Are you in favor of or against the legalization of marijuana?

1. 61

   cougsamposted 9 years ago

   Are you in favor of or against the legalization of marijuana?
   
   As a citizen of Washington State, one of two states with legal marijuana, I'm curious where everyone else is on this issue. In my humble opinion, I think it's time to stop needlessly locking up non violent "criminals" and end this war on drugs. Legalizing marijuana would also likely end the use of the dangerous synthetic marijuana and take some of the power away from the violent drug cartels in Mexico. Thoughts?

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2. 91

   Jeremy Gillposted 9 years ago

   I agree, Sam, I believe it should be legalized. The research I've found suggests marijuana is less dangerous than alcohol or cigarettes - yet those are the legal substances. Seems unfair to arrest people who get high, but not those who get drunk. Additionally, if a "sin" tax were placed on the drug (like the tax with cigarettes), the government could make some substantial money from marijuana. You've already made the points about synthetic marijuana and drug cartels, and I definitely agree. If people want marijuana's influence in their lives, who are we to stop them?

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      Larry Wallposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I do not know, and if you do, please tell me, how you measure the short and long term of all three items. I know two. I will wait for an answer about the other.

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3. 65

   Tusitala Tomposted 9 years ago

   Stepping beyond the singular question of marijuana legalization and taking into account ALL illegal drugs, it might be an idea to legalize the lot - then tax the Beejeebuz out of 'em all.   This, in concert with a massive educational program as to the harmful effects of same, would probably - in the longer term - bring down and, hopefully, eradicate them all simply because they're no longer be in demand.
   
   If the demand isn't there, the supply would simply fizzle out.
   
   In the Western World smoking tobacco is already in major decline.  The same could be done with marijuana and, eventually and systematically, all illicit drugs.
   
   The organized crime syndicates wouldn't be happy.   But the physical, mental and spiritual health of the entire world would go up a peg or two.

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   1. 74

      Besarienposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I agree with regulation. My son is 14. He is smart enough not to do drugs. He tells me the hardest things for his classmates to get hold of are cigarettes and alcohol. No one cards for marijuana or LSD.

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   2. 61

      cougsamposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Portugal decriminalized all drugs around 2000 and has become a pretty good case study for this idea. I haven't read enough about it to make a judgement but I think I lean toward regulation like you say.

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      Larry Wallposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      No one cards for stolen money. If the drug is illegal, the assumption is made that no one is going to admit to it..Carding prevents children from buying liquor and cigarettes. There us no need to card if you do not sell the product.

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4. 74

   Besarienposted 9 years ago

   I don't and never have used marijuana or any other illegal drugs. I do drink beer and wine and occasionally have been known to take a Tylenol.
   
   I do think it is silly to put people in prison for using any herb or mushroom or flower how ever they want so long as they do no harm to other people with them. Yes I realize that having a parent addicted to say opium would be harmful for kids, but so is having a parent addicted to Budweiser.
   
   Addiction is a personal condition and should be treated as such. People get addicted to binge eating. It doesn't mean we should illegalize food.

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   1. 61

      cougsamposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      That's a very good point on binge eating. With heart disease being the largest cause of death in the US you could make a pretty good case that fast food like McDonald's is worse for someone than Marijuana.

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   2. 0

      Larry Wallposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Another problem is dosage. Is all marijuana created equal. How will it be tested. Will driving under the influence include pot, if so, at what THC level are you impaired.

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5. 73

   pagesvoiceposted 9 years ago

   It is a known fact that medical marijuana helps countless people with a myriad of medical conditions. As mentioned, our jails and prisons are full of people who sold or were caught using marijuana. Yet, drunk driver's still get behind the wheel of cars, even when their licenses have been revoked and continue to kill innocent people every single day. Perhaps if marijuana was legalized and sanctioned by the federal government we would see a noticeable decline in nasty/dangerous meth labs and the deadly use of heroine. Then again, as a product of being a teenager in the 1960s, what in the world would I know about this subject?

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      Larry Wallposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I was also a teen in the 60s. I worked in a drug store and saw people addicted to uppers, downers, narcotic cough syrup. Back then, drug stores had a license to sell marijuana. It required an official stamp on the package. The law was cleaned up.

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6. 0

   Larry Wallposted 9 years ago

   I need someone to define legalization.
   A. Anybody and everybody can grow or use as much as they please.
   B. It will never be considered as a factor in a traffic accident.
   C. Homegrown marijuana will never have any toxic substances added to increase the growth.
   D. There will be no age limit.
   E. There will be no regulations to control quality, quantity, possible interaction with other legal and illegal drugs.
   
   I have never used marijuana and do not intend to. I expect national legalization will happen someday, after many issues like I listed are answered.
   
   I do not want to live in a freewheeling society where police, firemen, ambulance drivers, doctors, nurses and others are high while they are doing their jobs.
   
   Legalization with reasonable regulations can work. Open legalization like many seek would be very harmful.

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   1. 61

      cougsamposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I think most people expect regulations and rules against impaired driving. As far as growth substances, age limits and quality control go legalization would be a massive improvement. You think illegal growers are concerned about these things?

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      Larry Wallposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      No, I think they are totally ignoring the issues. If marijuana is ever legalized it at best will be treated as an over-the-counter meds, just like those used to make meth. No tax dollars will be saved prosecuting users. There will be regulations.

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   BilliJean1990posted 3 years ago

   I don't know, maybe someone will be interested in my story, I can assume that some people do not know universal things about the legality of the transportation of special substances. We all understand what this is about. I found an interesting article about the fact that you can carry some substances with you up to a certain amount, for example, recently I purchased kratom caps in special capsules for personal use in order to comply with the legality of movement and not only. There were no problems, only some for some reason do not pay attention to the country's requirements. My parents used to hang out with similar things and I was warned from an early age about the consequences, so I became more circumspect in matters.

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8. 56

   Viktor1zposted 3 years ago

   I support this idea, but only if cannabis will be used for medical purposes. It's so hard sometimes when you know that cannabis is the only thing that can help you, but it's not legal. I have anxiety and panic attacks, and I've tried many things, medicaments, but only smoking helps. Sometimes I order seeds from https://herbiesheadshop.com/cannabis-se … ible-seeds and grow plant myself. I don't always have time to do it, but as a result, I get quality strains and can finally make my life and health better.

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      FreddyWhitfieldposted 3 years agoin reply to this

      I also agree with you but unfortunately, many people don't know how much benefits cannabis can have. Even my grandmother uses cannabis oil in order to deal with her chronic pain. You should read this article about the benefits; https://www.zamnesia.com/blog-the-benef … nnabis-n31 it even included some I didn`t know. But people also have to keep in mind CBD is an important part of cannabis, the strains we have nowadays usually contain less then 1%.

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9. 84

   bhattucposted 3 years ago

   This is an old discussion but still as fresh as a new matter. Legalising will at least bring some revenue for the Govt.

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10. 78

    emgeposted 3 years ago

    There are serious implications involved especially for developing and poor countries like India and countries in Africa. As an example 40% of the Indian population as per government of India figures is below poverty line and whatever revenue may be generated by legalizing marijuana is not going to make a dent in the level of poverty. On the contrary it will have a very deleterious effect on the poor people who may start taking marijuana to escape from the travails of daily life this will have serious implications on their health. That is the reason narcotics are banned and they should continue to be so..

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    1. 89

       GA Andersonposted 3 years agoin reply to this

       Emge, my most polite response would be that you seem to support government control of what 'you' think is right. Whether that is relative to drugs or personal behavior.
       
       I don't have the knowledge to address your Africa/India references, but as a non-political and non-national perspective, I think your anti-pot thoughts could use some scrutiny. As in, what are the benefits vs. detriments of legalization? Jail more people vs. accept reality and move forward. Stick with the anti-drug dogma that has cost billions and hundreds of thousands of lives vs. legalize what people are going to do anyway and profit from it—both financially through taxes, and societally through more credible diversion policies.
       
       Sticking with the topic—it's pot for Christ's sake. How many serial killers are pot addicts? How many drunk drivers, (intoxicated), are pot-drunk?
       
       My opinion is simple. Pot is much less harmful than alcohol. Does your nation ban alcohol? If so, how is that working for you? We Americans were subjected to the proof of this thought with our attempt at prohibition.
       
       Why do you think the government, (any government), should have the authority to regulate what you put into your body?
       
       GA

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