Thoughts on legalizing marijuana

[Gary G]

As for me, I don't smoke pot, have never smoked pot and do not tell my neighbors what they can and cannot do. They are as free as I am to choose. That being said, I also do not want my government (who supposedly works for me, but does not) telling my neighbors they have lost their freedom to choose, for I will be next. Do not legalize marijuana, eliminate the immoral laws that make it illegal.

[FPH]

T

As for me, I don't smoke pot, have never smoked pot and do not tell my neighbors what they can and cannot do. They are as free as I am to choose. That being said, I also do not want my government (who supposedly works for me, but does not) telling my neighbors they have lost their freedom to choose, for I will be next. Do not legalize marijuana, eliminate the immoral laws that make it illegal.

There are limits to choice though.  I am againt cocaine or say a nuke.

[Gary G]

T

As for me, I don't smoke pot, have never smoked pot and do not tell my neighbors what they can and cannot do. They are as free as I am to choose. That being said, I also do not want my government (who supposedly works for me, but does not) telling my neighbors they have lost their freedom to choose, for I will be next. Do not legalize marijuana, eliminate the immoral laws that make it illegal.

There are limits to choice though.  I am againt cocaine or say a nuke.

Who do think should decide, a few chosen bureaucrats or the people?


The people who live down there where the cocaine grows don't seem to have a problem except with the drug cartels who find a profit in selling it to places where it is illegal. Some countries, such as Peru and Bolivia permit the cultivation of coca leaf for traditional consumption by the locals.

There are always risks with freedom. Many would trade their neighbors freedom to limit some of the risk to themselves, not realizing that they are opening the door to loss of their own freedom. End the end, when freedom is lost, risk still remains.

In the soviet system, where one had to ask permission to do about anything, and freedom did not exist, did not risk still remain? It only came from another direction?

[FPH]

My main concern is the influece on kids.It may not be perfect, but we do live in a Republic, and have elected our leaders to make and enforce laws.  The way you suggest would allow my neighbor yo be a pedophile also.

[Empty Quiver]

My main concern is the influece on kids.It may not be perfect, but we do live in a Republic, and have elected our leaders to make and enforce laws.  The way you suggest would allow my neighbor yo be a pedophile also.

I would argue that the pedophile is a more direct threat to society. His "perversion" requires the participation of a minor, wherein that of a pot smoker does not. 

[whetrock]

Let me start off by stating that I feel that, drugs (including tobacco and Alcohol) are horrendous, worthless habits that are of no benefit to anyone. With that being said the War on Drugs is quite meaningless to me. It started out with good intentions, however has turned in to nothing more than a racket for the private prison industry. Also to enforce such legislation the rights of good law abiding citizens have to be trampled on in order to bring the criminals created by the war on drugs to "justice". All in all the 4th amendment has been hampered for the sake of this tirade on an individuals bad choices. I'm to the point were I have no desire to tell another individual what to consume and don't want anybody telling me either.

[finisher]

Let me start off by stating, drugs (including tobacco and Alcohol) are horrendous, worthless habits that are of no benefit to anyone. With that being said the War on Drugs is quite meaningless to me. It started out with good intentions, however has turned in to nothing more than a racket for the private prison industry. Also to enforce such legislation the rights of good law abiding citizens have to be trampled on in order to bring the criminals created by the war on drugs to "justice". All in all the 4th amendment has been hampered for the sake of this tirade on an individuals bad choices. I'm to the point were I have no desire to tell another individual what to consume and don't want anybody telling me either.

*******************
This is about as basic and as comprehensive as it gets. Seems very logical to me. Crystal clear and yet the "War" wages on.


Well put sir.

[facetious]

At one time alcohol was illegal and the mob ran the country, people still drank , every one knew some one who drank and prohibition was a joke to most. Thy made wine, beer and booz at home like people had for ever and the time came when people got sick of the mob and the crime that came with it and thy put a end to prohibition. Now people still drink and know people who drink, thy know some who drink to much but thy know a lot more who don't. We look back at it now and make TV shows that make fun of moonshiners and the revenuers trying to catch them. We watch NASCAR to celebrate the drug runners " sorry  Moonshine bootleggers" and drink beer till we are poop faced and make butt heads of are selves for every one to see on TV. We make Craft beers to show we are better the then the guy on the Keystone beer commercial and only drink the finest liquors. Every one knows some one who smokes pot, you may not know who thy are but you know them, you work with them, you live next to them you see them every day, you think of them as friends and have sat and had a beer with them. But thy don't know if thy can trust you. You go home after work and have a drink or two or more, thy go home and smoke a bowl and you both have dinner, watch TV and go to bed but thy know that people like you think that you are better then them and would like to see  people like them locked up wile you go on your drunken way. Fifty years from now thy will make TV shows that make fun pot growers and the DEA trying to catch them and then we will go to the track to watch E-NASCAR race electric cars, but now thy will turn to the right not left and we will smoke a bowl have a shot of the finest liquor and wash it down with the best beer till we are poop faced and make butt  heads of are selves for every one to see on TV. We will wave flags, sing songs about freedom and how great it is to be a American in the greatest country in the world the US of A.

[Victor3]

Let me start off by stating, drugs (including tobacco and Alcohol) are horrendous, worthless habits that are of no benefit to anyone. With that being said the War on Drugs is quite meaningless to me. It started out with good intentions, however has turned in to nothing more than a racket for the private prison industry. Also to enforce such legislation the rights of good law abiding citizens have to be trampled on in order to bring the criminals created by the war on drugs to "justice". All in all the 4th amendment has been hampered for the sake of this tirade on an individuals bad choices. I'm to the point were I have no desire to tell another individual what to consume and don't want anybody telling me either.

 I agree with your post, except for my bold modification. You assume that these particular habits "are of no benefit to anyone." Many would disagree; people generally pay for things that they feel add value to their lives.


 The Declaration of Independence's "pursuit of happiness" may include things that you and I feel are not profitable for us personally or to society as a whole. However, it's only our opinion (until something becomes illegal, of course).

[SHOOTALL]

The reality is pot will be legal as soon as the states pass it. The US Atty. Gen.  won't go after cases in states where legal ( they don't now ) because it would be a jury trial and he could not get a conviction .
 

[Tommyt]

  I am for it to be legal
I smoked 30 plus years ago
I feel it is not as near
A danger to the public as some think
Heck I see no public danger at all
 
 I also feel if it where legal the smoker would go in and buy
I feel now the smoker goes to the dope dealer to buy
While there he gets greeted by someone that will(may)
offer him something else
The dope dealer could help lead this person to try a little of this or that
If this person walked into a legal store he would not be offered these
options
Whats to say the dealers says no pot today but here try a little of this
Its real close and its only $10
Then the next thing you know the pot head is now a coke head
 
Put it, in the corner store. Not out in front of it.
 
What country or state has had a up swing,terrible crime rate rise,health
problem once they made it legal

[45-70.gov]

like  all things  it is not  black and white...in a vacume...ect


how about a package deal.....all  drugs legal
ZERO tolerence  for driving   with  any positive drug test
test at  ALL accedents, lisence renewal, probable cause
ANY AMOUND  including alcohal  and prescription  results  i year of no lisence
drive after told not to  ..GO TO JAIL
no  restricted drivers....NOTHING YOU DON'T DRIVE


second or 3rd  no driving for life

[magooch]

So where does it all stop?  Is everyone fine with people having drugs in their bloodstream at work?  When drugs are legal, do you really think they won't be easier for kids to get them?  How do you like the idea of drugged drivers sharing the roads with you? 
Freedom is not what is in question here; it is what kind of society and environment do you want to live in.  You should be free to pretty much do as you like as long as it doesn't have a detrimental affect on society in general.  Otherwise it isn't society, it's chaos.
I remember a time when drugs were not heard of and alcohol was not that much of a problem.  The world is definitely not better with the proliferation of both.

[45-70.gov]

So where does it all stop?  Is everyone fine with people having drugs in their bloodstream at work?  When drugs are legal, do you really think they won't be easier for kids to get them?  How do you like the idea of drugged drivers sharing the roads with you? 
Freedom is not what is in question here; it is what kind of society and environment do you want to live in.  You should be free to pretty much do as you like as long as it doesn't have a detrimental affect on society in general.  Otherwise it isn't society, it's chaos.
I remember a time when drugs were not heard of and alcohol was not that much of a problem.  The world is definitely not better with the proliferation of both.

where does it stop?.......the curb in front of my house
drugs  at work??......well...thats up to the owner of the company...not me or you
KIDS??.....raising kids  ain't easy....its MY to raise them right,,not any one elses..
              we  can't change    the world for the parents that fail  to accept their responsibility
society??.......i don't feel right forcing  my idea of society on some one else
.                    hope  no one wants to force their will  on me  or any one else
drugs and alcohal  are as big a problem as  people CHOOSE  to make it

[SHOOTALL]

like  all things  it is not  black and white...in a vacume...ect


how about a package deal.....all  drugs legal
ZERO tolerence  for driving   with  any positive drug test
test at  ALL accedents, lisence renewal, probable cause
ANY AMOUND  including alcohal  and prescription  results  i year of no lisence
drive after told not to  ..GO TO JAIL
no  restricted drivers....NOTHING YOU DON'T DRIVE


second or 3rd  no driving for life

 
why wait first abuse no more driving . same for operating tools and equipment first time no more you become a labor. same for polits and doctors etc.

[45-70.gov]

why not first offence.....interest of compromise,  your right




+1  for drug testing ALL politicians


like i said about drugs on the job.....''up to the boss''
we  are the polititions BOSS...fire them  if found drunk ect....even when  off duty

[whetrock]

Let me start off by stating, drugs (including tobacco and Alcohol) are horrendous, worthless habits that are of no benefit to anyone. With that being said the War on Drugs is quite meaningless to me. It started out with good intentions, however has turned in to nothing more than a racket for the private prison industry. Also to enforce such legislation the rights of good law abiding citizens have to be trampled on in order to bring the criminals created by the war on drugs to "justice". All in all the 4th amendment has been hampered for the sake of this tirade on an individuals bad choices. I'm to the point were I have no desire to tell another individual what to consume and don't want anybody telling me either.

 I agree with your post, except for my bold modification. You assume that these particular habits "are of no benefit to anyone." Many would disagree; people generally pay for things that they feel add value to their lives.


 The Declaration of Independence's "pursuit of happiness" may include things that you and I feel are not profitable for us personally or to society as a whole. However, it's only our opinion (until something becomes illegal, of course).

Yeah I should have added "Im my opinion" or "I feel" thanks for pointing that out. I agree wholeheartedly with what you're saying. Weed supposedly has medicinal benefits anyhow and even if it didn't or doesn't I could really care less if people wanted to consume it. All in all I'm worried that Colorado as well as other states trying to legalize this substance will be beat into submission by the feds.

[Gary G]

Two states have legalized marijuana use. This is good. It gives us an experiment to see which is more harmful, drugs or the war on drugs, and if usage will go up or decrease as it did when prohibition was lifted on alcohol. The people of those states need to know about the legal process of "Jury Nullification". Federal prosecutors will not tell them. Juries have the right to nullify the law in which a person is being prosecuted if they feel that it is unjust in a particular case.

[SHOOTALL]

Two states have legalized marijuana use. This is good. It gives us an experiment to see which is more harmful, drugs or the war on drugs, and if usage will go up or decrease as it did when prohibition was lifted on alcohol. The people of those states need to know about the legal process of "Jury Nullification". Federal prosecutors will not tell them. Juries have the right to nullify the law in which a person is being prosecuted if they feel that it is unjust in a particular case.

see my post above , the feds are not wasting their time. One concern is more traffic accidents with more deaths a true concern thyat will need to be considered and punishments to keep it low.

[finisher]

Let me start off by stating, drugs (including tobacco and Alcohol) are horrendous, worthless habits that are of no benefit to anyone. With that being said the War on Drugs is quite meaningless to me. It started out with good intentions, however has turned in to nothing more than a racket for the private prison industry. Also to enforce such legislation the rights of good law abiding citizens have to be trampled on in order to bring the criminals created by the war on drugs to "justice". All in all the 4th amendment has been hampered for the sake of this tirade on an individuals bad choices. I'm to the point were I have no desire to tell another individual what to consume and don't want anybody telling me either.

 I agree with your post, except for my bold modification. You assume that these particular habits "are of no benefit to anyone." Many would disagree; people generally pay for things that they feel add value to their lives.


 The Declaration of Independence's "pursuit of happiness" may include things that you and I feel are not profitable for us personally or to society as a whole. However, it's only our opinion (until something becomes illegal, of course).

**************
Like Bill Maher once said "Heroine and Marijuana never hurt my record collection" 

[finisher]

So where does it all stop?  Is everyone fine with people having drugs in their bloodstream at work?You may be surprised at just how many people out there already are under some legal prescription and they just keep it to themselves. Told y'all that I had a psychotic CO with access to nukes and I've known fighter jocks that were tweeked out of their minds on pills. 


When drugs are legal, do you really think they won't be easier for kids to get them?Been all over the world and from what I've seen, it is fairly easy to obtain illegal drugs ANYWHERE if you know how. 


How do you like the idea of drugged drivers sharing the roads with you? I'm a veteran of the LA freeway system. Seen it ALL; people shaving, eating, cutting and snorting lines, hittin' pipes, fondling a significant other, slugging a cold one doing shots, reading maps, YOU NAME IT! It's a dangerous world out there. Best just to keep your head on a swivel and be aware.


Freedom is not what is in question here; it is what kind of society and environment do you want to live in. One where I don't have a bunch of controlling self righteous "holier than thous" trying to get the government to tell me that I (as a consenting adult) cannot decide for myself what makes me happy(even when I'm not robbing, rapping, murdering, assaulting, or endangering anyone).


You should be free to pretty much do as you like as long as it doesn't have a detrimental affect on society in general.  Otherwise it isn't society, it's chaos. Exactly how does this "detrimental effect on society" occur? Is it when the "holier than thous" start feeling a little tempted by the mere presence of an activity of which they don't approve. I've lived around  druggies, hookers, and homosexuals  for a good chunk of my life. I am none of these things nor do I approve of the lifestyles. BUT, none of these people ever put a gun to my head and forced me to do their drugs, or forced me TO PAY to have sex with them, or to commit unnatural acts with them. The thing most detrimental to "society in general" is free thinkers allowing others to use the government to impose their will on upon freedom of choice.


I remember a time when drugs were not heard of and alcohol was not that much of a problem.  The world is definitely not better with the proliferation of both. Exactly what world and era was this? You may have missed somethings, but pharmacology is an ancient practice. There have always been drugs in one form or another and people have always been doing them in every part of the world. Perhaps the world and time to which you refer was one when there was no technological mass media around bombarding the American psyche with things that occur much more often somewhere else than they do within their own little urban and rural "piece of heaven".

[45-70.gov]

we  used to sneek away  with beer  we snitched at the church  picnic  at 14


my   friends  big brother  ,when  i was ..........17
we  were  15.......he would get  us marijuana


he was 17.....so much  for how well they are/were keeping  away from children


better  to train the child  than  change the whole world

[finisher]

Facetious: Love the post.

[Empty Quiver]

I don't know anyone who has lamented to me that they simply could not find the drug they were looking for. Think about that for a while.
 
All the interdiction efforts have gone for naught. Sure they seize a good deal of drugs, they arrest lots of people. Somehow though the drugs continue to come in. They come in at a cost to society in violence, in corruption of those who are charged with interdiction, moral corruption as well. Casual users find a certain disdain for the authority that tells them so many lies about the drugs they currently take, ( a well documented effect of the 55mph speed laws) seasoned abusers have no respect whatsoever for authority.
 
How far would the DEA budget go when applied to treatment rather than interdiction? What is the cost of incarceration? How much does it cost to rehabilitate? Those are mathematical questions. How much of our liberty has ben usurped in the name of drug enforcement? Legitimate    as well as bogus property seizure is but one example.
 
Peace Officers have become Law Enforcement Officers, the para military wing of public service. This new distinction thrives on intimidation and physical force, worried more about demanding respect rather than earning respect. As individuals I have met narry a bad cop but as a group they have become arrogant prigs, not deserving of my respect ( I make a point of treating cops as individuals ). They train as soldiers, think as soldiers, dress as soldiers,  whenever possible recruit from the military. Then they treat us as enemy non-combatants.
 
We have absolutely zero experience with decrimanalizing drugs. We have plenty of experience with making them criminal, and how's that working out? Supporting the war on drugs is about as stupid as supporting the war on poverty. Both programs are abject failures. A new approach is warranted.

[guzzijohn]

Quote from Empty Quiver:
"I don't know anyone who has lamented to me that they simply could not find the drug they were looking for. Think about that for a while. 
All the interdiction efforts have gone for naught. Sure they seize a good deal of drugs, they arrest lots of people. Somehow though the drugs continue to come in. They come in at a cost to society in violence, in corruption of those who are charged with interdiction, moral corruption as well. Casual users find a certain disdain for the authority that tells them so many lies about the drugs they currently take, ( a well documented effect of the 55mph speed laws) seasoned abusers have no respect whatsoever for authority.
 
How far would the DEA budget go when applied to treatment rather than interdiction? What is the cost of incarceration? How much does it cost to rehabilitate? Those are mathematical questions. How much of our liberty has ben usurped in the name of drug enforcement? Legitimate    as well as bogus property seizure is but one example.
 
Peace Officers have become Law Enforcement Officers, the para military wing of public service. This new distinction thrives on intimidation and physical force, worried more about demanding respect rather than earning respect. As individuals I have met narry a bad cop but as a group they have become arrogant prigs, not deserving of my respect ( I make a point of treating cops as individuals ). They train as soldiers, think as soldiers, dress as soldiers,  whenever possible recruit from the military. Then they treat us as enemy non-combatants.
 
We have absolutely zero experience with decrimanalizing drugs. We have plenty of experience with making them criminal, and how's that working out? Supporting the war on drugs is about as stupid as supporting the war on poverty. Both programs are abject failures. A new approach is warranted."


Great post! So true. What is ironic is that the number one killer, more than all the other drugs combined is prescription drugs.
GuzziJohn

[BUGEYE]

How come, the same people that say secondary smoke from tobacco WILL kill you, don't say a thing about secondary smoke from dope.
I'm sure the secondary smoke from marijuana, crack, and meth is as pure as sweet mountain air.

dope is so harmless we should legalize it at once.

[SHOOTALL]

I'm almost sure you could not smoke a joint while waiting in line , or in a dinner etc. And crack and meth would still be illegal. Most are opposed to the tax burden assoicated with pot when the dismal results become known. Spend the money on catching the hard drugs and quit chasing teen agers that only do as many before them have including presidents and other role models.

[45-70.gov]

How come, the same people that say secondary smoke from tobacco WILL kill you, don't say a thing about secondary smoke from dope.
I'm sure the secondary smoke from marijuana, crack, and meth is as pure as sweet mountain air.

dope is so harmless we should legalize it at once.

looks like most of us here are for freedom
and  drug legalization


be we don't hang out with the @$$holes
and  breath their second hand smoke
in  fact  i will tell some one real quick 
should they even smoke tobacco  near   me or my kids/grand kids now


secon hand smoke  will only hurt you should you be stupid enough to expose yourself to it

[streak]

I don't want to make this any kind of argument or anything but I think there would be a legal age and schools would probably start drug testing reguarly to keep they're parents at ease while they're children are at school. and maybe awareness of kids useing it would kick in a little more and people would be more strict against it but there is no way to be sure it's just a possibility like everyones opinion here.

Just a thought! Additional testing cost money, who is going to pay for that!
Also how many people will lose their jobs who take up smoking pot? Most companies have strict drug policies!
Yeay! Yeah! I know, they should be responsible for their actions!! Don`t bet on it!!

[BUGEYE]

How come, the same people that say secondary smoke from tobacco WILL kill you, don't say a thing about secondary smoke from dope.
I'm sure the secondary smoke from marijuana, crack, and meth is as pure as sweet mountain air.

dope is so harmless we should legalize it at once.

looks like most of us here are for freedom
and  drug legalization


be we don't hang out with the @$$holes
and  breath their second hand smoke
in  fact  i will tell some one real quick 
should they even smoke tobacco  near   me or my kids/grand kids now


secon hand smoke  will only hurt you should you be stupid enough to expose yourself to it

what about the little ones who have no choice but to breathe tobacco and dope smoke.
if it's legalized, all the OWS generation will smoke dope, have babies, smoke more dope, raise a another generation of dope smokers, ad nauseum...
another 40 years and we'll ALL be doing dope.