Legalize Weed.

[Trackstar29]

I dont get why the goverment doesnt so this. About everyone in the world smokes, or tries this once if their life. And Its just stupid because the goverment just sets us up. Its so tempting to do it and also very risky. I dont do it, its been a long time i dont plan on doing it for a while, but still people i know do it and its just because a real big deal with the weed situation. What do you guys think?

[Peace God]

"But who's gonna fill up all the prisons we just built?"

[Antonioc]

God, I ask myself this all the time.

[Trackstar29]

Yea true

[Φρανκομβριτ]

think of the tax dollars we can make off this shit!!

But it won't happen, hemp products would become more popular and put other, inferior products in the dust, putting businesses in bankruptcy

[Ryhanna]

I actually find smoking (regardless of what you smoking... Cigs, weed, ipads..) to be disgusting and I'd rather it wasn't legal. Seriously, I don't want a bunch of off ther faces walking up to me asking me to smell their hands.

It's your choice to do it or not, personally I'd rather not lol

[Zeh Crazy]

If it gets legalized, there will be less people going to prisons for it and this country is always griping about the prisons being overpopulated. Weed is harmless. People who belong in prison are rapists, murderers, etc, not people who just want to have a little fun. It's our bodies. Why should I let someone else control what I put in my body? Ya know what? Pretend chocolate is being outlawed because for some unfathomable reason I think it's unhealthy (chocolate is awesome, just saying). Is that right? Just because I don't like it? Well, just because some people don't like weed, doesn't mean it should be illegal. Don't forget them dang ol' medical uses of weed as well! :D

[staying_alive]

Well, there's a few reasons I can think of for why the government doesn't want weed legalized.

For starters, people become inherently lazy on weed. When you smoke, you over-enjoy yourself and nothing gets done. It doesn't matter if you in particular can get things done when high, the majority of the population can't. This stereotype scares our government and forces them to take action against people using weed. They can scare the majority of people with a law against it and our nation can remain productive.

Secondly, there's really no "positive" to smoking weed from a government perspective. Yes, i'm aware that it's been legalized in some places for medicinal purposes. But honestly, if there's already a law against it for the above reason, there's no positive reason to let the whole population start smoking it. It's not like it boosts brain power or anything. It's for people to enjoy, and if there's a law against it, less people are going around enjoying it.

Lastly, our country's image. It isn't a huge deal, but from an international perspective, our government doesn't want our country looking like a bunch of lazy-asses (too late for that). If weed is legalized for recreational purposes, our image goes down on the international stage. They can legalize it for medicine because...well...it's medicine!

Don't get me wrong, I completely see where you're coming from. However, you have to think of the repercussions of something as big as legalizing weed for recreational use. The fact that tons of people do it doesn't mean it should be legalized.

[staying_alive]

EDIT: Double post. My bad.

[Φρανκομβριτ]

I actually find smoking (regardless of what you smoking... Cigs, weed, ipads..) to be disgusting and I'd rather it wasn't legal. Seriously, I don't want a bunch of off ther faces walking up to me asking me to smell their hands.

It's your choice to do it or not, personally I'd rather not lol

I respect your choice not to smoke, as it is a wise one, but jsut because some people do it, doesn't mean people walk up to you asking you to smell their hands. A drunk person is much more obnoxious than a stoner.

Well, there's a few reasons I can think of for why the government doesn't want weed legalized.

For starters, people become inherently lazy on weed. When you smoke, you over-enjoy yourself and nothing gets done. It doesn't matter if you in particular can get things done when high, the majority of the population can't. This stereotype scares our government and forces them to take action against people using weed. They can scare the majority of people with a law against it and our nation can remain productive.

Secondly, there's really no "positive" to smoking weed from a government perspective. Yes, i'm aware that it's been legalized in some places for medicinal purposes. But honestly, if there's already a law against it for the above reason, there's no positive reason to let the whole population start smoking it. It's not like it boosts brain power or anything. It's for people to enjoy, and if there's a law against it, less people are going around enjoying it.

Lastly, our country's image. It isn't a huge deal, but from an international perspective, our government doesn't want our country looking like a bunch of lazy-asses (too late for that). If weed is legalized for recreational purposes, our image goes down on the international stage. They can legalize it for medicine because...well...it's medicine!

Don't get me wrong, I completely see where you're coming from. However, you have to think of the repercussions of something as big as legalizing weed for recreational use. The fact that tons of people do it doesn't mean it should be legalized.

I can agree people get lazy, but how productive are people on alcohol? Same with a lot of perscription drugs.

There is a positive from a government perspective, the one thing that drives governments the most : money.

Do you see the Netherlands as a "lazy" nation? What about Portugal?

I really don't see it any differently than alcohol. In fact, one might argue it's better for you than alcohol, but I'll save that one for another day ;)

[Deadlykills]

The reason why weed isnt legalized is because the government cant tax it, reason why they cant tax it is because you can commonly grow weed and you wouldnt have to buy it to smoke it, and without buying it the government makes no money off of it. <-- This is why its illegal.

[Number02]

The stupid things, Deadlykills, you are probably 100% correct.

I'm not a stoner, nor have I ever tried ganja, but I can honestly say I think it should be legalised. It is not only safer (http://www.saferchoice.org/content/view/24/53/) than Alcohol, but I believe less people would do it, purely because if it's legal, it wouldn't be as "cool" or whatever to be breaking the law.

I don't suppose it would be too difficult to create packets of spliffs, much like they create packets of cigarettes. Although the prices on these would either be without VAT, or grossly exaggerated to make up for the fact that you wouldn't be able to tax any weed grown at home (in the same way you can't tax any vegetables/fruit grown at home). So, the government would have to compete somehow, and being cynical about the Conservative government, that would most likely mean sky-high prices.

That's assuming the Con/Dem Coalition even considers the legalization of weed and what could be done to manage it effectively.

[Φρανκομβριτ]

The reason why weed isnt legalized is because the government cant tax it, reason why they cant tax it is because you can commonly grow weed and you wouldnt have to buy it to smoke it, and without buying it the government makes no money off of it. <-- This is why its illegal.

No different than how Tobbaco is. There can be laws put in place to ensure that it's comming from the government. Anything is possible.

By the way, people already do that kind of thing ;)

[Paladino]

I think it should be legalized because it doesnt do much bad to you, and most people that smoke cigarettes, smoke weed.

[Φρανκομβριτ]

I think it should be legalized because it doesnt do much bad to you, and most people that smoke cigarettes, smoke weed.

lol whoa there. It does do bad things to you. Lack of motivation, possibilities of respratory problems, etc.

And the vast majority of ciggarette smokers don't smoke weed.

[AlexisAlysia]

Totally(;

[staying_alive]

I can agree people get lazy, but how productive are people on alcohol? Same with a lot of perscription drugs.

There is a positive from a government perspective, the one thing that drives governments the most : money.

Do you see the Netherlands as a "lazy" nation? What about Portugal?

I really don't see it any differently than alcohol. In fact, one might argue it's better for you than alcohol, but I'll save that one for another day ;)

I don't think we should get into the alcohol vs. weed debate. The effects are completely different...I think of it in a workplace scenario. If someone shows up to work high after a wake and bake session, there isn't going to be an obvious sign of their state. They could just appear to have a loss of sleep. On alcohol however, it'd be fairly obvious when they showed up that alcohol is present. Society governs where alcohol is acceptable and where it's not, and many of us teens will learn that in college. I do see your point though about legalizing weed v. alcohol. However, you address that with the money issue. The government taxes alcohol - there would be little way to enforce a tax on marijuana.

As for Netherlands and Portugal. They don't have the world status that the U.S. does. I won't start a country-importance argument, but the world pays a helluvalot more attention to the Americans than the Dutch or the Portuguese. Our critics (and we've got lots of 'em, trust me) would be quick to jump on us, and our world status would deteriorate even moreso than it is today.

lol whoa there. It does do bad things to you. Lack of motivation, possibilities of respratory problems, etc.

And the vast majority of ciggarette smokers don't smoke weed.

This is all true. I know lots of people who smoke weed and disrespect people who smoke cigarettes, myself included. Cigs don't have any benefit for me...higher chance of lung cancer? No thanks. Addictive drug listed right on the package? No thanks.

[Ryhanna]

I respect your choice not to smoke, as it is a wise one, but jsut because some people do it, doesn't mean people walk up to you asking you to smell their hands. A drunk person is much more obnoxious than a stoner.

I know lol I was joking :/
Wasn't seriously suggesting people do that.
Sorry :)

[DayBreakArt]

Well, you can really smell it. If it was legalized there would need to be designated spots like smoking. I wouldn't mind it be legalized as long people understood the consequences (like on cigarette packs the "causes brain cancer"). It should have the same standards as alcohol and cigarettes but I can see it be alright to be legalized.

The only reason why I can't see it being legalized is because of what DeadlyKills said.

[knarknar]

Don't legalize weed, there's no taxes when it's illegal B)

[Peace God]

Don't legalize weed, there's no taxes when it's illegal B)
you are an idiot... do you have any idea how much cheaper weed would be if it was legal?

[Φρανκομβριτ]

I don't think we should get into the alcohol vs. weed debate. The effects are completely different...I think of it in a workplace scenario. If someone shows up to work high after a wake and bake session, there isn't going to be an obvious sign of their state. They could just appear to have a loss of sleep. On alcohol however, it'd be fairly obvious when they showed up that alcohol is present. Society governs where alcohol is acceptable and where it's not, and many of us teens will learn that in college. I do see your point though about legalizing weed v. alcohol. However, you address that with the money issue. The government taxes alcohol - there would be little way to enforce a tax on marijuana.

As for Netherlands and Portugal. They don't have the world status that the U.S. does. I won't start a country-importance argument, but the world pays a helluvalot more attention to the Americans than the Dutch or the Portuguese. Our critics (and we've got lots of 'em, trust me) would be quick to jump on us, and our world status would deteriorate even moreso than it is today.



This is all true. I know lots of people who smoke weed and disrespect people who smoke cigarettes, myself included. Cigs don't have any benefit for me...higher chance of lung cancer? No thanks. Addictive drug listed right on the package? No thanks.

I'm not trying to compare the affects, I'm comparing a controlled substance to an illegal substance, to which we are talking about the possibility of it becomming a controlled substance.

There shouldn't be a workplace scenario. It's the same as drinking on the job. I'm sure employers would be able to tell after a while, but you bring up a good point as to why it isn't legalized. There is no way to do on the spot testing, like alcohol, so it's not possible to tell if someone is D.U.I. or something similar.

Marijuana would be taxed just like ciggarettes. Not only would the price decrease, there would be a stable, safe source of it.

I feel your comment about "world status" a bit condecending (sp?). First off, I'm not in America, so when I speak of legalization, it's not for that specific country. Secondly, What right have you to say Portugal and the Netherlands are viewed any less than the U.S.? Of course the U.S. has a lot of critics, it's a massive country with a large amount of people, a large economy, and a large world presence. But that doesn't mean that people around the world consider America in a higher light than any other country.

I know lol I was joking :/
Wasn't seriously suggesting people do that.
Sorry :)

Lol sorry bro

Well, you can really smell it. If it was legalized there would need to be designated spots like smoking. I wouldn't mind it be legalized as long people understood the consequences (like on cigarette packs the "causes brain cancer"). It should have the same standards as alcohol and cigarettes but I can see it be alright to be legalized.

The only reason why I can't see it being legalized is because of what DeadlyKills said.

Absoloutely, just like alcohol cannot be consumed in public in public places in most Norht American coutnries. Of course, this would be under each countries seperate discretion.

[iLoveCookies]

I think it should be legalized because it doesnt do much bad to you, and most people that smoke cigarettes, smoke weed.

BS weed doesn't do anything bad to you. my friend breanna does weed and thats it, she ran the mile and couldnt breathe because she smoked too much.

[Peace God]

she ran the mile and couldnt breathe because she smoked too much.
regular marijuana use only lowers lung capacity by like 4-5%
dont you think its more likely that she couldnt breathe because she had ran a mile?

[Φρανκομβριτ]

BS weed doesn't do anything bad to you. my friend breanna does weed and thats it, she ran the mile and couldnt breathe because she smoked too much.

regular marijuana use only lowers lung capacity by like 4-5%
dont you think its more likely that she couldnt breathe because she had ran a mile?

Weed does soemwhat affect your lungs, hard to say depending on usage, but I think it is more likely that it was the distance ran verusus the marijuana. Your friend may want to check in and see if she had chronic respratory problems as well.

[ghostface]

http://www.norml.com

I am tired of educating people of how much of a massive failure the war on drugs is.

google Portugal legalize dugs and find out the effects it's had on their country.

[Φρανκομβριτ]

http://www.norml.com

I am tired of educating people of how much of a massive failure the war on drugs is.

google Portugal legalize dugs and find out the effects it's had on their country.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

[staying_alive]

I feel your comment about "world status" a bit condecending (sp?). First off, I'm not in America, so when I speak of legalization, it's not for that specific country. Secondly, What right have you to say Portugal and the Netherlands are viewed any less than the U.S.? Of course the U.S. has a lot of critics, it's a massive country with a large amount of people, a large economy, and a large world presence. But that doesn't mean that people around the world consider America in a higher light than any other country.


I figured you would, and i wish i would've worded it differently. I actually meant to emphasize that America is in a relatively low light compared to other places. We're heavily criticized for being arrogant and lazy, and many times it's justifiable. If weed was legalized here, i think it would lower our image further. I'm one of America's biggest critics...sorry if that wasn't apparent.

you are an idiot... do you have any idea how much cheaper weed would be if it was legal?

This.

Although, if i might play devil's advocate...do you have any idea how much less fun weed would be if it was legal? The fact that it's illegal makes it more exciting.

[Φρανκομβριτ]

I figured you would, and i wish i would've worded it differently. I actually meant to emphasize that America is in a relatively low light compared to other places. We're heavily criticized for being arrogant and lazy, and many times it's justifiable. If weed was legalized here, i think it would lower our image further. I'm one of America's biggest critics...sorry if that wasn't apparent.

That's okay, I appreciate you re-wording it. I can understand what you're saying, but if you look at portugal as a great example, it really wouldn't affect the country's image at all. I'm not a fan of America by any means, but I ahte how the people are judged internationally.

This.

Although, if i might play devil's advocate...do you have any idea how much less fun weed would be if it was legal? The fact that it's illegal makes it more exciting.

As a pot smoker, I can tell you, I find it to be more of a nieusance than exciting. Having to sneak around, worrying about police.

Also, please use the edit button instead of doubble posting :)

[anon123]

Well, there's a few reasons I can think of for why the government doesn't want weed legalized.

For starters, people become inherently lazy on weed. When you smoke, you over-enjoy yourself and nothing gets done. It doesn't matter if you in particular can get things done when high, the majority of the population can't. This stereotype scares our government and forces them to take action against people using weed. They can scare the majority of people with a law against it and our nation can remain productive.

Secondly, there's really no "positive" to smoking weed from a government perspective. Yes, i'm aware that it's been legalized in some places for medicinal purposes. But honestly, if there's already a law against it for the above reason, there's no positive reason to let the whole population start smoking it. It's not like it boosts brain power or anything. It's for people to enjoy, and if there's a law against it, less people are going around enjoying it.

Lastly, our country's image. It isn't a huge deal, but from an international perspective, our government doesn't want our country looking like a bunch of lazy-asses (too late for that). If weed is legalized for recreational purposes, our image goes down on the international stage. They can legalize it for medicine because...well...it's medicine!

Don't get me wrong, I completely see where you're coming from. However, you have to think of the repercussions of something as big as legalizing weed for recreational use. The fact that tons of people do it doesn't mean it should be legalized.
All three of your arguments are based on one claim, that being "marijuana makes you lazy."

If one is addicted to marijuana, it will definitely make that person have a lazy attitude. The legalization/decriminalization of marijuana should be for ADULTS (over 21) who want to relax on the weekends and use it in moderation. Marijuana prohibition does not work. From an economic point of view, marijuana would bring in roughly 30 BILLION dollars if it was legal.

Marijuana is our nations largest cash crop, yet it is illegal. We are letting the mexican drug cartels make all of the money instead of taxing it and regulating it.

The war on marijuana is a total and utter FAILURE.

[CaliKid24]

think of the money that the drug cartels in mexico would lose if it was legal. in california the voters are going to vote on whether or not to legalize it.

[Deagle]

No, weed should not be legalized, first the price will raise like fuck, second it will bring alot of problems.

I do smoke weed once in a while, but legalizing wont solve any problem,

What will it bring really? If your a small smoker (once a week / month) well legalizing it will just cost you more, and if you get pulled over by a cop, since you dont smoke alot they wont do shit for 1-5 grams, just take it from you or let you go (since its not considered as selling drugs)

If your a major seller, you will just lose your part of the market and if you continue to sell, you will still have trouble with the government since they will only allow specialized stores to sell it.

[staying_alive]

All three of your arguments are based on one claim, that being "marijuana makes you lazy."

If one is addicted to marijuana, it will definitely make that person have a lazy attitude. The legalization/decriminalization of marijuana should be for ADULTS (over 21) who want to relax on the weekends and use it in moderation. Marijuana prohibition does not work. From an economic point of view, marijuana would bring in roughly 30 BILLION dollars if it was legal.

Marijuana is our nations largest cash crop, yet it is illegal. We are letting the mexican drug cartels make all of the money instead of taxing it and regulating it.

The war on marijuana is a total and utter FAILURE.

Do you have any sort of sources to back up your claims...30 billion dollars? Biggest cash crop?

[Peace God]

30 billion dollars? Biggest cash crop?
http://solari.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/mjcashcrops.jpg
http://www.drugscience.org/Archive/bcr2/cashcrops.html

[Raptor22]

Its going to be on the ballot for November here in the Peoples Republik of Kalifornia as a ballot measure. Lets see how this turns out...

[staying_alive]

http://solari.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/mjcashcrops.jpg
http://www.drugscience.org/Archive/bcr2/cashcrops.html

Thanks...sorry I doubted you.

[Truth]

BS weed doesn't do anything bad to you. my friend breanna does weed and thats it, she ran the mile and couldnt breathe because she smoked too much. I've never smoked anything, and I can't run a mile - Why? Because of medical problems.

Weed does soemwhat affect your lungs, hard to say depending on usage, but I think it is more likely that it was the distance ran verusus the marijuana. Your friend may want to check in and see if she had chronic respratory problems as well. Weed can make your lungs a bit worse, but nothing that bad. It'd be bad if you smoked everyday all day, though. But there's been tests to show that marijuana will not cause anything like lung cancer.

All weed does is make you a little lazy, hungry, happy, and relaxed. Compared to the average legal drug - it's like candy. I personally can't afford it, though. No job.

[BlackBetty]

I think they should legalize it. I think it would help the country get out of debt because of the tax it can make.

We can say that all we want, but there will still people that will get it from the drug dealers, because you don't have to pay tax, and they have always been good to you.

[ortmann123]

i think everyone should have the right to have a small amount of so called 'soft drugs'

[1_21Guns]

unlocked.

wasnt thinking at the time.

appologse for an inconvience caused.

[Raptor22]

unlocked.

wasnt thinking at the time.

appologse for an inconvience caused.

No worries Natalie. :)

[Sordid Saint]

This is a reply to the original poster.

I would love marijuana to be decriminalized but I wouldn't like for it to be legalized. This being because if it was legalized, there would be taxes on it, further ruining our economy. So that being, I would like to be able to use it, but not be able to buy it at any local drug store (my dealer is cool lol).

Also, they would probably put an age on it like 18 or 21 years old to be able to use it. I wouldn't like that.

My last point is my favorite one though. If they legalized it, there wouldn't be any feud between potheads and anti-marijuana people. I love to completely make them look like fools by bringing up all the stats and facts.

Happy Trails

[Sordid Saint]

you are an idiot... do you have any idea how much cheaper weed would be if it was legal?

Ugh.. It wouldn't be cheaper with taxes... It would put us further in dept (which is bad). Also, I don't think they would lower the prices. They would probably raise the prices just because they would be able to have that power

[Peace God]

It would put us further in debt (which is bad).
how so?

Also, I don't think they would lower the prices. They would probably raise the prices just because they would be able to have that power
Who's "they"?

Do you know anything about basic economics? Supply & Demand? Competition?

[Sordid Saint]

Yes I do know all about that, and that is the reason that I said it. If it was completely legalized, there wouldn't really be a need to grow your own since there would be cannabis at local stores just like cigarettes are, and look at how over priced those are.

There would also be taxes on it, which you left out. We would be spending a lot of unneeded taxes. I think we should just do it how Amsterdam does it. (No it's not completely legal in Amsterdam, it's just decriminalized.)

[Peace God]

The reason why illegal products are more expensive is because there is more risk involved, less advertisement and less competition.

[billium183]

make weed legal, and cigarettes illegal.. :P
i dont do either though

[The Ninja]

i think this guy makes a good point (fluffee)

http://www.youtube.com/user/FLuffeeTalks#p/search/17/UDalvrAGKlY

[NYRock1994]

cannabis should be legal but then again why would u want to pay taxes on it? the government would make us pay tax on weed when we dont pay taxes now. for dealers they would be out alot of money. all i want is decriminalization!

[TheFame]

Its not like the government make it illegal and left it at that. They try their best to stop it because its bad for you.

[Sith Lord 13]

Its not like the government make it illegal and left it at that. They try their best to stop it because its bad for you.

No, they try their best to stop you because they don't make money on it. If it were about protecting your health, cigarettes would have been banned a long time ago.

[Raptor22]

In CA its Proposition 19 to be voted on in November...

[Shortkid]

I don't get it either. It seems to me that weed is less harmful than alcohol and that is legal. It generates a lot of tax money too. I think the government is missing the boat by keeping weed illegal. Since it seems like people 60 and over run the government, we should be getting quite a few old hippies in power who could turn this around.

[Antares]

I say just leave it how it is now.
If people want weed, they get it just fine.

In fact, I probably smell or see people smoking weed in public once every 3 months.

I just smelled it at a fireworks display sunday (keeping in mind that my state doesnt have medical passes)

It doesn't need to be legalized.

[lambo420]

Legalize it, Dont criticize it :)

[DanielBoy]

Weed is very detrimental to your health, worse so then smoking and binge drinking alcohol. In addition to that, the high is a noticeable high, and for these two reasons it made it's way on the controlled substances list. If it were to be legalized, it would be HEAVILY taxed by the government to discourage it's use. If you have been paying attention to cigarette prices the last 5 years, this is happening with tobacco. The government recognizes the health risks related with these drugs. I don't see the same government which is slowly fazing out tobacco going out and legalizing something worse than tobacco. Sorry. :\

I hope I helped. :D

[Sordid Saint]

Weed is very detrimental to your health, worse so then smoking and binge drinking alcohol. In addition to that, the high is a noticeable high, and for these two reasons it made it's way on the controlled substances list. If it were to be legalized, it would be HEAVILY taxed by the government to discourage it's use. If you have been paying attention to cigarette prices the last 5 years, this is happening with tobacco. The government recognizes the health risks related with these drugs. I don't see the same government which is slowly fazing out tobacco going out and legalizing something worse than tobacco. Sorry. :\

I hope I helped. :D

I don't see anything worse than tobacco being legalized either, but I CAN see weed being legalized. There hasn't been one recorded death EVER from cannabis use alone, but there's well over 400,000 deaths per year in the Unites States ALONE from tobacco use.

[Peace God]

Weed is very detrimental to your health, worse so then smoking and binge drinking alcohol.
How is something that can't kill you worse for your health than something that can?

[eraser]

It's not legalized because it isn't socially acceptable. Over here it'd be political suicide to legalize weed because the majority of the population (for whatever reason) don't want it. Maybe it will be decriminalised in the future just like alcohol was.

And fyi the arguments here are pointless unless backed up with data.

[Chill_dude]

Im pretty proud to say im 15 and ive never done weed like if i wanna feel good i can just go out with friends plus for me smoking is a nasty habit I dont wanna be smelling peoples nasty weed breathe