Marijuana is Safer: So Why Are We Driving People to Drink? (illegal aliens, borders)

[no1brownsfan]

Originally Posted by Memphis1979

You're thinking in to small a scale. The amount of money being gained from fines is minimal.

The reason why its still illegal, is jobs. Think about it, would we need all of the police officers we need now, if drugs were legal? Would we need all of the jail officers? Would we need all of the DEA agents?

Thats just scratching the surface. If we pot is legal, you'll be putting a lot of people out of work, and lawmakers can't have that.

Perhaps, and I've thought that as well, and still do somewhat. However; there are plenty of other things to worry about such, as rape, murder, burglary ect... that IMO are bigger fish to fry than worrying about someone smoking a joint every once in awhile. Still plenty of work to go around for law enforcement, if you ask me. I can understand coccaine, meth, and heroin all being illegal, because of the dangers, and their addictive qualities, as well as how many lives have been ruined because of these drugs. And they should stay illegal! Same with prescription pain pills, and alcohol... and those are legal!

I've also heard the argument, that the government can't figure out how to tax it, because anyone can grow it. OK fine, then why not set it up, so that anyone who wants to grow and sell it have to apply for a license (just like for everything else in this country)? If you do not have a license, and are caught, then impose strict fines, that would increase with each offense. Sure, you are going to have people trying to get around it, as with anything... but I'm sure that plenty of people will go through the right channels. And think of it, it could be another source of revenue in this crappy economy. Not only to cultivate for recreational purposes, but clothing, and paper! They did away with prohibition of alcohol.. it's long overdue to do away with the prohibition of marijuana.

[texdav]

Basically we really don't know that marijuana is safer. Just the other day a study came out that siad that certain people are more intelligent except if they smoked pot. I certainly think that generally that it has at least as much if not more harm than a social drinker;especailly in their choices in life;but that is just my personal observation.Studies now days are usually taken with a intended result aimed for it seems.Afterall most alcoholic do not admit that they have a problem either.

[xX-GDP-Xx]

Originally Posted by texdav

Basically we really don't know that marijuana is safer. Just the other day a study came out that siad that certain people are more intelligent except if they smoked pot. I certainly think that generally that it has at least as much if not more harm than a social drinker;especailly in their choices in life;but that is just my personal observation.Studies now days are usually taken with a intended result aimed for it seems.Afterall most alcoholic do not admit that they have a problem either.

I dont understand your saying that certain people are less intelligent because they smoke pot?... and to your comment about most alcoholics not admitting to having an alcohol problem. Though this is true the point i am trying to make is that the long term effects of alcohol are worse than the long term effects that marijuana has on you. Alcohol is addictive much like cigarettes because of its contents, but there is nothing in marijuana that is addictive. The only type of addiction that can come from smoking pot is a psychological addiction where you think in your head that you need the buds, so why punish the people that can control themselves and not get psychologically addicted to the ganja. I also your thinking in a very stereotypical way towards people that smoke pot not every pot smoker is a burn out and make terrible decisions in their life.

[NVplumber]

It is pretty much indisputable that pot has less adverse effects, both physical and social,(if the 'criminal' factor is removed anyway) than alcohol. Making pot illegal is pretty silly, actually. It is a plant. Add soil and water and nature does the rest. It requires no refining to be used, and does not need to be blended with other chemicals. Alcohol must be distilled, the process to obtain the finished product is no different from that of making meth or cocaine, other than chemistry. Booze is a man made product, just as the latter two I mentioned, as well. So,a plant, that grows in profusion around the entire globe, is made illegal and distillers of booze get a pass? Honestly, what is the real difference twixt a meth lab and a distillery? Other than finished product. I am NOT advocating making meth legal, merely making a comparison of chemical processes that produce a mind altering drug. I , personally, see a HUGE difference in cultivating a plant and manufacturing a chemical. Pot can also be 'in your system', without you being 'under the influence' as well. So, taking all these, and many other factors, into consideration, I believe pot should be legal. Take the sale of it away from the drug dealers, tax it, etc. With the stroke of a pen a major blow would be dealt to the drug runners (I'll bet 40% of cartel funding comes from smuggling pot) and empty our prisons and jails of poor saps up on a petty beef for having a joint. I see NO sense in keeping pot illegal. None.

[no1brownsfan]

Originally Posted by NVplumber

It is pretty much indisputable that pot has less adverse effects, both physical and social,(if the 'criminal' factor is removed anyway) than alcohol. Making pot illegal is pretty silly, actually. It is a plant. Add soil and water and nature does the rest. It requires no refining to be used, and does not need to be blended with other chemicals. Alcohol must be distilled, the process to obtain the finished product is no different from that of making meth or cocaine, other than chemistry. Booze is a man made product, just as the latter two I mentioned, as well. So,a plant, that grows in profusion around the entire globe, is made illegal and distillers of booze get a pass? Honestly, what is the real difference twixt a meth lab and a distillery? Other than finished product. I am NOT advocating making meth legal, merely making a comparison of chemical processes that produce a mind altering drug. I , personally, see a HUGE difference in cultivating a plant and manufacturing a chemical. Pot can also be 'in your system', without you being 'under the influence' as well. So, taking all these, and many other factors, into consideration, I believe pot should be legal. Take the sale of it away from the drug dealers, tax it, etc. With the stroke of a pen a major blow would be dealt to the drug runners (I'll bet 40% of cartel funding comes from smuggling pot) and empty our prisons and jails of poor saps up on a petty beef for having a joint. I see NO sense in keeping pot illegal. None.

Couldn't have said it better myself NVPLUMBER! Although in most states, people don't go to jail for having a joint. It's usually a fine, and maybe rehab. And I think you're right, legalizing it would take the criminal element out of it, and really hit the drug cartels in their wallets!

[hilgi]

Originally Posted by NVplumber

It is pretty much indisputable that pot has less adverse effects, both physical and social,(if the 'criminal' factor is removed anyway) than alcohol. Making pot illegal is pretty silly, actually. It is a plant. Add soil and water and nature does the rest. It requires no refining to be used, and does not need to be blended with other chemicals. Alcohol must be distilled, the process to obtain the finished product is no different from that of making meth or cocaine, other than chemistry. Booze is a man made product, just as the latter two I mentioned, as well. So,a plant, that grows in profusion around the entire globe, is made illegal and distillers of booze get a pass? Honestly, what is the real difference twixt a meth lab and a distillery? Other than finished product. I am NOT advocating making meth legal, merely making a comparison of chemical processes that produce a mind altering drug. I , personally, see a HUGE difference in cultivating a plant and manufacturing a chemical. Pot can also be 'in your system', without you being 'under the influence' as well. So, taking all these, and many other factors, into consideration, I believe pot should be legal. Take the sale of it away from the drug dealers, tax it, etc. With the stroke of a pen a major blow would be dealt to the drug runners (I'll bet 40% of cartel funding comes from smuggling pot) and empty our prisons and jails of poor saps up on a petty beef for having a joint. I see NO sense in keeping pot illegal. None.

For many years I have used the term "Reregulate drugs". How "regulated" are products that are solely controlled by gangs and cartels?

People have twisted the meaning decriminalization into being about giving gangs and criminal a pass. They don't realize that it would actually drive gangs out of business, not legitimize their business.

So what I usually say is "I want to reregulate drugs, I want Dr's and pharmacies in charge of drugs, not gangs and drug cartels. This is why we need to make them legal and regulated."

[joey2000]

First I have to say, what a horribly written article in the OP. Who wrote that, M Phelps' dealer? Anyway -

Originally Posted by Memphis1979

Then you don't have to use them, but please don't tell me what I can and can't do in the privacy of my own home. I don't tell you what you can do in your home.

How is that relevant? This isn't about you or me or any single person - and do you really think if it was made legal, people would only smoke it at home?

Originally Posted by xX-GDP-Xx

It is absolutely safer than alcohol not to mention the damage that alcohol does to your kidneys. i am 18 and smoke pot on the reg and i dont regret one hit ive ever taken.

Not surprising given your posts, but it doesn't change that 2 wrongs still don't make a right (PS not judging you I mean generally as the other person who said it did). I do appreciate that you were at least honest about it.

Originally Posted by no1brownsfan

OK fine, then why not set it up, so that anyone who wants to grow and sell it have to apply for a license (just like for everything else in this country)? If you do not have a license, and are caught, then impose strict fines, that would increase with each offense. Sure, you are going to have people trying to get around it, as with anything... but I'm sure that plenty of people will go through the right channels.

Sorry but that is frankly naive. Heck a lot of people grow their own now and it's illegal...if it was legal, "home growth" would absolutely explode. It's far too easy to do and to hide. There is no way authorities would have the manpower to put even the tiniest dent in people "growing without a license." The "it would generate so much revenue" just doesn't hold up IMO.

Originally Posted by xX-GDP-Xx

The only type of addiction that can come from smoking pot is a psychological addiction

Well if THAT'S all......

so why punish the people that can control themselves

Because we have to create laws that apply to everyone.

not every pot smoker is a burn out and make terrible decisions in their life.

Quite true.

Originally Posted by NVplumber

Making pot illegal is pretty silly, actually. It is a plant. Add soil and water and nature does the rest.

I see, so if it's "natural" it's good. Man-made = bad. Got it.

Honestly, what is the real difference twixt a meth lab and a distillery? Other than finished product.

Well yeah, if THAT'S all, big deal. Right.

taking all these, and many other factors, into consideration,

Like........

With the stroke of a pen a major blow would be dealt to the drug runners (I'll bet 40% of cartel funding comes from smuggling pot) and empty our prisons and jails of poor saps up on a petty beef for having a joint.

Yeah, are prisons are just packed with guys in for having a joint or 2. Riiight.


I wish "pro pot" people would just come out and say they want it legal because they like it and don't want the hassle/danger of getting it illegally, which is I think likely the main if not only real motivation for most of them by far. And PS I've been there myself - just didn't kid myself it was for more "noble" reasons.

[hilgi]

Originally Posted by joey2000

I wish "pro pot" people would just come out and say they want it legal because they like it and don't want the hassle/danger of getting it illegally, which is I think likely the main if not only real motivation for most of them by far. And PS I've been there myself - just didn't kid myself it was for more "noble" reasons.

I want it reregulated because I have kids and I don't want them to have to deal with drug dealers in their schools pushing drugs on them. I am tired of gangs becoming “artists” and glorifying the gang and drug culture. I am tired of criminals stealing for their next fix, I am tired of drive-bye shootings killing innocent people, I am tired of the thousands of innocent victims of the drug war who die because it is illegal as opposed to the few who die from ODing. I am tired of the unregulated drug market causing corruption in our law enforcement and I am tired of cops focusing more on drug laws as opposed to catching criminals who have a victim.

[Hillrunner]

Originally Posted by joey2000

First I have to say, what a horribly written article in the OP. Who wrote that, M Phelps' dealer? Anyway -


How is that relevant? This isn't about you or me or any single person - and do you really think if it was made legal, people would only smoke it at home?


Not surprising given your posts, but it doesn't change that 2 wrongs still don't make a right (PS not judging you I mean generally as the other person who said it did). I do appreciate that you were at least honest about it.


Sorry but that is frankly naive. Heck a lot of people grow their own now and it's illegal...if it was legal, "home growth" would absolutely explode. It's far too easy to do and to hide. There is no way authorities would have the manpower to put even the tiniest dent in people "growing without a license." The "it would generate so much revenue" just doesn't hold up IMO.


Well if THAT'S all......

Because we have to create laws that apply to everyone.

Quite true.


I see, so if it's "natural" it's good. Man-made = bad. Got it.



Well yeah, if THAT'S all, big deal. Right.



Like........

Yeah, are prisons are just packed with guys in for having a joint or 2. Riiight.


I wish "pro pot" people would just come out and say they want it legal because they like it and don't want the hassle/danger of getting it illegally, which is I think likely the main if not only real motivation for most of them by far. And PS I've been there myself - just didn't kid myself it was for more "noble" reasons.

It was a good exchange of views until you came in like a condesending know-it-all. Thanks for trying to kill a good thread.

[thinkin about it]

Originally Posted by texdav

Basically we really don't know that marijuana is safer. Just the other day a study came out that siad that certain people are more intelligent except if they smoked pot. I certainly think that generally that it has at least as much if not more harm than a social drinker;especailly in their choices in life;but that is just my personal observation.Studies now days are usually taken with a intended result aimed for it seems.Afterall most alcoholic do not admit that they have a problem either.

actually, we do know it's safer. Nobody has ever died on marijuana, ever, period, end of story. Many have died from alcohol poisoning.

=safer.

http://elfwax.com/wp-content/uploads/carl-sagan-smoke-weed-everyday.jpg (broken link)