party responsibly. Yet in the States, we're all gung-ho about "DARE" and stupid anti-drug campaigns that don't aim at truth... fact- Marijuana does not get a girl pregnant. fact- alcohol does not make you shoot your friend in the face.

How about we start changing the dynamic in which we teach our kids the truth about such. You teach them at an early age the effects that weed and alcohol and tobacco have on your mental, physical and chemical state. You also teach them the concept of moderation before reaching an acceptable age of consumption. At the very least, you let them know if they ever decide to try something they're not mentally and physically ready for (in other words, give in to natural teenage curiosity), they're not afraid of calling you if they need help in dangerous situations.

Enough with the Rachel Leigh Cook "watch me destroy my kitchen" anti-drug commercials. What the hell does it teach our kids if we pull the wools over their eyes with such nonsensical allegory? There is a mature way to handle the topic of recreational substances and I think the current political stance only reinforces fallible education. Look at our teen dropout, pregnancy and incarceration statistics... are we looking at better times with the continued mentality of "Just Say No?"

Re: Legalize it!
 

[quote=RobH4413;296147]This is true, but lots of time mold can grow on pot, and that can have ill effects on your health.

Also, I've known locals in D.C. to lace marijuana with PCP. It's relatively inexpensive to do... and happens. (My roommate freshman year experienced this phenomenon... hence the reason you don't buy from locals)[/quote]

sure it happens, there will always be a-holes out there just looking to F with people, but a reliable 'source' isn't going to do that crap.

Re: Legalize it!
 

I am a firm believer that it should be legalized.
Someone on this site posted a link to a study that was done for 30 years on the affects of Marijuana. The study showed that THC was actually a cancer inhibitor. I'm sure you can still get emphezema, but cancer didn't occur. I'll see if I can find it and post it.
THC has lots of medicinal aspects to it. We commonly think of it as something "negative", and we envision some dead beat sitting in front of his playstation and chomping on cheetos. But let me tell you, I have an MBA in Finance, and a 142 IQ. I smoked A LOT in college, and I will occasionally dabble in it even today when the stresses get to be too much for me. I find alcohol doesn't help relieve my day to day stresses, but marijuana will, and the next day I feel refreshed like I am starting a new day instead of reliving an old one. It's just like anything else, if you abuse it, you fall victim to it. Moderation is the key. The people that let it control their lives are the ones that abuse it. You can't abuse anything in life...long hours at work, eating, drinking, drugs of any kind, sex etc, although the more sex you have the better. LOL.
The government doesn't even realize they are sitting on a gold mine. It would create jobs, drop our taxes, reduce crimes, and help curb illegal smuggling. The positives amazingly outweigh the negatives.

It absolutely should be legal if cigarettes are legal. That logic doesn't make sense to me.

Re: Legalize it!
 

Legalize it
Tax the crap, make money and better weed.
If a guy wants a beer or a doobie I don't care but to say weed is worse than beer is stupid.

peace
mike
Yes, I did time in Marines and am a Christian but these are my opinions

Re: Legalize it!
 

Plus it makes people want more BBQ!
lol

Just joking friends
peace