Should marijuana be legalized?

[kenny]

I say no.
I worry we have so many drunk drivers now.
Legalizing pot will mean more high drivers, high people at work.
Not good.

I've heard the argument that pot is less harmful than alcohol.
Maybe I'm just prejudice since I'm old and it's been illegal all my life.

What say you?

 

[Autumnovember]

If it is legalized it needs to be legalized for a strict quantity. For example, in Mexico it is legal to carry up to 4 (I think) personal joints. and X amount of grams.

Do I think it should be legalized? Yes.

I DO believe that alcohol is a lot more harmful in more ways than one.

However, it DOES worry me in the sense that there ARE indeed people who can smoke and function completely, but there are others who can't and THAT is probably my greatest concern. I do think that it is extremely helpful in regards to medicine.

I don't know if it could be done but they could still have the same rules for work---cannot come to work drunk OR high and continue with the reinforcement of that too.

 

[mrscushion]

Yes, sale and purchase for limited (tbd) consumption should be legalized and taxed at substantial rates, IMO.

 

[Autumnovember]

Yes, sale and purchase for limited (tbd) consumption should be legalized and taxed at substantial rates, IMO.

Ditto, ditto, ditto to everything especially the taxing.

 

[JulieN]

They tried to prohibit alcohol, too. Didn't work. Why did they repeal Prohibition? The state was losing too much money from lost taxes.

 

[Trekkie]

If it is legalized it needs to be legalized for a strict quantity. For example, in Mexico it is legal to carry up to 4 (I think) personal joints. and X amount of grams.

Do I think it should be legalized? Yes.

I DO believe that alcohol is a lot more harmful in more ways than one.

However, it DOES worry me in the sense that there ARE indeed people who can smoke and function completely, but there are others who can't and THAT is probably my greatest concern. I do think that it is extremely helpful in regards to medicine.

I don't know if it could be done but they could still have the same rules for work---cannot come to work drunk OR high and continue with the reinforcement of that too.

Absolutely agree with you on how helpful it is, medicinally.

There are people out there who can use drugs successfully, but some people can't. I'm one of those people who can't. As a recovering drug addict and alcoholic, I know that I can become addicted to anything... Even licking stamps.

However, most people are not addicts, and I don't see why my illness should prevent other people access to life-changing treatment. I personally know many terminal AIDS patients who find the use of marijuana to be incredibly helpful. Here in South Africa vital medications are often out of reach for the poorest of the poor, while marijuana grows just about anywhere like a weed.

Why should the fact that some people can become addicted to marijuana prevent these people from enjoying quality of life in their last weeks or months?

 

[Autumnovember]

If it is legalized it needs to be legalized for a strict quantity. For example, in Mexico it is legal to carry up to 4 (I think) personal joints. and X amount of grams.

Do I think it should be legalized? Yes.

I DO believe that alcohol is a lot more harmful in more ways than one.

However, it DOES worry me in the sense that there ARE indeed people who can smoke and function completely, but there are others who can't and THAT is probably my greatest concern. I do think that it is extremely helpful in regards to medicine.

I don't know if it could be done but they could still have the same rules for work---cannot come to work drunk OR high and continue with the reinforcement of that too.

There are people out there who can use drugs successfully, but some people can't. I'm one of those people who can't. As a recovering drug addict and alcoholic, I know that I can become addicted to anything... Even licking stamps.

However, most people are not addicts, and I don't see why my illness should prevent other people access to life-changing treatment. I personally know many terminal AIDS patients who find the use of marijuana to be incredibly helpful. Here in South Africa vital medications are often out of reach for the poorest of the poor, while marijuana grows just about anywhere like a weed.

Why should the fact that some people can become addicted to marijuana prevent these people from enjoying quality of life in their last weeks or months?

I'm not really sure if you are asking me something or just stating your thoughts but....I did say that it should be legalized.

 

[ForteKitty]

People who are going to drive high will do it whether it is legal to smoke or not. People who are really good will get pulled over for a california roll, have a conversation with an officer about said technicality, and be sent on his merry way w/o the officer even noticing. (this happened to two friends of mine back in college, as they were driving back from a party. NO idea how the officer missed that one... seriously!)

Yes, it should be legalized, and taxed. And yes, i believe alcohol is way worse than cannabis. I took a Drugs, Addiction, and Mental Behaviors class at UCSD. My professor listed multiple reasons why, but i slept thru a lot of it since it was an 8am class, so i can't tell you exactly why...

Don't the Netherlands have some of the lowest crime rates? cannabis and prostitution are both legal there...

 

[Trekkie]

If it is legalized it needs to be legalized for a strict quantity. For example, in Mexico it is legal to carry up to 4 (I think) personal joints. and X amount of grams.

Do I think it should be legalized? Yes.

I DO believe that alcohol is a lot more harmful in more ways than one.

However, it DOES worry me in the sense that there ARE indeed people who can smoke and function completely, but there are others who can't and THAT is probably my greatest concern. I do think that it is extremely helpful in regards to medicine.

I don't know if it could be done but they could still have the same rules for work---cannot come to work drunk OR high and continue with the reinforcement of that too.

There are people out there who can use drugs successfully, but some people can't. I'm one of those people who can't. As a recovering drug addict and alcoholic, I know that I can become addicted to anything... Even licking stamps.

However, most people are not addicts, and I don't see why my illness should prevent other people access to life-changing treatment. I personally know many terminal AIDS patients who find the use of marijuana to be incredibly helpful. Here in South Africa vital medications are often out of reach for the poorest of the poor, while marijuana grows just about anywhere like a weed.

Why should the fact that some people can become addicted to marijuana prevent these people from enjoying quality of life in their last weeks or months?

I'm not really sure if you are asking me something or just stating your thoughts but....I did say that it should be legalized.

Oh, sorry, silly me - I was agreeing with you! Will go back to edit.

 

[swingirl]

yes.

 

[vip0802]

i absolutely believe it should be legalized and taxed. there's a lot of things that are legal and are way worse than marijuana IMHO.

 

[Nomsdeplume]

No.

I've experienced first hand how pot can ruin relationships and lives.
There are a lot of people out there who do not even think of weed as being a real addiction. They consider it to be a “soft drug” and not really worthy of the label of addiction. For the most part, there are generally no withdrawal symptoms when someone stops smoking weed, and there is very little evidence of physical dependence. So it gets passed off all the time as being somehow less than other “real drugs.”

This is a big mistake because Marijuana is a real drug and it can seriously screw up your life. Forget about the fact that weed is illegal, or that it is physically unhealthy to smoke, or that it can impair your driving, and so on. Forget all those arguments for a moment because they are besides the point.

Here are the 3 main problems with weed addiction:

1) You are medicating your feelings, just like with any other mood or mind altering substance (such as alcohol, cocaine, etc.).

2) You are dedicating your life to a hollow purpose.

3) Your ambitions and motivation is being sapped by your drug habit.

I've seen it happen. A lot of people who smoke weed stay in denial about this, because they maintain that they still have dreams and they still have goals. This is usually a form of denial though because now that they are full time weed smokers they are no longer actively pursuing those goals and dreams. They are complacent with their life.

The habit of smoking weed creates a certain lifestyle and that lifestyle becomes your life purpose. It becomes difficult to pursue anything outside of this relatively limited world view.

The argument that they "are going to do it anyway" is flawed. Should we also create a drunk driving lane on the freeway to accomodate drunk drivers because "they will do it anyway?".

As for the medical benefits, this is a study done by Harvard: http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/evidence99 ... lth_1.html
But if you don't want to read it, here is the bottom line: the only benefit would be to someone who is dying, because it actually makes conditions like HIV and cancer worse. So unless you want to help someone die pain-free, there is no further benefit to smoking pot.

 

[MissMina]

No
Just no

 

[Trekkie]

Hey Kribbie!

I absolutely agree with you that addiction to cannabis can be extremely effed up. I'm a recovering drug addict. I have seen this first hand.

However, the fact that some people (like myself) can become addicted to it, is no reason why science should not harness the beneficial properties of cannabis.

I feel that it should be legalised and regulated the same way cocaine is. Yes, it is perfectly legal to use cocaine in medicine. Why can't cannabis be used too?

Do I think regular people should be able to access it and smoke it the way they smoke cigarettes? Absolutely not.

Do I think it can be used in situations where traditional medicine fails? Yes.

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

I'm probably in the minority here, but yes, I think it should be legalized but regulated like the sale and consumption of alcohol and tobacco products (age restrictions, driving restrictions, etc). I think the benefits for people who need it for medicinal purposes vastly outweigh the supposed risks. In reference to Kenny's point about having enough drunk drivers on the road already, the legalization/lack there of has nothing to do with people driving while under the influence. And in most instances, if a person went to work drunk they'd be fired. Similarly, if they went to work stoned they'd be fired for the same reason-because they were under the influence at work, regardless of whether it was legal to consume the substance in the first place. Unfortunately, some people are going to do it regardless, and it should be treated in the same way with the same severity as driving drunk or under the influence of medications.

My state (MA) recently decriminalized marijuana in amounts under 1 oz, which means that you can essentially smoke a joint in public and only be slapped with a $100 misdemeanor fine. If caught with amounts over 1 oz it's assumed you have the intent to distribute and it's a more serious offense. This law has been in effect for several years now and in all my time walking around downtown Boston at night and during the day, I've not once encountered someone smoking it on the street or in a place where it could be detected. The argument about people being irresponsible with it if given the chance doesn't hold up in this instance. Yes, it's still against the law, but the fine is less than parking in a handicap spot. If people really wanted to use it and abuse it they would and they'd do so without remorse. But we haven't seen that at all here since the law went into effect.

One should considering the medical benefits and also the fact that while yes, it can be considered addictive, it's significantly better for you than being addicted to nicotine and tobacco products. And if legalized, the tax revenue from it could help offset the serious financial deficits most states are facing today.

 

[Callisto]

Yes I believe it should. It's far less dangerous than most of the legal drugs in our society. And most of the "facts" people think they know about it are propaganda. Honestly I don't smoke pot, though I have tried it. I really don't think I'd start smoking even if it was legalized, but I think that should be a decision people can make for themselves.

 

[Nashville]

Yup. Legalize it, tax it. Do you have any idea how much crime and time from our law enforcement it will save? Start to legalize what drug traffickers and cartel are providing, you will see a major decrease in illegal activity and violence. Then our cops can focus on more important matters instead of busting kids who are having a joint on the bleachers at the football field. Almost a MILLION people last year were arrested for possession. Call me crazy, but I would rather our law enforcement focus on the murderers, rapists, child abusers, bank robbers instead of some people having a joint.

Obviously pot being illegal isn't intimidating people enough to stop buying it. Why should others countries profit from these crops? Put that money back into this struggling country. IMHO, if pot should be illegal, then so should alcohol and many prescription and over the counter medications.

It's time to get over it and start using it for it's benefits.

 

[vespergirl]

I vote yes. It should be taxed and sold like alcohol.

 

[ericad]

Yes, I believe it should be. I believe it's safer (in moderation) than alcohol, cigarettes and much safer than the plethora of pharmaceuticals available in the world. I say legalize it and tax it for recreational and medicinal use. It would still be illegal to drive while under the influence (as with alcohol), etc.

 

[Tuckins1]

Kenny, no offense intended, but I think the basis of your argument is invalid. Just because pot is legalized doesn't mean that it would be ok to drive high or be high at work. The same rules as driving under the influence would apply... Alcohol is legal and it is not legal to drive drunk. If you are suspected of being under the influence the police can pull you over and test you to see if you are intoxicated. Employers could have the same rules apply as if a worker came to work drunk. I do think that Marijuana should be legalized, only because it would make no difference whatsoever as far as people using it. People who want to smoke pot do. Those who don't don't. I don't think it makes much difference where they go to buy it. You still couldn't walk down the street smoking a joint...

ETA- No, I don't smoke pot, but I do know where to get it if I wanted to. Whether or not it's legal wouldn't have much bearing if I really wanted it.... (Which I don't)

 

[ericad]

No.

I've experienced first hand how pot can ruin relationships and lives.
There are a lot of people out there who do not even think of weed as being a real addiction. They consider it to be a “soft drug” and not really worthy of the label of addiction. For the most part, there are generally no withdrawal symptoms when someone stops smoking weed, and there is very little evidence of physical dependence. So it gets passed off all the time as being somehow less than other “real drugs.”

This is a big mistake because Marijuana is a real drug and it can seriously screw up your life. Forget about the fact that weed is illegal, or that it is physically unhealthy to smoke, or that it can impair your driving, and so on. Forget all those arguments for a moment because they are besides the point.

Here are the 3 main problems with weed addiction:

1) You are medicating your feelings, just like with any other mood or mind altering substance (such as alcohol, cocaine, etc.).

2) You are dedicating your life to a hollow purpose.

3) Your ambitions and motivation is being sapped by your drug habit.

I've seen it happen. A lot of people who smoke weed stay in denial about this, because they maintain that they still have dreams and they still have goals. This is usually a form of denial though because now that they are full time weed smokers they are no longer actively pursuing those goals and dreams. They are complacent with their life.

The habit of smoking weed creates a certain lifestyle and that lifestyle becomes your life purpose. It becomes difficult to pursue anything outside of this relatively limited world view.

The argument that they "are going to do it anyway" is flawed. Should we also create a drunk driving lane on the freeway to accomodate drunk drivers because "they will do it anyway?".

As for the medical benefits, this is a study done by Harvard: http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/evidence99 ... lth_1.html
But if you don't want to read it, here is the bottom line: the only benefit would be to someone who is dying, because it actually makes conditions like HIV and cancer worse. So unless you want to help someone die pain-free, there is no further benefit to smoking pot.

With all due respect, this is no different than addiction to alcohol or prescription drugs, which are legal.

 

[Dancing Fire]

yes,all drugs should be legalized then there will be no more drug wars,plus it'll save more lives and save our government alot of money frighting the drug cartels.if one is a user he/she will find a way to buy the drugs whether it is legal or not.no different then alcohol or tobacco,if you are not a drinker you don't drink,if you are not a smoker you don't smoke.

 

[ericad]

Deep Thoughts, by Erica:

If pot became legal, would I become a recreational smoker? I don't smoke it now...tried it twice in college, it was niiiiiice, but never did it again, in part because it's illegal. So would I start smoking it? Maybe, because it's no different than the occasional glass of wine, stress-related secret cigarettes that no one knows about (shhhhh), etc. Would I abuse the substance and ruin my life? Nope, because I'm not an alcoholic or chain smoker, am I? But I sure do love wine and cigarettes - but I choose to use them in moderation, always have. Do I drive after drinking alcohol? Nope. Do I go to work or care for my daughter while drinking? Nope. I use common sense and good judgment.

If pot became legal for medicinal use (maybe it is in my state, I don't even know) would I try it? I get debilitating migraines a few times a year, and if this helped me I'd use it and be grateful for it. No different than the occasional Vicodin or muscle relaxer I take when I injure my back or have a surgery. Am I a Vicodin junkie? Do I abuse it? Nope, I've had the same bottle of Vicodin in my medicine cabinet for years, still half full, I appreciate it as needed, but my use is rare. Do I drive after taking one? Nope. Do I work or care for my daughter if I take one? Nope. Again, I use common sense and good judgment.

I believe that people are responsible and make good decisions for the most part. Those who choose a path of substance abuse will do so regardless of the substance, and whether or not it's legal. So many people are abusing prescription drugs these days - perhaps if they were all smoking weed and eating cheetos and laughing hysterically at their own brilliant revelations, they wouldn't be turning to pharmaceuticals or other street drugs - who knows.

 

[kenny]

I've never understood the laws allowing a small quantity but not a large quantity.

They say, "If you have a large enough quantity then you must be a dealer."
But if a small quantity is okay then what's wrong with being a supplier of something that is okay?

I just don't get it.

 

[Dancing Fire]

imagine a country w/o any drug smugglers and illegal drug dealers.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Yup. Legalize it, tax it. Do you have any idea how much crime and time from our law enforcement it will save? Start to legalize what drug traffickers and cartel are providing, you will see a major decrease in illegal activity and violence. Then our cops can focus on more important matters instead of busting kids who are having a joint on the bleachers at the football field. Almost a MILLION people last year were arrested for possession. Call me crazy, but I would rather our law enforcement focus on the murderers, rapists, child abusers, bank robbers instead of some people having a joint.

Obviously pot being illegal isn't intimidating people enough to stop buying it. Why should others countries profit from these crops? Put that money back into this struggling country. IMHO, if pot should be illegal, then so should alcohol and many prescription and over the counter medications.

It's time to get over it and start using it for it's benefits.

 

[movie zombie]

Yup. Legalize it, tax it. Do you have any idea how much crime and time from our law enforcement it will save? Start to legalize what drug traffickers and cartel are providing, you will see a major decrease in illegal activity and violence. Then our cops can focus on more important matters instead of busting kids who are having a joint on the bleachers at the football field. Almost a MILLION people last year were arrested for possession. Call me crazy, but I would rather our law enforcement focus on the murderers, rapists, child abusers, bank robbers instead of some people having a joint.

Obviously pot being illegal isn't intimidating people enough to stop buying it. Why should others countries profit from these crops? Put that money back into this struggling country. IMHO, if pot should be illegal, then so should alcohol and many prescription and over the counter medications.

It's time to get over it and start using it for it's benefits.

Mo-Zo

 

[Sizzle]

I think our nation is wasting way too many dollars on keeping it illegal at this point in time. The majority of that being spent on crimes related to possession and distribution.

 

[Lauren8211]

Yup. Legalize it, tax it. Do you have any idea how much crime and time from our law enforcement it will save? Start to legalize what drug traffickers and cartel are providing, you will see a major decrease in illegal activity and violence. Then our cops can focus on more important matters instead of busting kids who are having a joint on the bleachers at the football field. Almost a MILLION people last year were arrested for possession. Call me crazy, but I would rather our law enforcement focus on the murderers, rapists, child abusers, bank robbers instead of some people having a joint.

Obviously pot being illegal isn't intimidating people enough to stop buying it. Why should others countries profit from these crops? Put that money back into this struggling country. IMHO, if pot should be illegal, then so should alcohol and many prescription and over the counter medications.

It's time to get over it and start using it for it's benefits.

Mo-Zo

 

[Nashville]

Yup. Legalize it, tax it. Do you have any idea how much crime and time from our law enforcement it will save? Start to legalize what drug traffickers and cartel are providing, you will see a major decrease in illegal activity and violence. Then our cops can focus on more important matters instead of busting kids who are having a joint on the bleachers at the football field. Almost a MILLION people last year were arrested for possession. Call me crazy, but I would rather our law enforcement focus on the murderers, rapists, child abusers, bank robbers instead of some people having a joint.

Obviously pot being illegal isn't intimidating people enough to stop buying it. Why should others countries profit from these crops? Put that money back into this struggling country. IMHO, if pot should be illegal, then so should alcohol and many prescription and over the counter medications.

It's time to get over it and start using it for it's benefits.

Mo-Zo

haha!