[Choban]

ASLplease wrote:

Ofcourse most kids will try pot, that is why we dont need to legalize it. They will get it anyways.

WHy should a 16 year oild kid caught by the cops trying pot for his first time have to have a criminal record for the rest of his childhood when the cop arresting him probably tried pot himself when he was 16 and maybe still smokes it from time to time?

[dino_bobba_renno]

Choban wrote:

ASLplease wrote:

Ofcourse most kids will try pot, that is why we dont need to legalize it. They will get it anyways.

WHy should a 16 year oild kid caught by the cops trying pot for his first time have to have a criminal record for the rest of his childhood when the cop arresting him probably tried pot himself when he was 16 and maybe still smokes it from time to time?

Legalizing and decriminalizing pot are two different things. There's a lot of support for decriminalization but when your biggest trading partner and next door neighbour happen to be America you can guarantee it will never happen.

[Biblesmasher]

In all these discussions still waiting to hear the qualitative difference between marijuana and alcohol. Any argument that could be made against legalizing marijuana can be made against keeping Alcohol legal. So all the anti marijuana people sure as hell better be for prohibition as well.

[romanP]

dino_bobba_renno wrote:

Choban wrote:

ASLplease wrote:

Ofcourse most kids will try pot, that is why we dont need to legalize it. They will get it anyways.

WHy should a 16 year oild kid caught by the cops trying pot for his first time have to have a criminal record for the rest of his childhood when the cop arresting him probably tried pot himself when he was 16 and maybe still smokes it from time to time?

Legalizing and decriminalizing pot are two different things. There's a lot of support for decriminalization but when your biggest trading partner and next door neighbour happen to be America you can guarantee it will never happen.

That's not really true. A lot of states are legalising. All that has to happen now is for the feds to wake up and smell the reefer.

[Choban]

I'd be all for decriminalazation as well, it's a compromise that sould be made. I know that here in Calgary if you get caught with less than an ounce they're just gonna take it frome you and you might have to see a judge about a fine (assuming the evidence lasts long enough to get a court date).

[romanP]

"We were gonna bring you to court but.. ehhh.. this is good shit, mang. I think I'll just smoke it all instead."

[Biblesmasher]

Choban wrote:

I'd be all for decriminalazation as well

It should be legal. I shouldn't have to compromise on what I put in my body.

[ASLplease]

Biblesmasher wrote:

In all these discussions still waiting to hear the qualitative difference between marijuana and alcohol. Any argument that could be made against legalizing marijuana can be made against keeping Alcohol legal. So all the anti marijuana people sure as hell better be for prohibition as well.

"....t is based on my 15 years’ experience treating drug-troubled adolescents and young people - the majority of whom were in treatment because of marijuana use – that I categorically believe marijuana must not be legalized. Legalizing marijuana would undoubtedly lead to increased general use and, despite any well-intentioned age restrictions, increased use among our nation’s children.

A comparable example, where a law was changed to protect a minority at some inconvenience to the majority, is speed limits.

In 1973, national speed limit guidelines were significantly reduced from 75 mph to 55 mph. One year later, 4,000 fewer people died on the nation’s roads.

The point is this – many of us drive faster than stated speed limits, perhaps on a consistent basis. Huge numbers of otherwise law-abiding citizens break the law without harm, while many find pleasure in doing so. Why should we not raise the speed limits further? Four thousand more deaths vs. the pleasure and convenience of many.

Marijuana legalization follows a similar argument. Why inconvenience the majority of responsible adult users - just who this group is, I’m not sure - for the sake of a minority of irresponsible, young users?....."

http://www.odysseyhouseinc.org/news/bht1002.html

[Lemmy]

That was eloquently stated and you make a compelling argument. Trouble is, for me, the most important quality in a free society is the right to individual choice. Comparing pot use to dangerous driving is inappropriate. One is a victimless crime, one is not.

[Monkeyman]

I think Philalawyer gets it right here.

[Choban]

Nice article Monkeyman.
While I agree with his stance on taxes that was never my argument for leagalization.
I do disagree with his gateway drug rant at the end though, it's unfounded and only coincidence that most junkies and people addicted to harder drugs tried pot first.
I can tell you I know some very professional people that smoke/smoked and have never moved on to harder stuff. Myself included.

[Monkeyman]

Choban wrote:

I do disagree with his gateway drug rant at the end though, it's unfounded and only coincidence that most junkies and people addicted to harder drugs tried pot first.
I can tell you I know some very professional people that smoke/smoked and have never moved on to harder stuff. Myself included.

I don't wanna sound rude but I think you need to re-read that bit - I believe that was his exact point!

[Choban]

Monkeyman wrote:

Choban wrote:

I do disagree with his gateway drug rant at the end though, it's unfounded and only coincidence that most junkies and people addicted to harder drugs tried pot first.
I can tell you I know some very professional people that smoke/smoked and have never moved on to harder stuff. Myself included.

I don't wanna sound rude but I think you need to re-read that bit - I believe that was his exact point!

Will do, not rude at all.

[llama66]

I think pot should be decriminalized too, there really is no reason for it to be illegal. I think the cops have bigger issues to deal with and decriminalizing pot would mean the cops can deal with the real drug dealers (crack and meth... you know real drugs). I have yet to actually hear a valid reason as to why we should keep pot illegal, I keep hearing the same "think of the children" tripe, do these same people think of the children when they smoke in front of them or when they get all boozed up in front of them? we allow tobacco and alcohol sales, which lead to about 90 different types of cancer and liver cirrhosis (not to mention drunk driving accidents, and spousal assault), but we ban pot why....? its not really a case of think of the children or the fact some (erroneously, I might add) think its a gateway drug, its because some study in the 1970's by Richard Nixon's administration to justify a prohibition on pot. I think need to stop being such sheep and allow a plant that is less harmful for a person then tobacco and alcohol to be decriminalized.

[FreakyD]

ABSO-FUCKING-LOOOOOOTLY!!!

Now before I begin I just wanna say I have not touched the shit since I was 18 (36 now).

Yes legalize it!!

- People that want to do it will do it anyhow.
- Tax the mofo!!!! Talk about millions of $'s
- Government controlled, you can grow it more pure and cleaner
- The Tax revenue on all the farms that will be able to grow it legally, let alone all of the employment you will create.
- Gambling, Alcohol & Cigarettes are considered "Medically Addictive" but yet still legal.
- Imagine the Tourism dollars that would pour into Canada from the US.
- How much would we be saving in court cases for the 18 year old University student that is now wasting all of our money and resources because he/she got caught with a joint or 6.

Now the "intoxicating factor" argument has 0 validity, I can go get wasted legally with alcohol. Its all about limits and knowing yours. When it comes to the drinking and driving, the pot should be treated the exact same way.

SMOKE EM IF YA GOT EM!!!!