Marijuana laws- O/T

[barrysloate]

I understand there are a bunch of people who don't like any aspect of making pot legal, and although I support legalization I know where they are coming from. It's not health food, and some people do use it as a crutch.

But one thing to consider is that we've had a war on drugs for decades now, and by any measure it's been an absolute failure. There are more illegal drugs around than there were before the war started. We can't stop the flow into the country, we can't stop people from using them if they want to, and it's a multi-billion dollar illegal business.

Now I'm not suggesting we legalize heroin or cocaine. That would simply kill thousands of people and would be a terrible idea. But legalizing marijuana, while maybe not a perfect solution, may in fact do more good than harm. I know on the surface that might sound crazy, but those who support the legalization do actually believe that. Of course, there will always be detractors and there's no question it will always be a hot button issue.

[teetwoohsix]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

I understand there are a bunch of people who don't like any aspect of making pot legal, and although I support legalization I know where they are coming from. It's not health food, and some people do use it as a crutch.

But one thing to consider is that we've had a war on drugs for decades now, and by any measure it's been an absolute failure. There are more illegal drugs around than there were before the war started. We can't stop the flow into the country, we can't stop people from using them if they want to, and it's a multi-billion dollar illegal business.

Now I'm not suggesting we legalize heroin or cocaine. That would simply kill thousands of people and would be a terrible idea. But legalizing marijuana, while maybe not a perfect solution, may in fact do more good than harm. I know on the surface that might sound crazy, but those who support the legalization do actually believe that. Of course, there will always be detractors and there's no question it will always be a hot button issue.

+1 Well said again Barry

Steve, I appreciate your well written response, as well as your opinion; the laws you cited on the eastcoast are ridiculous, in my opinion.

And, you are right;I was wrong when I said prohibition created organized crime. But in 1925 Al Capone's gang was pulling in $70,000,000.00 a year from bootleg booze, gambling, and prostitution......and that was in 1925 !!!

Athlete's, with the money they get paid, are expected to be drug free. Plus, kids look up to them as role models; they are held to a higher standard. But, they can still enjoy alchohol, right? I'll never be convinced that marijuana is worse than alchohol. Just look at the statistics, how many deaths per year are attributed to each.

There will always be professions where you can not do the job while under the influence of anything....bus drivers, for example. You couldn't even come to work if you'd had a drink in the last 8 hours. Jobs where people's lives are in your hands.....

I just believe in freedom, that's what it boils down to for me.

Sincerely, Clayton

[Runscott]

Some people work hard and need much-deserved distractions that others might not approve of. Denying an adult a cold beer after a hard day of work should have always been a crime, in my opinion. And if that same person would instead prefer to light up a fatty, then I'll lift my beer while he tokes.

You've got your right to disagree, and you get the same number of votes that I get. Nothing could be more fair.

[attellfan4life]

Can we please make sure my son does not see this thread. I just last month was in the school office cause they found him with his binder and in it had 35 reason this was good for him to smoke. Told him I wish he put this much thought in his school work and not this topic. lol

I too have no problem on it being legal as long as it is an age of at least 18.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by attellfan4life

Can we please make sure my son does not see this thread. I just last month was in the school office cause they found him with his binder and in it had 35 reason this was good for him to smoke. Told him I wish he put this much thought in his school work and not this topic. lol

I too have no problem on it being legal as long as it is an age of at least 18.

LOL....Agreed though. Most people I have seen that are for legalization feel it should be similar to alcohol in most respects. I think 21 yrs of age would be better but would be open to debate.

[mark evans]

I likewise favor legalization and regulation. Not a perfect solution certainly but light-years better than criminalizing smoking at home by adults in my view.

One of my neighbors (and friends) is Keith Stroup, founder of NORML. We've discussed this issue many times and I find his arguments for legalization convincing, not that I was an especially hard sell.

Mark

[barrysloate]

Currently the government doesn't get a nickel of tax revenue from marijuana, and spends hundreds of millions (maybe billions) of dollars incarcerating low level nonviolent offenders who get caught carrying pot. That's a huge financial drain on this country.

Legalize it and it would bring in revenue, and then release all these low level users from prison and save the enormous expense. Was there a bigger issue in the election of 2012 than bringing in revenue and cutting expenses in order to balance the budget? Well, here's at least a small start.