Should Marijuana Be Legalized?

[Falconer02]

I'm one to believe since we now have ways to communicate so easily with anyone that we're improving our viewpoints towards the world around us. Information can spread! Granted we're not perfect and some info is misleading, but atleast we can get information like this topic out the doors to make people think about their stance.

Also, Hearst and Anslinger were then supported by Dupont chemical company and various pharmaceutical companies in the effort to outlaw cannabis. Dupont had patented nylon, and wanted hemp removed as competition. The pharmaceutical companies could neither identify nor standardize cannabis dosages, and besides, with cannabis, folks could grow their own medicine and not have to purchase it from large companies.

So it's THE MAN keepin' us down! If meanweens post is true, that's more than enough proof of why it should be legalized and I don't see why gov't officials wouldn't allow it besides the hording money in pharmaceutical environments rather than letting it spread among people.

People need to understand that this drug was banned for absolutely ridiculous reasons and it was shoved down peoples' throats as being worse than every horrible drug combined. All of the extreme claims made about it were false. Do your research!

[debraleesparks]

 :wave:Yes, and tax the hell out of it, and then America will be in the 'GREEN' again !!!!

[sh33ma]

yes definitely 

[ro901]

Yes

[meanween]

http://www.drugwarrant.com/articles/why-is-marijuana-illegal/

That's where the info is that i quoted...i've heard it before years ago but it's always good to brush up on the ridiculous reasons why it was criminalized in the first place.  Sometimes the looks on peoples faces when they hear what they are supporting due to the fact that, "it's the law" is priceless. 

I first heard most of these facts on a spoken word cd that Jello Biafra put out..can't remember the name of it.  He was also in the Dead Kennedys.
Good CD.  He rants about some good stuff, weed being criminalized being one of them. 

I always like this one too....

“See I think drugs have done some good things for us, I really do, and if you don't believe drugs have done good things for us, do me a favor: go home tonight and take all your albums, all your tapes, and all your cds and burn 'em. 'cause you know the musicians who made all that great music that's enhanced your lives throughout the years.... rrrrrrrrreal f**kin high on drugs.”
Bill Hicks
 

[devideddi]

no

[James9777]

No I don't think it should be unless it is for medical reasons.

[MARYIA31]

YES!

[KCK8o8]

i think they should because it doesnt really hurt anybody
people that burn weed all they do is just cruising around place
or just sitting at home playing games or watching tv it doesnt
make the person do bad things so why not legalize it.

[lvstephanie]

Earlier in the discussion, some had mentioned that it was made illegal for religious reasons... What are they? I guess I can maybe see some of the more conservative religions which already make drinking, music, etc. a sin as thinking that weed would pollute the body, which should be held as a temple for the soul...

I think that would be the major reason why the right would be against it; socially "conservatives" (though I disagree with the term, but I digress) would want any drug made illegal. It was a reason why some on the right are for banning cigarettes in public places, suing the tobacco industries, etc. And also for some of the laws in Utah regarding alcohol.

However I think that the further to the right on the political spectrum you move, you'd actually find more that would be in favor of it. Libertarians would agree more with the idea that the legality of drugs is a matter of individual freedoms. People should be free to make there own choices in life as long as it doesn't infringe upon another's freedoms. Smoking weed doesn't affect anyone else aside from the person that smokes, so a person should be able to smoke if they so desire. I would agree with certain limits, such as driving while under the influence since accidents occurring because a person was high does indeed hurt another's freedom, but those limits should be held in check. And when it comes to limits imposed on marijuana, it should be based at the state and local levels, like most other laws like murder, rape, robbery, etc.

Most of the problems associated with marijuana are due in part because of the criminalized nature of it. Violence associated with its trafficking resembles the same problems experienced with alcohol during prohibition. Same with the high prices, etc. And I hate the insinuation that pot is a "gateway drug". If that's the case, then so is tobacco and alcohol. The legal drugs also alter a person's perception of reality (being giddy on nicotine or loopy on alcohol) and can also being people in contact with the criminal aspects when kids try to acquire them when underage. So that gateway argument holds no water.

[Nomore925]

I agree that it should be legalized.  I have no intention of smoking it either way, but I still believe it should be legalized.  Shouldn't people have a right to choose for themselves without the fear of prosecution.

[discardedheart]

most definitely.
 

although i've seen this same thread puked out, like, a million times ;p

[dankelley]

not a single marijuana related death has ever been recorded yet many other legal things like alcohol are responsible for beatings death and other incidents so yeah it all comes down to money i guess money>facts   

[Dremarr]

Yes, for the sole reason of taxing it. Even then, I would ban it everywhere that smoking is banned.

[Bear44847]

Yes, I believe it should be legalized. I have believed ever since I was old enough to understand the debate, that the government was stupid for not legalizing it and then taxing the heck out of it. They are missing one huge cash cow by not doing so. I, myself, do not smoke weed. I just believe that they would earn more money off of legalizing it than they do for keeping it illegal. However, it will still not stop the illegal trade as people will still be looking for a cheap "fix". They could also make money by busting those that are selling it illegally. They could also ensure that good clean weed is being sold by simply selling it through the pharmacies. The only problem with the marijuana debate that I can see of is the current drug testing systems we have to get a job. They would pretty much have to stop drug testing if it was made legal. I forsee the drug testing in the workplace being the sticking point in finally legalizing Marijuana.