marijuana legalization

[Xairmo]

I think it should be legalized, taxed, and have a legal age to use. I think Luck said pretty much everything I think on the matter. I'm pretty sure it's less harmful than alcohol [don't quote me on that though] and it's a less addictive drug. I think if it were to be taxed it could help out the economy. Personally I think if alcohol is legal in America, I see no reason why marijuana shouldn't be as well.

@Amachi: I find your post rather asinine. I've tried pot a few times before and my IQ has stayed in the same place, in fact I even managed to graduate high school a year early. I suppose to you that means I'm a "dumb teenager"? Have you ever even tried pot? Better yet, have you ever actually seen someone who was high? Or do you just base your assumptions off of the over-the-top exaggerations of today's media?

 

[Guillermo]

Although I'm Australian, I believe it should be legalised. A lot of kids do it because it's against the law. Even my father, who's a cop, believes it should be legalised. It's one of the more healthier drugs, anyway.

And to the people stating that an addiction to one drug leads to another, they'd still do it if it was illegal all the same as if it was legal. If it's against the law, kids still won't care. That's how screwed up our society is.

 

[doesn't matter]

@Amachi: I find your post rather asinine. I've tried pot a few times before and my IQ has stayed in the same place, in fact I even managed to graduate high school a year early. I suppose to you that means I'm a "dumb teenager"? Have you ever even tried pot? Better yet, have you ever actually seen someone who was high? Or do you just base your assumptions off of the over-the-top exaggerations of today's media?

No, you are a dumb teenager for taking such a risk in the first place.

Why does any of that matter? It still doesn't hide the fact that the drug can have a negative impact on the human body. Or am I supposed to be embarrassed because I'm not as cool as you are?

I suppose I should correct myself as well, since of course the drug won't have the same impact on every person, but that's like saying cigarettes are fine because not everyone who smokes them gets cancer.

Don't just base your assumptions off your own personal and anecdotal experiences.

 

[Ho-Oh]

Wait what. Most of the people actually want it legalised? Who cares not as harmless as the other drugs. It's still bad. It reminds me of people with mental illnesses, denying they have one. Like drug addicts, denying that it causes problems for them. Maybe cause... idk, maybe drugs limit your ability to think? Oh of course not, it couldn't be that!

Okay so... in English, we were forced to study a novel about a teenage girl who died due to the effects of drugs. People in my class read it. They stated that it made them cautious, but they still took them. Society is just stupid. It's like drunk driving, smoking... if it can kill you, why bother? -- Oh no, this reminds me of my post in the big red button thread. XD; Yeah totally wouldn't support this in any country~

Also Ray, you're awesome.

 

[Saltare.]

I think it'd be stupid to legalize marijuna. My friend Steven smokes weed in his closet -_-" And this is comming from a 13 yr old...

If they want to smoke weed leagally and buy it at a coffee shop, go to Amsterdam.

 

[Xairmo]

No, you are a dumb teenager for taking such a risk in the first place.

Why does any of that matter? It still doesn't hide the fact that the drug can have a negative impact on the human body. Or am I supposed to be embarrassed because I'm not as cool as you are?

I suppose I should correct myself as well, since of course the drug won't have the same impact on every person, but that's like saying cigarettes are fine because not everyone who smokes them gets cancer.

Don't just base your assumptions off your own personal and anecdotal experiences.

No, you're supposed to be embarrassed for assuming that it's been left up to you to judge those of us who have tried marijuana because you're just that much better than us all. You can't go around labeling everyone who has tried pot as "dumb", it's not fair or true.

Yes cigarettes have negative effects, but if people of legal age to consent choose to use them than that's their choice. I think the same can be said for those of us who have chosen to smoke pot, as long as we do it in a safe environment and don't make ourselves a danger to anyone else.

 

[Blue Nocturne]

The main reason the use of cannabis can be linked to later use of more harmful drugs is because it is illegal, meaning users will have to get them from a drug dealer, who will try to sell other drugs.

Secondly, making cannabis legal isn't supporting it, look at nicotine and alcohol (legal drugs which are roughly on par with, or more dangerous than marijuana), they are legal, but no one official suggests you take them. If people want to take them and reap all the negative effects of the drug, then that is their problem, just as it is when someone takes the risk of taking alcohol, nicotine, or any drug for that matter. Look at amsterdam, where it is legal to take cannabis, is everyone high there? No. It is because it is illegal that taking it supposedly makes you look cool

 

[blink.]

Marijuana has been linked to disruption in brain development. So if dumb teenagers like yourselves try out the drug, then you're not ever going to get any smarter.

Do you expect this statement to count?

In addition, the abuse of one drug often leads to the abuse of others, and so legalising it would only encourage such harmful behaviour.

ah the gate theory. you know, when kids are doing illegal things, such as weed, isnt it easy for them to get a connect to something else ILLEGAL? but if marijuana is decriminalized, people can get it legally. and when you do things LEGALLY, youre not so apt to run into ILLEGAL things.

 

[Dawn]

As long as I don't have to breath other people's poor choices...

But the whole it's not harmful thing needs to die before I'll say okay.

But then again people pretend cigarettes aren't bad sometimes too. <.<

All I know is a simple google search on "Marijuana side effects" tells me that "they are potentially not dangerous" is a pretty hard twist.

 

[Rogue planet]

The 'law' should be spending it's time and effort going against real criminals. I think people should have the freedom to do whatever they want to themselves.

 

[ruby]

I say keep it illegal, It'd be too weird if my parents started smoking it with me.

 

[Jordan]

There are all kind of stuff you hear about weed these days: it cures earache (or all pain for that matter), increases concentration, less dangerous than alcohol (or just 100% harmless), and just a drug that is a miracle in itself.

Fact of the matter is, marijuana was banned in the first place for a reason. It's harmful to the brain and society as well, for those who recluses themselves to smoke it. The Netherlands have experienced problems with a large number of elementary school kids who went to local shops to buy marijuana and drugs like it, particularly in Rotterdam and Amsterdam. Oh, and unlike alcohol, marijuana has never been a part of society that has a history of being important to culture while taken in moderation.

While going after kids who smoke marijuana should not be the number one priority of the law, it doesn't make any more sense to legalize it because of that either.

 

[Dawson]

No, you are a dumb teenager for taking such a risk in the first place.

Why does any of that matter? It still doesn't hide the fact that the drug can have a negative impact on the human body. Or am I supposed to be embarrassed because I'm not as cool as you are?

I suppose I should correct myself as well, since of course the drug won't have the same impact on every person, but that's like saying cigarettes are fine because not everyone who smokes them gets cancer.

Don't just base your assumptions off your own personal and anecdotal experiences.

Yet, cigarettes are legal. So is alcohol. Both of which, like marijuana, can have a negative impact. Yet, if used moderately, alcohol and marijuana aren't likely to cause any real damage.

I honestly couldn't care less if marijuana is legalized or not. The people who wanna use it are gonna use it. I don't see how it is any worse than alcohol. I've met plenty of drunks before and the majority of them are loud, brash and generally a lit fuse, just waiting to start a fight. The stoners I've met are too relaxed to even think about causing trouble to other people.

So for that reason, weed should be mandatory with meals. Then the entire world will be totally chilled out and happy. Look at that, I've just found the solution to almost every crime imaginable. :D

And no, I don't smoke weed.

 

[twocows]

@blink.
Wow, you went against your own rules there, Chet.

As for me, no, I believe it shouldn't be legalized for anything but medicinal uses, if such uses can be found. It doesn't help in any way, and in the end, everyone would be abusing it, nothing would get done.

On a similar note, we should ban tobacco as well, as that's just overall bad for your health and for those around you. I don't care if you think you look cool smoking, you can go to another country that has it legalized. I'm not going to get lung cancer just so you can look cool.

And that's my two cents.

Banning widely used products is a great idea. It has just worked out so well in the past, right? I'm fine with a ban from closed spaces (like restaurants and stuff), but don't be ridiculous.

Anyway, I see the "war on drugs" to be a useless war, much like the "war on piracy" that the MPAA/RIAA seem to be trying to wage right now. You close down one tracker, five more spring up in its place. Same thing with pot; as long as the demand is there, people will be getting around it. Learn to adapt to new things and make money off of them instead of making laws that nobody will ever listen to. This is basically prohibition all over again: the laws are relatively unenforceable and the payoff is far greater than the risk, so people just ignore the laws, which breeds disrespect for laws that may actually be important. The only difference from the alcohol prohibition is that this prohibition makes the politicians look good instead of like fools; it gets them re-elected, so they keep it going instead of repealing it.

The potential positive benefits of legalizing marijuana are simply ludicrous. The government could strike a critical blow to organized crime and get a huge source of taxable business at the same time. The only problem is that it doesn't get the politicians votes, so nothing happens. This is more symptomatic of a flawed system of government than anything. I'd love to see a complete upheaval of the US government system into something more sane, but that's impossible with the army as strong as it is these days. Oh well. :/

As a side note, I've never smoked anything, marijuana or tobacco included.

 

[Luck]

Wait what. Most of the people actually want it legalised? Who cares not as harmless as the other drugs. It's still bad. It reminds me of people with mental illnesses, denying they have one. Like drug addicts, denying that it causes problems for them. Maybe cause... idk, maybe drugs limit your ability to think? Oh of course not, it couldn't be that!

Okay so... in English, we were forced to study a novel about a teenage girl who died due to the effects of drugs. People in my class read it. They stated that it made them cautious, but they still took them. Society is just stupid. It's like drunk driving, smoking... if it can kill you, why bother? -- Oh no, this reminds me of my post in the big red button thread. XD; Yeah totally wouldn't support this in any country~

Also Ray, you're awesome.

Sorry gurl, but based on your logic, eating too much meat is bad(I'm not trying to get into an entire other discussion about what is healthier, we can see what happened there), since a king died of indigestion from it. Alcohol should be banned, since so many people died of poisoning and car crashes, since we can clearly see what a great job we did last time in America. You neglect to mention the responsible people who know what to do, no matter how small their numbers are.

While going after kids who smoke marijuana should not be the number one priority of the law, it doesn't make any more sense to legalize it because of that either.

This post is accurate.
All of the serial killers and robbers can wait, because our children are buying things that they shouldn't be able to buy. As much as I want it to be legalised, there should be an age limit to when we can use it. If you knew how America was, a free country wouldn't be free if you don't have the right to do what you want with your own body. Hell, drugs are just shown as so bad that a red bull drink was banned because it had 0.4 micrograms of cocaine in it. That does absolutely nothing to your body, trust me.
Legal or not, people will still try it.

And just in case, marijuana does indeed have benefits. The US Institute of Medicine stated that marijuana can be helped to reduce pain, nausea, and appetite loss caused by advanced cancer and AIDS.
Both the US National Institute of Health and the British Medical Association concluded that marijuana is potentially useful as analgesics, antispasmodics, anti-emetics, appetite stimulants, and to treat epilepsy and glaucoma.
But I'm most likely wrong since you are just the absolute professional on everything there is to know.

 

[Ineffable~]

I have a mixed point of view on this. @.@

Just look at other European countries like the Netherlands. They are in a much better condition, and they have legalised marijuana.

Boo to that. The people who started this country didn't do so to be clones of Europe.

On a similar note, we should ban tobacco as well, as that's just overall bad for your health and for those around you. I don't care if you think you look cool smoking, you can go to another country that has it legalized. I'm not going to get lung cancer just so you can look cool.

^This. I see no problem if a person wants to legally use something that hurts himself, but when it negatively effects someone else against their will then that's a problem.

you see, people against marijuana tend to forget one thing; evidence. they claim it's so bad for you but when it comes down to it, it just plain isn't. it's been noted for having many, many positive health benefits, such as helping chemotherapy patients, or making those last few months for somebody terminally ill a lot easier. it's also been noted that those smoking marijuana are almost always happier with whre they are in their lives.



what's wrong qith 'abusing' it? it's potentially harmless, whereas you don't even have to smoke it nowadays. with almost no negative side effects except for munchies.

My big thing is side effect X: it's not about direct health effects; when people are high they do really, really stupid things. Also, if there's a non-smoking type of weed (chew or something), like you said, I would propose that it is allowed and smoking marijuana remains illegal.
And I almost think there may be a vague possibility that you use a little too many weasel words. D: Sorry if this offends you, however.

Oh I know it's "potentially" harmless and not addictive, but kids would be doing it at an earlier age just cause it's ok with the world and mommy, daddy, big brother and sister do it. This would form a mental addiction (much like internet or computer addiction) rather then a chemical one (nicotine), and they wouldn't do much with their life other then get a job to fuel their habit. In the end, the world slowly grows dumber cause of lower test scores and dropouts who get by just fine smoking pot in their bedroom, as mom and dad, coming from previous generations where it was legalized, are also to high to kick little Jimmy out of the house. It's not a problem we'll experience right away, but over time.

That makes sense. If marijuana becomes more public it would be easier to get. >_~>

From my experience, kids have a tendency to want to try things that aren't legal. The way I see it, kids will get used to its existence and it won't be so "cool" to get a hold of some.

That's also a big reason why I would want it legalized. d('~'d)

Marijuana has been linked to disruption in brain development. So if dumb teenagers like yourselves try out the drug, then you're not ever going to get any smarter.

</ad hominem>
That's all I need to say about your post.

If people want to do it, let them get on with it but warn them beforehand that their actions are their responsability alone — like how cigarette (tabacco) packets have to have warnings on themselves in my country, although they could do with taking up less space and in some cases being less graphic.

Believing that warning people of a negative side effect would prevent its use is a thought greatly predicated on the assumption that all people are stupid and can't take care of themselves. And I'm in realization that this is an objectionable statement, so I'll add this: no matter how stupid people are, they all can point out negative side effects of a drug; it's common sense even among the mentally bankrupt. I doubt there is anyone who has taken an overtly negative drug due in any large part to misinformation; if anything, the majority of people do it to be rebellious and to defy their parents' definition of "healthy", "safe", "advisable", "morally correct", etcetera, as well as to prove to themselves a substance, perspective, mentality, or will singular to that of their parents or other authority figures and family members. </run-on sentence>

Also, from what I've heard, drug dealers oppose the legalization because it'll interfere with their sales. I think I wouldn't like an idea if it could damage my only income too. If the US decides to legalize it, then smell you later, California.

Wait, what?

I think it'd be stupid to legalize marijuna. My friend Steven smokes weed in his closet -_-" And this is comming from a 13 yr old...

This only further promotes the opinion that legalizing marijuana would be advisable in its ability to erase the encouragement that prohibition provides. @｡@ Marijuana is illegal, and yet your friend Steven still has it, because he's willing to break the law for it.

 

[blink.]

oh right jordan, it most definitely causes brain damage. huh, whats that? oh, you mean to tell me that the "tests" they've conducted are ludicrous? you mean to tell me they strapped gas masks onto monkeys, and fed them straight THC for 15+ minutes, depriving them of oxygen, which if lacking for a certian period of time destroys brain cells?!??!? thats another negative side effect off the lsit. :3

hi decapitated goat, "when people are high they do really stupid things". hahahaha funny. withy our logic we might as well ban alcohol this instant. the effect of your so called "STUPIDITY" is induced in a far more potent state when consuming alcohol.

you see, the thing is, why can't it be legalized and used under the same conditions as alcohol/tobacco? why not have an age restriction, and rules; ie no driving under the influence?

 

[Luck]

I have a mixed point of view on this. @.@
Boo to that. The people who started this country didn't do so to be clones of Europe.

Yet they proudly adopt other systems, such as uniforms and [attempting] longer school hours, and we all see how giving kids more of what they don't want works out. Why not accept other systems if they work better?

Believing that warning people of a negative side effect would prevent its use is a thought greatly predicated on the assumption that all people are stupid and can't take care of themselves. And I'm in realization that this is an objectionable statement, so I'll add this: no matter how stupid people are, they all can point out negative side effects of a drug; it's common sense even among the mentally bankrupt. I doubt there is anyone who has taken an overtly negative drug due in any large part to misinformation; if anything, the majority of people do it to be rebellious and to defy their parents' definition of "healthy", "safe", "advisable", "morally correct", etcetera, as well as to prove to themselves a substance, perspective, mentality, or will singular to that of their parents or other authority figures and family members. </run-on sentence>

Peer pressure, there you go. Most people are in fact misinformed in one way or another.
People still smoke because it releases stress for them, no matter how harmless they may think it is.

</ad hominem>
That's all I need to say about your post.

I'm afraid not. Ad hominem is when you only insult people without giving evidence.
Calling you stupid is ad hominem.
Giving evidence to support your claim, and then calling you stupid is NOT ad hominem.

I say keep it illegal, It'd be too weird if my parents started smoking it with me.

Constructive post?

 

[twocows]

Wait what. Most of the people actually want it legalised? Who cares not as harmless as the other drugs. It's still bad. It reminds me of people with mental illnesses, denying they have one. Like drug addicts, denying that it causes problems for them. Maybe cause... idk, maybe drugs limit your ability to think? Oh of course not, it couldn't be that!

Okay so... in English, we were forced to study a novel about a teenage girl who died due to the effects of drugs. People in my class read it. They stated that it made them cautious, but they still took them. Society is just stupid. It's like drunk driving, smoking... if it can kill you, why bother? -- Oh no, this reminds me of my post in the big red button thread. XD; Yeah totally wouldn't support this in any country~

Also Ray, you're awesome.

Stay out of other peoples' lives, please. If you don't want to do things that harm yourself, more power to you. Don't force other people to do the same thing. We don't live forever anyway; if people want to screw themselves up later for a bit of fun now, that's their choice, NOT YOURS. I would like to note that more people die in driving accidents each year than from drug overdoses (and I can cite that if you really want); should we ban cars because someone might eventually die from a car crash?

^This. I see no problem if a person wants to legally use something that hurts himself, but when it negatively effects someone else against their will then that's a problem.

1. The effects of secondhand smoke are entirely overblown (feel free to cite your poorly conducted studies that "prove" me wrong here, it'll just force me to go to Google and find any of the equally numerous counter-studies that support my statement). While I do support a ban on smoking in closed spaces in public (restaurants, etc.), I don't do so because of some warped sense of self-health, I do it because it's annoying as hell to have to breathe in smoke when I'm trying to enjoy a meal or something.
2. From what I read, he was for a COMPLETE ban on smoking, which includes smoking outdoors or in the privacy of one's home. That's just flat-out absurd. Smoking indoors with other people around is one thing, but doing it in an open space or by yourself is harmless to others.

 

[Ineffable~]

If I may add, drug legalization usually = lower crime rates. Correct me if I'm wrong.

As Luck said, correlation≠causation.