I have seen too many wasted lives. I know not everyone goes down the negative road, but I am not supporting anything that can destroy lives. People should be taught that life can be lived without a crutch, only the weak need artifical means to be happy.

 

I thought it was all about personal responsibility with you right-wingers? Shouldn't those people be able to make their own decisions rather than the "nanny state" doing it for them?

I thought it was all about personal responsibility with you right-wingers? Shouldn't those people be able to make their own decisions rather than the "nanny state" doing it for them?

I thought you left wingers loved the nanny state? Unfortunately, drug use does not just affect the individuals who partake in them. I don't think people who use are evil, just don't think legalizing would be a good idea.

I thought you left wingers loved the nanny state? Unfortunately, drug use does not just affect the individuals who partake in them. I don't think people who use are evil, just don't think legalizing would be a good idea.

 

Do you agree or disagree with the following?

 

1. Legalizing marijuana would help ease the pressure on overcrowded prisons. By that same token, legalizing marijuana would also mean that new prisons would no longer need to be built.

 

2. Legalizing marijuana would create additional taxes and, subsequently, more money for local governments.

 

3. Legalizing marijuana would diminish the black market and reduce the number of transactions that occur in the black market, thus reducing some violence.

 

There are others, but these are the 1st 3 that came to mind.

Do you agree or disagree with the following?

 

1. Legalizing marijuana would help ease the pressure on overcrowded prisons. By that same token, legalizing marijuana would also mean that new prisons would no longer need to be built.

 

2. Legalizing marijuana would create additional taxes and, subsequently, more money for local governments.

 

3. Legalizing marijuana would diminish the black market and reduce the number of transactions that occur in the black market, thus reducing some violence.

 

There are others, but these are the 1st 3 that came to mind.

#1) Makes sense. But, I don't know all of that would/should be easy to assume.

#2) I do not operate under the assumption that local,state, or federal governments don't collect enought taxes. Do you really believe the extra revenues would be spent wisely?

#3) Of course it would. But how many negatives would spring up in its place? What would be next? Legalize meth? cocaine? etc.... No, I am not comparing weed to those, but I don't think we need to tell our youth that weed is OK. Do we really want weed more readily available to our youth than it already is? Not saying you are wrong. Just my opinion.

#1) Makes sense. But, I don't know all of that would/should be easy to assume.

#2) I do not operate under the assumption that local,state, or federal governments don't collect enought taxes. Do you really believe the extra revenues would be spent wisely?

#3) Of course it would. But how many negatives would spring up in its place? What would be next? Legalize meth? cocaine? etc.... No, I am not comparing weed to those, but I don't think we need to tell our youth that weed is OK. Do we really want weed more readily available to our youth than it already is? Not saying you are wrong. Just my opinion.

 

Essentially, you have agreed with all 3 points.

 

I will never understand why people think that legalizing marijuana will ultimately lead to the legalization of cocaine, ecstasy, or other hardcore, synthesized drugs. Even you admit that they are extremely different, but for some reason the perception is that legalizing one will inevitably lead to the legalization of others. That is simply not true.

 

Marijuana is available, if you're looking for it. By legalizing it, you're actually restricting its use, as opposed to allowing anyone to access it.

 

As of today, a 14 year old kid could make a few phone calls and buy some pot. If it would be legalized, it'd make it more difficult for that kid to purchase it. Sure, he could have a fake ID, he could bribe someone to buy it for him, or he could steal it, but it would be regulated similarly to alcohol. Moreover, anyone who would enable a minor to buy marijuana would be punished under the law.

 

Legalizing marijuana would not encourage children to smoke, nor would it condone the behavior. Alcohol is legal, yet plenty of people do not drink it. Instead, the legalization of marijuana would simply recognize the fact that many people smoke occasionally and regulating such behavior is much safer and more profitable than turning your head and pretending that it doesn't happen while the marijuana industry makes millions upon millions of dollars in untaxed revenue.

Essentially, you have agreed with all 3 points.

 

I will never understand why people think that legalizing marijuana will ultimately lead to the legalization of cocaine, ecstasy, or other hardcore, synthesized drugs. Even you admit that they are extremely different, but for some reason the perception is that legalizing one will inevitably lead to the legalization of others. That is simply not true.

 

Marijuana is available, if you're looking for it. By legalizing it, you're actually restricting its use, as opposed to allowing anyone to access it.

 

As of today, a 14 year old kid could make a few phone calls and buy some pot. If it would be legalized, it'd make it more difficult for that kid to purchase it. Sure, he could have a fake ID, he could bribe someone to buy it for him, or he could steal it, but it would be regulated similarly to alcohol. Moreover, anyone who would enable a minor to buy marijuana would be punished under the law.

 

Legalizing marijuana would not encourage children to smoke, nor would it condone the behavior. Alcohol is legal, yet plenty of people do not drink it. Instead, the legalization of marijuana would simply recognize the fact that many people smoke occasionally and regulating such behavior is much safer and more profitable than turning your head and pretending that it doesn't happen while the marijuana industry makes millions upon millions of dollars in untaxed revenue.

I wouln't call my post an agreement. Your assumptions sound great on paper. A lot of unintended consequences could easily erupt from your theory. Didn't mean to ruffle feathers. I just wanted to poke at my childhood friend, Jim Schue.

I wouln't call my post an agreement. Your assumptions sound great on paper. A lot of unintended consequences could easily erupt from your theory. Didn't mean to ruffle feathers. I just wanted to poke at my childhood friend, Jim Schue.

 

No ruffled feathers here.

 

You basically agreed with the 1st idea and wholeheartedly agreed with the last. Although you don't think the additional tax revenues from #2 would be spent wisely, it's difficult to argue that legalization would not create additional income...what the gov't does with it is a separate issue.

 

I'd be interested to hear which assumptions I have made wouldn't work well and why you feel that way. I have provided a few points as to what benefits the legalization of marijuana could bring; however, I rarely read any of the negative consequences that it would have on society as a whole. And I'm not naive enough to think that legalizing marijuana would only have a positive impact, but it's difficult to weigh the pros and cons when you only have one side...

 

Marijuana is available, if you're looking for it. By legalizing it, you're actually restricting its use, as opposed to allowing anyone to access it.

 

.

 

Well if that ain't an oxymoron.

 

Make something illegal allows more access.

Make something legal and it restricts it use/access.

That might be true for those who don't break the law.

For me growing up, one of the MAIN REASONS why I never even tried it even though my friends were, was because it was an ILLEGAL DRUG!!!!

Alcohol that was illegal for me but not adults did not have the same image as drugs that were illegal for ALL!!!!

Well if that ain't an oxymoron.

 

Make something illegal allows more access.

Make something legal and it restricts it use/access.

That might be true for those who don't break the law.

For me growing up, one of the MAIN REASONS why I never even tried it even though my friends were, was because it was an ILLEGAL DRUG!!!!

Alcohol that was illegal for me but not adults did not have the same image as drugs that were illegal for ALL!!!!

 

The question is whether the pros outweigh the cons. I think they probably do. I don't accept the "it's illegal because it's always been illegal" argument. To me, it's a very weak argument. With that rationale, we'd still have slavery, women wouldn't be allowed to vote, and many other problems would still exist.

 

I did not say that making something illegal allows more access; however, when it's criminalized, you do not have the ability to regulate it. As a result, anyone who wishes to use it (and trust me, there are plenty) can do so, including minors. If you legalize it, the government can regulate where you can buy it, who can buy it, how potent / strong it is, and also tax it.

The question is whether the pros outweigh the cons. I think they probably do. I don't accept the "it's illegal because it's always been illegal" argument. To me, it's a very weak argument. With that rationale, we'd still have slavery, women wouldn't be allowed to vote, and many other problems would still exist.

 

I did not say that making something illegal allows more access; however, when it's criminalized, you do not have the ability to regulate it. As a result, anyone who wishes to use it (and trust me, there are plenty) can do so, including minors. If you legalize it, the government can regulate where you can buy it, who can buy it, how potent / strong it is, and also tax it.

 

With your rationale in the bottom paragraph there is not problem with underage smoking of cigarettes in this country because the government can regulate where you can buy it, who can buy it?

 

If you make it legal, in essence, society is telling the youth, it is okay to do it. Bottom line.

With your rationale in the bottom paragraph there is not problem with underage smoking of cigarettes in this country because the government can regulate where you can buy it, who can buy it?

 

If you make it legal, in essence, society is telling the youth, it is okay to do it. Bottom line.

 

 

I am inclined to disagree with that. Smoking cigarettes is 100% legal and smokers are absolutely demonized. It isn't saying it is okay to do it, it is saying that it is your decision whether you do it or not.