What, no marijuana debate thread?

[FotS]

I think legalizing most drugs, besides being consistent with liberty, our second intrinsic right, would greatly alleviate a lot of issues for those in a ghetto environment. At the very least, the "War on Drugs" should be exterminated. Perhaps for a limited amount of time after drugs were legalized, we could redirect the money spent on the WoD towards rehabilitation resources like much of Europe (though I certainly wouldn't want such spending to be indefinite).

And as others have mentioned, if you've put yourself in a impaired state while in public (God forbid behind the wheel), you definitely need to be reprimanded.

[Rock Lobster]

As someone who has not only smoked it before(and still does on occasions) and has learned the scientific facts about it, I see no problem with the legalization of marijuana. It is a harmless, non-addictive substance. Sure, it could be bad if one is driving while high, but in my opinion that should be handled just like a DUI; it should have no legal correlation with the substance itself.

In my opinion, alcohol is a far worse substance. Sure, it doesn't emit the smoke of marijuana, but the effects it has on the brain while in effect have a much greater potential for negative consequences- I don't drink myself, but I have heard many a story from friends about violence, among other things, at drinking parties. The same friends have experienced no such problems in their experiences with weed.

And yes, it is particularly fun to watch movies high. Haven't seen any of the ones Zidane mentioned high, but I intend to at some point.

[LordTyroxx]

And as others have mentioned, if you've put yourself in a impaired state while in public (God forbid behind the wheel), you definitely need to be reprimanded.

>.>

Ok... so I only drove about a quarter of a mile and it was on a back road at like 3 in the morning. I know it was wrong... Driving while high is very dangerous and i don't recommend it. (similar to driving while on benadryl) I thought i needed to clear that up. Don't do drugs kids. Unless you're in a safe area with safe conditions. And don't drive. But jumping on the trampoline is fine.

[Autosaver]

And as others have mentioned, if you've put yourself in a impaired state while in public (God forbid behind the wheel), you definitely need to be reprimanded.

>.>

Ok... so I only drove about a quarter of a mile and it was on a back road at like 3 in the morning. I know it was wrong... Driving while high is very dangerous and i don't recommend it. (similar to driving while on benadryl) I thought i needed to clear that up. Don't do drugs kids. Unless you're in a safe area with safe conditions. And don't drive. But jumping on the trampoline is fine.

We have a mod that does drugs?
wut is tis i dont even

[Sailing_Day]

Let's see:

-Our war on drugs is directly responsible for the Mexican drug war that has cost the lives of 30,000+ people.
-The government benefits from putting non-violent offenders in prison, as it helps fund prisons and inmates provide cheap and even free labor.
-It's been proven that preventive and educational methods work much better at keeping people off drugs than throwing them in jail.
-Nearly half of adult Americans have tried illegal drugs in their lifetime, hope that shows how well the War on Drugs is going.

I have no idea how anyone can be okay with the fact that our drug laws combined with our huge drug appetite is costing innocent people's lives. Mexicans are being put to their knees and all we do is sit and watch from our comfy sofas. So yeah, I hope that sums up my stance on this.

[Koopzilla]

In my opinion, alcohol is a far worse substance. Sure, it doesn't emit the smoke of marijuana, but the effects it has on the brain while in effect have a much greater potential for negative consequences- I don't drink myself, but I have heard many a story from friends about violence, among other things, at drinking parties. The same friends have experienced no such problems in their experiences with weed.

I would have to agree with this. Alcohol is way worse in pretty much every regard. It impairs you far, far more. Can cause you to become violent. Can be habit forming. Doesn't effect your lungs (I'm assuming) but destroys your Liver.

To those saying it should be illegal because it smells bad, then don't smell it. Thats probably the most stupid statement I've ever heard. I think cooked cabbage smells way worse, and some people I've been in line behind at Wal-Mart smell far worse so they should also be illegal.

And, no I don't smoke weed, but I used to and quitting was no problem whatsoever (so much easier than quitting cigarettes). I have absolutely no problem with people smoking it. They could use all the millions spent each year putting people in jail for it to help needy children or something worthwhile. I would say McDonalds is probably worse for you than smoking weed. And banning anything because it's bad for your health is stupid, If someone wants to eat McDonalds til they weigh 1,000 pounds and die from it thats their own fault.

[bobafruit]

my thoughts on the issue is that the war on drugs is a very harmful policy that puts people in jail who do not belong in jail. I don't know why people even bother to debate this anymore, it is so obvious to anyone who is not some kind of anti-drug fanatic that the war on drugs has been a disaster and has produced nothing but violence and death.

[Sailing_Day]

I would have to agree with this. Alcohol is way worse in pretty much every regard. It impairs you far, far more. Can cause you to become violent. Can be habit forming. Doesn't effect your lungs (I'm assuming) but destroys your Liver.

To those saying it should be illegal because it smells bad, then don't smell it. Thats probably the most stupid statement I've ever heard. I think cooked cabbage smells way worse, and some people I've been in line behind at Wal-Mart smell far worse so they should also be illegal.

And, no I don't smoke weed, but I used to and quitting was no problem whatsoever (so much easier than quitting cigarettes). I have absolutely no problem with people smoking it. They could use all the millions spent each year putting people in jail for it to help needy children or something worthwhile. I would say McDonalds is probably worse for you than smoking weed. And banning anything because it's bad for your health is stupid, If someone wants to eat McDonalds til they weigh 1,000 pounds and die from it thats their own fault.

Yeah, alcohol is really habit forming, and actually physically impairs you. Interestingly enough, I drink, and I'm really drunk right now (oh yeah). I only do because I know my limits and I can control myself (I actually get really mellow when I drink), but I know a lot of people that get belligerent or just plain violent when they drink. So much so that it becomes unpleasant for me to drink around them. But weed itself is around as safe as coffee, from all the research I've done in the past (Although you could argue the act of smoking is what is harming, weed doesn't have to be smoked), and alcohol can be severely damaging to your body. It's at least much better than, say, cigarettes, because weed is just a non-toxic plant, and doesn't have the cancerous chemicals and tar that are in cigarettes.

I smoked a lot of weed around last year (Like multiple times a day often). I quit because I finally got a job, and it was absolutely zero trouble quitting. I stopped and I had no further urge to continue. The smell isn't even bad, and I think it's a little fragrant, albeit strong. End of case it should be legal, it's much better for you than reaily available legal drugs.

[amir_zwara]

Regular, "everyday," user.
I've got several university degrees, some in sciences.
I say legalize it.
Regulate it, tax it, ensure safe distribution and cultivation, ensure medical access, distribute valid and up to date scientific data about it, teach people about it.
It is less harmful than a lot of legal drugs, including alcohol, caffeine, and acetylsalicylic acid.

[zeeroid]

With the disclaimer that I didn't actually read all the above posts, I absolutely endorse its legalization. I think it would be great for the economy, it would subvert a LOT of criminal activity, and it is less harmful than many other legal substances, many of which don't require prescriptions.

Evidence continues to pour in showing that marijuana is relatively quite safe, while the primary arguments against legalization are that it's a "gateway drug". Except, there really isn't much evidence for that hypothesis either.

I have no personal interest in using the thing, but we would frankly be much better off as a society if it were legal, regulated to some degree, and if people were educated about it.

[Steam Industries]

I think they should legalize it and regulate it. I don't smoke it, never had and probably never will. Why? First it does not appeal to me and second, I'm allergic to smoke (I know it sounds dumb but yeah) so if I did I would be coughing like crazy nonstop. I do however have friends who do use it and have no negative harmful effects whatsoever, because they know how to use it and how not to abuse it. Also, it is proven that it will lower crime, if you do not know what I'm talking about, look up Prohibition.

Also here is a video of Bill Hicks in which he explains marijuana, tobacco, alcohol and other drugs. Very funny but also very insightful and true:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZqYV9KK ... re=related

[Jack_Atlas]

I say legalize it because their are legal drugs that can do far worse to your mind and/or body because of stupid side effects. Best example is the antidepressant zoloft from the stories I have read and from personal experience I would not recommend using that drug for anything what so ever