Legalize it!

[RobH4413]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

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.

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.

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

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.

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).

[Gmanc711]

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.

[TheMalcolmConnection]

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

[TheMalcolmConnection]

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.

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by TheMalcolmConnection

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.

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

[Southpaw]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

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

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.

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by Southpaw

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.

No I'm atheist/agnostic.

[ArtMonkDrillz]

Originally Posted by Southpaw

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.

I know I'm way late commenting on this one, but I think you are totally wrong here. My senior thesis in college dealt primarily with the racial issues behind anti-drug laws in this country, and I'm a white agnostic.

Historically speaking, it's pretty clear that anti-marijuana laws were racist in nature when they were first created.

**EDIT** Took Southpaw's comments out of context. My mistake.
However, I still stand by the fact that the laws were originally made for BS reasons that wouldn't float these days. The problem is that weed as been demonized so much that some people can't separate it from other 'drugs.'

[724Skinsfan]

Although I've never smoked weed myself, I have been around it on a near constant basis in both my teen and young adult years. I never bothered asking my friends as they lit one up next to me why they smoked. So, I ask now. Why do you smoke weed? What is it about the effects that cause you to want to smoke it?

[724Skinsfan]

That's interesting about the tax stamp. I never knew that. I'm sure the primary reason why marijuana is illegal has nothing to do with the government's assertion that it is harmful but rather more to do with profitting from its sale and use.

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

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

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.

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by Sheriff Gonna Getcha

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.

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 doesn't know 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.

[724Skinsfan]

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

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.

[GhettoDogAllStars]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

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

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