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What do you think? Should Pot be legal or No!
A few short months ago, California's Proposition 19, the Regulate, Control, and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010, seemed likely to fade away in a puff of smoke. After more than three decades on the front lines of the disastrous "war on drugs," I feared this best-hope-to-date chapter in the battle for sane drug laws was a lost cause. But something has changed in the public's consciousness, and in its resolve.
On September 30 the Public Policy Institute of California published the results of its new poll. It shows Proposition 19 winning, by a resounding 52-41 margin. Other polls are similarly encouraging.
What do you think? Should pot be legalized?
On September 30 the Public Policy Institute of California published the results of its new poll. It shows Proposition 19 winning, by a resounding 52-41 margin. Other polls are similarly encouraging.
What do you think? Should pot be legalized?
There are really good points being made by all (SpecialMom, even the ones on the other thread..lol). I think I still am pro legalization though, and again for me it comes down to the legalization being part of an effort to shut down drug dealers. From all I have read, marijuana is still not nearly as harmful as alcohol abuse.
I do 100% agree that it needs to be kept out of the hands of children or young people. I think legalization and regulation would do a better job of that then illegalization. I still think education is the key there, same as most parents educate their children on the dangers of drinking excessively. I won't allow my son to have a drink until he is of legal age (18 here), and I most certainly would not allow him to smoke pot, cigarettes or anything else. But even with these things being illegal for him to have, I know that if he really wants to, he can get his hands on it. Which is why my husband and I's talking about it and setting a good example are critical.
Here is how it currently works in Canada. Technically, it is still illegal. However, if they catch an adult with a personal joint or two, nothing happens. They don't really care. If an underage person is caught with a joint or two, it is handled much the same way as if he/she was caught underage with alcohol. Parents are called in, there are consequences, etc.
If someone is caught with enough that it would seem they are dealing it, or with a grow operation, etc. then the charge becomes quite serious. I have to say I agree with how it is dealt with here, and there is no rise of marijuana use amongst our population.
I agree with Brice...tax the heck out of it (like alcohol and cigarettes), provide education on dangers of abuse (marijuana is like alcohol, it is not use that is really a problem, it is abuse). I still don't think this will increase usage amongst the young, and firmly believe it may actually decrease. Dealers don't care who they sell to...but take away the profit and then you take away their interest.
I do think everyone's points are good ones though, and do understand the concern. I don't think this is an issue that will be easily resolved.
I do 100% agree that it needs to be kept out of the hands of children or young people. I think legalization and regulation would do a better job of that then illegalization. I still think education is the key there, same as most parents educate their children on the dangers of drinking excessively. I won't allow my son to have a drink until he is of legal age (18 here), and I most certainly would not allow him to smoke pot, cigarettes or anything else. But even with these things being illegal for him to have, I know that if he really wants to, he can get his hands on it. Which is why my husband and I's talking about it and setting a good example are critical.
Here is how it currently works in Canada. Technically, it is still illegal. However, if they catch an adult with a personal joint or two, nothing happens. They don't really care. If an underage person is caught with a joint or two, it is handled much the same way as if he/she was caught underage with alcohol. Parents are called in, there are consequences, etc.
If someone is caught with enough that it would seem they are dealing it, or with a grow operation, etc. then the charge becomes quite serious. I have to say I agree with how it is dealt with here, and there is no rise of marijuana use amongst our population.
I agree with Brice...tax the heck out of it (like alcohol and cigarettes), provide education on dangers of abuse (marijuana is like alcohol, it is not use that is really a problem, it is abuse). I still don't think this will increase usage amongst the young, and firmly believe it may actually decrease. Dealers don't care who they sell to...but take away the profit and then you take away their interest.
I do think everyone's points are good ones though, and do understand the concern. I don't think this is an issue that will be easily resolved.
I voted for legalizing it. Legalize it, regulate it and tax the hell out of it!!!! In my adolesence, I smoked a ton of pot. I am not condoning this behavior. I did not benefit in any way, shape, and or fashion from smoking pot. I dont imagine I've reaped too many benefits from drinking alcohol either.
The fact of the matter is, it is a choice. Whether its legalized or not, people are still going to smoke it and I personally believe that the benefits of regulation and taxation are far better than the current efforts to curb and or stop its importation and use. (We're failing miserably on this front, and its a fight that isnt going to be won)
The fact of the matter is, it is a choice. Whether its legalized or not, people are still going to smoke it and I personally believe that the benefits of regulation and taxation are far better than the current efforts to curb and or stop its importation and use. (We're failing miserably on this front, and its a fight that isnt going to be won)
Good points all! Usually when you hear of people getting busted for selling pot, there are other drugs present. So how long before "these friends" push something harder on the teens. To me it's just a matter of time.
I don't think Marijuana is in and of itself that harmful of a drug. But to say that my kid is only smoking pot is sort of like saying well, he's only having unprotected sex. The risks of disaster are too high in both scenarios.
For terminal patients, I'm for whatever gives them comfort. Many get some relief from pot. Let the terminal patients have it.
I don't think Marijuana is in and of itself that harmful of a drug. But to say that my kid is only smoking pot is sort of like saying well, he's only having unprotected sex. The risks of disaster are too high in both scenarios.
For terminal patients, I'm for whatever gives them comfort. Many get some relief from pot. Let the terminal patients have it.
I voted no. I need to pull out my "old" stuff but there is a study that looked at teens and future drug use. Most teens that chronically smoke pot go on to indulge in heavy drugs. By legalizing it, we say that this drug is okay. Is that the right message to send to our youth? Not while I'm a parent. I recommend to all parents that the one thing to really watch with their preteen and teens is pot usage. It does not bode well for their future. Now, I'm an academic sort that had a pretty successful career so I am biased. I do not see drug rehabilitation or a lifestyle in which one operates in a haze to be acceptable. Many kids will drink in high school (and before) but it does not have the same outcome as pot for most.
The other problem is the misconception that people have that pot is just a recreational drug. Quite the contrary. It is a lifestyle drug and should not be underestimated in derailing people. Most chronic pot smokers would be much more successful if they did not partake. And putting cigs in the category of pot is really not correct in my mind. Quite different. One alters consciousness and one is just socially more and more unacceptable. Quite different.
I just glanced up (admittedly did not read all the posts here) and see that Sara is saying what I am saying.
so, I will not be redundant and just say I voted no. Just my opinion though.
The other problem is the misconception that people have that pot is just a recreational drug. Quite the contrary. It is a lifestyle drug and should not be underestimated in derailing people. Most chronic pot smokers would be much more successful if they did not partake. And putting cigs in the category of pot is really not correct in my mind. Quite different. One alters consciousness and one is just socially more and more unacceptable. Quite different.
I just glanced up (admittedly did not read all the posts here) and see that Sara is saying what I am saying.
so, I will not be redundant and just say I voted no. Just my opinion though.
The problem with pot among young people is this as I see it. If they hang with those who do smoke pot, they are put in with a crowd that may do other harder drugs. Come on, we all know about peer pressure and teens. And in that way, I view it as a gateway drug. Not necessarily true for all teens but enough to worry about.
I still maintain that the biggest positive impact on decriminilizing marijuana will be the decrease in violent drug dealers our societies deal with today.
Legal and regulated drugs = decreased profits and lack of interest in dealers as a result. Decrease in the criminal activity we see today that is a result of drug smuggling, fighting for territories, etc.
Legal and regulated drugs = it's tougher not easier for young people to get it (dealers don't care who they sell to. Licensed vendors will not want to risk their licenses.)
Legal and regulated drugs has been proven to not escalate the amount of users or addicts, just as alcohol being legal does not increase the amount of people (any age) becoming addicted to alcohol.
Marijuana is less addictive and destructive then alcohol.
It is so pervasive here that if I wanted to I could have some in my hands in 15 minutes. So could any young person.
I agree smoking is not a good thing...however the biggest issue with smoking cigarettes is not so much the tobacco, but all the chemicals, etc. used (arsenic, etc.) Marijuana is easier on the lungs then cigarettes.
I would never advocate anyone using marijuana, but then I will also do everything in my power to discourage and prevent my child from smoking cigarettes, abusing alcohol or anything else. The bottom line is still education.
As much as I hate drugs and see daily what they can do to peoples lives, sometimes I have to wonder if legalizing them period is the right way to go. I go back and forth on that though. But marijuana...yeah, I can see the benefits to society as a whole. Not because I want more people to use it, just that what I dislike most is the dealers, many of whom are extremely extremely violent. And I also know an addict is an addict. Legal or not, it won't stop them.
Legal and regulated drugs = decreased profits and lack of interest in dealers as a result. Decrease in the criminal activity we see today that is a result of drug smuggling, fighting for territories, etc.
Legal and regulated drugs = it's tougher not easier for young people to get it (dealers don't care who they sell to. Licensed vendors will not want to risk their licenses.)
Legal and regulated drugs has been proven to not escalate the amount of users or addicts, just as alcohol being legal does not increase the amount of people (any age) becoming addicted to alcohol.
Marijuana is less addictive and destructive then alcohol.
It is so pervasive here that if I wanted to I could have some in my hands in 15 minutes. So could any young person.
I agree smoking is not a good thing...however the biggest issue with smoking cigarettes is not so much the tobacco, but all the chemicals, etc. used (arsenic, etc.) Marijuana is easier on the lungs then cigarettes.
I would never advocate anyone using marijuana, but then I will also do everything in my power to discourage and prevent my child from smoking cigarettes, abusing alcohol or anything else. The bottom line is still education.
As much as I hate drugs and see daily what they can do to peoples lives, sometimes I have to wonder if legalizing them period is the right way to go. I go back and forth on that though. But marijuana...yeah, I can see the benefits to society as a whole. Not because I want more people to use it, just that what I dislike most is the dealers, many of whom are extremely extremely violent. And I also know an addict is an addict. Legal or not, it won't stop them.
I would still like to know how you can use pot and not smoke ,would this like it has in Europe put cigarette smoking back up especially amongst the young.How can we be bothered stopping smoking yet allow pot to be legal or will it be baked into cakes , ?Humm 'pot cakery' sounds like a name of a bakery ...
Let's first get the facts straight. Very few counties threw out the world have legalized marijuana. A few have decriminalized it.
Legality of cannabis by country
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legality_of_cannabis_by_country
**Fun Facts: Most heavy drug abusers started and continue to drink coffee every day.
** Guns don't kill people, people kill people.........Marijuana doesn't lead to stronger drugs, people lead to stronger drugs.
Marijuana use, in itself, does not lead to stronger drug use. It is the persons high seeking behavior and the association with drug dealers and other high seeking persons.
http://www.druglibrary.org/special/goode/goode2.htm
Another theory explaining the statistical relationship between marijuana use and the use of dangerous drugs, especially heroin, is the personality abnormality approach. According to this view, it is only, or mainly, the psychiatrically inadequate who "escalate" from marijuana to dangerous drugs. Among those with sound and healthy personalities, marijuana does not necessarily or typically produce this progression. To put it another way, the greater the ego inadequacy of the individual, the greater the likelihood of drug escalation. Experimenting with marijuana may be the sign of a minor, or even possibly of no, psychiatric problem. Becoming seriously involved with marijuana may be the sign of a severe problem. And experimenting with and becoming involved with the heavy use of drugs such as heroin, methadone, and LSD is almost certainly a sign of something seriously wrong with the user's psyche. Individuals with a severe problem will not find in marijuana a sufficient "solution" to their problem. They will therefore "shop around" for some drug that will answer or mask their psychiatric difficulties. Thus, this theory holds, both marijuana use (to a minor degree) and the use of dangerous drugs (to a major degree) are external manifestations of an internal turmoil. One implication of this theory is that marijuana use per se has relatively little to do with the escalation process. In fact, marijuana use is a kind of "dead end" search: those with serious psychiatric problems will discard that particular solution and look about for another one. In this sense, then, rather than "leading to" the use of more dangerous drugs, marijuana use may actually retard the process.
The third theory or explanation for the progression from marijuana to dangerous drugs is the social, or subcultural, model. This view holds that marijuana use per se has little or nothing to do with why some users "go on" to the use of more dangerous drugs. The answer lies almost entirely within the kinds of social relationships and friendships that users establish in the course of taking drugs. Drug use inevitably entails making and sustaining social interactions and human relationships in conjunction with using drugs—it is not simply the ingestion of a chemical substance. Making drug-related friendships involves making friendships of a particular type. This will influence one's further behavior—particularly in relation to drug use. These social relationships are variable, not constant. Within certain social and cultural milieus, the marijuana-to-heroin escalation may exist—because of the nature of the groups using these drugs and because of social patterns arbitrarily related to drug use. But in different groups this escalation may be totally lacking, because the friendships or relationships established do not have anything to do with the use of dangerous drugs. It does not depend on the biochemical effects of the drugs themselves, but on the characteristics of the groups using drugs, the norms and values and beliefs held within subcultures. The escalation process (where and when it does occur) does not come about as a result of anything intrinsic to the drug itself or to the experience of being high; rather it relates to the nature of the personal associations one makes in the course of using drugs.
What evidence do we have to support or refute these various theories and explanations?
Although personality and psychiatric factors may play a role in drug escalation, it is clear from available systematic studies that (I) the biochemical theory of the progression from marijuana to dangerous drugs is completely false and invalid, and (2) the sociocultural theory explains more of the variation in drug escalation, if and when it does occur, than any other model currently proposed.
The disenchantment process proposed by the proponents of the biochemical theory does not even remotely occur; in fact, precisely the opposite takes place—the more that an individual smokes marijuana, the more that he feels and enjoys its effects. Rather than a desensitization, what actually occurs is an increased sensitization. From the results of dozens of studies on the subjective effects of marijuana among experienced, long-term users, a few of which were described in Chapter 2, it is clear that under the influence of the drug users experience, and continue to experience, effects such as euphoria, relaxation, heightened sexual feeling, greater sensitivity, increased pleasure in listening to music, and so on. When users are compared with respect to frequency of use, exactly the opposite occurs as would be predicted by the disillusionment theory; it is not the occasional user who describes the most frequent and most pleasurable effects, but rather the heavy, frequent, chronic user. (Of course, a dialectical relationship is taking place here; those who enjoy the experience tend to repeat it.) In one study only 23 percent of the occasional users reported always feeling an "increased sexual pleasure" while high; this was true of 39 percent of the chronic users. Of the occasional users 35 percent reported always feeling an "intensified sense of taste," but 49 percent of the chronic users said this (Hochman and Brill 1971).
** I am neither a pot smoker or a drinker, but I am for the decriminalization of marijuana.
I thought most people here wanted the government to be less involved in our lives?
Legality of cannabis by country
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legality_of_cannabis_by_country
**Fun Facts: Most heavy drug abusers started and continue to drink coffee every day.
** Guns don't kill people, people kill people.........Marijuana doesn't lead to stronger drugs, people lead to stronger drugs.
Marijuana use, in itself, does not lead to stronger drug use. It is the persons high seeking behavior and the association with drug dealers and other high seeking persons.
http://www.druglibrary.org/special/goode/goode2.htm
Another theory explaining the statistical relationship between marijuana use and the use of dangerous drugs, especially heroin, is the personality abnormality approach. According to this view, it is only, or mainly, the psychiatrically inadequate who "escalate" from marijuana to dangerous drugs. Among those with sound and healthy personalities, marijuana does not necessarily or typically produce this progression. To put it another way, the greater the ego inadequacy of the individual, the greater the likelihood of drug escalation. Experimenting with marijuana may be the sign of a minor, or even possibly of no, psychiatric problem. Becoming seriously involved with marijuana may be the sign of a severe problem. And experimenting with and becoming involved with the heavy use of drugs such as heroin, methadone, and LSD is almost certainly a sign of something seriously wrong with the user's psyche. Individuals with a severe problem will not find in marijuana a sufficient "solution" to their problem. They will therefore "shop around" for some drug that will answer or mask their psychiatric difficulties. Thus, this theory holds, both marijuana use (to a minor degree) and the use of dangerous drugs (to a major degree) are external manifestations of an internal turmoil. One implication of this theory is that marijuana use per se has relatively little to do with the escalation process. In fact, marijuana use is a kind of "dead end" search: those with serious psychiatric problems will discard that particular solution and look about for another one. In this sense, then, rather than "leading to" the use of more dangerous drugs, marijuana use may actually retard the process.
The third theory or explanation for the progression from marijuana to dangerous drugs is the social, or subcultural, model. This view holds that marijuana use per se has little or nothing to do with why some users "go on" to the use of more dangerous drugs. The answer lies almost entirely within the kinds of social relationships and friendships that users establish in the course of taking drugs. Drug use inevitably entails making and sustaining social interactions and human relationships in conjunction with using drugs—it is not simply the ingestion of a chemical substance. Making drug-related friendships involves making friendships of a particular type. This will influence one's further behavior—particularly in relation to drug use. These social relationships are variable, not constant. Within certain social and cultural milieus, the marijuana-to-heroin escalation may exist—because of the nature of the groups using these drugs and because of social patterns arbitrarily related to drug use. But in different groups this escalation may be totally lacking, because the friendships or relationships established do not have anything to do with the use of dangerous drugs. It does not depend on the biochemical effects of the drugs themselves, but on the characteristics of the groups using drugs, the norms and values and beliefs held within subcultures. The escalation process (where and when it does occur) does not come about as a result of anything intrinsic to the drug itself or to the experience of being high; rather it relates to the nature of the personal associations one makes in the course of using drugs.
What evidence do we have to support or refute these various theories and explanations?
Although personality and psychiatric factors may play a role in drug escalation, it is clear from available systematic studies that (I) the biochemical theory of the progression from marijuana to dangerous drugs is completely false and invalid, and (2) the sociocultural theory explains more of the variation in drug escalation, if and when it does occur, than any other model currently proposed.
The disenchantment process proposed by the proponents of the biochemical theory does not even remotely occur; in fact, precisely the opposite takes place—the more that an individual smokes marijuana, the more that he feels and enjoys its effects. Rather than a desensitization, what actually occurs is an increased sensitization. From the results of dozens of studies on the subjective effects of marijuana among experienced, long-term users, a few of which were described in Chapter 2, it is clear that under the influence of the drug users experience, and continue to experience, effects such as euphoria, relaxation, heightened sexual feeling, greater sensitivity, increased pleasure in listening to music, and so on. When users are compared with respect to frequency of use, exactly the opposite occurs as would be predicted by the disillusionment theory; it is not the occasional user who describes the most frequent and most pleasurable effects, but rather the heavy, frequent, chronic user. (Of course, a dialectical relationship is taking place here; those who enjoy the experience tend to repeat it.) In one study only 23 percent of the occasional users reported always feeling an "increased sexual pleasure" while high; this was true of 39 percent of the chronic users. Of the occasional users 35 percent reported always feeling an "intensified sense of taste," but 49 percent of the chronic users said this (Hochman and Brill 1971).
** I am neither a pot smoker or a drinker, but I am for the decriminalization of marijuana.
I thought most people here wanted the government to be less involved in our lives?
All are welcome to vote, you do not have to explain why you feel a certain way unless you feel like you want to share. No, this was not a political post one way or the other, it is an opinion based poll only and our opinions of course are derived from our own personal experience and knowledge on the subject. There are no right or wrongs, nor right or lefts here. Just a bunch of people sharing is all. Everyone has great points on all sides. It will be interesting to see what happens.:D
I have never woke up the next day tryin to remember what happened the night before off "pot"
, but have off of alcohol , imo alcohol is 1000x worse than "pot", alcohol has ruined my life so manmy times!!!!!!!!, went w/out a licence for 20 years, did the geographic change thru 10 states in 11 years with 2 kids in tow, have smoked pot for 30+ years , it has also given me the best things i have ever had , boats cars etc, ya i know all u guys will think i am a low life , but guess wat I AM! if it wasnt for "pot" my kids would of went without alot of s h i t , it provided alot of dineros (green thumb, ) sorry margy even some of us that lean right have different views, of things, .
but i can tell u this, alcohol has been way more destructive in my life than "pot" has ever been!
i have had way more duii, owi, watever u want to call them as they call them different in diff states, than i care to say done alot of county time(sucked worse in minnesota than oregon)
but been on my own since 13 never made it past 8th grade and most $ & power and self esteem i ever had was wen i was a grower, cant be now and life f'n suks, my life suked before pain pills, it got better after,but i know im barely hangin on , i realize politcally i think like ppl that dont do drugs but reality is im in shambles.....
but alcohol is way more the blame than pot ever was, , pot is like a cigarette habit, basically after you grow it and have it wenever u want it , (the highest grade, most trichromes, i'm talkin about)
\its the other drugs that f u up, and especially alcohol, next crank, then opiates.....
if nuthin else i am goin to be honest, pot aint even as bad as cigarettes especially if u use a vaporizer , or eat it, u know u can eat it too.(as long as it is cooked above a certain degree temp in food.
i just feel i got to be honest here as i dont think i will be artound nuch longer(toooo tired, & broke, no more crops...........
sincerely the righty libertarian, free thinkin capitalist .........
, but have off of alcohol , imo alcohol is 1000x worse than "pot", alcohol has ruined my life so manmy times!!!!!!!!, went w/out a licence for 20 years, did the geographic change thru 10 states in 11 years with 2 kids in tow, have smoked pot for 30+ years , it has also given me the best things i have ever had , boats cars etc, ya i know all u guys will think i am a low life , but guess wat I AM! if it wasnt for "pot" my kids would of went without alot of s h i t , it provided alot of dineros (green thumb, ) sorry margy even some of us that lean right have different views, of things, .
but i can tell u this, alcohol has been way more destructive in my life than "pot" has ever been!
i have had way more duii, owi, watever u want to call them as they call them different in diff states, than i care to say done alot of county time(sucked worse in minnesota than oregon)
but been on my own since 13 never made it past 8th grade and most $ & power and self esteem i ever had was wen i was a grower, cant be now and life f'n suks, my life suked before pain pills, it got better after,but i know im barely hangin on , i realize politcally i think like ppl that dont do drugs but reality is im in shambles.....
but alcohol is way more the blame than pot ever was, , pot is like a cigarette habit, basically after you grow it and have it wenever u want it , (the highest grade, most trichromes, i'm talkin about)
\its the other drugs that f u up, and especially alcohol, next crank, then opiates.....
if nuthin else i am goin to be honest, pot aint even as bad as cigarettes especially if u use a vaporizer , or eat it, u know u can eat it too.(as long as it is cooked above a certain degree temp in food.
i just feel i got to be honest here as i dont think i will be artound nuch longer(toooo tired, & broke, no more crops...........
sincerely the righty libertarian, free thinkin capitalist .........
well there was an option that said "for medical use only" and that's DEFINITELY my opinion!
you're right, Europe is a good model for what would happen if it were FREELY legalized here...that's why I don't feel like it should be an option either :).
you're right, Europe is a good model for what would happen if it were FREELY legalized here...that's why I don't feel like it should be an option either :).
It will certainly increase the way it has done in Europe cigarrette smoking especially amongst the young, they will use it in cigarettes thats for sure and it does increase to other drugs and plenty about it is out there .on the internet .I wasnt actually talking about prescriptrion use... I understood this thread to be about all pot being made legal not just presciption medical use ..maybe I misunderstood.
I said I was on the fence on this one,for the simple reason I don't know what I would try if I was in severe pain and with a terminal condition.It's easy to say "no" when you're pain free and not dying,
I agree that it's supposed to be useful to manage pain and nausea, and I vote for it to be legalized in a medical setting. legalized normally? no, h-e-double-hockey-sticks no....but yes, for medicinal purposes. my mom is a terminal patient and has limits on the amount of medication she can receive because she's not in "end-stage"...but she still suffers. and as a result, she self-medicates with alcohol. being young, I've seen both ends of the spectrum when it comes to marijuana....people who use it moderately and it benefits them, and people who abuse the heck out of it.
either way, I think that it could truly benefit a lot of people and it is being shown to be very helpful managing autism, although I really don't agree with giving it to children....but it's just another drug when you come down to it, just like prozac and all of those.
Margy I truly don't believe that this is a left vs. right issue..I think this is an issue about how you feel people's rights should be handled. you want less government control, I understand....and if pot is similar to alcohol and/or cigarettes, should the government be able to tell you not to smoke it? personally, I don't think it should be legal for recreational purposes...but absolutely for medical...there are so many benefits, and it's not physically (although it is very emotionally) addictive. I do not smoke pot. neither does my husband....I do not believe our children will either. Neither do we drink. but those are OUR CHOICES..not the government's. If I was terminally ill, in agonizing pain every day, and told that I was limited in the ammount of pain relief I could be given....I might want legal medical marijuana as well.
just some food for thought..it's not all about "getting your kicks" or "getting high"...there are many other issues here. and it's NOT a leftist issue. I don't see how it can be?
either way, I think that it could truly benefit a lot of people and it is being shown to be very helpful managing autism, although I really don't agree with giving it to children....but it's just another drug when you come down to it, just like prozac and all of those.
Margy I truly don't believe that this is a left vs. right issue..I think this is an issue about how you feel people's rights should be handled. you want less government control, I understand....and if pot is similar to alcohol and/or cigarettes, should the government be able to tell you not to smoke it? personally, I don't think it should be legal for recreational purposes...but absolutely for medical...there are so many benefits, and it's not physically (although it is very emotionally) addictive. I do not smoke pot. neither does my husband....I do not believe our children will either. Neither do we drink. but those are OUR CHOICES..not the government's. If I was terminally ill, in agonizing pain every day, and told that I was limited in the ammount of pain relief I could be given....I might want legal medical marijuana as well.
just some food for thought..it's not all about "getting your kicks" or "getting high"...there are many other issues here. and it's NOT a leftist issue. I don't see how it can be?
I have not read any of the above answers yet, and will do so after I post my opinion. I personally do not think it should be legalized other than for medicinal purposes. Years ago, the doctor prescribed marinol, which is pot in tablet form for my son in the end stages of his disease. It was of great benefit for him and helped with nausea which in turn allowed him to eat when he otherwise would not be able to. So as a medicine I think its great.
Pot is something you smoke and with all the cancer related disease and lung problems that are a direct product of smoking, it just does not make sense to smoke pot, which would have the same effect on the lungs that smoking does. I wish they had made cigarettes illegal when they determined that they will kill you and taken that choice away for me. I would still not be fighting it if they had.
My other concern is that pot does different things to different people. Some just get into whatever activity they are involved in and it helps them focus, others it makes paranoid, while others it just mellows them out and calms them. I worry about people using and driving or doing so in situations that accidents can happen as a result. I know one woman that cannot start her day without 3 bowls first thing in the morning, so I think it addictive as well.
So just off the top of my head, I would have to vote no, other than for medicinal purposes.
Pot is something you smoke and with all the cancer related disease and lung problems that are a direct product of smoking, it just does not make sense to smoke pot, which would have the same effect on the lungs that smoking does. I wish they had made cigarettes illegal when they determined that they will kill you and taken that choice away for me. I would still not be fighting it if they had.
My other concern is that pot does different things to different people. Some just get into whatever activity they are involved in and it helps them focus, others it makes paranoid, while others it just mellows them out and calms them. I worry about people using and driving or doing so in situations that accidents can happen as a result. I know one woman that cannot start her day without 3 bowls first thing in the morning, so I think it addictive as well.
So just off the top of my head, I would have to vote no, other than for medicinal purposes.
One other argument to keep in mind in terms of legalizing marijuana and other drugs. In countries where this has happened, dug use has not increased. The reality is that people who want to do it will do it legal or not.
Secondly, by keeping it illegal, those that profit are the dealers. Much of the violence you see is due to drug dealers, etc. fighting for territory. It fuels much of the illegal gun trade as well. By legalizing, and regulating, you remove that. Dealers are not going to continue if there is no profit. People will not stop using, legal or not.
Look at what happened during prohibition. People didn't stop drinking. But violence escalated amongst bootleggers..it was a violent time.
I am far from a proponent of drug use. But there is nothing to indicate that legalizing would increase use. The only proper weapon against drug users is education (and at a very very young age sadly). But current laws do not decrease usage, but they do increase violence. Just something to think about.
I also agree that rehabilitation is a better solution then prison time. Wasting resources imprisioning users does no good at all. It's the dealers we have to go after. We have a new program here where agencies like mine are working with a police program called PACT (you can google if you wish). One of the initiatives is to keep drug users and street people out of the legal system. It's new, so no real stats yet, but we are hopeful.
Secondly, by keeping it illegal, those that profit are the dealers. Much of the violence you see is due to drug dealers, etc. fighting for territory. It fuels much of the illegal gun trade as well. By legalizing, and regulating, you remove that. Dealers are not going to continue if there is no profit. People will not stop using, legal or not.
Look at what happened during prohibition. People didn't stop drinking. But violence escalated amongst bootleggers..it was a violent time.
I am far from a proponent of drug use. But there is nothing to indicate that legalizing would increase use. The only proper weapon against drug users is education (and at a very very young age sadly). But current laws do not decrease usage, but they do increase violence. Just something to think about.
I also agree that rehabilitation is a better solution then prison time. Wasting resources imprisioning users does no good at all. It's the dealers we have to go after. We have a new program here where agencies like mine are working with a police program called PACT (you can google if you wish). One of the initiatives is to keep drug users and street people out of the legal system. It's new, so no real stats yet, but we are hopeful.
Well I voted legal only for medical use because it has proven effective for nausea from chemotherapy and other known medical uses and I do know people who were allowed to take it and who were able to eat after chemotherapy and would not have been able to otherwise because of the specific debilitating effects of chemotherapy. I do however believe it should be further researched to isolate the specific chemicals in it that help people without producing the recreational high and there is research in this direction. Its a complex situation. I don't want more drugs legalized because this could lead to more self destructive behavior and self medication. However the amount of people who die from cigarette smoking and alcohol abuse (which would also have to include drunk driving and its effects) is far higher than that of marijuana. However I would not say that marijuana is harmless. I would say that it is probably the least harmful of all the illegal drugs. Some people use it for recreational purposes and are not harmed but I have seen some people become addicted to them in the same manner as cigarettes and chain smoke them with the same eventual results.
I certainly would not have the government allow it to be sold and taxed which would be promoting its use. That I think is wrong. I do however believe in harm reduction which is to take appropriate steps (such as the needle exchanges for heroin) to reduce the harm of taking illegal drugs (in that case the spread of AIDS and hepatitis). I also believe that people who use drugs if convicted should be allowed rehabilitation as an option instead of a jail sentence. I would think this proposition goes too far but there is a reasonable middle ground.
I certainly would not have the government allow it to be sold and taxed which would be promoting its use. That I think is wrong. I do however believe in harm reduction which is to take appropriate steps (such as the needle exchanges for heroin) to reduce the harm of taking illegal drugs (in that case the spread of AIDS and hepatitis). I also believe that people who use drugs if convicted should be allowed rehabilitation as an option instead of a jail sentence. I would think this proposition goes too far but there is a reasonable middle ground.
I can understand why some would feel that way...this is one of those super controversial issues and I doubt there will be a concencus on this one.
You are correct, I don't want my son growing up to be a smoker, alcohol abuser or pot abuser. But just like not all kids growing up abusing alcohol, they won't grow up abusing pot either. That is part of my job as his mother...to educate him on the dangers. Making it illegal or legal won't change that. I know what your saying, I just don't see it the same way. I am the child of an addict and have seen first hand the danger of alcohol. This is the same thing...I will be teaching him from a very young age (unfortunately they start very young now...kids in elementary school drinking and such..it's pretty sad). I also believe in teaching by example. He will never see I nor his father drinking excessively (we are pretty much a single drink household), or smoking, etc. Neither of us actually uses pot, so that's an easy one. And you are correct..if kids see parents doing it, they will. It's no different then seeing them abuse alcohol..they see it, they do it. Heck, even with pot and other drugs being illegal, bad parents are bad parents and doing those things in front of your kids is not wise regardless. Parents need to be parents and not just buddies if you know what I mean.
As for the guy you know that sits around all day all out of it, not working..well he is doing that and it is illegal currently (or is it not in the UK? I am not aware of the law there). There are some that will abuse anything and everything, legal or not.
As for more harmful, actually it's not. Any kind of abuse is a bad thing for sure..it's just that pot does not have a tendancy to make people behave violently, and it is actually proven to be non addictive. So in most way's alchohol is far more dangerous. Now, I am not a propenent of making alcohol illegal...if people use if properly it's fine. It's illegal for underage people, which I fully fully agree with. Pot should be the same.
So I guess it's not so much that I am pro legalization, I just don't see the point in making it illegal. It's like cigarettes, alcohol or any other legal stimulant. No worse. Now, the harder drugs like cocaine, meth, etc I feel differently about. Although I go back and forth on those as well.
To say "good luck to your children growing up using pot" is a bit offensive. I fully intend to be extremely involved in every aspect of my son's life. His biggest problem with having a mom that does what I do for a living is he won't be able to get away with much..lol. I see it all, and I know the signs to watch for. Every parent should educate themselves on these things. And I can assure you I will be a mother, not just his buddy.
You are correct, I don't want my son growing up to be a smoker, alcohol abuser or pot abuser. But just like not all kids growing up abusing alcohol, they won't grow up abusing pot either. That is part of my job as his mother...to educate him on the dangers. Making it illegal or legal won't change that. I know what your saying, I just don't see it the same way. I am the child of an addict and have seen first hand the danger of alcohol. This is the same thing...I will be teaching him from a very young age (unfortunately they start very young now...kids in elementary school drinking and such..it's pretty sad). I also believe in teaching by example. He will never see I nor his father drinking excessively (we are pretty much a single drink household), or smoking, etc. Neither of us actually uses pot, so that's an easy one. And you are correct..if kids see parents doing it, they will. It's no different then seeing them abuse alcohol..they see it, they do it. Heck, even with pot and other drugs being illegal, bad parents are bad parents and doing those things in front of your kids is not wise regardless. Parents need to be parents and not just buddies if you know what I mean.
As for the guy you know that sits around all day all out of it, not working..well he is doing that and it is illegal currently (or is it not in the UK? I am not aware of the law there). There are some that will abuse anything and everything, legal or not.
As for more harmful, actually it's not. Any kind of abuse is a bad thing for sure..it's just that pot does not have a tendancy to make people behave violently, and it is actually proven to be non addictive. So in most way's alchohol is far more dangerous. Now, I am not a propenent of making alcohol illegal...if people use if properly it's fine. It's illegal for underage people, which I fully fully agree with. Pot should be the same.
So I guess it's not so much that I am pro legalization, I just don't see the point in making it illegal. It's like cigarettes, alcohol or any other legal stimulant. No worse. Now, the harder drugs like cocaine, meth, etc I feel differently about. Although I go back and forth on those as well.
To say "good luck to your children growing up using pot" is a bit offensive. I fully intend to be extremely involved in every aspect of my son's life. His biggest problem with having a mom that does what I do for a living is he won't be able to get away with much..lol. I see it all, and I know the signs to watch for. Every parent should educate themselves on these things. And I can assure you I will be a mother, not just his buddy.
10 members have voted I see some didnt want to say who they are ... well there you go if the Dems get in you will have your wish...good luck to your children who will grow up using pot.
If you dont want to use it your self why would anyone want it legalised, what reason could there be, I actually do believe its more harmful than alcohol, ..and what, about the smoking part so then its okay to smoke, I thought the left wanted to be rid of smoking ...so the kids of cigs& pot smoking parents will then for sure copy them ..Sorry but I just dont get it... ...
Pot gives you the munchies.
If it's legalized, I think that we'll see an epidemic of obesity... even worse than it already is!
If it's legalized, I think that we'll see an epidemic of obesity... even worse than it already is!
No I have seen first hand in a male relative in Europe he sat around all day and didnt work he wasnt very happy,was glassy eyed most of the time it is also passed on to the children as they see that its okay to smoke ,, and he went on to take other addictive drugs ...a big NO May I ask why you think its a good thing, what will it do for you ?do you really want your little boy smoking pot ....wow
I voted yes. Here are my thoughts on this...
Keeping it illegal does not in any way hider usage. Those who want it will get it. Problem is, it is being sold "underground" if you wish, which actually makes it easier for young people to get their hands on it.
Other thoughts...I have never known anyone to become violent on pot, unlike alcohol. It is not a gateway drug to other drugs. I think it should be legal, taxed and have similar if not the same restrictions as alcohol. Illegal for minors, illegal to drive while under the influence, etc. It is less harmful then alcohol. If nothing else, it should most definately be made legal for medical use as the benefits for those with extreme pain, MS, those undergoing chemo (amongst other things) have been proven time and again.
I do think it should be illegal to distribute unless licensed to do so (same as alcohol).
Here it technically is still illegal, but unless you are a dealer or operating a grow op, they pretty much leave you alone. Personally, it's not my thing (mind you, I'm not much of a drinker either), but it is not as harmful as alcohol. I think legalization is a positive thing.
Good poll Teko, will be interesting to see the results and read other's thoughts. I know this is one of those very controversial topics.
Keeping it illegal does not in any way hider usage. Those who want it will get it. Problem is, it is being sold "underground" if you wish, which actually makes it easier for young people to get their hands on it.
Other thoughts...I have never known anyone to become violent on pot, unlike alcohol. It is not a gateway drug to other drugs. I think it should be legal, taxed and have similar if not the same restrictions as alcohol. Illegal for minors, illegal to drive while under the influence, etc. It is less harmful then alcohol. If nothing else, it should most definately be made legal for medical use as the benefits for those with extreme pain, MS, those undergoing chemo (amongst other things) have been proven time and again.
I do think it should be illegal to distribute unless licensed to do so (same as alcohol).
Here it technically is still illegal, but unless you are a dealer or operating a grow op, they pretty much leave you alone. Personally, it's not my thing (mind you, I'm not much of a drinker either), but it is not as harmful as alcohol. I think legalization is a positive thing.
Good poll Teko, will be interesting to see the results and read other's thoughts. I know this is one of those very controversial topics.
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