CA. to vote to legalize marijuana in nov.

by 201 replies
240
why not? if people are will to pay taxes and they are using anyway, whats the point of not taking the money?
#off topic forum
  • Well, there should be a rule with regards to the intake of marijuana once its legalized. Marijuana kills, when taken improperly.
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    • When have you EVER heard of marijuana killing anyone? Back in the day, i can pretty much guarantee I took in copious amounts of weed...and amazingly i live to tell the tale.
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    • Rules wont hold people back from consuming more than legally allowed. Doesn't make sense to legalize it but restrict the amount you can consume. There's deadlier stuff like alcohol and cigarettes that millions die each year yet continues to be legal and there's no rules as to how much you can consume. Sure there's a rule that you can't drive if you drink more than x amount of alcohol but people still do it every single day. Unless they like cut your arm off if you're caught doing so, people will continue doing it.

      While the state may legalize it, it's still illegal to the feds. US law is supreme over state law so if a fed catches you, you're still busted.
    • I have the feeling Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny still pay yearly visits to your house.

      So here is a good rule with regards to the intake of marijuana once its legalized...

      "Keep it away from the idiots."

      That way they won't get any seeds stuck in their veins from trying to mainline the stuff.

      Other than that...:rolleyes:

      ~Bill
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    • you are badly misinformed.

      In California (CA) we have legal pot dispenseries -

      It costs about $150 to get a license to buy, have, and grow pot.

      No criminals, cartels, or weirdos.

      STOREFRONTS

      That's right now - Whether or not they 'legalize' it -

      I am still in favor of strong control on several levels.

      If it makes it more feasible to those that support alcohol and tobacco in the general population - "over 21" - 'Voting Age': yeh right - yet fail to see how pot is way less harmful than either alcohol or tobacco. and actually has psychotropic/medicinal VALUE

      It is not fair for those of us who cannot take pharmaceutical drugs (which have killed and poisoned people for decades) - that all i can take is ibuprofin? not fair is the right answer - same story different day

      That is for another thing, I would like my labels to tell me where it is grown, what colors, hairs, names - like 'Santa Cruz Grape" = Purple-Haired Indicus (i never could spell it) or 'Golden Sunset' = sativa , (red) - exactly how much it weighs, and the THC content (super/midi/low test)

      (Just like it is TODAY IN CA)

      So: whatever! hope it all comes to a town near you!

      Or not, whatever you want!
    • My friend's dad is a doctor, and says he has never heard of anyone, let alone had a patient, die of marijuana.

      Marijuana will kill brain cells if you smoke it improperly. It's not the fact you do smoke, it's HOW you smoke it.

      There's also medical marijuana...

      (Note: I have never smoked marijuana in my life, nor do I endorse it or intend to. I am just passing on knowledge from a doctor.)
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    • Serioually? where did you get your data from? are you talking about the monkeys they died from carbon monoxide poisoning.
  • There are a few other states like Rhode Island that are considering it also.
    Here's a pretty accurate map of what's happened state by state.
    State By State Laws - NORML
  • they have beeen trying this for years!!
  • "Marijuana will kill brain cells if you smoke it improperly. It's not the fact you do smoke, it's HOW you smoke it."

    Ok, I'm trying not to fall on the floor from this one. I have to ask, how does one smoke it properly and how does one smoke it improperly?
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    • I don't know. I don't smoke >

      Just passing info along.

      EDIT: Something about blocking oxygen to the brain. That's really all I've been told.
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    • If you smoke it the way Dr. Heath of Tulane U. had his monkeys smoke it to prove it killed brain cells, well it will kill some brain cells
      Scroll down this page and read this section.
      Jack Herer - Chapter 15
      "



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  • Thom is right.
    No he isn't
    Yes he is
    No he isn't


    No mental problems here...........
  • Thank you Thom for having the documented resources to prove the facts to these people that make irrational statements that are not based on fact, but have been repeated as fact for decades, bringing so much harm.

    what the hell are they smoking?
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    • Banned
      Thank you for posting the link ThomM. You seem like a cool guy. Enjoy the rest of the weekend.

      Since we're feeling all-knowing today, Patricia, (you're the expert on marijuana use and mental health problems, obviously) please explain the following for me:











      So, if smoking marijuana and schizophrenia are not linked, then why are we having so much discussion and so much proof from medical experts (who have no agenda). And, then testimonials from people suffering from mental health problems?

      As a marijuana user, you should know, there's no smoke without fire.

      By the way, following the report I've just linked to, in 2008 British Parliament voted to reclassify marijuana as a Class B (from class C) substance, making its possession punishable by up to five years in prison.

      "Why?"

      After all, the government could make a fortune by legalizing marijuana, couldn't they?














      Here's my position:

      For adults who've been using marijuana sensibly for a long time, I think it's generally "OK." Something would have manifested by now if they were "At risk." (Just my educated opinion.)

      However, there's a definite, definite risk for young people. In fact, it could very well be a contributory factor in the development of psychosis-related illnesses including "Schizophrenia" and "Manic Depression." (Like I mentioned before.)

      Still don't believe me? Here's more reading.
















































































      schizophrenia.com/prevention/cannabis.marijuana.schizophrenia.html (A non-profit source of information, support, education)
  • In my opinion, health has never truly been the issue behind weed being illegal. It has always (again just imo) been issue more textile based. The bud is just a nice little side effect of the plant. The plant has so many uses and can be grown in a vast selection of climates that there are a lot of people making products they have lone license to and hemp threatens them. Their pockets are deep enough that they can hold off marijuana use as long as they keep people that smoke associated with popular media stereotypes like Cheech and Chong, or Spicoli from Fast Times At Ridgemont High.

    Can you imagine the explosion that would happen if everytime there was some kind of reference to beer in the news there was some kind of reference to an unshaven redneck in a stained wifebeater or a frat boy crushing beer cans on his forehead?

    At this point in time, because of media imagery like that, people don't take people who represent smokers or are smokers seriously.
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    • You're right.
      The original 'problem' was hemp.
      The imagery is changing.
      Now it's more the house wife medicating for back pain or the Afgan Vet. medicating for P.T.S.D.
      Of course that's what you see now on Fox News
  • Apparently it is already legal in Ireland. Refer this post:

    http://www.warriorforum.com/off-topi...f-2-2-5-a.html
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  • Here is the Deal - On one hand you have one article based on supposed scientific information. (versus an entire body of evidence and information that says contrary)

    1. I know PERSONALLY - that is from PERSONAL EXPERIENCE -

    a. Several marriages AND LIVES that have been ruined by the PSYCHOSIS OF ALCOHOLICS

    LET'S GET RID OF IT! 5 YEARS IN PRISON.

    b. How many marriages has pot ruined yet?

    2. I know PERSONALLY my father was only 42 when he drank himself to death.

    3. I know PERSONALLY when my ex-husband drank himself to death by 38.

    The PSYCHOSIS that they had IN FRONT is what CREATED the ALCOHOLIC - (together with alcohol)

    4. SO IF WE MUST GO TO PRISON FOR 5 YEARS, THEN LET'S MAKE IT 10 FOR ALCOHOL.

    This won't happen, because the liquor lobby is much too powerful in this country.

    5. I know people who have smoked pot for decades and they are still here, getting college degrees, holding down jobs, loving their families.

    6. That there will be false information published so as to dissuade people from things that the government/society fears - mostly for FINANCIAL REASONS.

    a Vitamins
    b Herbs
    c Chriopractic
    d Organic
    e. Global Warming

    7. I know PERSONALLY that I have smoked pot for decades - I am in perfect health at least physically - I would be dead if I drank 1/10 as much as I smoked. (don't smoke much anymore and don't drink even less)

    8. I know PERSONALLY my son has smoked since he was a teenager - *(NOT my idea, NOR did I know until his highschool year book 'Good luck Stoner', etc. lol) He put himself through college and worked 2 jobs to pay off his student loans. He has a Bachelor's Degree and I bet he was stoned at the graduation ceremony.

    He drives 175 miles round trip at the drop of a hat to visit his grandmother when she 'feels bad'. He has a ton of close friends all the way back from childhood (and not even in the same areas anymore). He is a good guy. (I will admit he could be more motivated to work than he is)

    9. Let's not even talk about how many people have DIED FROM TOBACCO USE. MAKE IT 20 YEARS IN PRISON! OFF WITH THEIR HEADS!

    10. Shall we talk about how many people are DYING FROM DRUG OVERDOSES, and the PSYCHOSIS BROUGHT ON BY LEGAL PHARMACEUTICAL DRUGS? MILLIONS,YO, AS WE SPEAK.

    So PROPAGANDA AND DOGMA ASIDE, if you can just explain to me why it is fair to allow people to COMMIT SUICIDE WITH TOBACCO AND ALCOHOL, then put others in jail for smoking pot, I am listening.

    By the way - I did not direct any snarky comments to you personally - I did not 'Call You Out' -- I made a general comment - I would appreciate the same consideration.
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    • Banned
      You know, Patrician, if you're going to start shouting at everyone, then maybe you should be smoking something. (Hehe.) Just kidding. Enjoy your Sunday.
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  • Ok, here's the dope on this...

    I believe CA taxes things like soft drinks and other valuable commodities.

    So my theory is that with legalized weed, they'll have soaring sales of
    potato chips, dip, candy, more soft drinks, and things of that nature.

    Then they can really knock the hell out of them when they tax that stuff.

    The Munchie Tax.

    Makes complete sense from a CA perspective.
  • I think cinnamon buns are involved also Sarge
  • Do not inhale your cinnamon buns - may cause choking hazard.
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    • I could of used that advice a couple of hours ago
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  • Just tell Clinton it increases sexual perfomance...He'll be inhaling deeply to the point of hyper-ventilating.
  • Will it go through?

    Ed
  • To date I've never seen two (or more) "hippies" pounding the snot out of each other at pub closing time.

    The thing that makes me laugh is when an sports-man or -woman gets busted for smoking pot, they are described as taking a "performance enhancing substance".

    Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.
  • this thread has been more fun than Sat. cartoons
    just love the discussion
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    • Thom, thanks for posting that documentary.

      I spent 17 years in rural Nebraska, along the Platte River valley. This area grew a lot of hemp during World War II, and there are still huge stands growing wild. Only now, they're considered noxious weeds.

      From time to time, the state would come in and burn out particularly large stands. When word got out, cars would come from miles around trying to get downwind from the burn.

      We had an old neighbor for awhile that was too cheap to kill the weeds in his pasture. So when the thistles got too thick, he'd spread the hemp seed and wait for the stand to choke out the thistles. Then he'd "report" the stand and let the state burn it out for him. By the following spring, he'd have a lush, weed-free (in both senses) pasture for his cows and a couple of old ponies.
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    • i dont understand some people...

      Q: what good is a prohibition when you can "score" on every corner anywhere anyway?

      A: it gives criminals a lucrative market and politicians something to scare sheeple with


      whether marijuana is good for you or not does not matter one little bit in this argument...people will use it regardless so the question is: can the US gov. realistically do anything about it? forget the bible and the hype and the scare tactics and whatever just look at reality:

      USA drug market= 450 billion dollars/year and rising each and every year

      so theres 2 possible scenarios:

      1) marijuana will be sold more and more and the criminals will make money from this

      2) marijuana will be sold more and more and the government will make money off of it

      (in either case criminals will profit lol)

  • I agree maybe if they make people pay taxes on it they won't have so many budget problems.
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    • I've seen the same thing with alcohol, but its legal.


      I've never heard of someone smoking weed and beating their wife and kids, women don't trade sex for weed...atleast not ones that weren't going to give it up already, nobody is beating on their weed dealer's door at 2am with a couple 20's to feed the need.

      And if they want to spend their lives in their underoos eating cheerios and watching cartoons, its their life to do that with.

      I know lots of people that smoke and have just normal productive lives...but again, its about moderation. I mean seriously..have you evern been to a college in the u.s.? You'll probably have to actively search to find someone that isnt/hasnt smoked. If you're pounding down a quarter bag ever day or so, you're smoking too damn much. If you're smoking back to back j's on a daily basis, thats not responsible smoking and in the realm of legalization, its not just about the legal ability to smoke, its the legal ability to smoke responsibly.

      From what i've seen of the movement in california, and any other legitimate legalization charge, they want to put basically the same rules on it as alcohol. Not at work, not at school, not while driving, nobody under 18..etc., which is the way it should be.
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    • Sometimes I just want to scream when I read this bull**** and realize the person writing it probably believes it.
      At 56 I still work harder and get more done in one day then most straight people half my age. I go 7 days a week 16 to 20 hours a day, and I'm not alone.

      Stop reading the propaganda it does no one any good.
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  • Isn't ZigZag the brand name of papers popular amongst those who roll joints?
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    • Yes. I believe we call it "irony".

      It's kind of like a guy named Jack Daniels that doesn't drink alcohol.
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  • Oh man...

    Just read a few lines from double Z's posts.

    Patently false. Trust me. lol.

    The thing about hemp, economics, and buddies helping buddies. Now that's
    a slice of truth. Disgusting.

    Thinking about changing my username to EZ Widers so me and ZZ can
    be buds.
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    • To me you'll always be "The Big Bamboo".

      I guess that makes me "Tops"?
  • Speaking of rolling papers...remember Cheech and Chongs "Big Bambu" album?
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    • I do. Sort of. lol

      Big Bamboo. I like that. I've had a vacancy under my name for
      too long. Whaddya think?

      I was drinking a cup of coffee and thinking about this thread and
      Z2's comments.

      Reminds me of Yogi Berra's famous quote:

      "It's like Reefer Madness all over again."
    • I'd have to go check to be sure, but I think my copy still has the paper in it!
  • Just want you guys to know, I find this thread highly entertaining :::applause:::

    funny fellas...
  • Michael, stuff like that never ceases to amaze me. I've read so
    many similar stories involving all the same elements.
  • Well, they say 'IGNORANCE is Bliss'.

    You must be very happy.

    Just joking ha ha ha...
  • Legalizing controlled substances will also reduce cartel murders in Ciudad Juarez (7 per day), and all over Mexico. It will drain organized crime of revenue.

    It would also reduce the revenue of companies who manufacture pharmaceudicals to treat anxiety, depression, and whatever else Cannabis treats.

    It would also be likely to reduce beer and alcohol consumption. Crime rackets, drug companies and alcohol companies are very strong interests in our country.
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  • There's nothing wrong with using marijuana for any purpose. The pharamacutcial companies dont want people to use it because marijuana cant be patented.

    Marijuana has been used for thousands of years by people all over the world. And only during the last 100 years, there has been a war to keep marijuana use suppress and with the aid of the media, people were led to believe marijuana is a dangerous drug.

    There hasnt been any deaths related the use of marijuana but there have been thousands of the deaths and illness brought by the use of western medicene.

    Marijuana (Weed) History and Facts

    tabacco, a legalized drug, kills and causes numerous problems with the human body each year. while marijuana has yet to be reported in the death of a person who used it. but the media scares people into thinking that marijuana is an evil drug straight from the devil.
    Annual Causes of Death in the United States | Drug War Facts
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  • I think it should be legalized at least for medical reasons. If cigarettes are legal, why not marijuana? Cigarettes kill thousands every year, many who are non smokers and breath it in second hand. Our society is so messed up.
  • About a week ago, Nederland became the third city in Colorado that voted to make marijuana legal. Denver and Breckenridge are the other two.

    Durango is expected to become the 4th after an election this coming November.

    I posted above that there were more medical marijuana dispensories in Denver than Starbucks...I think the actual number is more than 3x as many dispensories as Starbucks. Boulder has over 100 registered dispensaries, with a population of about 94,000 people. That's about 1 dispensary per 1000 people.

    1000-1500 people per day in Colorado are applying for a medical marijuana card. That's 365,000-500,000 people a year, out of a population of about 5 million. The "conventional wisdom" said one out of ten people smoke weed, yet about 10% will sign up in Colorado in about a year...The "conventional" numbers don't add up.
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    • I've heard people say that the air in Denver smelled like burning leaves, although I never noticed it. I guess now we'll know which leaves.

      Gives a whole new meaning to the phrase "Rocky Mountain High", doesn't it?
  • I really think the whole country needs to legalize it, there is an incredible amount of money that could be made off of it for the government, it would create jobs for farmers and everyone in the industry, it would cripple drug cartels that traffic marijuana, and I would just plain enjoy it.
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  • Isn't it already legal? We have dispensaries everywhere. Even have vending machines with weed. My friend has a license to sell and grow.

    Also, haven't you noticed that they let all the drug dealers out of prison?

  • They ALREADY voted, LONG ago! SURE, it is under the guise of freedom from pain, but EVERYONE knows it is a JOKE! HECK, they sell ALL kinds of marijuana and recipes. If it were only for pain, it would be the most efficacious, and probably only in PILL form. They wouldn't have ANY recipes!

    Steve
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    • For some reason Steve your post reminded me of the debate I used to have with my orthopedic surgeon.
      He always said legalizing cannabis for medical reasons was bull****.
      After almost 20 years of trying to debate him he finally told me his reason for saying that.
      He said that the benefits of smoking cannabis for medical reasons where valid, but to stop there and not totally legalize would be a travesty.
      He was the only doctor I have ever seen since my family doctor when I was a kid who believed that exercise and diet could do more for you then doctor's, pill's and surgery. He only used surgery as a last resort unless it was the only option.
    • Medical uses for marijuana arent a joke. The joke is all of the recreational smokers that try to get in on the medical side of it. I looked once at the requirements to get a prescription from a medical provider for marijuana. There wasnt a whole lot you couldnt get the prescription for.
  • And here recently one state, I believe it was Texas, put a guy away for 20 years for a small amount - a joint or something - less than an ounce anyway - because he was in a "no tolerance zone". No tolerance zone means cruel and unusual punishment is okay? People viciously kill and don't get that kind of time for it.

    Yes there will be lots of money for the US when it's legalized - but think of all the jerks that are now making tons of money PERSONALLY by taking pay-offs from prisons and corporations such as DOW who will lose money if we have the means to make our own natural, strong fibers, and how those jerks will lose all that payola if it's legalized. Now where is the corporate prison complex going to find all that slave labor if they can't work pot smokers - can it be made up for by arresting and incarcerating people who can't afford car insurance, or maybe the new health coverage?
    Can DOW make up for losses on synthetic fibers? Really, we are being SOOO selfish not considering the loses these poor politicians, judges, and corporations will suffer if we legalize pot. :rolleyes:
  • I think they should vote to legalize it because it would stop all the dealers cashing in and lets be honest drinking causes alot more of a drain on the goverments money and resources.
  • Mexico is in a form of civil war with the drug cartels right now -- and 3 counties of Arizona are shut off as unsafe for Americans! They have been completely taken over by cartels and other illegals. America is loaded down with these cartel criminals right now................

    Mexico is highly considering legalization. The Former President is pushing the issue real hard. Especially now that a bunch of cops bodily removed several corrupt superiors that were working under the wire with the cartels. People down there are sick of getting slaughtered and they are as sick of corruption in office as we are........

    So - what happens if Mexico legalizes and we don't? The SW USA will become a blood bath.
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    • It was like vigilantism, but it was cops...And I agree it's a sign that Mexico has reached the breaking point and the good guys are starting to fight back.

      Legalize drugs and bring our military home from Japan and put them on the border, where then can spend their paychecks in American pizza joints and American car lots (and Mexican strip joints on weekends).

      Sign a treaty that either side can pursue someone into the other country. Note that this is only for a direct pursuit (car chase), so the cartel guys can't be "safe" by crossing an imaginary line when running away.

      One of the pundits stated that Phoenix now has the second highest kidnapping rate of any city in the World, and it's all due to the drug cartels. Those that supported the "War on drugs" for the past 30 years should be proud...
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  • Those who insist on refusing to support the borders and immigration laws should be, too. Those laws are there for a reason and right now the entire population of the US has had their safety compromised - just what we are losing our rights over...safety. Yeah right.

    One thing is sure - if Mexico legalizes, we have to follow suit right away or there is going to be more chaos here than there is down there and you can count on that. Perhaps we can bend to the Mexican president's huffing and puffing about our immigration laws and just adopt theirs as well. That should shut him up on that one REAL fast.
  • WASHINGTON — The Senate agreed Thursday to add $600 million to the effort to stop the flow of illegal immigrants across the U.S. Mexican border.

    The money would be used for such purposes as adding 1,500 new enforcement agents...

    ... and deploying unmanned aerial drones to improve border surveillance.

    The voice vote to pass the emergency spending came in the final hours before the Senate leaves for its monthlong summer break.

    Its sponsor, Democratic Sen. Charles Schumer of New York, said it would boost border spending 10 percent above 2010 levels.
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    • My mistake.

      The bill has not been signed yet but it was just sent to the WH where it will be signed soon - perhaps this week.

      Update: The bill will be signed on Friday.


      The $600 million border security measure would fund the hiring of 1,000 new Border Patrol agents to be deployed at critical areas along the border, ...


      ...250 more Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, and ...

      ...250 more Customs and Border Protection officers.

      It provides for new communications equipment and greater use of unmanned surveillance drones.

      There are currently seven such drones along the border.

      Almost one-third of the money goes to the Justice Department to help agencies such as the FBI, the DEA and the ATF deal with drug dealers and human traffickers.

      The bill is paid for...

      ... by raising fees on foreign-based personnel companies that use U.S. visa programs, including the popular H-1B program, to bring skilled workers to the United States.


      India says higher fees would discriminate against its companies and workers.
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  • Illegal Immigration is far more dangerous than 100 kilos of pot ever could be, and enforcing our borders will certainly help. It's about time.

    (we do quite well at growing our own - even though it is reported that cartels have even set up shop in our national forests - what fricking nerve)

    Note as well that the murderous cartels are involved in a lot of other DANGEROUS drugs like cocaine and heroin. These drugs do kill and should be eradicated along with the people who sell them.

    Think about if pot was legal how many innocent, non-violent 'offenders' (who did nothing but possession/use) might be let out of prison, too. More money to incarcerate and deport the illegals.
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    • I think all drugs should be legalized and regulated (or if not all, then the ones that have the greatest demand). Not because I think people should use drugs, but because the "War on Drugs" is simply an unwinnable war, and prohibition causes more societal problems then regulated legal drugs would. Even if maijuana were globally legalized tomorrow, gangs, cartels and organized crime organizations would just focus their attention on other drugs. Legalizing pot might be a step in the right direction, but it's not a solution.

      There are certain acts that should unquestionably be prohibited (murder, violent crime, human trafficking, etc.), but law enforcement needs to choose it's battles, and it should be pretty obvious to anyone who's been paying attention that TWOD, in the form of prohibition and it's enforcement, is one battle we're better off not fighting.
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    • This could be a big boost for legalization.
      House Passes National Criminal Justice Commission Act - Rep. Delahunt
      Of course the last time a commission of this type was formed, they recommended legalizing Cannabis and where ignored
    • Then we better make alcohol illegal also, since it's more dangerous than coke.

      And heroine is the best pain killer known to man. If someone is terminally ill with cancer, or has servere burns, who are we to say those people can't have access to what's best to ease their pain?

      Before 1919, opium and heroin were consider to be a vice, not a crime. And before that time, the US Supreme Court felt that what we put in our bodies was none of the gov's business.

      Since that time, the use of legal drug use has dropped. In the 1920's, over 75% of Americans smoked cigrettes and drank regularly. Both those numbers have fallen to around 20%.

      On the other hand, the drugs that were made illegal have dramatically risen in use. Making them illegal made (makes) them more popular. In the 1980's, xctasy was made illegal. Within something like 3 months, it's usage went up 600% at the University of Colorado, because now it had "street cred".

      If anyone can provide concrete proof that shows making drugs illegal actually helps, I'd like to see them. Until then, history shows that illegal drugs increase in usage and the legalized drugs like alcohol and tobacco decreases.

      Plus, I don't care if my neighbor is a crack head. What he does in his own home isn't my business. Just don't drive when I'm on the road, steal my stuff or hassle me.

      And if we legalize it, we can tax it. And if we tax it, crack heads and heroine users can pay for the drug treatment centers, not the rest of us pay for prisons, which we do now. Then, we'll have more room in the prisons to keep the drug users that commit crimes while high.

      This would give every addict access to the medical treatment they need, without costing the rest of society a penny. They could get treatment knowing they have a medical illness, not a legal problem.

      Shouldn't the medical society be treating addicts, and not the law enforcement agency?

      Shouldn't we get the tax money instead of the drug cartels? Didn't we learn anything from Al Capone and all the other prohibition-era murderers?

      I've read that well over 90% of addicts in the US are functional. They hold jobs, they pay taxes and obey the other laws.

      I'm sick of watching shows like COPS where every arrest is because someone has a bag of week or a few rocks of crack, ruining their lives by telling them they can't use coke or heroine in a "free" country.
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  • I see the usual paradox to everything - 'damned if you do and damned if you don't'.

    ..and I guess there are good points to legalizing evil drugs or not - like ya say, can't be any more evil than alcohol and cigarettes and the death and devastation they may cause. I do have a problem subsidizing addicts but I suppose it makes more sense than incarceration.

    Right now though there are two things on the table that need immediate attention.

    Enforcing our borders is #1 for so many reasons. Primary is getting the evil drug cartels off the planet - can we do that? No it is just the Mexican border we are talking, but that would be a good start and would solve multiple issues with illegals.

    Legalizing POT is #2.

    I see this going around and around in circles and now we are talking about freaking Taliban - and as far as I know they are not on the border -

    This is just a microcosm where = as usual nothing will change or be resolved because we will just keep going around all the side issues and paying lip service when people make noise but that is about it. FIRST THINGS FIRST. Let's see what happens when we legalize pot.

    I gotta admit I would love everything LEGAL AND CONTROLLED - just to put all the evil DeSpicables out of business. Dang - what would they do?

    uhhhhmmm - maybe worse than selling drugs and trying to take over our country by thwarting our laws and ruining our economy. Maybe they will just be up front about it and kill all of us outright in Act II of Genocide of the Native Americans.

    OY (carumba)
    • [1] reply
  • I believe that it's about time that someone legalized marijuana. I have never been able to figure out why they made marijuane illegal in the first place!
    • [1] reply
    • I put in a link a while ago to Jack Herer's site that explains it all.
  • Patrician,

    You seem nice, so I hope you are right. BUT, I have something for you to consider!

    I had a "complete physical" at a doctor which included blood pressure/pulse. 2 MONTHS later I nearly died of a blown aorta due to a "slightly inefficient" aortic valve!

    Steve
  • Hey we've been trying for THOUSANDS of years to keep murder illegal...but according to you, since people are still killing others, we should just look the other way?

    thats an awesome idea. Hey, people are still stealing stuff too after 1000's of years of 'the man' trying to come down on them, but people still steal. So in the future if your bike gets stolen, well you should just suck it up and drive on right?

    Back to my original statement...the only people that think drugs like crack/coke/meth/heroin should be legalized are people that have something to 'gain' by legalization of those drugs....dealers and addicts.
    • [2] replies
    • Only the addicts gain. The dealers will lose it all.
      • [1] reply
    • Mike even you should understand the difference between murders and thieves and drug addicts.
      But I know you just try to use scare tactics instead of facts to win your arguments.

      As far as your original statement I've already told you I have no dog in this fight.
      But then your statement is the same used by the govt. against legalizing Cannabis. Your answer to facts and logic is to dismiss the sayer as a drug addict or dealer.
      All you have to base your arguments on are fantasies and scare tactics.
      • [1] reply
  • I will be voting to legalize marijuana so there ya go
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  • still i think it shouldnt be legal
    • [1] reply
    • Michael,Cost issue. The bulk of the expense in illegal drugs arises from distribution and compensation for relatively high risk activity. That goes away with legalization.

      Comparing murder and theft with drug use is a tempting argument for the morally superior, but it's not valid as a stand-alone point. When the only potential victim is yourself, you're supposed to be free to engage in the activity in question. Your actions, your consequences, your business.

      Hard drug users tend to steal because of the cost of the drug. See the point above about costs.

      The increased likelihood of violence caused by some drugs is a valid argument for prohibiting them, but that's one you have to be careful of. Coke and crack, for instance. Very different effects.

      For other drugs, the violence is caused by the money involved. The money is larger because of the legal status. Follow the chain of cause and effect, and the solution becomes obvious.

      Not simple. But obvious.


      Paul
  • Having seen the devastation of hard drugs first-hand, I never considered legalization/CONTROL for anything but pot.

    However, really looking at it logically instead of emotionally (the way a few have outlined it here), I have to say it may be an answer. Bottom line is whatever we are doing now it is not working. More than that it is working BADLY.

    The same money spent on prisons and eradication/enforcement and put into the pocket of cartels and other big wheeler dealers would be spent better to rehabilitate/educate and detox.

    (however with that said I have known Methadone addicts - (the drug used to detox from smack) - so the behavior hasn't changed (addiction/compulsion etc) - only the drug of choice even with our current model in that regard.

    It doesn't make sense to incarcerate SICK people unless they commit OTHER crimes that violate other's civil rights/endanger the public to feed their habit, which is very often the case.

    I know it used to be 'legal' in the UK and addicts could just get an Rx. How is their drug crime rate there I wonder?

    'The War on Drugs' just did not work. We need to try something else. (sic) = 'The definition of insanity is to keep doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result'.

    It is more than cops vs robbers - we are now dealing with crooks/suppliers that kill cops, politicians, competitors (El Loco) - the Mafia/Fascists have nothing on the Cartels as far as the Evil Meter.
    • [1] reply
    • Exactly Pat.
      I'm not a fan of hard drugs
      I did do them in my early 20's and have used those experiences to try to educate my girls and others on what they really do to you.
      I'm not proud I did them, but I've tried to turn that huge negative into a small positive.
      My talk about legalizing them is more about finding an alternative to the failed results to them being illegal.
      If I had my way I'd just put a bullet in the head of anyone who decides to produce hard drugs, starting with the idiots that set up meth labs.
      But after two marriages and raising 4 girls, I know I never get my way so lets at least look at alternatives to what we have now and see if we can find a better solution.
  • It'd be cool if a trade-off could be done:

    Legalise pot; ban booze.

    I use neither, but have yet to be threatened by anyone stoned on pot. I have, though (and who hasn't?), had an unpleasant encounter or two with drunken @ssholes.

    For me, it's simple math.
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  • Yes, alcohol is lethal.

    My father drank himself to death by 42. (Bill)

    One of my ex's didn't even make it to 40. (Bill)

    Both Bill; both Cirrosis of the liver; both violent;

    My father deserted 3 women with 3 little girls that never knew him.

    I hope he enjoyed the party.

    RIP.

    (pass the joint)
    • [1] reply
    • yeah, I've had my share of nightmares with alcoholics - close family members and friends, and an X who is a great guy if it weren't for his alcoholism

      it's about time they legalized marijuana. In my humble opinion it is the lesser of all these evils: alcohol, cigarettes, prescription and hard drugs, fast food.
      • [ 2 ] Thanks
  • I have never smoked marijuana, and never will. Not because of the fact that it is illegal (although I have not done any illegal drugs), but just because you can plainly see what the average pot head amounts to in life (nothing).

    That being said, legalize it already. Way too many resources are being expended in hunting down a plant. Alcohol is in most cases worse than marijuana, anyways.
  • It should be legal. Why not? Then tax it, California needs the funds-really badly right now!
  • Marijuana should not be legalized (also not in Holland). Although it's less bad then the real hard drugs it has lots of negative effects as well.
  • That would be an odd legislation, but then again the times they are changing
  • Steve - the FDA has no standing with the educated public anymore. They are funded by the industries they were meant to control, and if you look at REAL research not supported by the companies putting out their drugs, you'd find a lot of people being maimed and killed by drugs actually allowed by the FDA. Advil, for instance, is the leading cause of kidney failure, but there it is on the store shelves. The FDA no more than a way for Pharms to get through the system.

    As far as pot - NORML website has all the research not funded by the companies that will lose money if we use pot medicinally - or those who stand to lose major money if we start growing hemp for clothing instead of using toxic synthetic fibers again. (One of the reasons it was illegalized in the first place - and they purposely made people think hemp and pot were the same thing to get that done). Look at how much money the corporatized prison system in this country will lose if it's legalized. These non-violent "offenders" are able to be put on work release and rake in major amounts of money via slave labor for the corporate prison system.

    Yet look at the statistics of the good pot can do medicinally, how few problems it causes compared to alcohol or other drugs, including legal drugs. Look at what could be done if we could grow our own natural fibers for producing things again. And look at who is trying to stop legalization and what their ulterior motives are. Once you look at those facts, there's no question about what the right thing to do would be. If it hadn't been for corporate greed, it never would have gotten illegalized anyway. I'm just flaberghasted that the negative propaganda campaign still has any hold on anyone by this day and age. No wonder we lost our freedom.
    • [2] replies
    • People are idiots
      I find it more idiotic when they spout all the "Reefer Madness" crap.
      With the number of adults in this country (18-80) who smoke Cannabis, it's a safe bet to say this.
      Every person in this country in their day to day life, come in contact with people who smoke Cannabis and don't have a clue they do.
    • Did I EVER say I liked the FDA? HERE, I said they closed down some supplement companies or products, because of use of illegal and harmful additives.

      Doesn't change the fact that it IS bad! HEY, even ARSENIC has its place, even if they DID recently outlaw it here. 8-( Still, arsenic is poisonous.

      Steve
      • [1] reply
  • I'm just surprised that this thread was started over a year ago and all you pot smokers are still alive.

    And coherent,
    still able to spell,
    sound at least half lucid.
    and not playin' a piano in a crazed frenzy.

    You mean they lied?....roflmao....
  • LOL Kurt

    "I did not inhale"

    Yes and the second stanza to your

    "And why is it the people that need to smoke a joint the most are the ones the most against it?" is

    How did they get to be such experts without ever trying it themselves?

    I will tell you how: They are absolutely positive that what they have read is true about the dangers, but then of course will ignore all the studies to the contrary.

    After all pot should be perfectly safe and have none of the dangerous substances that we ingest everyday in drugs, foods, air - Hey let's criminalize air because it isn't perfect.

    It is horrible that the people who make the rules are the least informed and have no business whatsoever THEREFORE doing so.

    What really got me was this article today:

    Cops Fired for Opposing War on Drugs - New York Times examines case of border patrol agent
    • [2] replies
    • Frankly, I couldn't agree with that guy more.

      Right now, 'they' (the govmnt) are indirectly creating a syndicate..at least in the Southwest...that is going to make La Cosa Nostra pale in comparison. The numbers on the 'bad guys' is staggering.

      The only people making people die from 'weed' is the Govment.

      ...and it's no laughing matter...

      myopic pricks.
      • [ 1 ] Thanks
    • Gee, why don't you take a lot of arsenic and tell us if it is dangerous? I HAVE had to put up with bong water and the like so I know SOMETHING about it. And have you ever noticed how a lot of people, at least when they are smoking, act? Is that all an act or because of some additive?

      Steve
      • [1] reply
  • What not to do when you burn your arm...

    1. Pour petrol on it

    2. Burn it some more to distract from the pain of the initial burn

    What not to do when your society is collapsing...

    1. Encourage homosexuality, porn, prostitution, gambling, debt

    2. Legalize drugs

    Karl Marx: “If you give a capitalist enough rope, eventually he will hang himself.”

    Socialist's rejoice in the destruction of the USA. Who will you destroy after that ?
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  • Gee that really hurts Gareth.
  • More evidence of how corrupt the so-called War on Drugs is came out today:

    DEA Launders Mexican Profits of Drug Cartels

    The CIA has a long history of selling drugs to fund its campaigns. It seems that the government is more interested in maintaining a monopoly over the control of drugs than it is in getting rid of them.

    YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • OH, and the idea of fire, IN AND OF ITSELF, is DANGEROUS! Te smell in various areas may hurt business, the heat and various toxins hurt, it could melt plastic, burn wood, and even cause fires. So even if the marijuana were 100% safe, or even helpful, smoking a joint would be dangerous.

    Steve
    • [1] reply
    • Steve no offense but.
      Those are two of the stupidest statements I have ever read.
      Bong water:confused:, fire:confused:
      • [1] reply
  • BTW I have NEVER claimed the government was even a net positive. Far from it. It is interesting that some that HAVE have tried to make it appear like I am wrong because THEY claim I have and that they aren't.

    I WAS going to say some interesting stuff, but this is enough for now.

    Steve
    • [1] reply
    • Steve - most of what you say makes no sense did you know that? (with all due respect) you chronically go off on tangents that have nothing at all to do with what is being discussed. (You often preface with 'HECK' which I guess makes it logical?)

      In and of itself SOMETIMES what you say may be true at least in part but in most topics it seems like you are just all over the place to try to create an argument.

      It's fine with me if you don't want to smoke pot, never have, don't think it should be legal, think it's dangerous, etc. I realize you know a lot about many things particularly computers. Why not try to stick to the point in the first place because you usually sound like you are not just stoned, but RIPPED, ok?

      ... AND STICK TO WHAT YOU KNOW FIRST HAND. (not because your Aunt Mabel's second cousin's brother in law said so or turned out to be a reprobate after smoking a joint) We are all individuals and as such the same substance can cause a diversity of reactions.

      I wonder if a little high grade THC would not straighten you out? LOL. Maybe us degenerate pot heads could understand you a little better if you FOCUSED?

      (No offense) just speaking the truth as I see it the same way you do.
      • [ 1 ] Thanks
      • [2] replies
  • godam commies - what has the world come to?
  • Arsenic Levels in RICE.

    Criminalize RICE -


    Medscape: Medscape Access
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    CA. to vote to legalize marijuana in nov.

    Calif. Voters to Decide Whether to Legalize Marijuana When California voters head to the polls in November, they will decide whether the state will make history again -- this time by legalizing the recreational use of marijuana for adults. why not? if people are will to pay taxes and they are using anyway, whats the point of not taking the money?