What if South Carolina legalized Marijuana? (Greenville, Spartanburg: crimes, how much, felons)

[Made_it_To_the_Metroplex]

Originally Posted by mstic

Legalize it, tax it, keep smoking banned in most public places. Age limit same as tobacco.

This shouldn't be an issue anymore... it's 2012.

Totally agreed. Let's 1) let government get tax revenue from THAT, rather than my paycheck and 2) save the $$ currently being wasted on the war on drugs. I don't use marijuana, and don't like being around those who do. But since so many people do use it, let's get real. I also agree about restricting the use to one's own home, private clubs, etc. I don't want it inflicted on me when I'm trying to enjoy fresh air in public places, but at the same I time think legalizing and taxing its use is a smart idea.

I'd also say to keep enforcing the laws regarding use of destructive, highly-addictive "hard" drugs like cocaine , meth, etc but stop there. Our resources currently being used to go after drug cartels in other countries should be used to beef up border security in our own country.

[beckycat]

WOW, I must say I'm surprised with the responses. I thought many would oppose it. I don't smoke anything either and I don't tolerate illegal drugs. Although, I don't care if people smoke weed, I just prefer they don't directly do it near me. I don't have a problem using it for medicinal use either.

[USNRET04]

Originally Posted by UpstateBooster

Totally agreed. Let's 1) let government get tax revenue from THAT, rather than my paycheck and 2) save the $$ currently being wasted on the war on drugs. I don't use marijuana, and don't like being around those who do. But since so many people do use it, let's get real. I also agree about restricting the use to one's own home, private clubs, etc. I don't want it inflicted on me when I'm trying to enjoy fresh air in public places, but at the same I time think legalizing and taxing its use is a smart idea.

I'd also say to keep enforcing the laws regarding use of destructive, highly-addictive "hard" drugs like cocaine , meth, etc but stop there. Our resources currently being used to go after drug cartels in other countries should be used to beef up border security in our own country.

I also agree with your all points. Our country is just wasting too many resources to stop it.

A good first step would be to at least reduce the penalties for simple procession of less than 28 grams of marijuana. Simple Possession of Marijuana in South Carolina is a criminal misdemeanor for the unlawful possession of no more than 28 grams of marijuana. For a first offense it is punishable by a fine or up 30 days in the County jail. Further pursuant to S.C. Code 56-1-745 anyone convicted must have their driver’s license suspended for six months. A second offense carries up to one years imprisonment.

If you are caught outside your private residence with a small amount, then a ticket would suffice where you would pay a minor fine and have no criminal record. If you are under age, then a parent would need to be involved. Adults could then be allowed to grow their own plants for private use.

[USNRET04]

Originally Posted by beckycat

WOW, I must say I'm surprised with the responses. I thought many would oppose it. I don't smoke anything either and I don't tolerate illegal drugs. Although, I don't care if people smoke weed, I just prefer they don't directly do it near me. I don't have a problem using it for medicinal use either.

Existing data suggests that smoking marijuana is safer than smoking cigarettes. Research finds that cigarette smoking is ultimately responsible for the deaths of about half of all smokers, mainly due to heart disease and lung cancer. Although a few studies find that marijuana smoking could also lead to cancer, most research does not show increased mortality risk associated with the amount of pot that is typically used — and the risks that are seen are nowhere close to those associated with tobacco smoking.

Compared to marijuana, alcohol has higher risks for addiction, overdose, violence and related driving while intoxicated. Virtually the only measure by which alcohol use is more benign is in associated legal penalties.

[Made_it_To_the_Metroplex]

Originally Posted by beckycat

WOW, I must say I'm surprised with the responses. I thought many would oppose it. I don't smoke anything either and I don't tolerate illegal drugs. Although, I don't care if people smoke weed, I just prefer they don't directly do it near me. I don't have a problem using it for medicinal use either.

I think many of us have a more Libertarian world view than a traditionally "Conservative" one - socially liberal or non-aligned, but fiscally conservative.

[HailVictory]

A few years ago, I had ZERO problem with legalizing it. Then have a kid get messed up in it. Watch his very promising life go from unlimited to just doing everything to keep him out of jail. (Right here you're thinking - "What a bad parent, it's all your fault!" Maybe so. But this bad parent had his own son arrested rather than having the family home confiscated because of his dealing.)

If you legalize it, the kid won't deal, right? So is that the end of the problem? Heck no. I watched a kid with a 135 IQ (for what it's worth) go from straigh A's to complete apathy and finally expulsion. His mom and I did everything: counselors, limiting time with friends, reading all books and using techniques, but the boy would find a way to get high and ditch school almost every day.

How's this different from alcohol which is legal? School kids drink, we all know that. Some much more than others. But the effects from cannibis last well past the high. If you know people that smoke it a lot, how are they doing? CEO? Board of Trustees? Community leader? Brilliant physicians? Nobel Prize? Most of these type people probably enjoy a 20-year old Scotch (or the like) now and then.

Now think about the great things advancing society by "stoners," for lack of a better word. Besides one that didn't inhale, are there any (outside of the music business) of note?

Egad. I'm a fuddy-duddy hypocrite with this new opinion. Keep it illegal (you know, "undocumented"), and make it hard to get. Maybe it will give someone else's son a bright future, and that's worth more to me than all arguments against it, and all the names I'll be called because of this diatribe.

[Made_it_To_the_Metroplex]

Originally Posted by HailVictory

A few years ago, I had ZERO problem with legalizing it. Then have a kid get messed up in it. Watch his very promising life go from unlimited to just doing everything to keep him out of jail. (Right here you're thinking - "What a bad parent, it's all your fault!" Maybe so. But this bad parent had his own son arrested rather than having the family home confiscated because of his dealing.)

If you legalize it, the kid won't deal, right? So is that the end of the problem? Heck no. I watched a kid with a 135 IQ (for what it's worth) go from straigh A's to complete apathy and finally expulsion. His mom and I did everything: counselors, limiting time with friends, reading all books and using techniques, but the boy would find a way to get high and ditch school almost every day.

How's this different from alcohol which is legal? School kids drink, we all know that. Some much more than others. But the effects from cannibis last well past the high. If you know people that smoke it a lot, how are they doing? CEO? Board of Trustees? Community leader? Brilliant physicians? Nobel Prize? Most of these type people probably enjoy a 20-year old Scotch (or the like) now and then.

Now think about the great things advancing society by "stoners," for lack of a better word. Besides one that didn't inhale, are there any (outside of the music business) of note?

Egad. I'm a fuddy-duddy hypocrite with this new opinion. Keep it illegal (you know, "undocumented"), and make it hard to get. Maybe it will give someone else's son a bright future, and that's worth more to me than all arguments against it, and all the names I'll be called because of this diatribe.

I understand your desire here, but there's virtually no way to make it hard to get. Sadly, our governments have been trying to do just that for decades to no discernible effect.

[gvsteve]

The War on Drugs is a set of restrictions on personal freedom, the enforcement of which is unsustainably expensive, and which will collapse someday in a manner analogous to the Berlin Wall.

[shamrocker]

I would support it; I've never tried the stuff, but I'm not opposed if it were legal and taxed. Someday, I bet I might get to experience it without fear of losing my job. I support the continued restriction on other substances, such as meth and cocaine. I see no value whatsoever in those things, and whether it's legal or not, they are highly addictive and will destroy their users' bodies the same way. For example, if meth was legalized, can you imagine the jump in legal (dangerous) meth labs in your neighborhood? We've already had one in ours, and I cringe to think about other people wanting to make a quick buck and blowing up their home.

HailVictory, I see where you're coming from, but I personally didn't drink as a kid. I didn't, smoke, either, even though both are "legal." IMO, the effects of alcohol are much more dangerous. How many cases of deadly accidents are caused by teens smoking weed? Too much of anything for kids, especially things outlawed, causes problems. You presume that all of those distinguished professionals DON'T smoke marijuana; you might be surprised, especially in Cali!

[j7r6s]

Originally Posted by gvsteve

South Carolina will be one of the last states to legalize marijuana.

I would have to agree with this. Hooters locations in both Greenville and Spartanburg had to go to court to overcome protests about them getting a license to serve alcohol. It's only been a few years since a business could open before 1:30 pm on a Sunday in most SC counties. No way the churches are going to stand aside on this issue.