Solution to California's budget crisis: Legalize marijuana. (crime, gated)

[58robbo]

what's the news with this bill? anyone out there know?

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by hellaslover

you guys are crazy...you really want marijuana legalized?? i understand that people still smoke it but since it's illegal it's only limited to smoking at parties or at home...and smoking marijuana is not the same as smoking tobacco. marijuana affects you right away, cigarettes affect you in 20yrs when you get cancer. we already have enough problems with people driving drunk, we don't need high drivers. And kids will think it's ok to smoke it since it's legal + it will be much easier to get
people are already doing bad things, this doesn't mean we have to legalize it just so because it's happening anyways..
come on people

lets put it this way, I would rather not see any drugs legal or any new ones, we already have tobacco and booze, but I also do not think pot is all that bad. I don't care if they leagalize it..Just so they do not legalize any other drugs like Herion, coke, etc. My fear is, legalize one, the rest will follow..That is scary...

Nita

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by ImRandy

Yes.

I don't know where you live but where I do smoking isn't limited to parties or at home. I regularly see people on the street, in parks, in bars, etc smoking. I came out of Baskin Robbins the other night and four or five people were sharing a joint before going inside to take advantage of the $1 scoop deal.

Kids already think it's OK to smoke, they've been doing it for years, with limited or no repercussions, and I can't imagine it getting much more available to them unless the teachers start shoving it in their pockets on the way out of class.

I don't believe smoking in and of itself is a bad thing so legalizing it is perfectly rational. Legalizing it won't make the real crimes legal. Driving while impaired would still be illegal, hacking up our national and state parks to grow it would still be illegal, tax evasion would still be illegal.

You're right, we don't have to legalize it just because people are breaking the law but laws aren't handed down from above, they're derived from the will of the people. If the majority of people want marijuana to be legalized and/or think that it's better not to use our scarce resources to fight a battle that is not winnable it makes perfect sense to legalize and reap the benefits.

no repercussions, I am not sure: for those who use it rarely, like at a party I might agree, but those smoking in the park, at Baskins Robbins etc are probably the same kids that are doing poorly in school or will eventually get hooked. I have a brother (he isn't a kid by anymeans) if the pot had not been available to him I think he would have done a lot more with his life..

Though i am not totally opposed to the legalization, to make a broad statement like you made I question....

Nita

[Roaddog]

Originally Posted by 58robbo

what's the news with this bill? anyone out there know?

the only news I've seen on this was with some reps in Sac. none of them were for this and when asked Arnold said he would not sign it, I don't think this has the slightest chance that it will get to Arnolds desk.

[happ]

I also notice how much more openly marijuana is smoked. I used to work downtown LA & would regularly walk by people smoking weed on the street but most looked like they were homeless. It's against the law to have an open container of alcohol on the street but it seems the cops don't care if marijuana is being smoked out in the open [or they can't tell the difference if it is tobacco or weed]. Also outside night clubs\ bars you can smell marijuana in the air & clubs that have patios are full of smokers [actually more weed than cigarettes

Now that Obama has called off the DEA from raiding dispensaries I think all limits on marijuana will be removed. I do believe that it should be taxed since it is the largest cash crop grown in California.

[grapico]

Originally Posted by happ

There must be something in the soil\ climate that marijuana grows so well in California. I understand some of the best quality marijuana is grown in Northern California, esp the coastal areas between Eureka & Santa Rosa. Just like all the vineyards up in the Napa & Sonoma valleys produce high quality grapes. They even have "smoke-ins" on the beach each year that attracts hundreds of people in Arcada. The police are there only to make sure the stoner's don't walk into eco-sensitive native plants

What I don't understand is where all the marijuana is grown for all the dispensaries across the state.

you can drive through this area and smell the pot at night when car fumes aren't messing with it so much.

[58robbo]

Originally Posted by nmnita

no repercussions, I am not sure: for those who use it rarely, like at a party I might agree, but those smoking in the park, at Baskins Robbins etc are probably the same kids that are doing poorly in school or will eventually get hooked. I have a brother (he isn't a kid by anymeans) if the pot had not been available to him I think he would have done a lot more with his life..

Though i am not totally opposed to the legalization, to make a broad statement like you made I question....

Nita

errrr, the last 3 presidents, our most decorated olympian and just about anyone who has made something of themselves has smoked pot! perhaps your brother is happy, but then you never did define "more with his life"?

[58robbo]

Originally Posted by nmnita

lets put it this way, I would rather not see any drugs legal or any new ones, we already have tobacco and booze, but I also do not think pot is all that bad. I don't care if they leagalize it..Just so they do not legalize any other drugs like Herion, coke, etc. My fear is, legalize one, the rest will follow..That is scary...

Nita

you do know that these other drugs have only been illegal for a short time?

[bhcompy]

Originally Posted by 58robbo

you do know that these other drugs have only been illegal for a short time?

you do know that humans have only existed for a short time?

it's all relative

[58robbo]

Originally Posted by bhcompy

you do know that humans have only existed for a short time?

it's all relative

please make some kind of point. ie for legalisation, against etc