Bill to legalize Marijuana introduced in California

[Mezzlegasm]

Why do you legalize any recreational drugs?

To quote Penn Jillette

"If you live in a free country, you have the right to put anything you want into your own body. Anything else, is bullshit."

Just because something worse is legal, why would you legalize something "almost as bad" when it wasn't already regarded culturally as "okay"? The reason prohibition failed is because alcohol had been accepted for several centuries already. You can't take away something like that. Pot isn't accepted like alcohol, so why would we put ANOTHER substance that is harmful on the table?

We are all ready pouring billions into stopping weed and it isn't working. Wouldn't it be better if we legalized it and used the tax money?

It still fucks up lives. I've seen it happen.

Like WarCrack, however it's not fair to take it away from people who can handle it.

1. We don't live in a free country. Also, drugs deteriorate society, people become careless and moral values decrease. The government is in place to prevent this from happening. You can let people do whatever they want, it's this crazy thing called anarchy. It doesn't exist in any highly developed society of our world because it is not only counter productive, but people have a habit of ruining themselves without recognizing a central authority.

2. No. If you remove one law governing the use of drugs, people will continue to say the same thing about different drugs. We put money into it in order to prevent it from becoming widespread. It isn't as if drugs were treated as a legal substance across our nation, they are still considered unacceptable. That is what we are putting money into, making it unacceptable. Don't bother saying "Well pot isn't AS bad as other drugs" because it is still bad. Don't compare it to alcohol or tobacco either. They are legal because they have been legal for centuries. We do not need more bad influences, we're already dealing with two.

3. Yes it is. I would be happier had I not spent 2 years of my life on WoW. At least now I know for sure not to use anything addictive because I can't handle it as well as some people. However, just because most people can't handle drinking and driving, is it unfair to make it illegal? Just because most people can't handle heroin, is it unfair to make that illegal too?

 

[Evilbunny]

I for one would be very disappointed if this passed.

Why? I'm fine with you having a different opinion, but at least explain your point of view.

 

[Twilight_guy]

It'll fail. Too many conservatives in CA. If it passes... well there will be less kids showing up in my classes.

 

[Yog Sothoth]

1. We don't live in a free country. Also, drugs deteriorate society, people become careless and moral values decrease. The government is in place to prevent this from happening. You can let people do whatever they want, it's this crazy thing called anarchy. It doesn't exist in any highly developed society of our world because it is not only counter productive, but people have a habit of ruining themselves without recognizing a central authority.

2. No. If you remove one law governing the use of drugs, people will continue to say the same thing about different drugs. We put money into it in order to prevent it from becoming widespread. It isn't as if drugs were treated as a legal substance across our nation, they are still considered unacceptable. That is what we are putting money into, making it unacceptable. Don't bother saying "Well pot isn't AS bad as other drugs" because it is still bad. Don't compare it to alcohol or tobacco either. They are legal because they have been legal for centuries. We do not need more bad influences, we're already dealing with two.

3. Yes it is. I would be happier had I not spent 2 years of my life on WoW. At least now I know for sure not to use anything addictive because I can't handle it as well as some people. However, just because most people can't handle drinking and driving, is it unfair to make it illegal? Just because most people can't handle heroin, is it unfair to make that illegal too?

OK then, so how do you account for the Netherlands decriminalizing marijuana without their society falling into chaos?

 

[Evilbunny]

It'll fail. Too many conservatives in CA. If it passes... well there will be less kids showing up in my classes.

You must be thinking of another state, because California's just about the most liberal state I've ever seen.

 

[Fronken]

I don't know why the myth of marijuana not being dangerous floats around. It has more carcinogens the cigarettes and thus has a higher chance of causing lung cancer. Overdoses on marijuana are far more likely the overdoses on booze. The only reason you DON'T hear about that stuff is because there are no ads saying don't do pot for (blah) reasons because its already illegal.

That is the biggest pile of bullshit i have ever read.

seriously, where do you get your information?, cause according to every single documentary and study i have seen on the subject it's not dangerous, that combined with the fact that one of my best friends mom work as a nurse on a drug clinic and have been working there for almost 20 years, and after working with drug addicts for almost 20 years its kinda clear that she knows what she's talking about, and i have alot of friends who smoke cannabis on a regular basis, none of them have ever felt bad about it, compared to myself and alot of my friends who have had to go to the hospital for drinking to much alcohol at one point or another.

So thus far Me, my friends, an experienced nurse And clinical studies and tv-documentaries all proove you wrong.

The 2 most dangerous drugs in society is Alcohol and Tobacco, why?, because they are extremely harmful to the human body, that combined with the fact that they both are legal and accessible by everyone very easily.

So dont go talking bullshit about how Cannabis is more dangerous than Alcohol and Tobacco, it aint, its not even close.

 

[Lord_Ascendant]

it ain't gonna pass i predict

 

[Fronken]

OK then, so how do you account for the Netherlands decriminalizing marijuana without their society falling into chaos?

Funny thing about that, in the Netherlands you can get arrested by the police if you smoke joints/ciggarrets in bars/restaurants IF they contain tobacco.

And yes, Netherlands are a great example of how the government should be, things that arent bad for society shouldn't be illegal, just look at prostitution, keeping that illegal is an act of fascism from the state, according to most governments, its the state that owns your body, and not you, which ofc is complete bullshit, sad thing is that most people for some reason agree cause of all the propaganda the government creates to keep the masses under their control.

 

[Mezzlegasm]

Yes we claim to live in a free country, the idea that drugs will cause morals to decrease is unfounded, government exists to serve the people not protect them from themselves and anarchy is NO LAWS and NO government.

Although I'd say throwing people in jail for doing something that doesn't harm others is immoral.

And despite your pathetic use of the slippery slope all drugs should be legal. Crack speed, PCP, black tar, pick your favorite.

Drinking and driving endangers the public whereas heroin (and drinking in general) does not. Do you not understand the difference or do you need it explained to you?

And so what if booze and tobacco have been legal for centuries. Aren't they still bad for you?

Do you ever stop and think of why drugs are illegal in the first place? They're dangerous. It protects people from harming themselves and others. That is what laws are for. It has been illegal for a long time and with good reason.

Yes, alcohol and tobacco are still bad for you. Tobacco we didn't even know was harmful until fairly recently. Alcohol has always been harmful and would be illegal were it not so widely accepted in our nation. They are still bad, we don't need more bad things.

Saying "Alcohol and tobacco are legal, therefore pot shot be legal" is like saying "I've broken your nose and gave you a black eye, therefore I should break your finger". It isn't really logical.

I can't force you to agree with me, but the evidence is there. Drugs have caused problems and widespread use of them will continue to cause problems. Do you honestly believe that those who have truely contributed to the world have been avid drug users? Do you think that Einstein smoked some pot while deriving the famous equation E=mc^2?

 

[Lukeje]

Do you think that Einstein smoked some pot while deriving the famous equation E=mc^2?

I don't know; he did some serious 'out of the box' thinking. He also messed up some of the maths (which is actually what allowed him is insight in the first place). All of this is not inconsistent with being stoned.

 

[Yog Sothoth]

Classically, paranoia and low reading comprehension and retention are attributed to marijuana.... So why are so many people here who oppose legalization the ones displaying these traits?

I think that some people here just cant stomach the fact that they've lost a debate to some stoners....

 

[magnus gallant]

actually, if they will legalise it, they should control it too, i'll bet it would be great. kind of like a government controled liquor store (which we have in my province)

 

[PersianLlama]

I noticed this little article [http://blog.norml.org/2009/02/23/norml-breaking-news-california-assemblyman-introduces-legislation-to-tax-and-regulate-marijuana-like-alcohol/] today and wanted to know what the escapist thought of this. Personally I think it's a great idea and would help stimulate the economy in this recession. This might just be the beginning, too. Perhaps if this passes and California is better off for it, the rest of the country may follow suit.

This has happened several times actually. It has a higher chance of passing this time because it would boost the economy a bit. At least, that's what I think. Personally, as long as someone doesn't blow smoke in my face, I don't see why people can't do it.

 

[Evilbunny]

I noticed this little article [http://blog.norml.org/2009/02/23/norml-breaking-news-california-assemblyman-introduces-legislation-to-tax-and-regulate-marijuana-like-alcohol/] today and wanted to know what the escapist thought of this. Personally I think it's a great idea and would help stimulate the economy in this recession. This might just be the beginning, too. Perhaps if this passes and California is better off for it, the rest of the country may follow suit.

This has happened several times actually. It has a higher chance of passing this time because it would boost the economy a bit. At least, that's what I think. Personally, as long as someone doesn't blow smoke in my face, I don't see why people can't do it.

The article said it was the first time a bill like this has been introduced in California, actually. Also, I agree with your point about making sure that smoking in public places is not allowed. Smoking in your own home is fine, and so is smoking outside or in cannabis lounges (which I am going to fucking make if nobody else does). However, smoking in bars or other public places like that, especially around children should not be allowed.

 

[Mezzlegasm]

Also, couldn't others breathing second hand smoke from marijuana get high off it and potentially become addicted to the high?

 

[axia777]

Do you ever stop and think of why drugs are illegal in the first place? They're dangerous. It protects people from harming themselves and others. That is what laws are for. It has been illegal for a long time and with good reason.

Then we should illegalize Cigarettes and Booze. It is very hypocritical to have Booze and Smokes legal while leaving Pot illegal. No one dies of Pot, ever. There is not one documented death in world history. Booze and Cigarette's kill thousands of people a year in just America alone. It is all so retarded.

Actually, if they will legalize it, they should control it too, I'll bet it would be great. Kind of like a government controlled liquor store (which we have in my province).

This is the idea I would imagine. State run stores with State implemented taxes. This equals literally billions in taxes for California. I doubt the price would be higher than it is now. I am sure the majority of the public would be hip to buying weed at a store than some dealer. Quality would be standardized and the illegal nature of the drug would be removed.

It would also be beneficial to the jails and legal system. More people go to jail for Pot related offenses than all most any other offense. It would free up space in the jail system for real criminals like rapists, child molesters, bank robber, murders, and white collar criminals.

 

[Yog Sothoth]

Also, couldn't others breathing second hand smoke from marijuana get high off it and potentially become addicted to the high?

Pot is not physically addictive. I will link the case studies if you really want. Smoking cigarettes is already banned in public places, so marijuana smoking would have to be regulated the same way.

 

[Mezzlegasm]

Also, couldn't others breathing second hand smoke from marijuana get high off it and potentially become addicted to the high?

Pot is not physically addictive. I will link the case studies if you really want. Smoking cigarettes is already banned in public places, so marijuana smoking would have to be regulated the same way.

I know, but the high is mentally addictive. You don't "feel good" off second hand smoke.