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Should Marijuana Be Legalized Nationwide?
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Nov 26, 2013 09:17:57   #
RetNavyCWO Loc: VA suburb of DC
 
I'm not sure if this topic has ever been addressed on this forum, but the couple of posts about young black men's futures being derailed by drug convictions caused me to wonder what the folks on here think about the legalization of marijuana.

Since I started it, I'll go first: I think marijuana should be legalized. The law enforcement efforts to arrest and punish users costs society way too much. Legalizing it and taxing it not only saves those dollars, it also generates needed new revenues. Plus, marijuana is actually less harmful to the body than alcohol. By all means, severely punish those who drive while under the influence, just like alcohol. But let the casual user alone; he's not harming anyone.

What do you think?

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Nov 26, 2013 09:48:10   #
Tasine Loc: Southwest US
 
Yes, I also think marijuana should be legalized nationwide. It and the government's actions parallel what was done with alcohol. Attempts to control individuals' behavior didn't work then, doesn't work now. During prohibition a lot of money was wasted, people died, and nothing good was accomplished. Ditto for marijuana. People who love to control others never learn, and they repeat the same unworkable things over and over and over in their shameless attempt to rule the world.

If marijuana were legalized, crime would naturally be reduced. Police would be freed up to look into REAL crime. We could quite building more and more jails to house these "criminals". Most "drug related crimes" should be greatly reduced. Wouldn't decriminalizing ALL drugs remove most of the street crimes that currently exist?

I have never used marijuana, crack - any of the illegal substances. I've never suffered as a result of users except to help pay for their trials and their counseling and their incarcerations. I know some have suffered, but not sure how many have suffered from the use of marijuana - I would guess marijuana is safer for the individual and for society than is alcohol which is legal because the government was unable to control it. I would venture that MOST legislators USE ALCOHOL on a regular basis and would scream like banshees were it to be taken away from them.

Not just a word - also a basic belief
Not just a word - also a basic belief...

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Nov 26, 2013 10:05:51   #
Boo_Boo Loc: Jellystone
 
Tasine wrote:
Yes, I also think marijuana should be legalized nationwide. It and the government's actions parallel what was done with alcohol. Attempts to control individuals' behavior didn't work then, doesn't work now. During prohibition a lot of money was wasted, people died, and nothing good was accomplished. Ditto for marijuana. People who love to control others never learn, and they repeat the same unworkable things over and over and over in their shameless attempt to rule the world.

If marijuana were legalized, crime would naturally be reduced. Police would be freed up to look into REAL crime. We could quite building more and more jails to house these "criminals". Most "drug related crimes" should be greatly reduced. Wouldn't decriminalizing ALL drugs remove most of the street crimes that currently exist?

I have never used marijuana, crack - any of the illegal substances. I've never suffered as a result of users except to help pay for their trials and their counseling and their incarcerations. I know some have suffered, but not sure how many have suffered from the use of marijuana - I would guess marijuana is safer for the individual and for society than is alcohol which is legal because the government was unable to control it. I would venture that MOST legislators USE ALCOHOL on a regular basis and would scream like banshees were it to be taken away from them.
Yes, I also think marijuana should be legalized na... (show quote)


I have mixed feeling on this subject. On one hand I agree with you; too much is wasted trying to control drug use/users. On the other hand, the use of drugs only increase the burden on society. There is evidence that the use of marijuana is very harmful to your health, may alter DNA....among other things. But, you and I know that research studies and those results can be manipulated to "prove" the position of the researchers.

I am too health conscious to use drugs, but I know people who do. I have watched these people over the years change in personality and what I see is not good. Personality shifts, memory issues, and such. Who is to say it is all related to smoking weed, they may have been predisposed to those problems. Bottom line, I would not use the stuff, I would not want my children exposed to it and have severed friendships because of their drug use.

I am not convinced that legalizing marijuana would "free up" the police. There are some people who react badly to the substance, I think that domestic disturbances would increase, along with driving while impaired, not to mention the loss (in some people) of ambition. I do not really want to support another escape mechanism for people who refuse to deal with their problems.

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Nov 26, 2013 10:07:54   #
bluejacket
 
RetNavyCWO wrote:
I'm not sure if this topic has ever been addressed on this forum, but the couple of posts about young black men's futures being derailed by drug convictions caused me to wonder what the folks on here think about the legalization of marijuana.

Since I started it, I'll go first: I think marijuana should be legalized. The law enforcement efforts to arrest and punish users costs society way too much. Legalizing it and taxing it not only saves those dollars, it also generates needed new revenues. Plus, marijuana is actually less harmful to the body than alcohol. By all means, severely punish those who drive while under the influence, just like alcohol. But let the casual user alone; he's not harming anyone.

What do you think?
I'm not sure if this topic has ever been addressed... (show quote)


Yes legalize it and yes treat it like we do alcohol , here in Minnesota do not get caught driving under the influence of alcohol ,the police are very tough on it and if you are under the influence and you cause bodily harm to yourself or others you lose your license and are fined and when you get your license back you have to purchase special insurance and depending on the severity of the incident your license can be restricted , doing the same with marijuana would be the sane way to proceeed

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Nov 26, 2013 10:17:00   #
Tasine Loc: Southwest US
 
bluejacket wrote:
Yes legalize it and yes treat it like we do alcohol , here in Minnesota do not get caught driving under the influence of alcohol ,the police are very tough on it and if you are under the influence and you cause bodily harm to yourself or others you lose your license and are fined and when you get your license back you have to purchase special insurance and depending on the severity of the incident your license can be restricted , doing the same with marijuana would be the sane way to proceeed

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
That is EXACTLY how I feel drug use should be treated throughout the nation. ALLOW it, but punish crimes while under the influence just like we do when the drug is alcohol.

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Nov 26, 2013 10:21:51   #
bmac32 Loc: West Florida
 
Am like you, a fence sitter. Today's marijuana is much different from my day with 100's of different chemicals mixed in. Plain Jane is not much different than drinking but today it can kill you.


ginnyt wrote:
I have mixed feeling on this subject. On one hand I agree with you; too much is wasted trying to control drug use/users. On the other hand, the use of drugs only increase the burden on society. There is evidence that the use of marijuana is very harmful to your health, may alter DNA....among other things. But, you and I know that research studies and those results can be manipulated to "prove" the position of the researchers.

I am too health conscious to use drugs, but I know people who do. I have watched these people over the years change in personality and what I see is not good. Personality shifts, memory issues, and such. Who is to say it is all related to smoking weed, they may have been predisposed to those problems. Bottom line, I would not use the stuff, I would not want my children exposed to it and have severed friendships because of their drug use.

I am not convinced that legalizing marijuana would "free up" the police. There are some people who react badly to the substance, I think that domestic disturbances would increase, along with driving while impaired, not to mention the loss (in some people) of ambition. I do not really want to support another escape mechanism for people who refuse to deal with their problems.
I have mixed feeling on this subject. On one hand... (show quote)

Reply
Nov 26, 2013 10:23:29   #
Tasine Loc: Southwest US
 
ginnyt wrote:
I have mixed feeling on this subject. On one hand I agree with you; too much is wasted trying to control drug use/users. On the other hand, the use of drugs only increase the burden on society. There is evidence that the use of marijuana is very harmful to your health, may alter DNA....among other things. But, you and I know that research studies and those results can be manipulated to "prove" the position of the researchers.

I am too health conscious to use drugs, but I know people who do. I have watched these people over the years change in personality and what I see is not good. Personality shifts, memory issues, and such. Who is to say it is all related to smoking weed, they may have been predisposed to those problems. Bottom line, I would not use the stuff, I would not want my children exposed to it and have severed friendships because of their drug use.

I am not convinced that legalizing marijuana would "free up" the police. There are some people who react badly to the substance, I think that domestic disturbances would increase, along with driving while impaired, not to mention the loss (in some people) of ambition. I do not really want to support another escape mechanism for people who refuse to deal with their problems.
I have mixed feeling on this subject. On one hand... (show quote)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I don't argue with your comments, but I think when something isn't working (the war on drugs), it is time to reassess the issue. As to damage mj does, I think it is probably less harmful than the over-use of aspirin, laxatives, diet pills. I think that the criminalization of mj was based more on control than on any worries about health issues - after all, look what damages alcohol is responsible for. Alcohol and drugs are more emotional issues than health issues to the average American I believe. Actually I think the massive health industry is transforming "health" into a cult as well, and I disbelieve most of what I hear about this drug, that treatment, etc. And I am a retired registered nurse!

Reply
 
 
Nov 26, 2013 10:29:46   #
bmac32 Loc: West Florida
 
MJ is not the real problem, it's what it's mixed with and that kill people.


Tasine wrote:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I don't argue with your comments, but I think when something isn't working (the war on drugs), it is time to reassess the issue. As to damage mj does, I think it is probably less harmful than the over-use of aspirin, laxatives, diet pills. I think that the criminalization of mj was based more on control than on any worries about health issues - after all, look what damages alcohol is responsible for. Alcohol and drugs are more emotional issues than health issues to the average American I believe. Actually I think the massive health industry is transforming "health" into a cult as well, and I disbelieve most of what I hear about this drug, that treatment, etc. And I am a retired registered nurse!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ br I don't argue with your co... (show quote)

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Nov 26, 2013 10:37:59   #
Boo_Boo Loc: Jellystone
 
bmac32 wrote:
Am like you, a fence sitter. Today's marijuana is much different from my day with 100's of different chemicals mixed in. Plain Jane is not much different than drinking but today it can kill you.


Thank you, I was beginning to think that I was alone.... I think that it has to be looked at from all angles. If it could be managed, it could probably be no more of a health hazard than drinking. The addiction rate is higher than that of drinking and it is said that you increase your risk of heart attack more than 70 percent during the first hour of smoking. On the other hand, it has been used for a long time for the management of pain... I guess until there are better and more conclusive studies, I will remain on the fence.

Reply
Nov 26, 2013 10:39:01   #
rumitoid
 
RetNavyCWO wrote:
I'm not sure if this topic has ever been addressed on this forum, but the couple of posts about young black men's futures being derailed by drug convictions caused me to wonder what the folks on here think about the legalization of marijuana.

Since I started it, I'll go first: I think marijuana should be legalized. The law enforcement efforts to arrest and punish users costs society way too much. Legalizing it and taxing it not only saves those dollars, it also generates needed new revenues. Plus, marijuana is actually less harmful to the body than alcohol. By all means, severely punish those who drive while under the influence, just like alcohol. But let the casual user alone; he's not harming anyone.

What do you think?
I'm not sure if this topic has ever been addressed... (show quote)


I agree but it is still a tough question. There is definitely the case that what we are denied, intices. Look at Prohibition. Millions of people who lived decent, law-abiding lives and would not dream of criminal activity felt little or no qualms about getting alcohol. This attempt to moralize Americans laid the groundwork for criminal empires and the Cartels we have today. Stupid meddling.

Then we have the fiasco called The War of Drugs; we are worse off now than before we declared this so-called war. The idea was to drive up the price so high it would reduce users, except that the prices came down instead.

I will go a step further and say all drugs should be legalized and controlled like alcohol. Our prisons are jammed to overcrowding and millions of dollars are being wasted building new ones. Most states have laws that prohibit convicted felons from voting, so they become disaffected citizens. Plus the stigma makes getting a normal job difficult, add to that a struggling economy and what are their options? Then we have what they learn and who their new friends are from prison.

Fighting drugs is a huge Industry today, which would make legalization a very tough fight. Yet unless we do the hoard of barbarians we are steadily creating will already be inside the gates and ready for looting.

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Nov 26, 2013 10:44:47   #
Boo_Boo Loc: Jellystone
 
Tasine wrote:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I don't argue with your comments, but I think when something isn't working (the war on drugs), it is time to reassess the issue. As to damage mj does, I think it is probably less harmful than the over-use of aspirin, laxatives, diet pills. I think that the criminalization of mj was based more on control than on any worries about health issues - after all, look what damages alcohol is responsible for. Alcohol and drugs are more emotional issues than health issues to the average American I believe. Actually I think the massive health industry is transforming "health" into a cult as well, and I disbelieve most of what I hear about this drug, that treatment, etc. And I am a retired registered nurse!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ br I don't argue with your co... (show quote)


As I said, I am uncertain. I do not use any (to include aspirin) of the mentioned OTC medications. But, that is just me and I know that the abuse of these things is wide spread. I go to the doctor once each year for a checkup, but I am lucky to have no medical problems. I think that we need to look at the before and after results of other countries before we make a decision. You may be right and it is as benign as other "safe" methods of escapism, for me... I would not entertain the idea of personal use.

Reply
 
 
Nov 26, 2013 11:02:16   #
rumitoid
 
bmac32 wrote:
Am like you, a fence sitter. Today's marijuana is much different from my day with 100's of different chemicals mixed in. Plain Jane is not much different than drinking but today it can kill you.


The pharmaceutical brand, medical marijuana, does not have these chemicals, and that would be the way it could be legalized. Under controlled conditions, as in the production and distribution of alcohol, that problem would be averted. It is amazing the many varieties of this plant they have discovered and created when allowed to research.

Reply
Nov 26, 2013 11:23:13   #
MarvinSussman
 
RetNavyCWO wrote:
I'm not sure if this topic has ever been addressed on this forum, but the couple of posts about young black men's futures being derailed by drug convictions caused me to wonder what the folks on here think about the legalization of marijuana.

Since I started it, I'll go first: I think marijuana should be legalized. The law enforcement efforts to arrest and punish users costs society way too much. Legalizing it and taxing it not only saves those dollars, it also generates needed new revenues. Plus, marijuana is actually less harmful to the body than alcohol. By all means, severely punish those who drive while under the influence, just like alcohol. But let the casual user alone; he's not harming anyone.

What do you think?
I'm not sure if this topic has ever been addressed... (show quote)


I agree to the de-criminalization of marijuana (and all other drugs) for adults but we have to increase the penalties for adults who supply adolescents.

The drug trade will stop when the value of EVERY drug is reduced to near-zero. Compared to the financial and human cost of the Drug War, it would be cheaper to set up clinics where any certified addict could get a free fix and a meal under medical supervision leading to a cure, if possible.

That would end drug-fueled crime and the enormous cost of punishment. It would end gang turf wars, etc. The savings would finance all the clinics and the drugs.

The trouble with this world is that there are too many Puritans who want to save souls and end up causing more damage than they prevent. Didn't we learn anything from the Prohibition?

Reply
Nov 26, 2013 11:25:33   #
bmac32 Loc: West Florida
 
Not really sure I trust politicians to do the right thing and I don't trust Holder. Many I'm strong when it comes to that or I didn't do it long enough (5 years) and just stopped.


ginnyt wrote:
Thank you, I was beginning to think that I was alone.... I think that it has to be looked at from all angles. If it could be managed, it could probably be no more of a health hazard than drinking. The addiction rate is higher than that of drinking and it is said that you increase your risk of heart attack more than 70 percent during the first hour of smoking. On the other hand, it has been used for a long time for the management of pain... I guess until there are better and more conclusive studies, I will remain on the fence.
Thank you, I was beginning to think that I was alo... (show quote)

Reply
Nov 26, 2013 11:39:01   #
bmac32 Loc: West Florida
 
Democrats would not do that, it's freedom of choice and like health care they would want to control it.


MarvinSussman wrote:
I agree to the de-criminalization of marijuana (and all other drugs) for adults but we have to increase the penalties for adults who supply adolescents.

The drug trade will stop when the value of EVERY drug is reduced to near-zero. Compared to the financial and human cost of the Drug War, it would be cheaper to set up clinics where any certified addict could get a free fix and a meal under medical supervision leading to a cure, if possible.

That would end drug-fueled crime and the enormous cost of punishment. It would end gang turf wars, etc. The savings would finance all the clinics and the drugs.

The trouble with this world is that there are too many Puritans who want to save souls and end up causing more damage than they prevent. Didn't we learn anything from the Prohibition?
I agree to the de-criminalization of marijuana (an... (show quote)

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