Legalize Marijuana in Texas? (Dallas, Austin: low income, sale, violent crime)

[Trae713]

Originally Posted by DanielWayne

Keep it outlawed except for medical use. It's a recreational drug. The government is not outlawing your insulin or blood pressure medicine. I'm sure there are folks that could use it responsibily, but they are definitely in the minority. As pointed out above, if it is legalized, then welfare will go through the roof. And there are a lot of studies linking it to everything from cancer to impotence. A lot of that is inconclusive at the moment, but if you want to take that chance...

The only connection I see with marijuana and cancer is that it kills of cancer cells and enhances brain growth. I highly doubt everyone is going to go out and get high once it becomes legal. If you already don't do it, then you won't when it's legal. Amsterdam saw a decrease in marijuana smokers when it was decriminalized over there. It's not "cool" anymore if the government is handing it out.

If alcohol can be legal, then marijuana can, too. Especially considering how much more dangerous and how many people die from alcohol use every year. There hasn't been one documented case on a death from a marijuana overdose. There are thousands a year for things like Aspirin though, but the doctor hands out Aspirin, so it's "safe" according to the general public. LMAO.

[AmberAzeneth]

'Face, I understand the "Medical" use theory. If it would stop the ridiculous violence then maybe. I do know that all things are put on this earth by the God for a reason. I do not believe marijuana's reason was to be abused as a recreational drug for people to get high. I wish I just knew the true reason. If it is medicinal, then put it to the correct medicinal uses.

[Trae713]

Originally Posted by AmberAzeneth

'Face, I understand the "Medical" use theory. If would stop the ridiculous violence then maybe. I do know that all things are put on this earth by the God for a reason. I do not believe marijuana's reason was to be abused as a recreational drug for people to get high. I wish i just knew the true reason. If it is medicinal, then put it to the correct medicinal uses.

Let's see some Bible verses:

"The Lord said unto me, 'I will take my rest and I will consider in my dwelling place like a clear heat upon herbs.' " -- Isaiah 18:4-5

And I will raise up for them a plant of renown, and they shall be no more consumed with hunger in the land, neither bear the shame of the heathen any more. -- Ezekiel 34:29

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. -- Revelations 22: 1-2

They seem to have used cannabis for healing and spiritual purposes back then. There are a lot of other examples in the Bible, too. A lot of people get high just to get high, but the thinking and conversations that go on would not have happened if one was sober. Ever heard of Depersonalization? Happens all the time to people while they are high and it's a good thing, IMO. It puts a lot of things (mainly life) into perspective.

[annie_himself]

Originally Posted by AlGreen

Marijuana is also far more addictive than alcohol. I know too many people whose lives are pretty crappy because of their preoccupation with getting high.

What clinical proof do yo have to support that? Marijuana is not physically addictive, no one experiences withdraws, and no one is admitted into a rehabilitation clinic for being "addicted" to weed. They like to get high, some people like to play Xbox Live for 7 hours at a time and it effects there life and work ethic, should Xbox be a controlled substance too?!

A friend of mine in high school stated that the doctor asked him if he smoked weed, of course he told him no but the doctor said it killed of cancerous cells in your throat. Alcohol can't do that.

[Trae713]

Originally Posted by annie_himself

What clinical proof do yo have to support that? Marijuana is not physically addictive, no one experiences withdraws, and no one is admitted into a rehabilitation clinic for being "addicted" to weed. They like to get high, some people like to play Xbox Live for 7 hours at a time and it effects there life and work ethic, should Xbox be a controlled substance too?!

A friend of mine in high school stated that the doctor asked him if he smoked weed, of course he told him no but the doctor said it killed of cancerous cells in your throat. Alcohol can't do that.

In fact, the only reason why there are so many people in "Marijuana Rehab" (more than any other drug) is because the judge gave them two choices: go to jail, or take this class and get it off your record. The choice is obvious. Of course, the DEA's website doesn't tell you that. They just say weed is so harmful, that more people are in rehab for it than any other drug. LMAO, the DEA...

[Crye]

Originally Posted by annie_himself

If alcohol is legal, weed should be legal. Never heard of a DWH (driving while high)...

That's because it is covered under the existing DWI law.

[Trae713]

Originally Posted by Crye

That's because it is covered under the existing DWI law.

Yeah, they classify it as a DUI (driving under the influence), but how is a cop going to know someone is high while driving? You can easily spot out the drunk drivers, but the high driver could be next to you banging Bob Marley and you wouldn't even know. The only way they'd catch someone is if they were speeding and their eyes were red. Visine takes care of that.

[Bo]

Here's the text of Texas House Bill HB 1491, which would legalize medical marijuana in the state:

82R1263 GCB-D By: Naishtat
H.B. No. 1491

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the medical use of marihuana.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 481.121, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Subsections (c) and (d) to read as follows:

(c)It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under Subsection (a) that the person possessed the marihuana as a patient of a physician licensed to practice medicine in this state pursuant to the recommendation of that physician for the amelioration of the symptoms or effects of a bona fide medical condition.

(d)An agency, including a law enforcement agency, of this state or a political subdivision of this state may not initiate an administrative, civil, or criminal investigation into a physician licensed to practice medicine in this state on the ground that the physician discussed marihuana as a treatment option with a patient of the physician or made a written or oral statement that, in the physician's opinion, the potential benefits of marihuana would likely outweigh the health risks for a particular patient.

SECTION 2. Subchapter B, Chapter 164, Occupations Code, is amended by adding Section 164.0525 to read as follows: Sec.164.0525.MEDICAL USE OF MARIHUANA. A physician may not be denied any right or privilege or be subject to any disciplinary action solely for making a written or oral statement that, in the physician's professional opinion, the potential benefits of marihuana would likely outweigh the health risks for a particular patient.

SECTION 3. The change in law made by this Act applies only to an offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act. An offense committed before the effective date of this Act is covered by the law in effect when the offense was committed, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. For purposes of this section, an offense was committed before the effective date of this Act if any element of the offense was committed before that date.

SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.

You can find 17 other bills from the current session containing the keyword "marihuana" at http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/Search/TextSearch.aspx

[cmacemm]

Legalize it
it makes my job tolerable

and i have a respectable job

[GreenScoutII]

I honestly don't understand the rationale behind criminalizing marijuana. If it were up to me, it would be legal, taxed, and regulated the same as alcohol and tobacco.

Some drugs like meth, cocaine, and heroin I can see the reason for making it illegal, but marijuana is something else entirely....