Legalize it!

[RobH4413]

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.

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by RobH4413

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.

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.

[RobH4413]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

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.

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?
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The reason is because we as Americans enjoy drinking. There is a reason the only amendment overturned EVER 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.

[itvnetop]

The reason is because we as Americans enjoy drinking. There is a reason the only amendment overturned EVER 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.

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?"

[jsarno]

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.

[Skins fan 44]

I dont want to promote it but in essense alcohol is just as illlegal as pot. Only difference you can buy alcohol. You can not drive with alcohol. You can not walk in public with alcohol. You can not be drunk in public. I have not tried pot myself and dont really want to for the fear I may like it and want to do it again or something. Plus not that I have since I got hired but I could get drug tested and loose my job so it is not worth it. There are just as many potheads as there are drunks.

[hooskins]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

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.

All the sudden you dont give a damn about what the government says, yet earlier you said it is a "parents responsibility to make sure your children ahead to the laws of this land". So you dont give a crap about the law and its messages yet you expect parents to teach it blindly otherwise that is wrong??

That seems to be a huge contradiction in your argument.

[724Skinsfan]

Originally Posted by hooskins

All the sudden you dont give a damn about what the government says, yet earlier you said it is a "parents responsibility to make sure your children ahead to the laws of this land". So you dont give a crap about the law and its messages yet you expect parents to teach it blindly otherwise that is wrong??

That seems to be a huge contradiction in your argument.

Not really, I believe he's saying that the government's message and the parent's message may or may not be the same. Ultimately the parent's are responsible for how a child grows up and how his/her regard for their society's laws are a direct reflection of his parent's guidance. The government can use fear tactics like "this is your brain on drugs" or whatever as their message for not doing drugs because they conclude that drug-use in general is directly related to more criminal behavior. Parent's can try different methods to show their child that putting unknown/unregulated chemicals in their body for the sake of personal/social gratification is typically not a good thing. Teaching your child to use good judgement is the parent's job as well as teaching them to respect society's laws.

[hooskins]

Originally Posted by 724Skinsfan

Not really, I believe he's saying that the government's message and the parent's message may or may not be the same. Ultimately the parent's are responsible for how a child grows up and how his/her regard for their society's laws are a direct reflection of his parent's guidance. The government can use fear tactics like "this is your brain on drugs" or whatever as their message for not doing drugs because they conclude that drug-use in general is directly related to more criminal behavior. Parent's can try different methods to show their child that putting unknown/unregulated chemicals in their body for the sake of personal/social gratification is typically not a good thing. Teaching your child to use good judgement is the parent's job as well as teaching them to respect society's laws.

I am not talking about the governments campain, even Schneed agreed that the government is sending mixed messages to our youth. I am backing up a point made orignally by RobH
Originally Posted by RobH4413
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.


Scheed agrees with Rob, but he thinks that parents are the final person responsible for teaching kids and the government is sending wrong and mixed signals by saying being drunk is ok. Yet at the same time he earlier said that we have to tell our kids to follow the laws of the land(he said that to TMC I think).

Basically he is acknowledging the government sends mixed messages to kids, and he doesnt give a damn about what they think. Yet he thinks we should affirm these mixed signals and laws of the land because we are obligated as parents.

I think that is a problem in his argument.

[724Skinsfan]

Originally Posted by hooskins

I am not talking about the governments campain, even Schneed agreed that the government is sending mixed messages to our youth. I am backing up a point made orignally by RobH
Originally Posted by RobH4413

"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."

I could be wrong but I think you can be arrested by being publicly intoxicated even inside an establishment that serves alcohol. Cops aren't normally going to because on most occasions people don't cause trouble when they're drunk (or stoned for that matter). So if weed is legalized and you can go to a bar and smoke up it will still probably be illegal for you to exhibit behavior that directly shows that you are under the influence of a substance.

[love them hogs]

Here is the thing guys.weed isnt actually illegal.It is only against the law to posses it without a government tax stamp that ,surprise surprise they dont give out.They did this in the fifties as a way to deter all the mexican immagrents from crossing the border.

I also feel that it is only a matter of time before The government makes the realization that they are spending millions upon millions of taxpayer dollars on trying to get rid of something that people want and will get no matter what.Think about how much money the gov would make if they stopped spending money on pot and started taxing it.

I myself smoke it and have had no negetive effects from it.I also can personally atest for its abilaty to get rid of stomach pains.I have been living with a very painful stomach condition and there is no perscription med that can even come close to the speed and effectivness of pot.

as for the legality of smoking it ,I say let the first person who has never gotten behind the wheel of a car after just two drinks be the first to cast a stone.

[djnemo65]

As with so many things Chris Rock got it right. The reason coke and pot are illegal is cos, "they don't have the good s**t in America."

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by 724Skinsfan

Not really, I believe he's saying that the government's message and the parent's message may or may not be the same. Ultimately the parent's are responsible for how a child grows up and how his/her regard for their society's laws are a direct reflection of his parent's guidance. The government can use fear tactics like "this is your brain on drugs" or whatever as their message for not doing drugs because they conclude that drug-use in general is directly related to more criminal behavior. Parent's can try different methods to show their child that putting unknown/unregulated chemicals in their body for the sake of personal/social gratification is typically not a good thing. Teaching your child to use good judgement is the parent's job as well as teaching them to respect society's laws.

Thank you, I should have read this post before I responded to Hooskins, because this says it better than I could have (thanks for returning the favor).

Arguing against a law that's in place and actually breaking that law are completely different things. When my daughter is older, I welcome her to engage me in a thoughtful debate on what the law should be on this subject. Then when she leaves the house, I expect her to heed what the law is. There's a big difference between "should be" and "is".

Yeah, sometimes the government is hypocritical and sends mixed messages. Tobacco is legal, pot isn't. Doesn't make sense. But if you get busted for dealing marijuana, what are you going to do, yell at the judge and tell him he's a hypocrite? That'll surely get you somewhere.

That's ultimately the parent's role. To draw the line between thoughtful discussion and debate based on your moral principles versus taking illegal action based on your moral principles.

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by hooskins

All the sudden you dont give a damn about what the government says, yet earlier you said it is a "parents responsibility to make sure your children ahead to the laws of this land". So you dont give a crap about the law and its messages yet you expect parents to teach it blindly otherwise that is wrong??

That seems to be a huge contradiction in your argument.

To clarify, whatever the government's rules are, the parents should uphold them. We can get into the debate of what the rules should be, but once the laws are made, they must be upheld.

In other words, whatever message the government is trying to send through the creation of it's laws, I couldn't care less. I care about what the law is, and making sure my children understand that you have to heed the law, no matter how fervently you disagree with it.