Legalize marijuana in Indiana? (Indianapolis, Washington: 2013, school, prices)

[indy_317]

I think they should legalize marijuana. There are numerous problems with alcohol, yet it is still legal and available. Alcohol actually causes a significant number of police runs. Fights, domestic disturbances, financial hardships, etc.. Clearly depending on the price of marijuana, people still could waste their kid's college money on that substance as they do alcohol. The biggest problem we have is the party lifestyle. You see which TV shows are popular with the younger generations and many contain boozing, smoking, basically portraying that in order to have any sort of life, one must become intoxicated with something. Jersey Shore, Real World, Project X, etc.. all show partying to excess. In a country that is turning more and more towards individual narcissism, with demand that government provide something from cradle to the grave, this very well could destroy the country. This attitude seems to be pro-debt, pro-heavy taxation for more government services, pro-leave me alone unless I want something, never criticize anyone for anything, except maybe rape or murder. The fact is we can't afford marijuana prohibition anymore. The jail space isn't there, the fines are high enough to cover the cost of the courts and police over-time. Not only that, the more we criminalize things, the more we are making a huge pool of the population unemployable. With everything being computerized, even arrest records, where charges are dismissed or the person is found not guilty, will usually get someone booted from consideration.

Another downside which most folks don't understand is how it will change the Mexico "drug war." I've read an article which I think better describes the "drug war." The "drug war" in Mexico isn't about money, it is about a fight between different groups for power and control over a very corrupt socialist country. Mexico has a very large federal bureaucracy, but it appears the money and power get squandered by the very top. The drug was is a civil war. The various factions fighting among the government and themselves are funding themselves via the drug trade. I think both the US and Mexican governments want this. These fighters are going to fight, and they need money for guns and supplies. History has shown that in times of civil war, the participants will do whatever it takes to get funding for supplies. If they can't get money selling drugs, they will get money robbing banks, robbing armored cars, kidnapping, etc.. Marijuana is a big money maker for Mexican factions fighting whatever war they are fighting. Take away that, they have no recourse but to engage in other illicit activities to raise funding.

[DataEast Reborn]

If weed is considered a gateway drug then why isn't caffeine, tobacco, or alcohol considered a gateway? I'm sure most (if not all) hard drug users (Heroin, Crack, Meth) tried alcohol and coffee first. So why aren't those considered gateway drugs?

[indy_317]

Originally Posted by DataEast Reborn

If weed is considered a gateway drug then why isn't caffeine, tobacco, or alcohol considered a gateway? I'm sure most (if not all) hard drug users (Heroin, Crack, Meth) tried alcohol and coffee first. So why aren't those considered gateway drugs?

I wouldn't consider caffeine and tobacco in the same classification. While they cause some addiction, they don't seem to really mess with people the way other drugs do. I would consider alcohol a gateway drug. Drugs are really only "gateways" for people who for one reason or another, have this strong desire to pretty much live in an intoxicated, pleasurable state.

[OptimusPrime69]

I love marijuana.

I love people

I love everyone!!! weeeeeeeeee!!

jk, im not high or anything, but yes, let's legalize it and recognize it. lol
and make that money off of it.

[ranosb]

And when a friend or loved one is killed by a high driver, then maybe, just maybe you people will wake up...

[OptimusPrime69]

Originally Posted by ranosb

And when a friend or loved one is killed by a high driver, then maybe, just maybe you people will wake up...

Oh please

as if alcohol doesn't kill hundreds of people a year in car related accidents.
hunni, u need to realize that just because it's illegal doesn't mean ppl aren't already smoking it. Like, get with the program. Theres already millions of ppl smoking it everyday and yet one never hears about a car accident involving weed and how the driver was too stoned to drive, yet everyday someone is killed by a drunk driver. .

NEXT!

[wh15395]

Originally Posted by ranosb

And when a friend or loved one is killed by a high driver, then maybe, just maybe you people will wake up...

I wish I was high right now so I could laugh at this harder than I already am.

[DLK55]

Legalize it. Other than impairment that is certainly no worse than being under the influence of alcohol, there is not one documented case of a person dying due to overuse of marijuana. You can legally and illegally obtain prescription drugs that kill more people than illegal drugs do on a yearly basis and yet there's little stigma attached to them. You can die from alcohol poisoning, yet you can pick it up at will almost anywhere.

Plus, it could remove the ban on MJ's cousin, hemp. One of the most diverse, useful plants that can be grown but it is banned because of it's association with MJ even though they're not the same. Hemp is actually imported but can't be grown here. How stupid is that? Hemp production could be a new industry in this country if it were allowed to be.

MJ users are arrested, jailed and stigmatized, wasting millions upon millions of public money for their prosecution and conviction. It wastes funds that could be put to better use and could increase revenues, a net win. I'm not an advocate of decriminalizing all drugs by any means but ever since the war on drugs was declared, prison populations have skyrocketed and MJ possession is a big part of that. It would also be a big hit to the cartels, whose business, despite the notoriety of coke or other harder drug busts, rely heavily on MJ as a source of income.

When the pros outweigh the cons, the answer should be obvious. Making it legal doesn't mean we'll turn into a country full of potheads any more than ending prohibition turned us into a country full of alcoholics. Neither drug is for everyone but people should be given the option to make the decision for themselves.

[Cleverfield]

I voted no, because they shouldn't legalize it for medicinal purposes, they should legalize it for recreational purposes. Putting it under a "medicinal" heading, when everyone can get a medical marijuana card, is just a farce, and there is no reason for it to be illegal for recreational use anyway.

[ranosb]

Originally Posted by OptimusPrime69

Oh please

as if alcohol doesn't kill hundreds of people a year in car related accidents.

As if drinking and driving was a good thing! So lets add another drug/under the influence to the list.
Nobody has caused an accident from being high?
They aren't going to admit it so they can be arrested for using/carrying illegal drugs! If the arresting officer suspects something the individual will just say he had a few to drink.
There are no tests for marijuana so that's why its not reported!
And next time you give your daughter, sister or wife a ride in your car, make sure you smoke a few bowls before you do, your such an outstanding responsible safe citizen!