Should Weed Be Legalized?

[PoN]

I want to hear your opinions.

I would love it to be legalized but as soon as it is.. The governments gonna tax the sh!t outta it. Like they did with squares.

[Cheapliquid]

It's not an addictive drug, that's been proven scientifically, so don't say it is. So many people enjoy it and it is a huge problem for police and everything, and the Government would make so much money if they didn't spend time arresting people and putting them away for it, they could virtually pay for school funding, and drop property taxes if they did it, but then don't you think the drug dealers (big time) not the dude with 2 dimebags, would fight back? Because if the government or private company takes over the manufacturing of it, it would become like cigs, but it would be clean not laced with any dangerous drugs, and would be "better" as in safer for you, it goes both ways, we had a huge discussion in my college english class, for debate sakes..

It's a big problem to the government, and i don't care for weed, so it's not something i'm for or against, cause it doesn't affect me.

[Dragod]

I'd rather it not... I don't want to see people showing up to class High off of their asses because they were smokin' pot in front of the public library 10 minutes ago.

[Saline]

Mleh, there's a lot of stuff involved with this, and a bunch of pros and cons.

As it is, the people who really want it have no problem getting it, so making it legal wouldn't change a lot of things. Well it would, but you know what I mean?

[asuro]

Originally Posted by Dragod

I'd rather it not... I don't want to see people showing up to class High off of their asses because they were smokin' pot in front of the public library 10 minutes ago.

i totally agree......although there are already a bunch of ppl in my school that come to school high as hell.

also if weed got legalized so many people would abuse the new law and there would be really idiotic ppl walking around everywhere. after a while though people would start to get used to it and wouldnt think it was so amazing. also.....weed is addicting, but its a mental addiction as opposed to a physical addiction...ive known many ppl who smoked pot regularly and they all use the excuse "i can stop when i want to" but the truth is they cant...whether it be for a mental, physical, social, or emotional reason.even if they could stop the weed usually leads them to do other drugs which are addicting.

[meth0dical]

uh marijuana does have addictive traits... mental addiction is just as strong as physical.
edit: i just noticed asuro said that lol

marijuana needs to stay the way it is, at least here on the west coast of canada. if you get caught smoking a joint here they make you put it out if you get caught growing dope you get a $1000 fine and they chop your crop down.
i have absolutely no issue with current marijuana law where i live.
the only positive i can think of is that the money would not be going to organized crime, but then cocaine/heroine/meth/etc would just be pushed harder and availability would skyrocket (though it's already through the roof). so i guess in the end its not really a positive.

[Cheapliquid]

it's not a chemical addiction, so i'm right. not my fault your mind is weak.

[meth0dical]

^thats a very ignorant statement to make. it doesnt take a weak mind to become addicted to something. mental addiction has the same symptoms and traits of physical addiction.
http://www.spencerrecovery.com/marijuana-addiction.html

[Jon]

Ahem, Stay above the influence people
Like me ; )
Marijuana should not be legalized, mainly because it's more fun when it's illegal.

[Cheapliquid]

ignorant? there are many things that can get to an individual, not having a real family around can be one of them, but to take ur problems and run away from them with a drug or alcohol is weak, grow up and deal with life, it's not so bad.

[Snackbar]

addiction isnt a sign of a weak mind. Many people are addicted to things. Most people here are addicted to the internet. some people are addicted to sex. Pot is another. It doesnt make someone weak.
One problem that we have now is that the govt. went on an all out drug war. They are losing. You know damn well our govt. doesnt like to lose at any cost.
that is why we have murderers out on the street and pothead in jail. It is back asswards in our country.
Pot makes most people mellow out. Not a bad thing most of the time. If it were legalized, you know they will not let anyone under 21 use it anyway. So, teens would still be breaking the law.

[meth0dical]

more ignorance.
some people smoke pot because they enjoy it, not to escape anything. i lead a very fulfilling life and i smoke pot every day. i'm not using it to run away or hide from anything in my life as i dont have anything to hide from. theres nothing missing. i like the taste and i like the buzz. that doesnt mean i'm physically or mentally addicted but i could see how someone could become that. not everyone that has a problem with drugs or alcohol comes from a broken home.

[Cheapliquid]

as you have reached my point, you do it for the enjoyment the little chill and excitement, not because of other people, so many people do it just because they wanna be cool and be like everyone else, do things for yourself.

[MemphisMasenko]

Sure why not. I believe it is safer than cigarrettes.
And what are squares. you mean nicotine gum?

[mangodroplet]

I just think that the government shouldn't legalize something that is so detrimental to the country. Yes, cigarettes are legal, but that is only because they were kept for so long that to take it away now, people would be angry, and the laws against cigarettes would not work, just like the 18th amendment for prohibition did not work, as everyone was still trying to drink.

I say leave weed be. >_>

[lpxxfaintxx]

If alcohol and cigarettes are legal, I say weed should be legal as well.

[Gow616]

Originally Posted by Cheapliquid

it's not a chemical addiction, so i'm right. not my fault your mind is weak.

Actually, it has a deep psychological addiction that is noted in psychology journals and does mess with chemical receptors in the brain of the individual. It however does not have the same body reaction addiction as nicotine but to claim it has NO chemical addiction would be false. After all comparing tobacco and weed addiction are two different things because they are two different chemicals. Alcohol addiction interacts in a different way and it also another addictive drug.

Problem arises when people use the substance outside of moderation than it can and very likely does becoming addicting to the individual.

I smoke cigars but I do it so rarely that I have no physical or mental problems with addiction, but do I go around claiming tobacco as non-addictive because of this?

Weed should only be legalized on the following ground that the drug war has filled up our prisons and has proven ineffective against the heart of the drug crime. We go after users and have trouble taking out the dealers and root cause of the situation.

Furthermore, my views coincide with that of the Libertarian Party on this issue.

Source

III.2 The War on Drugs

The Issue: The suffering that drug misuse has brought about is deplorable; however, drug prohibition causes more harm than drugs themselves. The so-called "War on Drugs" is in reality a war against the American people, our Constitution and the Bill of Rights. It is a grave threat to individual liberty, to domestic order and to peace in the world.

The Principle: Individuals should have the right to use drugs, whether for medical or recreational purposes, without fear of legal reprisals, but must be held legally responsible for the consequences of their actions only if they violate others’ rights.

Solutions: Social involvement by individuals is essential to address the problem of substance misuse and abuse. Popular education and assistance groups are a better approach than prohibition, and we support the activities of private organizations as the best way to move forward on the issue.

Transitional Action: Repeal all laws establishing criminal or civil penalties for the use of drugs. Repeal laws that infringe upon individual rights to be secure in our persons, homes, and property as protected by the Fourth Amendment. Stop the use of "anti-crime" measures such as profiling or civil asset forfeiture that reduce the standard of proof historically borne by government in prosecutions. Stop prosecuting accused non-violent drug offenders, and pardon those previously convicted.

[Gregory]

I think it should only be legal if prescribed as medical.