Legalize it!
 

A little off-topic poll to vote and discuss, brought to you by Beemnseven

Re: Legalize it!
 

I say yes. There are plenty of other mind altering substances we sell that are PERFECTLY legal. Why not this?

Granted, I've only smoked it once in my entire life and didn't feel anything, but I also don't see what's wrong with doing it.

Re: Legalize it!
 

Considering alcohol abuse is more damaging to your body, there's no reason for it to be illegal other than the government hasn't figured out to profit from it yet. Plus, weed temporarily suppresses symptoms of several diseases. Alcohol usually aggrevates symptoms.

Re: Legalize it!
 

I do not believe the government has the right to tell me how to treat my body. I believe it is a human right to treat your body as you wish. Nobody needs to grant you that right, and therefore nobody can take it away.

Re: Legalize it!
 

On another note:
I do not think it will ever be legal. There are too many interests in pharmaceutical businesses. I believe that pot is an effective solution to several minor ailments (e.g.: sleeplessness, nausea, anxiety, etc). There are several pharmaceuticals which seek to exploit the market these ailments create. Legalizing pot would severely impact their profits.

Re: Legalize it!
 

[QUOTE=GhettoDogAllStars;296031]I do not believe the government has the right to tell me how to treat my body. I believe it is a human right to treat your body as you wish. Nobody needs to grant you that right, and therefore nobody can take it away.[/QUOTE]

Thats exactly how I feel. When I smoke, I do it in the privacy of my own home and I don't bother anyone. Its just me, my bong, and my PS2.

Re: Legalize it!
 

[quote=GhettoDogAllStars;296031]I do not believe the government has the right to tell me how to treat my body. I believe it is a human right to treat your body as you wish. Nobody needs to grant you that right, and therefore nobody can take it away.[/quote]

I'm with you on that but when a substance that you put into your body could possibly have a negative effect on the others around you, that's when regulation needs to step in. Smoking is a good example. While I don't have a problem with people having a right to smoke, I DO have a problem with that shit blowing around me when I didn't ask for it. I want to treat my body with less smoke, but someone else is forcing that into my body.

As far as I'm concerned, people can sit around with crack pipes provided they do it in the comfort of their own home and don't hurt anybody but themselves. The reason I would approve of the legalization of weed is the fact that some people might disgaree, but many of the side effects are fairly minute in comparison to harder drugs.

Re: Legalize it!
 

[QUOTE=Redskins_P;296033]Thats exactly how I feel. When I smoke, I do it in the privacy of my own home and I don't bother anyone. Its just me, my bong, and my PS2.[/QUOTE]

I hear ya. I never leave my house with it.

Also, as long as people are allowed to smoke their cigarettes in public, where I am exposed to it, there is no argument against pot from a public health perspective. EVERY single effing day, I must walk past the assholes smoking their cigarettes in front of the door to my office. I have no choice but to breathe the smoke -- or hold my breath.

Re: Legalize it!
 

If you legalize it, how do you check an individual to see that they are within the legal limits of consumption? With alcohol, a breathalizer can determine if you're too drunk to drive. Is there any field equipment that is used to determine how high on pot you are? If not, then it shouldn't be legalized. There are enough adults and older teenage kids out there that have no concept of restrained use .

Re: Legalize it!
 

[QUOTE=TheMalcolmConnection;296034]I'm with you on that but when a substance that you put into your body could possibly have a negative effect on the others around you, that's when regulation needs to step in. Smoking is a good example. While I don't have a problem with people having a right to smoke, I DO have a problem with that shit blowing around me when I didn't ask for it. I want to treat my body with less smoke, but someone else is forcing that into my body.

As far as I'm concerned, people can sit around with crack pipes provided they do it in the comfort of their own home and don't hurt anybody but themselves. The reason I would approve of the legalization of weed is the fact that some people might disgaree, but many of the side effects are fairly minute in comparison to harder drugs.[/QUOTE]

I agree completely. Smoking in public should be illegal.

Re: Legalize it!
 

[QUOTE=TheMalcolmConnection;296034]I'm with you on that but when a substance that you put into your body could possibly have a negative effect on the others around you, that's when regulation needs to step in. Smoking is a good example. While I don't have a problem with people having a right to smoke, I DO have a problem with that shit blowing around me when I didn't ask for it. I want to treat my body with less smoke, but someone else is forcing that into my body.

As far as I'm concerned, people can sit around with crack pipes provided they do it in the comfort of their own home and don't hurt anybody but themselves. The reason I would approve of the legalization of weed is the fact that some people might disgaree, but many of the side effects are fairly minute in comparison to harder drugs.[/QUOTE]

The side effects are minute in comparison to other drugs (including alcohol). I've never had to urge to get violent with anyone or to do anything that will hurt anyone or myself. I use it as a form of relaxation. With all the stress we deal with at work and home, its good to sit back just relax and clear your mind for awhile.

Re: Legalize it!
 

[quote=724Skinsfan;296037]If you legalize it, how do you check an individual to see that they are within the legal limits of consumption? With alcohol, a breathalizer can determine if you're too drunk to drive. Is there any field equipment that is used to determine how high on pot you are? If not, then it shouldn't be legalized. There are enough adults and older teenage kids out there that have no concept of restrained use .[/quote]

Wouldn't the amount of THC in your body be a good way to determine? I'm not sure, but you'd think they could find a way.

Re: Legalize it!
 

[quote=GhettoDogAllStars;296032]On another note:
I do not think it will ever be legal. There are too many interests in pharmaceutical businesses. I believe that pot is an effective solution to several minor ailments (e.g.: sleeplessness, nausea, anxiety, etc). There are several pharmaceuticals which seek to exploit the market these ailments create. Legalizing pot would severely impact their profits.[/quote]

I really think that's what it's all about at this point.

The big drug companies have a HUGE influence in Washington.

If they could figure out a way to legalize it and make a huge profit, they would in a second.

Re: Legalize it!
 

I definately think it should be legal, even though I think that most every other drug should remain illegal.

Re: Legalize it!
 

[QUOTE=724Skinsfan;296037]If you legalize it, how do you check an individual to see that they are within the legal limits of consumption? With alcohol, a breathalizer can determine if you're too drunk to drive. Is there any field equipment that is used to determine how high on pot you are? If not, then it shouldn't be legalized. There are enough adults and older teenage kids out there that have no concept of restrained use .[/QUOTE]

You bring up a good point. I think a basic field sobriety test would suffice. As long as you are able to maintain your balance and coherence, then I think you are safe to operate a vehicle.

Re: Legalize it!
 

[quote=GhettoDogAllStars;296039]I agree completely. Smoking in public should be illegal.[/quote]

It makes me SO ANGRY that it hasn't been outlawed nationwide yet. That's been ONE reason I'd consider moving to NY. People are worried about losing out on smoker's profits, but you have to be kidding me? I GUARANTEE YOU I'd be out at bars far more often if people weren't smoking.

Re: Legalize it!
 

[QUOTE=Mattyk72;296042]I really think that's what it's all about at this point.

The big drug companies have a HUGE influence in Washington.

If they could figure out a way to legalize it and make a huge profit, they would in a second.[/QUOTE]

Yes. The only problem is that once legal, they'd have to prevent people from growing it. That's the catch with pharms: you can't easily make them yourself.

Re: Legalize it!
 

At the root of the issue is this, it grows out of the freaking ground. All you have to do is dry it out and smoke it. There's no process to making it, it's 100% natural. It amazes me that something that grows from the earth is deemed illegal.

Is there anything else that grows naturally that is illegal?

Re: Legalize it!
 

[QUOTE=Mattyk72;296047]At the root of the issue is this, it grows out of the freaking ground. All you have to do is dry it out and smoke it. There's no process to making it, it's 100% natural. It amazes me that something that grows from the earth is deemed illegal.

Is there anything else that grows naturally that is illegal?[/QUOTE]

No kidding. It's the epitome of a God complex.

Re: Legalize it!
 

[quote=Mattyk72;296047]At the root of the issue is this, it grows out of the freaking ground. All you have to do is dry it out and smoke it. There's no process to making it, it's 100% natural. It amazes me that something that grows from the earth is deemed illegal.

Is there anything else that grows naturally that is illegal?[/quote]

I agree. I mean some things are poisonous that grow out of the ground. Are you going to be arrested for possession of them?

Re: Legalize it!
 

[QUOTE=Mattyk72;296047]At the root of the issue is this, it grows out of the freaking ground. All you have to do is dry it out and smoke it. There's no process to making it, it's 100% natural. It amazes me that something that grows from the earth is deemed illegal.

Is there anything else that grows naturally that is illegal?[/QUOTE]

Well you can say cocaine, it starts as a plant then processed into the powder. So, in reality it isn't the actual plant your consuming. Its the plant that gets processed with chemicals and then its made into a powder form.


I think Opium is grows naturally,but I could be wrong.

Re: Legalize it!
 

i say hell yes

if your allowd to drink, which is much worse than getting high, it should be legal.

driving while high is much easier then driving while drunk, i've done both. i know its bad but...........

Re: Legalize it!
 

Warning: Opinionated Schneed Alert

I get frustrated with this discussion because I think marijuana is for losers and can't understand why people would want to smoke it. If it's going to be legal, then the government damn well better find a way to profit from it (tax the living shit out of it like they do tobacco and alcohol). If more morons are going to be getting stoned in my country, the government better have more resources to distribute to those citizens who choose not to live their lives like a bunch of apathetic 14 year olds.

If you're going to act like a moron, you should have to pay for it.

Re: Legalize it!
 

Do you feel the same way about booze?

Re: Legalize it!
 

[QUOTE=Schneed10;296055]Warning: Opinionated Schneed Alert

I get frustrated with this discussion because I think marijuana is for losers and can't understand why people would want to smoke it. If it's going to be legal, then the government damn well better find a way to profit from it (tax the living shit out of it like they do tobacco and alcohol). If more morons are going to be getting stoned in my country, the government better have more resources to distribute to those citizens who choose not to live their lives like a bunch of apathetic 14 year olds.

If you're going to act like a moron, you should have to pay for it.[/QUOTE]

I guess I'm a moron! ;)

Re: Legalize it!
 

[quote=Schneed10;296055]Warning: Opinionated Schneed Alert

I get frustrated with this discussion because I think marijuana is for losers and can't understand why people would want to smoke it. If it's going to be legal, then the government damn well better find a way to profit from it (tax the living shit out of it like they do tobacco and alcohol). If more morons are going to be getting stoned in my country, the government better have more resources to distribute to those citizens who choose not to live their lives like a bunch of apathetic 14 year olds.

If you're going to act like a moron, you should have to pay for it.[/quote]

So is drinking for losers too?

If not, other than legality why the difference?

Re: Legalize it!
 

If you can drink, you should be able to smoke. I've tried Pot, didnt like it just wasent for me, but I mean when you stack it up against everything else, its just amazing that some of the crap that is legal and thats not.

Re: Legalize it!
 

I mean, of course that's one's opinion, I just wanted to make sure you were consistent with it across the board.

Re: Legalize it!
 

[quote=TheMalcolmConnection;296022]I say yes. There are plenty of other mind altering substances we sell that are PERFECTLY legal. Why not this?

Granted, I've only smoked it once in my entire life and didn't feel anything, but I also don't see what's wrong with doing it.[/quote]

When your child is approahing his/her teens years you just might think differnetly aboout this drug....

Re: Legalize it!
 

Honestly, I'm going to be a very cool parent in that regard. I might have to do some hard thinking about weed, but I guarantee that my kids will be drinking with me and will have the leeway that IF they get drunk, I'd much rather them call me to pick them up than have them drive home drunk.

Re: Legalize it!
 

[quote=Redskins_P;296053]Well you can say cocaine, it starts as a plant then processed into the powder. So, in reality it isn't the actual plant your consuming. Its the plant that gets processed with chemicals and then its made into a powder form.


I think Opium is grows naturally,but I could be wrong.[/quote]

Right, I'm talking about things that are unprocessed. Things like coke, booze, etc., come from natural ingredients of course but need to be processed into their final forms.

I'm not sure about opium, but they do use the poppy seeds for food. I'm not 100% sure of the process of turning the plant into it's drug form though.

Re: Legalize it!
 

[quote=TheMalcolmConnection;296056]Do you feel the same way about booze?[/quote]

Yes, when consumed in mass quantities.

Studies show that alcohol when consumed in moderation has vast health benefits: red wines for antioxidants, reduction in blood pressure, positive effects on heart disease.

When consumed in mass quantity, it's damaging to the liver, impairs judgment, causes irrational behavior, and is addicting.

Nobody starts acting like a moron when they've had 1 or 2 drinks. Nobody's health deteriorates.

As soon as you spark one up, you're a moron already.

Re: Legalize it!
 

[quote=GhettoDogAllStars;296044]You bring up a good point. I think a basic field sobriety test would suffice. As long as you are able to maintain your balance and coherence, then I think you are safe to operate a vehicle.[/quote]

That's my one big contention. There's already plenty of reckless people out there that drive severly intoxicated; I use to be one of them. There has to be a way for law enforcement to determine if an individual is a threat to others around him. Obviously it won't be fool proof just like there are people who make it home drunk without getting caught, but any amount of enforcement is better than none.

Re: Legalize it!
 

[quote=TheMalcolmConnection;296041]Wouldn't the amount of THC in your body be a good way to determine? I'm not sure, but you'd think they could find a way.[/quote]


The only ways to test for THC currently are lab tests involving urine, blood, or hair, and they all take at least a few hours. They'd have to figure out some way to speed up the test, AND a way to make it legal to force someone to submit blood, urine, or hair on the spot.

A field sobriety test would work if they start enforcing a minimum IQ for cops, but that'd be tough in rural areas. I was stopped for suspicion of driving intoxicated, and the prick cop pulled me out of the car and made me do every field test in the book(stand on one leg and count, walk the line, follow the pen, etc.). After he paraded me around for 10 minutes, he apparently still wasn't sure, so he gives me the breathalizer anyway, only to find I'm under the legal limit. The achillies heal of the field sobriety test is stupid police officers.

Re: Legalize it!
 

[quote=TheMalcolmConnection;296062]Honestly, I'm going to be a very cool parent in that regard. I might have to do some hard thinking about weed, but I guarantee that my kids will be drinking with me and will have the leeway that IF they get drunk, I'd much rather them call me to pick them up than have them drive home drunk.[/quote]

You'd be irresponsible and a disappointment as a parent if you condoned anything illegal.

Re: Legalize it!
 

[quote=TheMalcolmConnection;296062]Honestly, I'm going to be a very cool parent in that regard. I might have to do some hard thinking about weed, but I guarantee that my kids will be drinking with me and will have the leeway that IF they get drunk, I'd much rather them call me to pick them up than have them drive home drunk.[/quote]

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.

Re: Legalize it!
 

[quote=Schneed10;296064]Yes, when consumed in mass quantities.

Studies show that alcohol when consumed in moderation has vast health benefits: red wines for antioxidants, reduction in blood pressure, positive effects on heart disease.

When consumed in mass quantity, it's damaging to the liver, impairs judgment, causes irrational behavior, and is addicting.

Nobody starts acting like a moron when they've had 1 or 2 drinks. Nobody's health deteriorates.

As soon as you spark one up, you're a moron already.[/quote]

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.

Re: Legalize it!
 

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

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.

Re: Legalize it!
 

Well, my stance on civil liberties is that you can do whatever you want in your own home as long as you don't infringe on the rights of other.

This goes with dangerous substances as well, If you OD on heroin, you affect the paramedics that have to come and resuscitate you. Something that destructive shouldn't be legal.

There is no way to OD on marijuana. There are zero reported fatalities. It can probably even be argued that some of the effects of marijuana are beneficial to society (not to many stoners beat there wives compared to alcoholics). It also has been suggested to marijuana smoke may have some protective effect against lung cancer. ([url]http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/25/AR2006052501729_pf.html)[/url].


Ultimately the problem arises when you ask yourself about infringing the right of others, and it's fairly evident that it lowers your reaction time, and hence driving while impaired becomes an issue. There is no way to give you a potalizer, and until one is developed, I don't see marijuana becoming legal.

It's really hard to get around this issue, and some serious thought has to be put into it. Who knows, maybe if we figure out by the rate that THC is broken down in the body, we'll be able to develop specific marijuana data applied to different people.

Maybe it's a stretch, but I think it's possible. If we can send people to the moon, we'll probably be able to figure out something plausible.

So I guess my answer is yes, it should be legal if there is a way to test is more accurately.

Re: Legalize it!
 

[QUOTE=Schneed10;296064]Yes, when consumed in mass quantities.

Studies show that alcohol when consumed in moderation has vast health benefits: red wines for antioxidants, reduction in blood pressure, positive effects on heart disease.

When consumed in mass quantity, it's damaging to the liver, impairs judgment, causes irrational behavior, and is addicting.

Nobody starts acting like a moron when they've had 1 or 2 drinks. Nobody's health deteriorates.

As soon as you spark one up, you're a moron already.[/QUOTE]

True, but I would venture to guess that at least 25% of all crimes are alcohol related (particularly rape, assault, vehicular manslaughter, etc.). Potheads might be lazy, but they're not violent. Moreover, the ill effects of extreme marijuana use pale in comparison to the ill effects of extreme alcohol abuse.

I don't smoke marijuana anymore, but when I did, I wasn't a jerk, an idiot etc. I'm far more embarassed about things I did when I was drunk than things I did when I was high (e.g., eat Cheetos, pizza, and play video games).