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Can someone give me one reason why Marijuana should be illegal?

  • And I say this as someone who has never smoked in his life.

    If you are going to say that marijuana is dangerous to society and that it leads to other bad activities, then you have to also support a ban on alcohol.

    The fact is marijuana's prohibition, much like Prohibition in the 20s and early 30s, isn't stopping anyone and is criminalizing users of a relatively harmless substance. This isn't even to mention the enormous economic boon marijuana legalization would provide.

    FDR pushed for Prohibiton's reversal to get us out of the Great Depression. Perhaps Marijuana legalization could help our current economy.

    signature image signature image signature image

    "Madness is rare in individuals - but in groups, parties, nations, and ages it is the rule." - Friedrich Nietzsche

    joetheogre

  • Never smoked a day in my life either. Some people say its a gateway drug. If studies show a cause and effect here, then that's a reason. If not, then I don't know.

    signature image

    You may run like Hayes, but you hit like $*!#

    CockAtLaw

  • Alcohol is just as much of a gateway drug. A lot of people take cocaine for the first time while drunk.

    I think a large part of the "gateway drug" phenomenon is also tied into the fact that you have to deal with criminals to buy marijuana. If you could pick up some joints at an Exxon, I don't think it would be as much of an issue.

    signature image signature image signature image

    "Madness is rare in individuals - but in groups, parties, nations, and ages it is the rule." - Friedrich Nietzsche

    joetheogre

  • I can't really think of any. It's no worse than alcohol and perhaps not as bad. Also, and correct me if I'm wrong here, the addictive qualities in marijuana are minimal to non-existent. The destructive health factors are minimal as well. I did watch one documentary where they did a study somewhere in Europe and their findings were that long term pot usage could cause brain damage. But my recollection was that you have to smoke a hell of a lot of weed for that to happen.
    One concern I see is that while pot might not be a gateway drug if we legalize pot does that become a gateway to legalizing other drugs? Sounds crazy now but you and I both know that such things don't just end. Once pot gets legalized the calls will eventually come to legalize something else. It's a hypothetical but it's one thing that comes to mind.

    This post was edited by cockfool on 7/20/2012 at 9:21 AM

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    cockfool

  • cockfool said...

    I can't really think of any. It's no worse than alcohol and perhaps not as bad. Also, and correct me if I'm wrong here, the addictive qualities in marijuana are minimal to non-existent. The destructive health factors are minimal as well. I did watch one documentary where they did a study somewhere in Europe and their findings were that long term pot usage could cause brain damage. But my recollection was that you have to smoke a hell of a lot of weed for that to happen. One concern I see is that while pot might not be a gateway drug if we legalize pot does that become a gateway to legalizing other drugs? Sounds crazy now but you and I both know that such things don't just end. Once pot gets legalized the calls will eventually come to legalize something else. It's a hypothetical but it's one thing that comes to mind.

    I don't think Marijuana is physically addictive. People continue to smoke it because they like it, but there are no withdrawals, etc if you decide to quit.

    As far as health affects, I don't think it is any worse than cigarettes. If it is, this is probably because of the lack of filters in joints.

    I suppose you have a point about leading to legalization of other drugs, but I think the amount of people out there pushing for Cocaine or heroine legalization is fairly small.

    signature image signature image signature image

    "Madness is rare in individuals - but in groups, parties, nations, and ages it is the rule." - Friedrich Nietzsche

    joetheogre

  • joetheogre said...

    I don't think Marijuana is physically addictive. People continue to smoke it because they like it, but there are no withdrawals, etc if you decide to quit.

    As far as health affects, I don't think it is any worse than cigarettes. If it is, this is probably because of the lack of filters in joints.

    I suppose you have a point about leading to legalization of other drugs, but I think the amount of people out there pushing for Cocaine or heroine legalization is fairly small.

    I'm pretty sure that weed is far less of a health risk than cigarettes. No carcinogens and the like in marijuana.

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    cockfool

  • It'll never happen. Makes too much sense.

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    81 Alumnus

  • joetheogre said...

    Alcohol is just as much of a gateway drug. A lot of people take cocaine for the first time while drunk.

    I think a large part of the "gateway drug" phenomenon is also tied into the fact that you have to deal with criminals to buy marijuana. If you could pick up some joints at an Exxon, I don't think it would be as much of an issue.

    The gateway phenomenon is anecdotal at best, especially the notion that many take cocaine for the first time while drunk ... many more use cocaine for the first time while being high on marijuana. I knew of people who used cocaine for the first while smoking cigarettes.

    I don't believe the phenomenon is directly cause and effect that you had to deal with a criminal to buy marijuana. I believe it is more often associated with using one substance and then progressing to another substance considered to be “higher’ up on the ladder of evil.

    Even though you are correct, to buy marijuana you must deal with criminals, however I feel the term is being stretched somewhat. Many buy marijuana from their friends which would still technically make them a criminal but I hardly would consider them on par with Scarface.

    johnhunt

  • johnhunt said...

    The gateway phenomenon is anecdotal at best, especially the notion that many take cocaine for the first time while drunk ... many more use cocaine for the first time while being high on marijuana. I knew of people who used cocaine for the first while smoking cigarettes.

    I don't believe the phenomenon is directly cause and effect that you had to deal with a criminal to buy marijuana. I believe it is more often associated with using one substance and then progressing to another substance considered to be “higher’ up on the ladder of evil.

    Even though you are correct, to buy marijuana you must deal with criminals, however I feel the term is being stretched somewhat. Many buy marijuana from their friends which would still technically make them a criminal but I hardly would consider them on par with Scarface.

    Dealers tend to "push" their product. If you are a regular customer they are likely to try and persuade you to buy cocaine or some other drug to get you buying that regularly. Since as you mentioned a lot of dealers are some sort of friend, all it takes is for them to get you a few drinks or whatever and they can get you to try it. In a world where marijuana is legalized, this won't happen because people would be buying marijuana at a Walgreens and not from your friends high school buddy, Ray.

    signature image signature image signature image

    "Madness is rare in individuals - but in groups, parties, nations, and ages it is the rule." - Friedrich Nietzsche

    joetheogre

  • I agree and also give me one good reason why the drinking age is 21?

    redfisherman

  • joetheogre said...

    And I say this as someone who has never smoked in his life.

    If you are going to say that marijuana is dangerous to society and that it leads to other bad activities, then you have to also support a ban on alcohol.

    The fact is marijuana's prohibition, much like Prohibition in the 20s and early 30s, isn't stopping anyone and is criminalizing users of a relatively harmless substance. This isn't even to mention the enormous economic boon marijuana legalization would provide.

    FDR pushed for Prohibiton's reversal to get us out of the Great Depression. Perhaps Marijuana legalization could help our current economy.

    My reason is so that we don't have a bunch of stoner's walking around all the time.

    In all honesty though, as long as it is regulated I have no problem with it. In most places where it is legal, you have to buy from a licensed seller, you can't smoke in public and transporting more than a certain amount will get you a few nights in the slammer. I honestly don't think that would be to hard to enforce and it would kill a large part of the Mexican cartels business. I also think you'd see a lot less cocaine and heroin crossing the borders. The demand would shrink considerably.

    EarshotCock

  • redfisherman said...

    I agree and also give me one good reason why the drinking age is 21?

    This one I do take serious issue with. 18 year olds associate with 15 and 16 year olds. The way our society is moving, children are less and less mature with every generation. They make worse decisions every year. At 21 there is a lot smaller likelihood that a 15 or 16 year old is attaining alcohol from someone who can legally purchase it.

    EarshotCock

  • johnhunt said...

    The gateway phenomenon is anecdotal at best, especially the notion that many take cocaine for the first time while drunk ... many more use cocaine for the first time while being high on marijuana. I knew of people who used cocaine for the first while smoking cigarettes.

    I don't believe the phenomenon is directly cause and effect that you had to deal with a criminal to buy marijuana. I believe it is more often associated with using one substance and then progressing to another substance considered to be “higher’ up on the ladder of evil.

    Even though you are correct, to buy marijuana you must deal with criminals, however I feel the term is being stretched somewhat. Many buy marijuana from their friends which would still technically make them a criminal but I hardly would consider them on par with Scarface.

    As far as Gateway goes, the line I always use is 99.999999% of cocaine and heroin users drank milk. Is milk a gateway drug? It's like giving the rooster credit for the sunrise.

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    81 Alumnus

  • lawmakers who appear soft on crime (ie those who push legalization) lose elections.

    also keep in mind that drug offenses are a cash crop for MANY MANY attorneys. And the legislators who make the laws are very often attorneys.

    This post was edited by dutch30805 on 7/20/2012 at 11:55 AM

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    "Crito, I owe a cock to Asclepius; will you remember to pay the debt?"

    dutch30805

  • the flip side of this coin is look at all the good legalizing would do:

    1) all that trouble in mexico would go away since we no longer need their weed.
    2) much of the trouble in urban areas and elsewhere would go away because "drug deals" will no longer be necessary sinec weed can be purchased at gas station
    3) fda could regulate the stuff to assure safety, consistency of product.
    4) taxes could be levied like on alcohol, tobacco, etc
    5) GOOD people who smoke weed won't have to spend their hard earne dmoney and get warehoused in some stinky jail with REAL criminals.

    signature image signature image

    "Crito, I owe a cock to Asclepius; will you remember to pay the debt?"

    dutch30805

  • dutch30805 said...

    lawmakers who appear soft on crime (ie those who push legalization) lose elections.

    also keep in mind that drug offenses are a cash crop for MANY MANY attorneys. And the legislators who make the laws are very often attorneys.

    And getting bigger by the minute is the private prison industry, And they throw money around like candy.

    You and I may disagree on a lot, but I think we've both been around long enough to know to follow the money if you want answers.

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    81 Alumnus

  • EarshotCock said...

    This one I do take serious issue with. 18 year olds associate with 15 and 16 year olds. The way our society is moving, children are less and less mature with every generation. They make worse decisions every year. At 21 there is a lot smaller likelihood that a 15 or 16 year old is attaining alcohol from someone who can legally purchase it.

    I can't agree with you on this. I don't see the magic (logic) of "21". If the reason is because 18 year olds associate with 15 and 16 year olds, then I assume 21 year olds associate with 18 year olds. Why not raise the legal age to 25 or 30? Well I guess that has been tried before, here and everyone in our world and outlawing adults from drinking just makes for more outlaws. I guess all the outlaws we have now between the age of 18 and 21 are one hell of a cash cow too. I do not understand how we can pick and choose rights given to adults - or when it suits us possibly try a juvenile as an "adult" - that's a hell of a deal.

    redfisherman

  • EarshotCock said...

    My reason is so that we don't have a bunch of stoner's walking around all the time.

    In all honesty though, as long as it is regulated I have no problem with it. In most places where it is legal, you have to buy from a licensed seller, you can't smoke in public and transporting more than a certain amount will get you a few nights in the slammer....

    Here's something you can put in your pipe and smoke - except in San Francisco

    (KCBS - SF) San Francisco is considering a strict outdoor smoking ban – Except For Medical Marijuana

    johnhunt

  • EarshotCock said...

    My reason is so that we don't have a bunch of stoner's walking around all the time.

    In all honesty though, as long as it is regulated I have no problem with it. In most places where it is legal, you have to buy from a licensed seller, you can't smoke in public and transporting more than a certain amount will get you a few nights in the slammer. I honestly don't think that would be to hard to enforce and it would kill a large part of the Mexican cartels business. I also think you'd see a lot less cocaine and heroin crossing the borders. The demand would shrink considerably.

    Regulate it just like alcohol, only difference is that you can't smoke it in public. Has to be in a home or at a club with a special license.

    signature image signature image signature image

    "Madness is rare in individuals - but in groups, parties, nations, and ages it is the rule." - Friedrich Nietzsche

    joetheogre

  • dutch30805 said...

    the flip side of this coin is look at all the good legalizing would do:

    1) all that trouble in mexico would go away since we no longer need their weed. 2) much of the trouble in urban areas and elsewhere would go away because "drug deals" will no longer be necessary sinec weed can be purchased at gas station 3) fda could regulate the stuff to assure safety, consistency of product. 4) taxes could be levied like on alcohol, tobacco, etc 5) GOOD people who smoke weed won't have to spend their hard earne dmoney and get warehoused in some stinky jail with REAL criminals.

    Exactly. All are benefits. Not to mention the boon this would be to rural Appalachian areas that have a climate perfect for growing.

    signature image signature image signature image

    "Madness is rare in individuals - but in groups, parties, nations, and ages it is the rule." - Friedrich Nietzsche

    joetheogre

  • Big Pharma and private prison industry lobbyists

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    JackmanUSC

  • JackmanUSC said...

    Big Pharma and private prison industry lobbyists

    Unfortunately you are probably right.

    signature image signature image signature image

    "Madness is rare in individuals - but in groups, parties, nations, and ages it is the rule." - Friedrich Nietzsche

    joetheogre

  • I'd rather be on the phone with a stoner then a drinker, or even worse a texter

    97srad750

  • I've only smoked a few times in my life, but I think it should be legalized. That said, one reason I 'get it' not being legal - smoking and driving can be dangerous, however, to my knowledge, there aren't any systems/equipment that can quickly identify if someone has been smoking, how much they've smoked, etc(like a breathlyzer can do for alcohol).

    I do think the revenue generated from legalizing it could be enormous. If California were to do it, I think it could bring them back from all of their financial woes. Allow companies to package it, tax the begeezus out of it and let people over 18(or 21) purchase it from gas stations and grocery stores. I think the vast majority of people would pay more for it if it meant convenience and in a safe setting.

    Many anti-legal arguments center around - well, if you make it legal, the street thugs will turn to selling more coke or heroin, etc. And I think this is a stupid stance.

    Make it legal, tax it like crazy and let all of those 'criminals' out of jail for stupid majiuana charges.

    europhilz

  • europhilz said...

    I've only smoked a few times in my life, but I think it should be legalized. That said, one reason I 'get it' not being legal - smoking and driving can be dangerous, however, to my knowledge, there aren't any systems/equipment that can quickly identify if someone has been smoking, how much they've smoked, etc(like a breathlyzer can do for alcohol).

    I do think the revenue generated from legalizing it could be enormous. If California were to do it, I think it could bring them back from all of their financial woes. Allow companies to package it, tax the begeezus out of it and let people over 18(or 21) purchase it from gas stations and grocery stores. I think the vast majority of people would pay more for it if it meant convenience and in a safe setting.

    Many anti-legal arguments center around - well, if you make it legal, the street thugs will turn to selling more coke or heroin, etc. And I think this is a stupid stance.

    Make it legal, tax it like crazy and let all of those 'criminals' out of jail for stupid majiuana charges.

    Sell it in bars too and you no longer need bouncers. Stoned guys are the most non-violent people on the planet. You'd never see a guy in a bar get all bowed up while stoned and say "Duuuude. You stepped on my shooooeeeee. I'm goona kick your assss brah.".

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    cockfool

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