Legalize Marijuana?

[Wicca]

never been there either which is why, like you, i can't know for a fact, but i trust that it does help.

 

[eponinethen]

Yeah ok... then, hard to know, maybe, hehe...

 

[doppelgänger2]

lmao. right. well i've been talking to quite a few people who have been there and i'll tell you this - things got out of control. not surprisingly, these people donb't evenknow each other but they all don't ever want to go back there *because* of the drugs that have become a part of everyday life over there.

I don't agree. I've spent quite some time in NL and that's not my view of their society at all. I didn't experience as if it was out of control at all. Sure, it was weird at first to be walking the street of Amsterdam and all of the sudden smell some wird stuff while passing some guys standing at a street corner smoking. Or when asking "can I smoke in here" to get the answer "yes, but if you wanna smoke pot you have to go outside." But strangely i got used to all that. I'm not into "drugs" of any kind (except alcohol if that counts?) and just because I was in a country that allowed me to smoke pot, didn't mean I went out and did it. Sure, i went to those "smart shops" to see what they selled but not even being in a store selling joints made me wanna do it. Don't really know what I want to say with this but...

I have to agree with eudial on this one, i'm all for controlled leagalization.

 

[killerdwarf]

i think it should be legal. KillerDwarf stated some great reasons why.

if it was Legal they can controll it. just because its illegal it dosent mean it dosent happen. if you legalise it you can put a legal limit on (which has been suggested in this country even tho its illegal) even if it hasnt been suggested you can inform the public how much would be safe to drive with etc.

also if you can buy it in a shop you wouldnt need to get it from some dodgy character in a park

the fact is, its here, it happens, stop ignoring it and pretending it dosent happen, alcohol and tabbaco are alot worse.

no im not saying "worse things are legal so add it"

im saying if you admit its here you can do somthing about it

Nicely done, now I have to think...😉. You make some good points, and that's why we Canuckleheads are considering "decriminalization" as opposed to legalization. Quick explanation: "decriminalization" means that small amounts (the usual amount is an ounce, or whatever that is in grams) would be subject to seizure and a fine, with no criminal record...kinda like drinking in a public place (which we can't do here in the Great White North). "Legalization" would entail sales not unlike tobacco. Ok, terms explained.

I think decriminalization is fine to keep people from having a criminal record for pot possession, but it does nothing to address Faldor's points about illegal growth and distribution. I see your points for legalization, and for the most part I agree. Taking the illegality out of it also takes the dodginess out of it too, and limits for driving could be determined. All that will make it safer, for the recreational user. And hey, BIG taxes that I won't be paying, so yay!! But...I think you made the best point for keeping it illegal. Alcohol and tobacco already take such a toll; do we need another way to kill ourselves in cars and with cancer (marajuana has up to 10 times the tar as tobacco...definitely not good for the lungs)? I know, it's not going away, and my head has never been stuck in the sand on this issue. I was known to enjoy the "divine weed" back in the day (God I sound old now). But what is the toll we'd have to pay in social services for cancer services, medical for people injured in collisions and addicts who use it as a gateway to bigger and better things? Would the taxes offset them? Is it ethical to tax a drug in that way? All questions that need answering, and all answers will be different according to your worldview.

The most compelling reason for me remains this: In a world where privacy is becoming an endangered luxury, do we really want to allow "the government" to take blood samples without a warrant to find out if we're stoned? Remember, these are the wankers that lie to us on a regular basis "for our own good" (yeah, right). I don't really care if you smoke it at home. But if you cause me to have to submit to what amounts to an invasion of privacy at the highest level so you can get high, then maybe you better get used to smoking it illegally. (I don't mean you, Faldor, I'm using the universal "you"...but you knew that...)

 

[Faldor]

Mr. Dwarf it is as always a pleasure to debate with you 😀

yeah in the last few years here in the UK it has been down graded to class C so you can't be arrested for carrying it or using it. but it is not aloud for medical use or research.

(herbs have been used for medicine here for centuries here)

if it was legal its medical properties could be put to use (and it might cure cancer 😉 )

i just don't buy the "if its made legal everyone will be permantly stoned" argument.

its a social thing. at the moment bindge drinking is up in the UK (espcally amongst teenaged girls) because its considered acceptable to be drunk in the day.

if you read about somone in the paper who's been up all night chrismas eve pissed out of their minds (too the point of singinging, or worse) the general reaction is often "ah their into the chrismas spirit" but if somone was to do the same thing on a harder drug they would be viewed as scum of the earth.

im not saying social changes are easy to bring about and it would be far easier to get the responce i get from alot of americans i speak too who beleave anyone that drinks is the devil and should be hit with sticks.

so yes it should be legalised but quietly. admit it happens but control it and try and change peoples views on these things.

 

[killerdwarf]

Mr. Dwarf it is as always a pleasure to debate with you 😀

The feeling is mutual, as long as I can keep my bad behaviour under control!😉 And I will this time, I promise!

yeah in the last few years here in the UK it has been down graded to class C so you can't be arrested for carrying it or using it. but it is not aloud for medical use or research.

(herbs have been used for medicine here for centuries here)

if it was legal its medical properties could be put to use (and it might cure cancer 😉 )

It is legal with a prescription here. The only problem is that the stuff the government allows to be sold as medicinal is so crappy it's entirely useless. Quality control. Another problem with legalization!😀

i just don't buy the "if its made legal everyone will be permantly stoned" argument.

Me either. That's just a bit of hyperbole. It's just all the other ramifications that worry me, as I said earlier. Personally, if that's what floats someone's boat, that's great, as long as it has no "splatter" into my life.

its a social thing. at the moment bindge drinking is up in the UK (espcally amongst teenaged girls) because its considered acceptable to be drunk in the day.

Yeah, that statistic does tend to ebb and flow though, and I'm sure it would be the same with marajuana use, legal or not.

if you read about somone in the paper who's been up all night chrismas eve pissed out of their minds (too the point of singinging, or worse) the general reaction is often "ah their into the chrismas spirit" but if somone was to do the same thing on a harder drug they would be viewed as scum of the earth.

Good point. Anyone using anything that gets them to singing is kind of "scum of the earthy" anyway!😉

im not saying social changes are easy to bring about and it would be far easier to get the responce i get from alot of americans i speak too who beleave anyone that drinks is the devil and should be hit with sticks.

so yes it should be legalised but quietly. admit it happens but control it and try and change peoples views on these things.

If it's going to be done, that is the way to go. Again, the devil is in the details, and I know you don't want any more government in your life than you already have. Until they come up with a "ganja breathalyzer", and a "Weed Control and Quality Board", I think I'll stand against!

 

[faiths5x5]

not in the least. they were from allover the world, from netherlands as well. and please remember that liberal is not always good. i sure as hell wouldn't want to raise my kids in that country.

pray tell why not? is the country not good enough? its small, it recycles all it can, lower drinking age, less drinking among younger ppl, less teen pregnancies, more open bout sex, legalized drugs Lower drug use..hm..nah i wouldnt wanna go there either

i've been there. lived in america quite a lot. have you been there?

i go to a high school in a small rural town in the us. you know how Hard it is to find someoen who does drink do drugs or have sex?
im not sure i can name Anyone.

yknow the dutch prosecute dealers? just not users...and they have quite a few programs to help ppl get over the addiction.

lmao. right. well i've been talking to quite a few people who have been there and i'll tell you this - things got out of control. not surprisingly, these people donb't evenknow each other but they all don't ever want to go back there *because* of the drugs that have become a part of everyday life over there.

really? conservative by chance?...i was there 2 years ago. not out of control at all. barely heard about it. if i brought it up, was talked bout, other than that. nufing. here? all the time. All the time.
drugs are part of everyday of life, but, not everyones...its..something that just is and Always will be, you can't just get rid of them, and they do have some benefits. why make something that can help ppl illegal?
yeah it hurts some, but...if it dun hurt other ppl, i dont really care what joe up the street does.

controlled would also decrease the deaths. ppl won't mix stuff up in it, to get more, if gov't controls how it goes out, less dealers. if gov't sets up a program to help ppl overcome addiction, less bad stuff too.

Personally, if that's what floats someone's boat, that's great, as long as it has no "splatter" into my life.

ditto....


its possible to control it, its done in nl, theres Less drug use than in america and most other countries. statistically.

i may have been snippy, but long day adn..i listen a lot to kids in school saying "oh i'd love to go amsterdam, all those drugs man." i hear about drugs All day, i hear of drinking all day, its the thing, in the nl, its not so big, nor is sex, less teen pregnancies as well.

im not saying perfect, nothing is or will be, but it..seems to be to be better....too liberal's too bad, and too conservative's too bad...

i know i didnt articulate my points well, but i got way erghed, and im tired. i don't mean to come off mean or rude, but..you Don't know what its like.

it being illegal makes it more..wanted....ppl do/want it more if its illegal,

didja read the page that eudial linked?

eh...i'd love to raise my kids in the nl, even tho im a prude. i feel so much better in the nl than here. i can be me no worries. i enjoy the nl so much more than america, small or larger town.