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Legalizing Marijuana?
So, basically, what's your opinion on the subject? Do you think marijuana should be legal? Why? What are the repercussions of making it legal? Seems like Canada is doing okay with it.
(Scott recommended this is another thread, and I really wanted to hear this debate.)
(Scott recommended this is another thread, and I really wanted to hear this debate.)
Comments
1. It's no worse for you than cigarettes or alcohol, which are already legal. Actually, if anything, pot makes you more mellow and less destructive, whereas some people become violent and destructive when drunk.
2. You should have the right to do whatever you want to your own body, provided you are fully aware of the consequences.
3. The government could regulate and tax it, providing an excellent source of additional tax revenue.
4. Smoking pot tends to lead towards eating, providing increased business to local eateries and grocery stores.
5. Legalizing it removes the black market around it, and would probably lead to reduced crime rates.
Really, for that matter, legalize ALL drugs. I might make an exception for heroin, because it's so terrible, but otherwise, I cannot think of a good reason why you shouldn't be able to poison yourself with whatever drug you want.
Now, of course, I don't mean "W00T LET'S ALL GET HIGH 24/7." These things will need regulations just like alcohol. There's no reason why we can't responsibly regulate drug use. Really.
It isn't any worse than tobacco but no-one has died from cancer caused by weed, possibly because no one has ever got enough of a supply to have that kind of a health problem.
Also, I'll point out that it being illegal obviously didn't stop these two people from getting it.
Oh, wait.
I would conted that, if it were legal, there wouldn't be such a mystique about it. If everyone can do it, it sort of loses its rebellious appeal.
This is why reverse psychology works, or it's close to it.
Legalize it, monetize it, tax it, and enjoy it. Make sure you buy stock in Funyuns, Hoho's, and Mountain Dew if it ever does get legalized.
On the down side marijuana is habit forming, I've seen it. People may not have a physical addiction to it like meth, cocaine, or alcohol, but they will feel like they need to smoke every day. Having observed this, I prefer to see stoners over drunks and junkies.
Marijuana does, and is proven to do through research...
In low doses:
Short term memory damage.
Marijuana causes joy, relaxation, anxiousness, suspicion, confusion, erratic emotions, panic, talkativeness, and shyness within people.
It gives the user a feeling of sharper perceptions, though no evidence shows it actually enhances any.
Time is distorted and seems slower then it is.
Size and Distance are distorted.
There is in increase in appetite, for the brain expresses the want to eat.
Increase in heart rate and blood pressure.
Dry mouth and red eyes.
The long term effects are still being studied, but known effects are...
Lowers sperm count
Lowers ovulation period
Lung disease
Possible memory damage
"Actually, if anything, pot makes you more mellow and less destructive"
Are there any studies done of this, I would love to see some stats on "destruction" and marijuana.
Well, I'm sure someone's lung cancer was exacerbated by weed smoking, but really, it can't be worse than a cigarette.
Actually it is worse, for an avg person smoking a cigarette does not keep the toxins and smoke within their lungs for as long as a person smoking weed. This has been proven to harm the lungs more. The longer you hold the smoke and toxins in your lungs the more damage is done. Thus 1 joint does much more damage then one cigarette. Now you will say that "But people smoke more cigarettes then joints", and your right... but just don't start saying that a joint gives you less lung cancer then a cigarette, that is not even close to being correct. When both tobacco leaves and marijuana are smoked, the marijuana is worse because of the way it must be used.
"People may not have a physical addiction to it like meth, cocaine, or alcohol, but they will feel like they need to smoke every day."
There are physical withdrawal symptoms related to weed... They are very similar to having the flu. They are not as violent as alcohol yes, but they are still prevalent and proven to exist.
In my opinion, pot is still there, so you might as well legalize it. I personally like how Amsterdam goes about drugs (please correct me if I'm wrong) they give free, clean, needles, and make everything legal, and they have a far lower OD rate than the U.S.
The VERY short version is that:
1) Marijuana is more damaging than the legalization proponents would have you believe - both physically and in terms of societal impact. It is not harmless, especially in today's form. Just because you don't beat up your wife after smoking a joint does not mean that it is entirely harmless in every aspect.
2) It's a judgment call as to whether or not you think society should care. I personally think society should. Others don't. Because it's a social issue, there is no scientifically measurable correct answer.
I was once a member of a panel that discussed this issue at a community forum. The biggest surprise to me at that forum was that the recovered drug addicts (mostly heroin), were all strong advocates of marijuana being illegal. They all viewed it as their gateway drug. It was easy to get and had minimal social stigma. These were people that never dreamed that one day they'd be shooting up heroin. This was purely anecdotal, but it was quite interesting.
If marijuana were legal, you would buy it at a store, you would not come into contact with the people pushing other drugs. The only thing it would be a gateway to is the dancing cactus in the checkout lane at Walgreens.