Your Opinion: Legalize Marijuana?

[tiffkk09]

Edit - Ok, now I'm getting into a debate mood. Someone please dissect my point of view and prove me wrong. I've update this post with two very good replys and my answers

So, what does everyone else think? I personally don't smoke at all, but I have a few friends that do and it doesn't bother me.

What does bother me is when they talk about legalizing the stuff.

Sure, the government could grow it, tax it, sell it, and make a good profit.

And it's true that weed as never killed anyone, and it's been proven that marijuana isn't addictive.

But it does have a few side effects: Laziness and Hunger.

And that is exactly what this Country doesn't need more of. Lazy people. And Obesity is already considered an Epidemic.

I'm sure that a few good people that smoke the stuff can take perfectly good care of themselves, but they can't speak for everyone else.

Edit- I wanted to add this because I think alot of people are missing it.

First off I dont smoke, but I think it should be legalized. So many people do it anyway, I think its a personal choice and I dont think a large number of people would start smoking just because it was legal. If it were taxed & made a little more expensive, I think maybe less people would do it. If people wanna get fat & lazy thats THEIR problem, they will do it anyway, cause cigarettes, beer, and cheeseburgers are legal. People are being killed every day over drug sales, police are risking their lives trying to stop marijuana use/sales, children are being raised in/around grow houses and living with parents who deal. Kids are in foster care because their parents are in jail for dealing or possession. We have overcrowded jails and violent criminals being released who really need to be in there. People are able to sell weed & get welfare & food stamps and walk around decked out in gold jewelry. The same laws should apply that apply to drinking...like you cant get high in public, cant drive high, etc. Wow thats a lot I guess I feel pretty strongly on this one 

Sorry to pick you out, but you've made some very clever remarks.

The people that smoke weed know that it is ilegal just like people who don't. Sure, people who don't smoke it may try it as long as it wasn't against the law. That's not a choice though, it's a risk. If weed was sold at wal-mart, imagine the impulse buyers who would pick it up. And the point you made about just making it more expensive, well, if it's so exspensive, why would someone who smokes it regularly buy it legaly when they can get it for half the price from their dealer? Legalizing weed won't make crime go down. Committing crimes, that's a risk, not a choice. Becoming fat is no where near being a personal choice. It's darn near an affliction. The same reason a marijuana smoker would lite up a pipe to forget about his stressful life, a normal person would eat a cheeseburger. Not because they choose to, but because it's what they've been conditioned to do.

Maybe the reason the government never legalized weed is because they realized the huge mistake they made when they gave up the prohibition. Just because alcohol is legal doesn't mean it was a good idea. Heck, lot's of things that the government did were huge mistakes. The same reason they can't just pull out of iraq and they can't try to re-ilegalize alcohol, you'd have a lot of p-o'ed people with fire arms knocking on the government front door. but I digress...

Weed has nothing to do with "overcrowded jails and violent criminals being released who really need to be in there". Penalties for possession of marijuana are dang near a slap on the wrist. Something like a $500 fine and 30 days to a year in jail.

"People are able to sell weed & get welfare & food stamps and walk around decked out in gold jewelry", I really don't want to get deep with this one. But selling weed doesn't exactly make a 5 figure yearly income. They are on welfare and food stamps BECAUSE they sell weed. And this can be traceable back to families being raised with no father in the household. No fathers because of some stupid drug deal or childish gang fight. And that's about as far as I'll go, that is an entirely new topic.

Adding weed to a roster with a bunch of "do not's" as rules (like alcohol) isn't going to fix anything if weed is legal. Just look at how many people are being killed because of drunk drivers. Killed by people, not following the law.

Like I said before, sorry about picking you out of the crowd. But you made some very good points that I understand from another persons perspective.

Edit - So no one misses it.

I am all up for them leagalizing it. Everyone on the face of this earth is on drugs. The medicine that the doctors give you are additive.The steroids in the food is giving us cancer.Alcohol is a man-made drug that kills.
So I think why not legalize it.I personally think that crime rate would go down a good bit not disappear but it will decrease. Weed makes you calm and laid back but it helps us to deal with stress better. The doctor will instead give you pills in place of the weed which has a million and one side effects and extra side effects that kill. Why take a pill and in return the pill gives you an upset stomach,blurred vision,trouble breathing,chest pains, nose bleeds,migrains,trouble sleeping,suicidal thoughts,anxiety,constipation,fainting,etc.
Weed is a NATURAL HERB not DRUG!!!!
And for those of you who stereo type people that smoke weed..... WEED does not make you lazy...it only intensifies what is already part of you. I know people that smoke weed and get up and go to work as they should and go about their daily routine as they should. So let's not blame laziness on weed but rather that person.Weed does not kill!!! Alcohol and the rest of those man made drugs is what kills!!! I say they should just go for it and make this country like Amsterdam. They are truely laid back over there. Herbal Therapy is something that I think brings people together.(Black,white,asian,indian,pacfic islanders,etc.)

Ok, good point. I really wouldn't mind if weed "was" legal you know, I'm just not for it "becoming" legal. It's not hard to see that Marijuana is a LOT healthier than cigarettes, and think about all the people in the world that smoke. Let's just pick out one group of people...oh let's say US Soldiers. It's estimated that 60%-75% of US Soldiers smoke to help cope with stress. Here's an idea! Let's give them Weed instead so they stay laid back! Heck, they probably wouldn't want to fight anymore! Living is so much more enjoyable now!

Real quick. I love this country and I love every Soldier who enrolls in our fine military. God Bless America!

But! If all those soldiers or even would-be soldiers got "laid back"? Yeah, how would you feel about another draft? How would you like to see your son or husband taken out of your house, given a little training, a gun, and a kill command? Because there are a lot of people out there who don't like us. Us as in the united States of America.

Now, if you want to fix our medical system, then I suggest you start watching who or what you vote for. Marijuana isn't a heal-all drug (or herb rather, sorry). So why would you want it legalized anyway? Guess the first place it's going to stop before it hits the store shelves? Yeah that's right, the lab. And that's the same lab where the make those pills with "a million and one side effects and extra side effects that kill."

And I agree with you one hundred percent about marijuana bringing people together. I've seen Alcohol parties go crazy, people getting hurt, things getting destroyed, etc. Opposed to smoke circles where people gather around and tell warm stories and enjoy fellowship. And it should be made legal for that part alone. But as I've semi-stated in previous posts, this countries people need help. Why else would obesity be an epidemic? Not because someone chooses to be fat, but because they can't help it! That's what I call "food-abuse". Now, when you go to work, or for a walk, or go shopping, or go anywhere outside your house, take a look at all the people who have a "food-abuse" problem, and imagine how many people would have a "substance-abuse" problem.

Thank you, good night.

SO NOT TRUE " Laziness and Hunger" MAYBE FOR SOME BUT NOT ALL,  And if it were legal it would not cause "substance abuse problems" because it would be legal!!

[viclyn]

Laziness and Hunger is caused by many things so to label those who smoke marijuana is just that a label . There are many people who smoke it who live productive lives..any thing done in excess can cause effects if you allow it to , that is a choice. what people do not get..or understand are things they do not know because they have never walked in ones shoes to have a right to judge. We were all born with a brain, at what point did it not become our own? Think Think think!!!

[eldrith]

It wouldn't hurt to legalize it, just put restrictions on it like alcohol. Obviously marijuana has different side effects so the restrictions would differ. Its not bad because alcohol is proven to be worse then marijuana and if we can have alcohol why not a little marijuana to go with it.lol

[Angelbot]

I think they should keep it for medicinal purposes only! have it sold at pharmacys but you would have to have a drs script for it and a card stating you have it for those medical resons.... apart from that NO! it should be ILLEGAL for anyone else to have! ive seen enough people killed by it. Now some say its not addictive.... YES IT IS! I was once addicted to it! been clean now for 8 years. and alot of people that i use to hang out with have done some stupid stuff on it (like DRIVE when they shouldnt and been in car accidents because their reaction time was impaired).

[cubarican210]

Well if they legalized it less people would use it. Now some people use it because it's forbidden. Things that are prohibited seem to be more attractive to people. It seems like some people would want to hunt something down that is prohibited by everyone. At least if it was legalized only major companies could control it and make money off of it. Regular people who are not authorized to sell would be put in jail faster than now. That's what I think. Please excuse me if I'm not making sense. I have a huge headache and just plain old sick today. Uuughh! Hope everyone enjoys their Sunday. If marijuana was made then there must be some purpose for it but it just can't be used to the point where you don't know where the hell you are or what you're doing. It's along the same lines as an alcoholic beverage. Personally, I wish the plant didn't even exist at all. I wonder who's idea it was in the first place to smoke a plant. That's crazy. But to each his own just as long as my future kids don't get their hands on it.  

[dmalsbury]

My vote is to legalise! Prohibition sucked in the 1920s for alcohol and it sucks now in 2010 for cannabis. Let's end it! Stop legislating our morality and making good people into criminals.

[502mania]

FIRST OFF, THIS IS A DAMN PLANT PEOPLE!!

The Truth About “Marijuana”
And I will raise up for them a plant of renown, and they shall be no more consumed with hunger in the land.-- Ezekiel 34:29


   The reason the word marijuana is in quotes in the title is because that’s not the proper term. It is a Mexican nickname for hemp or cannabis. Why is a plant classified as a drug/narcotic? And why is it illegal in the U.S.? I hope that the “harmful to your health” routine isn’t the case, because tobacco is legal. And so is liquor. And so are “TV Drugs”. This all comes from misinformation and manipulation of the general public. Did you know that, George Washington, yeah, that George Washington, and Benjamin Franklin grew hemp?
    Hemp can be used as paper, fuel, housing, clothing, oil, even food and that’s not the end of the list. Hemp has a short grow season and can be grown anywhere. In the 1930’s the Hemp industry could have created millions of jobs and multiple variations of quality products. If you had a pair of jeans made from hemp, you could hand those down to your great grand-kids. In Kentucky, once the number one hemp producer (producing 40,000 tons in 1850 according to state archives), hemp jeans are illegal! It’s illegal to wear quality jeans. Today hemp oil could be used for BIODEGRADABLE PLASTIC that won’t harm the environment. If it had not been illegalized, it could have saved us from the great depression. And could steer us off of the road to destroying the earth. Hemp has so many medical uses and can be safely recreational. It can cure an eating disorder (“the munchies” ring a bell?). Recreational use brings a sense of creativity, appreciation of all arts, and brings one closer to nature. Of course, problems occur with youth using marijuana and performance in school, but that’s only because 14 and 15 year old kids don’t understand the nature and concept of marijuana, and it’s because they aren’t taught.
   But how did it become illegal and why? Well, it became illegal through many processes including media-manipulation of the people. Films like “REEFER MADNESS” and “MARIHUANA: THE DEVIL’S WEED” came out in 1936 to gain public support to illegalize it. Things like, violent narcotic, incurable insanity and soul destroying were used to describe cannabis. At the end of “REEFER MADNESS” it doesn’t say “the end“, it says “TELL YOUR CHILDREN”. People in the 1930’s were so easily led and dared not to question authority figures, so they told their children, and they told their children, and so on. So today most people think that hemp is a narcotic or drug, when in all truth it is a harmless plant. They called it violent and metal-illness inducing. The most useful crop known to man had became a drug and the earth has been hurting ever since. But why? Simple, it is yet another case of profits before people. If Hemp remained legal, so many billion dollar industries would be reduced. It was a threat to their wealth, and greed overcame.
   On April 14, 1937, the Prohibitive Marihuana Tax Law was brought directly to the House Ways and Means Committee, the only committee that can introduce a bill without debate. The chairman, Robert Doughton, a Dupont supporter, ensured that the bill would pass Congress. Doctor James Woodward testified too late on the behalf of the AMA. He said that it hadn’t been done sooner because they just discovered that “Marihuana” was hemp. The AMA understood hemp as a quality medical product for over a hundred years, including uses for asthma and glaucoma. First claimed as a violent inducing drug, in the 1950’s, Harry J. Anslinger, Head of the Drug Commission for 31 years, said the complete opposite “marihuana will pacify you so much, you’re soldiers won’t want to fight.”
   Several of the world’s problems could be solved if hemp were industrialized. It is certainly, the most useful and versatile plant we know of.  Abolish the term “Marijuana”, and know the history that the term came from and why it is the way it is today. Marijuana relates to the plant mentioned in the bible as the plant of renown for the healing of nations. So why does it remain outlawed?

~The Bible predicts some herb's prohibition. "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times, some shall … speak lies in hypocrisy … commanding to abstain from meats which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. (Paul: 1 Timothy 4:1-3)

The Bible speaks of a special plant. "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) A healing plant. On either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare 12 manner of fruits, and yielding her fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. (Revelations 22:1-2) A gift from God.

Cannabis was used 12 ways: clothing, paper, cord, sails, fishnet, oil, sealant, incense, food, and in ceremony, relaxation and medicine. For so the Lord said unto me, "I will take my rest and I will consider in my dwelling place like a clear heat upon herbs. For afore harvest, when the bud is perfect and the sour grape is ripening in the flower, he shall cut off the sprigs with pruning hooks and take away and cut down the branches." (Isaiah 18:4-5)~

[viclyn]

I myself  not a marijuauna smoker but i have smoked it in my earlier days. As many i am sure have done the same. Each person that has spoke out on this issue are all correct in what they say, no rights no wrongs its just what they feel. people make choices...for so many different reasons. Yes marijuana can cause some to be lazy and hungry, non productive..there choice and also making it a risk. No rights no wrongs..choices. Just as the laws are said to be set to protect..who? Power over rules ever that..Laws. Judges, Lawyers, Doctors and yes police officers..ect. do smoke marijuana..but noone brings that up until its in the news then its..no really..please there are so many issues that in my mind are much more important. As said drinking we all no those effects..but its legal..you see more people in jail with longer sentance who get caught with drugs..why??? cause its illegal. if is was legal tax would be lower on consumers pockets. who pays for the jails being built, who pays for welfare..which  anyone could be on assistance..never say never cause just because one is not..maybe tommorrow. People loss there jobs..homes and the help that the gov. says they give, will protect..do not. But until it happens to you..judge..wrong time to speak. FHa insured mortgages yay the Gov. talks out about how they will now help..please those rules, codes have always been there..but benefit for who..yes now its placed in minds of people there is help hope...those families that worked hard..trusted that protection..made homeless not because they did not pay..undue hardship!!! who's protected..not the family ..who is put out..no the banks..they get protection on the insurane the family paid..in return..stress, shame.damage that effects children to. FHA gets home back, banks get there money..so many other things that if people would wake up..the war one stated..please soldiers , sons, fathers, mothers who fight for our country..whats left for them when its over..people support the troops..who's there when its over..i could go on and one but like i said no bodies right or wrong because we all have a right to our thoughts , feelings but until you walk in there shoes..no you do not know..until it happens to you..two sides to every story just no under standing because...who can until it effects you..then oops...different out look.  communication with an opened mind..things so easy are made hard..why? 

[mommagoes]

first of all, the "laziness and hunger" can be avoided by smoking different strains of marijuana. there are some that only affect your body, like a painkiller, but still keeps your mind completely clear and alert. and then there are other strains that affect mainly your head, like an anti-anxiety medications, but without any body numbing effects. and there are plenty of strains that do not cause munchies. so the "laziness and hunger" arguement really doesn't hold any water here.

secondly, as a california resident, i would like to see marijuana legalized, but not by prop 19. prop 19 has been disguised as legalization of marijuana but the truth of th ematter is that it will only make it legal to possess marijuana if you are over the age of 21. each and every city will be able to make their own rules and regulations regarding the growth and distribution, including the ability to make it illegal to sell it. it will take away some very helpful rights that current medical marijuana users have now, like being able to share strains with each other and with licensed dispensaries. there are many other things wrong with prop 19 but the truth of the matter is that a lot of people who support it and say they are voting yes do not realize that passing 19 will not be good for california in th elong run. the is already another initiative lined up for the ballot in 2012 that would truly legalize marijuana and provide a lot of protection for medical users at the same time. but if prop 19 passes the chances of us seeing the passing of CHHI is very slim, which is why prop 19 was created. to give the illusion that they are giving the people what they want but really controlling it to make certain growers and distributors really rich, creating monopolies and making marijuana more expensive for the common user

[roguetodd]

first of all, the "laziness and hunger" can be avoided by smoking different strains of marijuana. there are some that only affect your body, like a painkiller, but still keeps your mind completely clear and alert. and then there are other strains that affect mainly your head, like an anti-anxiety medications, but without any body numbing effects. and there are plenty of strains that do not cause munchies. so the "laziness and hunger" arguement really doesn't hold any water here.

secondly, as a california resident, i would like to see marijuana legalized, but not by prop 19. prop 19 has been disguised as legalization of marijuana but the truth of th ematter is that it will only make it legal to possess marijuana if you are over the age of 21. each and every city will be able to make their own rules and regulations regarding the growth and distribution, including the ability to make it illegal to sell it. it will take away some very helpful rights that current medical marijuana users have now, like being able to share strains with each other and with licensed dispensaries. there are many other things wrong with prop 19 but the truth of the matter is that a lot of people who support it and say they are voting yes do not realize that passing 19 will not be good for california in th elong run. the is already another initiative lined up for the ballot in 2012 that would truly legalize marijuana and provide a lot of protection for medical users at the same time. but if prop 19 passes the chances of us seeing the passing of CHHI is very slim, which is why prop 19 was created. to give the illusion that they are giving the people what they want but really controlling it to make certain growers and distributors really rich, creating monopolies and making marijuana more expensive for the common user

As a fellow CA resident, i found this very interesting to read. I didn't even realize that they had actually initialized a prop to actually legalize it, just thought they were still in the discussion phase.

Hell, Legalize it in my opinion, a non-smoker, it bodes nothing bad on me while appeasing the masses and creating a somewhat profitable market for our teetering economy.

[mommagoes]

yeah, prop 19 is supposed to be on the ballot next month. but i beg all california residents to truly research this prop and also the CHHI cannabis hemp and health initiative, also caled the jack herer initiative, scheduled for 2012. i know our economy needs the tax revenue from the legalization fo marijuana, and i totally support that but what i do not support is the sneaky way prop 19 is trying to decieve us californians. CHHI will do everything that is lacking from prop 19, so i hope everyone will be patient enough to wait the 2 years and get in a good measure instead of this prop 19 which is a joke!

[roguetodd]

yeah, prop 19 is supposed to be on the ballot next month. but i beg all california residents to truly research this prop and also the CHHI cannabis hemp and health initiative, also caled the jack herer initiative, scheduled for 2012. i know our economy needs the tax revenue from the legalization fo marijuana, and i totally support that but what i do not support is the sneaky way prop 19 is trying to decieve us californians. CHHI will do everything that is lacking from prop 19, so i hope everyone will be patient enough to wait the 2 years and get in a good measure instead of this prop 19 which is a joke!

Just my 2 cents. Prop 19  will pass. People will hate it for 2 years. and then the CHHI will be passed.

No biggie either way.

[miahcahla31]

I am not really comfortable answering this question online to be honest. I dont use it, but i dont disagree with it being legal either.

[makedoughonline]

I don't use it, and I don't care if other people use it as long as they don't hurt other people as a result of using marjuana

[princess_gurl_2011]

first of all, the "laziness and hunger" can be avoided by smoking different strains of marijuana. there are some that only affect your body, like a painkiller, but still keeps your mind completely clear and alert. and then there are other strains that affect mainly your head, like an anti-anxiety medications, but without any body numbing effects. and there are plenty of strains that do not cause munchies. so the "laziness and hunger" arguement really doesn't hold any water here.

secondly, as a california resident, i would like to see marijuana legalized, but not by prop 19. prop 19 has been disguised as legalization of marijuana but the truth of th ematter is that it will only make it legal to possess marijuana if you are over the age of 21. each and every city will be able to make their own rules and regulations regarding the growth and distribution, including the ability to make it illegal to sell it. it will take away some very helpful rights that current medical marijuana users have now, like being able to share strains with each other and with licensed dispensaries. there are many other things wrong with prop 19 but the truth of the matter is that a lot of people who support it and say they are voting yes do not realize that passing 19 will not be good for california in th elong run. the is already another initiative lined up for the ballot in 2012 that would truly legalize marijuana and provide a lot of protection for medical users at the same time. but if prop 19 passes the chances of us seeing the passing of CHHI is very slim, which is why prop 19 was created. to give the illusion that they are giving the people what they want but really controlling it to make certain growers and distributors really rich, creating monopolies and making marijuana more expensive for the common user

As a fellow CA resident, i found this very interesting to read. I didn't even realize that they had actually initialized a prop to actually legalize it, just thought they were still in the discussion phase.

Hell, Legalize it in my opinion, a non-smoker, it bodes nothing bad on me while appeasing the masses and creating a somewhat profitable market for our teetering economy.

People are going to do it anyways so why not??