Washington & Colorado Legalize Recreational Marijuana

[piercehawkeye45]

Originally Posted by Flint

I don't want to digress from the main subject here, into a more questionable landscape, but I do struggle with this particular argument.

The argument isn't ideal, but no other argument on that topic is either. As long as the effects of something remains largely unknown, there is no purely legitimate justification to legalize or ban something. That is why these issues are so controversial.

With LSD, there are known permanent side effects that can affect people for the rest of their lives. See HPPD (Hallucinogen persisting perception disorder). Almost all the specifics are unknown about this condition besides that it is really bad for people who get it. I don't believe that this, and similar side effects, justify LSD's prohibition but I want to make a point that society has to make a decision before sufficient evidence surfaces. Only in hindsight will we know if the decision was good or not.

However, my argument for LSD is more of a pragmatic one. While I don't see it negatively effecting society because its prevalence is low and the risk of major side effects is even lower, I don't think the drug should be promoted by society due to the current uncertainty about its safety. Since it is already illegal, the act of legalizing LSD itself is a form of promotion and I believe that should be avoided. Personally, I don't care if people use it (almost every single one of my friends have used it, including myself) but the uncertainty associated with LSD is too much for it to be considered "safe". However, as I mentioned, I think that LSD and similar drugs should basically be decriminalized. No one should go to jail over their use.


With regards to weed, I agree with you. I don't see it as much different than alcohol (better than alcohol in my opinion). Both are drugs that employers ideally shouldn't have a say with but unfortunately, both drugs can control some people's lives, affecting their working ability.

Basically, the entire drug argument comes down to the fact that we are forced to make a one size fits all decision on substances that effects everyone differently. There will never be a "fair" decision but I think we should strive to at least make a rational one. Our current drug laws are far from rational, and yes, many people will have to die (old geezers) before a rational discussion on the this topic can even occur.

[Big Sarge]

legalize all drugs and tax them. it is a win-win situation. it will greatly impact the cartels and we'll cut our debt

[richlevy]

If the so-called Libertarian Republicans in Congress would join forces with the liberal Democrats, this could all be settled fairly quickly.

[Trilby]

Pot is waaaay less destructive than alcohol.

My sister has never been arrested or even had the police come to her house and she smokes pretty much every twenty minutes. (at least she did when I was with her in Maine but she said that was some pretty weak pot)

I don't smoke-one toke makes me paranoid and cotton-mouthed which I do NOT enjoy. Drinking is far more dangerous. Legalize pot and we've got a whole new revenue coming in!

[Gravdigr]

Legalizing LSD is just plain stupid.

Everyone of us has, at one time or another, had to deal with an unhappy/belligerent/unhappy/bad drunk...imagine if the streets were filled with hot and cold running LSDfreaks tripping balls.

'Course, if they bother you, all ya gotta do is yell "I'M A DRAGON!!! BLLLLAAAAAUUUUGGGHHH!!!"

[Gravdigr]

LSD's lack of prevalance is cuz i't illegal, and the penalties are through the roof.

If it was legal, it'd be as available as pot and alcohol.

[Big Sarge]

prohibition didn't work and gave rise to organized crime. we are seeing the same thing with controlled substances, especially sch i or ii. legalization, taxation, and treatment for addiction seem to be the best choice.

of course i say this having never smoked marijuana or used illegal substances. however, i can cook up some of the best meth using the sodium/ammonia reduction method. i'm a graduate of the dea clandestine lab school

[Undertoad]

There's also what happens when people switch from harder stuff to just weed. Some time in the late 80s early 90s, the cities switched from crack to weed, and crime actually dropped.

I talked about this with a cop associate recently and he said, yeah, that turn of events is actually studied in Criminal Justice textbooks now.

[piercehawkeye45]

Impossible!

Originally Posted by Gravdigr

LSD's lack of prevalance is cuz i't illegal, and the penalties are through the roof.

I don't think so. Most people that I've talked to don't take it because they are not comfortable with the effects and it is seen as a big jump from weed.

[Ibby]

Reason.com:

State legislators in Rhode Island and Maine will announce bills tomorrow to legalize recreational marijuana, a spokesperson for the Marijuana Policy Project announced today.

MPP says that "similar proposals will be submitted in at least two other states — Vermont and Massachusetts."

Who wants to bet at least two of these pass?
Crossing my fingers, here.

[infinite monkey]

In the year 3027, I expect Ohio will follow along...

[Griff]

and Pennsyltucky in 4 more.

[piercehawkeye45]

We may be hitting a tipping point with weed legalization / decriminalization.

Democratic-leaning Public Policy Polling has some new numbers that pot advocates are going to want to see: 58 percent of respondents said that marijuana should be made legal under federal law, compared 39 percent who said that it should not.

http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slate...on_of_pot.html


I know Illinois is thinking of legalizing medicinal marijuana in the next few months.

[Ibby]

I heard our governor on the radio the other day lamenting the fact that vermont, which has been ahead of the curve on many social issues, isn't a leader on this issue too. It looks real likely to make it through the legislature next session.

[ZenGum]

Good on ya, USA!

As Sarge said, legalise it and tax it. Even a lifelong stoner can work that out.

For other drugs, I believe that in general, prohibition does more harm than good.