Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Welcome to Unto The Breach.

Join us! http://s6.zetaboards.com/Unto_The_Breach/register/

If you are already a member log in below


Username:   Password:
Add Reply
  • Pages:
  • 1
Legalizing the use of Marijuana; let the controversy begin
Topic Started: Nov 21 2004, 02:14 PM (479 Views)
54thparallel
No Avatar
Duchess
I see nothing wrong with making the possession of small quantities of marijuana (for personal use) or the growing of such, legal.
I don't believe that marijuana use contributes to harder drug use just as beer drinking doesn't necessarily result in alcoholism.


Legalize the personal use of marijuana!

Your thoughts?
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Psycmeistr
No Avatar
Keeper of the Realm
Well one thing is certain. The legalization of marijuana will become a cash cow for the government who will tax it, and the trial lawyers who will pursue the same avenues as withthe tobacco companies when some idiot cries foul from "not knowing the harmful side effects" before using the product.

So from the Rial Lwayer's point of view, Yeee-hawwww~~
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
lonewolf57
No Avatar
Leader of the Pack
Small quantities for personal use,say no more than an ounce would be ok with me,but the person still should be fined for it,get a simple citation, pay up by the required date or face gradually higher fines.No jail time for simple possesion.Any over an ounce would be considered dealing in it,along with the penalties/jail.Along with that, a 'on the spot' dope check,much like a alcohol breathilizer should be administered, if caught with it while driving.Driving under the influence of dope should carry the same harsh penalties as alcohol.

I used to smoke it,gave it up years ago but have some family members/friends who still do.The seedy aspects of the marijuana trade should be stopped once and for all.Strictly control it.Tax it,get rid of most of the criminal element.Those who continue to deal/manufacture it should go to jail just like a moonshiner with alcohol or a cigarette smuggler.

And all the revenue should go strictly for paying down our national debt.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Jim Miller
Member Avatar
Village Lamplighter
I have a problem with making it legal to mess up your mind to the point of inflicting harm on someone else. Harm to families, driving under the influence, additional societal costs for those things mentioned.

Is it safe to assume that those in favor would permit their children to use it?

Naw, we have enough problems without adding to them.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
54thparallel
No Avatar
Duchess
How about legalizing it like tobacco or alcohol. Put an age limit on it? Tax the heck out of it, as others have said, and let the government make some $$ of users?

For those apposed to the legalization, how about outlawing alcohol too?
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Psycmeistr
No Avatar
Keeper of the Realm
Hey Hey Hey--not may macanudos! :nono
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
wolfe59
No Avatar
Pack Master
Being more closely tied to the libertarian party, I say legalize it all. What one does in his home is none of my business as long as it doesn't interfer with my or anyones elses rights. Its when that person comes out of his home and causes harm to others that it becomes societies problem, just like alcohol.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
lonewolf57
No Avatar
Leader of the Pack
54th
Quote:
 
:For those apposed to the legalization, how about outlawing alcohol too?

We tried that,with disastrous results.The criminals got rich,while the government and Elliot Ness had to put up with Al Capone,speaks easys,mafia and smugglers.It did'nt work then and it would'nt now.

Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Silent Angel
No Avatar
Purveyor of Handcuffs
Marijuana, like alcohol, is a drug and is addictive. We have enough problems with alcoholics and drunk driving; adding more legalized drugs just adds fuel to the fire. Look at the problems in Amsterdam where they legalized the selling of drugs. There are more deaths in the near by park. I wouldn’t have a problem with it being legalized for medical use and controlled by a licensed physician. Either way, there will be those who will abuse it, just like with alcohol.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
lonewolf57
No Avatar
Leader of the Pack
Tax it and let the dope smokers help pay for health care also.The possibilities are endless.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Silent Angel
No Avatar
Purveyor of Handcuffs
:yeahthat But then again, we're back to were we are right now. Smuggling and drug lords.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
54thparallel
No Avatar
Duchess
So two rights make a wrong - legalized marajuana & alcohol? or

two wrongs make a right - make them both illegal?


One bad apple spoils the bunch. There are many that abuse alcohol just as their are many that abuse drugs.

Why can't current practices be changed and I don't buy they tried it in the 20's.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
eb belote
No Avatar
Sage of the Realm
diein with dignity is ilegal to
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Jack of 32
No Avatar
Old Man of the Sea, Ruler of the Realm
I have not used it, so can't speak about it's effect. But, I have read stories of people on chemo for cancer that say it stops the side effects of chemo. It was voted in CA okay with a doctors prescription, but the courts took care of it ever becoming law. I think if I ever got the Big C and had to take chemo treatments, I would sure try hard to find a source for it.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
TennesseeT
No Avatar
Marchioness du Nashville
Jim Miller
Nov 21 2004, 04:14 PM
Is it safe to assume that those in favor would permit their children to use it?


I would like to hear some people reply to Jim Miller's question.

We have laws restricting alcohol and tobacco use untill a certain age.
We must think it is dangerous/harmful to our youth. I always wondered why we think when we hit the magic age of 21 it suddenly isn't so harmful to us. Oh I know what some will say....we are supposed to use moderation. Must be we worry moderation can't really be handled or why would we have to restrict youth?

So, I would like to know, If you do smoke pot, does your child know? Do you smoke in front of them? Would you if it were legal? Would you let your child use pot?
.

I really like Psycmeistr's take on this.
Quote: "Well one thing is certain. The legalization of marijuana will become a cash cow for the government who will tax it, and the trial lawyers who will pursue the same avenues as withthe tobacco companies when some idiot cries foul from "not knowing the harmful side effects" before using the product.

So from the Rial Lwayer's point of view, Yeee-hawwww~~ "

I know you got that right!!!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
SPIKEFISH
Unregistered

The cost of marijuana law enforcement, and the incarceration of people possessing small amounts is enormous. Legalize it for personal use. What amounts to "personal use" is a big question.

Have to watch-out though, the next thing being touted for legalization would be coke, heroin, etc. Definitely not a good idea.

The bad thing about current laws is that many companies test their employees for drug use. Marijuana stays in your system for about a month, hard drugs only a few days. Many people has lost their jobs for smoking a doobie, but others skate by using hard drugs, because of the time element.

Legalize it.
Quote Post Goto Top
 
lonewolf57
No Avatar
Leader of the Pack
For those who use MJ,the employment drug test is their worry.You smoke a doob ,be prepared for the consequences in any form.I can assure anyone on this board than marijuana is just as easy to procure as is a bottle of liquor.Just because its not legal does'nt mean crap.I have no doubt that law enforcement ..ie: the Alcohol Tobacco Firearms squad knows this.Its mostly bought/sold among the common general populace and they'd be quite busy busting every lawyer,doctor,politician and the rest of the citizenry who posess it.They're not dealers though.The 'bad' guys are making a killing $$$$$$$$$$$$$.Better we put those dollars to good use.Just my opinion as a conservative.

Take the criminality out of it.Legalize,tax it.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
reboots
No Avatar
Cobbler of the Realm
Legalize small amounts--less than the quantity for trafficking. It's pretty absurd to make possession a criminal offense.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
colo_crawdad
No Avatar
Knight of the Realm
reboots
Nov 21 2004, 06:00 PM
Legalize small amounts--less than the quantity for trafficking. It's pretty absurd to make possession a criminal offense.

It occurs to me that if it were made legal to purchase and possess small quantities, then it would have to be legal for some folks to possess higher amounts from which one could purchase the small amounts. :)

The difference is that with legalization, "trafficking" could be taken out of the n=hands of criminals just as happened with the repeal of prohibition.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
lonewolf57
No Avatar
Leader of the Pack
'Some folks' would be manufacturers, under the 'watchful' eye of government
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
reboots
No Avatar
Cobbler of the Realm
Some states already have taxes required to be paid by dealers. Imposing taxes on illegal activity is not much different than allowing dealers to operate.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
RTWINGER
No Avatar
Marquis du Nashville
A lot of the arguments in favor of legalization tout the advantages of taxing the product and using the money for some “good cause”. This argument was used a lot here in Tennessee to justify the lottery which recently started. I often joked that the lottery was the only way there was to get poor people to pay their fair share.

I will admit to buying one power ball quick pick per drawing. That costs me $2 a week and has no effect on my lifestyle. I have seen people buying $50+ in tickets and knew that they couldn’t afford it. I figure that since only one can win if you buy more than that you are getting guarantied losers. I sure can’t afford enough to have any effect on the odds of winning.

To get back to the point MJ, alcohol, drugs, and internet forums can all be addictive and can ruin a life or provide a nice diversion or way to unwind.

My point is that the fact the Government can collect tax money is a lousy reason to legalize anything.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
slobote
No Avatar
Realm Ferrymaster
I tried it once when I was 16 and had hallucinations. Never tried it again. The thing that frustrates me is that 40% of the people in prison in the USA are for drug crimes. If you take the cost of law enforcement, the court system, the prison system, you wind up with a cost that is unimaginable. We have been spending more of tax payers money on this problem for over thirty years and have accomplished ZIP. We give Columbia millions to stop the drug trade but most of it goes into the pockets of the crooked Columbian politicians.

Legalize and more money for rehabilitation for those who do not sell it.

slobote
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Wilber1
No Avatar
Master of Equines
I really don't care whether they legalize it as long as they can come up with some sort of road side test like a breathalyser to check for impairment. Legalizing possession but keeping the production and sale illegal is just plain nuts. All you will do is make it even more lucrative for the producers than it already is. How is that going to reduce organized crime?
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
OzarkPreacher
No Avatar
Sir Lancelot
I'm a little late to this debate but I see no reason to legalize a hallucenogenic drug that has at best been slightly beneficial to some . I believ if it is going to be leglaized then the ones who use it should forfeit their drivers license and gun permits in order to have access to the dope. I for one don't like the thought of some toked up pothead driving down the road and killing me or my family.

Alcohol? Suit me fine if every producer of any alcoholic beverage world wide went bankrupt and closed the doors tonight. I have seen and witnessed the devastation of it first hand too many times to count. I can't even begin to tell of the number of homes it has destroyed and ruined lives in. People slaughtered on the hiways and children left fatherless because of the effects of alcohol.

Am I hardline about these things? You better know I am and I neither apologize or make excuse for my feelings. Too many lives lost and destoyed by both for me to have any sympathy for any law that would lessen either as criminal. Ban them both and let the losers scream. Anything that is not of benefit such as these two items should be wiped off the face of the earth. I am sure some will disagree.

OP
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Richard
No Avatar
Sir Galahad, Lord of the Realm
I do not see any reason for the federal government to be involved in the issue at all but the various states have wider range of powers.

I would do away with all federally based laws concern drugs other then those relating to importing or exporting drugs from foreign countries. I would abolish the FDA as well.

If the the federal government required that passage of the 18th amendment in order to gain the power to regulate to alcohol, from what article of the Constitution does it derive the power to regulate heroin, or marijuana, or cocaine, or penicillin?

I expect my government to behave within the limits set forth in the Constitution and not to usurp powers not granted even when such an abuse of power receives widespread popular support.

Regards,
Richard
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Fr. Mike
No Avatar
Abbot Monk, Vintner & Steak Knife Keeper, Purveyor of Stamps
I'm not in favor of making marijuana legal. We already have too many problems in society brought on by mind altering drugs such as alchohol amd illegal drug use.

If you were to consider the true cost of bringing this drug onto the market as a legitimate product, You might want to attach a severe use tax which would pay the cost to society for the additional problems society would have to pay for.

I would rather see a discussion about how mankind can deal with the side affects of cancer --drug free and work towards that goal.

I would also rather see mankind learn better coping skills, than to need mind altering drugs in their daily life.

Fr. Mike
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
beddows
Unregistered

It has a lot of medicinal use, if they could take the side effects away. I got some for my mother when she was undergoing chemo & it helped her nausea considerably (baked it into brownies).
Quote Post Goto Top
 
OzarkPreacher
No Avatar
Sir Lancelot
beddows
Nov 22 2004, 12:53 AM
It has a lot of medicinal use, if they could take the side effects away. I got some for my mother when she was undergoing chemo & it helped her nausea considerably (baked it into brownies).

I hate to sound ignorant here Paul but does it have any or same effects when administered this way?
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
beddows
Unregistered

Yeah, she got a pretty good buzz. She's a moral church going woman, but she was pretty gratefull for it. I got it through a friend of my wifes son. Illegal of course, but you do what you have to do.
Quote Post Goto Top
 
TenPacks
Member Avatar
Mountie of the Realm
I'm not sure if I really want to weigh in on this one - I find it to be as hopeless as several other "social issues" - but has it not struck some folks that the "War On Drugs" is just "Prohibition V3.2"???
Is anyone going to try to tell me that PROHIBITION WORKED???

Pot cultivation and dealing is worth at least as much money (inflation-adjusted) as booze was 70 years ago - the amount of crime is, I'm sure, much WORSE (any idiot can grow the stuff, not everyone could built a distillery) - MORE Law Enforcement is being dedicated to it than booze had (because its absolutely everywhere, not just in "speak-easy's and "bottle-clubs").

I have met retired RCMPs who have spent over 30 years, in part, upholding Canadian laws against small possession, and they now consider it a complete waste of their time! GO AFTER THE GROWERS, YES! But most of them said in the last 10 years or so, anyone with a "baggie" or less, they would just take it and grind it into the dirt with their shoe, give them a lecture, and go find some "real crime" to look for.... can you imagine your son being unable to join the Military, or have a Government career - because he got caught with a Doobie or two in his pocket when he was 16?



And up here, btw, "Impaired Driving" carries the same harsh penalties - whether its booze, pot, other drugs, or even EXTREME exhaustion from lack of sleep (although thats quite rare).
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
reboots
No Avatar
Cobbler of the Realm
The RCMP guys had the right idea. Bust some young person for a couple of joints and they have a criminal record. That's what I find ludicrous about the law.That person is tagged for life with a record which even if they receive a pardon still counts in some situations. :bs:
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
reboots
No Avatar
Cobbler of the Realm
It's a fact> eleven states require drug dealers to purchase drug tax stamps to be affixed to packages containing drugs. Tax works to something like 3.00 per gram depending on the state. :ned
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Jim Miller
Member Avatar
Village Lamplighter
Why are we just talking about marijuana? While we are at it why not leagalize all drugs? Wouldn't that make you feel safe on the streets? Wow.

Oh, nobody has addressed my original question. "Is it safe to assume that those in favor would permit their children to use it?" Would you be comfortable sharing your drugs with your children?

Some even seem to suggest that if you break the drug laws you shouldn't have a record. That is a novel idea. Do the crime, do the time, as they say.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
abradf2519
No Avatar
Duke of Dilbert
I smoked quite a bit of marijuana growing up. It is a dangerous drug. I am not even in favor of legalizing it even for medicinal use. We do not know the long term health effects of continued use, because it is an illegal drug. We also don't know what kind of phycotic effects it has on a person who is under the influence. On the other hand, we know a great deal about alcohol, and its long term health and phycotic effects. None of them are good. Since alcohol has been used since the begining of time, it is difficult to make it illegal. This is why making it illegal in the 1920's did not work. I had problems with alcohol also.

My own personal experience is that the worst thing about marijuana is the effect on your thinking. I believe that most liberals smoke marijuana. You cannot think straight under the influence. I believe the influce on your thinking extends even to when you are no longer "high" This is why we on the right don't understand they can support their illogical viewpoints so strongly. This is my opinion.

I am not saying all liberals smoke marijuana.

Another problem marijuana causes is the introduction to other dangerous and addictive drugs. Had I continued with my marijuana use, I believe I would have eventually ended up addicted to some other dangerous drug.

Marijuana is better left illegal.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
ZetaBoards - Free Forum Hosting
Join the millions that use us for their forum communities. Create your own forum today.
Go to Next Page
« Previous Topic · Ye Olde Unto the Breach · Next Topic »
Add Reply
  • Pages:
  • 1

Theme by Don of The Light Fantastic