Quote:
Originally Posted by Schneed10
1) You can't test it to see how stoned is too stoned for driving.
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.
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.
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?
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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.