Marijuana legalization

[Inverse Skies]

I never said that people that believe pot should be legalized are the majority in the U.S. The representatives take an easy stance, such as being against pot, and they get votes for it. Politicians in the U.S. are generally manipulative and will do what is necessary to get in office, where they'll proceed to do nothing about the social issues they were talking about and instead concern themselves with their own agenda. This is why abortion, gay marriage, decriminalizing pot, and many other social issues don't change much in the U.S.. As far as you not believing that it's a major breech, clearly that's your opinion living in a society that doesn't encourage the same type of ideals. The U.S. was founded on the idea that the government's purpose was to serve the people, and that it would never interfere with our rights to live as we please except in cases where our lives interfere with the lives of others. The government deciding what "the pursuit of happiness" means and what it does not mean goes against the founding principals of the U.S. itself, which is why all liberties short of those that affect other people's pursuit of happiness should be protected, at least, in the U.S. That's why this issue won't die until it reaches a real conclusion. Besides, I have plenty of trustworthy sources if I want to score, just like many other people.

It's completely different how our two socities and governments operate. Over here a lot of the real talking points (lately anyway) have been the ETS, Boat People/Border Security and cultural issues such as pockets of Muslims living together. You rarely see things like those you describe being mentioned at all, yet I know they're a huge talking point in the US. Here say on gay marriages, the government previously in power said, "no it's not happening" and the government in power now said the same thing, and no-one cared. Same thing with legalising marijuana, never been an issue here yet in America (as this site has taught me, admittedly I wouldn't know otherwise) it's huge. Australia usually has news articles praising police for bringing down drug traffickers, and people support that. Interestingly enough, no-one seems to see it as a perversion of their social liberties and freedoms. I guess it's just the way our societies were founded originally which has somewhat contributed to our differening stances on the issue.

 

[WeedWorm]

Cannabis isint cut with other shit, the worst youll get is its sprayed with something like sugar to make it weigh more. Theyre not gonna mix it with something that will make you sick cause if word gets around that they do that kind of thing, no one will buy from them.

Anyway, cannabis should be legal. There is absolutely no reason not to legalise it except for ignorance and fear.

 

[Booze Zombie]

I don't think it should be the governments business to tell people what to do with their bodies. Its the height of hypocrisy to say smoking cigs and drinking alcohol are ok, but smoking marijuana isn't.

All you have to do is look at the "deaths caused by" and "dollars spent enforcing" to see how stupid the whole thing is.

Anti-drug? Great, eat a cookie, put out a public service announcement, and talk to groups at your church. Prohibition has a long history of abject failure. Why is marijuana cut with shit? Because its illegality makes it expensive, and a limited supply can be bolstered by cutting. Thats the government's fault, not marijuana's. Also, gangs are interested in it because smuggling is lucrative.

California does the grow it at home thing quite frequently, and its not really working out too great. The best option is to end the stupid prohibition, and regulate through the ATF&E. Then we get on to doing more important things.

Also, there is little credible evidence to support brain damage caused by marijuana.

Hear, hear!

You've said everything I could possibly want to say about this subject.

 

[The Hairminator]

legalize weed, but put more restrictions on alcohol (it is alot more dangerous). Cigarettes would go, if it was up to me, but I know many people who depends on it.

 

[cuddly_tomato]

Also, marijuana can be cut or laced with other things.

Just out of curiosity, what would be cut or laced with Marijuana? I've heard of soaking the buds in formaldehyde which is just stupid, but it's a bloody plant, it's not an innocuous white powder like heroin that you can mix with baking soda without anybody noticing.

Stones. Or copper shavings of a coin.

It increases the weight of the chunk slightly so it looks like it is the right size when weighed in front of a customer.

Of course, if it were legal this wouldn't happen. And, of course, the money would go to business, as opposed to drug dealers.

 

[Cabisco]

Marijuana could be legalised, it would help the prison system for starters, it would allow new bussiness to grow and be regulised by the government meaning no cutting etc (enough though i'm sure you can't really do that with Marijuana) and also generate loads of money thanks to taxes which would in effect help with the medical side which is less than alcohol and tobacco. Crime would likely be reduced, and more importantly i've seen many drunk people start fights and be total arseholes to strangers yet i have never once seen two people high start a fight, it's impossible. A large part of why it's not decriminalised is that it opens the flood gates, if this is now legal why not this and why not this etc etc etc.

As a side issue, you know how it's viewed as a gateway drug is that solely because it's illegal?

 

[XxMorlokxX]

#1 Those of you throwing around disinformation, like "large doses of marijuana cause brain damage" - I would like to see the scientific, peer reviewed medical journals you have used to determine this so matter-of-factly. Unfortunately for you - there aren't any. Too bad YOU are spreading lies that would net you Fs on any college paper the professor actually cite-checked. I managed plenty of 4.0s in college while high 24/7. I think you are misinformed fucking idiots, myself, and I'm sure I'll be far more successful in my life because I've made the choice to experience alternative states of consciousness, some of which a great many psychologists, philosophers and spiritualists would ENCOURAGE.

#2 Marijuana is not a commonly laced drug. LSD is not active when burned, PCP is too expensive to be worth lacing marijuana with (a much cheaper drug by comparison) and a large majority of drugs that it -could- be laced with would not actually -do- anything when burned. Because most people burn it to achieve the high, it's completely illogical for any dealer to waste additional money "lacing" marijuana with additional drugs. No one is going to buy 1/8th of an Oz for more than say, 50 bucks. If a dealer starts lacing, you should expect the price to get closer to $100 per 1/8th, and NO SMOKER IN THEIR RIGHT MIND will PAY THAT PRICE. If anything, you might end up getting ripped off with a cut that has parsley in it, but parsley isn't harmful. However, you might find trying to sell an experienced smoker a bag of shake (what a bag mixed with parsley would look like) won't go over so well for you.

#3 Marijuana is -still- illegal because our system of law mainly relies on PRECEDENT when determining present day law. Groups like NORML have been fighting for a very long time and will continue to fight for an individuals right to use marijuana, by forcing our system of law to reconsider the precedents set forth in the 20s and 30s (before MOST of our current anti-drug groups even existed, before any scientific evidence of any kind existed - and please note - the scientific evidence, in peer reviewed medical journals, tends to go in the direction opposing most of your "opinions" on the drugs effects. You are most certainly not well informed enough to be getting involved in these arguments, much like a Christian fanatical biblical literalist who doesn't realize God told the Jews to ENSLAVE ALL OTHER RACES in Deuteronomy. And no, I don't mean animals, I mean "all of their human neighbors.")

Back on topic.

#4 There is growing scientific evidence marijuana may actually -fight- cancer cells.

#5 Nearly all carcinogens in marijuana are eliminated if one uses it by vaporizing. All carcinogens in marijuana are eliminated if you ingest it rather than smoke it.

#6 Marijuana metabolites in the body system is not indicative of current impairment, therefore most cases of employment drug testing are simply a method of destroying a persons life for a personal decision they have made that harms no one else. In the early 90s, scientists discovered a method of determining current active metabolites by examining plasma in a blood sample. This never became the standard because a great many men in government have share in the various country-wide drug testing agencies, that rely on the continued illegality of marijuana to create revenue and jobs.

#7 Finally - there is no scientific evidence pointing towards long-term negative side-effects of marijuana. All experiments done with the proper controls come up inconclusive, except with regards to short-term memory impairment (and this does not last "forever".) There are a great many "websites" that would proclaim otherwise, but -you need to check their citations before you take what they say at face value-. That is a FUCKING BASIC COLLEGE ESSAY RULE. If YOU CAN'T WRITE A BASIC COLLEGE PAPER then DON'T GET INVOLVED IN A MATTER AS COMPLICATED AS THIS. You are making it more difficult for the educated people to make a stand against what amounts to creating artificial jobs in the DEA and law enforcement, and class warfare.

#8 If you don't believe me, why don't you google Noam Chomsky Marijuana and realize that even the #1 RATED INTELLECTUAL IN THE WORLD with NUMEROUS HONORARY DOCTORATES as well as EARNED, and the most CITED INDIVIDUAL ALIVE CURRENTLY takes the same side as NORML and other marijuana legalization advocacy groups.

Thank you for your time. Hopefully you were capable of reading and comprehending the entire entry, although I'm afraid a portion of you do not have the necessary cells left in your brain (most unfortunate - maybe if you had smoked marijuana instead of drinking.)

 

[Mr0llivand3r]

i don't like drugs or weed. but i say marijuana should only be illegal in public. keep it to yourself in the comfort of your home and nobody gets hurt...

until you get so high that you think you can drive and you end up driving somewhere and dying in a dazed stupor on the side of the road

 

[GrinningManiac]

Wait, so you can plant it but can't buy or se- what the hell?
Wouldn't this just mean it won't be allowed anywhere? Unless you steal it or harvest it from fields?

EDIT: I am not a smoker, nor am I interested in starting it, I'm just a little bit confused on PurpleRain's course of action, unless his intention is to completely disallow it, then I understand.

I have no comment on your post

I just love your avatar. That is all

 

[Canid117]

I think the government has bigger things to deal with right now than the legalization of Marijuana...

Yeah, like what? This isn't necessarily one government we're talking about here. And this is a very tired excuse. The government isn't a single person. If it can't deal with its job, maybe it should be razed and rebuilt with people who can actually do their jobs.

The economy has gone nuts, we are in two wars, there are thousands of important legal cases a day involving murder rape and assault and we are trying to mend fences with the rest of the world. The government is pretty busy right now and a repeal of the federal ban on Marijuana would require a vote from the Senate and the house.

 

[Canid117]

I think the government has bigger things to deal with right now than the legalization of Marijuana...

Yeah, like what? This isn't necessarily one government we're talking about here. And this is a very tired excuse. The government isn't a single person. If it can't deal with its job, maybe it should be razed and rebuilt with people who can actually do their jobs.

The economy has gone nuts, we are in two wars, there are thousands of important legal cases a day involving murder rape and assault and we are trying to mend fences with the rest of the world. The government is pretty busy right now and a repeal of the federal ban on Marijuana would require a vote from the Senate and the house.

It's a pretty weak excuse if you ask me. Are you saying that doing something that is likely to solve or at least lesser the economic problems and allow the government to raise money for those other important projects is useless?
Are you saying that doing something that would reduce the number of legal cases regarding drugs and slightly help with overcrowding in prisons is a waste?
Which also, I might add, would take away some business from some of those gangs, the people who go around committing some, if not most of the murders, assaults and such, whether "accidental' or not...

The point is, there are thousands of legal cases all the time. There is always the whole deal with mending fences - especially in case of USA, no offense =p

It's their job to do.

You are much more likely to get fined than sent to prison for Marijuana unless you are selling craploads of it. Gangs make most of their money off hard drugs not marijuana. And taxing Marijuana is very difficult because of how easy it is to make. And that doesn't change the fact that it would still take weeks for the bill repealing the ban to get passed by both the Senate and the House. The Senate and the House have more important things to do right now than legalize Marijuana. If everything calms down in the next couple years then maybe we can worry about weed but right now the government has bigger fish to fry.

 

[Captain Blackout]

You don't need to understand "my need". My liking of pot has NOTHING to do with it's legal status. It's relaxing properties are nice, but they alone aren't enough. Pot has different effects in different people, and the effects it has on me ARE NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS! This is the point you keep missing, like a blind man searching for his car keys.

The legal status of anything means very little to me. The real question is: Is this or that for me? If so, I proceed. If what I plan on proceeding with is illegal, I'll take that into account, but mostly for purposes of keeping from getting caught. I don't care what your laws are. Humanity has proven to me it can not provide a sensible legal system so I won't bother following stupid laws I don't care about. Just to put your over-tired "but it's illegal" line to rest. It's a silly argument, good for sheep who can't decide for themselves.

Finally, this isn't a debate. Silly mistake on your part. I tried that before and your myopia proved insurmountable. I'm just here telling you you should stay off the marijuana threads. Every time you post on one you come across, as someone else put it so perfectly, as a "ignorant judgmental cock." I'm not here to be nice, I'm here to be as rude as the stupidity I'm up against requires. I don't care if you think my slurs are to cover my lack of counter-argument. I only care that you get told exactly how you're acting every you post on one of these threads.

You have a long memory, I think we last got into a debate about this in April maybe? I can't remember now. I know it was shortly before I left this site for a while due to study reasons.

So in order to help me understand why people might use marijuana despite its illict status you decide not to tell me the reasons you use it? This whole debate I have been questioning why people might turn to marijuana and not understanding their need to, so you could have added real sway to your argument by providing a valid reason as to why. Unfortunately you chose to become angry instead, closing off a potential avenue for yourself.

It's interesting to hear you say that you take into account the legality of something to keep from getting caught. It's admitting that what you're doing is wrong but because of your need to keep using the substance you have to find ways to get around this. Curious. I would also like to hear why you think our justice system has failed us, like some specific examples of cases where you think the legal system is not working correctly. The argument that you wont follow stupid laws that you don't care about is in itself nothing but a childish act of rebellion, something you before said you didn't use marijuana because of, a clear contradiction in terms. You've basically said that you don't like the legal system so in order to show that I'll follow the laws I want to, nothing but an act of defiance. It's also curious as to likening my following of the law as to being a sheep who can't think for myself. I've made my choice, I've decided not to use marijuana because it's illegal and I see no purpose in using it for its properties, none of them interest me. There's a difference between blindly following and making a decision for oneself after consulting the facts, and in that sense I haven't been a sheep over this in the slightest.

I'll continue to post on these threads and voice my opinion, because not everyone has to agree on the issues presented in them. I know that there is a substantial proportion of the users on here who support the legalisation of marijuana, it doesn't worry me. I have my opinion in this debate and I'm quite happy to express it, despite the childish name calling I might receive in return. I only hope that the people I'm arguing against show me the same courteousy.

You just won a really big cookie. If I could post pics you'd get one involving cookie monster. I almost never return to a debate after deciding my opponent can fall off a cliff for all I care. In the interest of compassion (You just got a Taoist Christian pirate to adhere tightly to his for morals for you, feel impressed with yourself) I'll answer your questions.

First, just to get this out of the way, about my legal decisions. I gave up on the American legal system a long time ago. Justice is blind and we decided to let her be led around by lawyers working for money, not justice. It's been a disaster since then and I refuse to do what religious conservatives in this country tell me what to do whether or not they managed to influence the legal status of my chosen actions. I do believe in healthy communities which requires adhering to social standards of some kind but I make my own choices about which communities' rules to follow. I smoke cigarettes but I support efforts to curtail it's use and have been trying to quit myself. I called you a sheep not because you follow laws, some of which are most likely completely arbitrary, but because you advocate to me that I should do the same. To summarize: We all have to choose for ourselves what's right or wrong. Just because I will take actions that lie outside of what is defined as legal isn't an admission that it's wrong. I choose to not get caught because my life is not the business of the federal government unless and until I do something that actually affects them.

My choice to smoke pot was based on personal, psychological, and pharmacological reasons. By the time I got to legal reasons I was of the opinion that America's drug policy was beyond hope. Since I wasn't breaking the rules of my chosen community I had no problems breaking federal and state laws.

I see value in altering our state of mind. I watch people do it everyday with caffeine, and I see the effects on productivity. I also understand the hazards. I see what happens on the news when people drink too much. Frank Herbert shows us how we can theoretically expand our potential while mitigating the hazards using the substances of the universe. We are an evolving creature and our evolution has transcended the basics of "eat or be eaten" long ago. Pharmacology, technology, spirituality, recreation, and philosophy have all been affected by and have deeply influenced our progress.

For many pot is just a thing to do at the end of the day to relax. However pot is a set and setting kind of drug, and has far more uses than as a replacement or addition to alcohol. For myself it has been a positive tool as I find myself more "in the moment" in a Taoist sense. As a recreational drug it's nice sometimes to achieve something mentally that I can't otherwise, a state of mind that flows well. As a spiritual drug it has been a powerful tool that has helped me achieve viewpoints I probably wouldn't have otherwise.

There is of course the hazard of overuse, and when one substance does so much it had better be water or air, or you risk potentially serious health risks from daily use of almost anything. Even a break from one of the macro-nutrients (protein, fat, carbs) is a good idea once in a while unless you have a near-perfectly balanced diet. In the interest of full disclosure I will admit I overuse. On the flip side I would like to state three things:
Unlike other some other substances I've used in the past (caffeine, tobacco, alcohol) pot is not inherently physical addicting and has a low rate of physical dependence. Ending overuse or all use is far easier. I have a harder time cutting back on carbs than I do pot. When it comes to drugs of choice, I recommend the ones that don't enslave the user.
I live in a community that keeps an eye on each other, cares for each other, and helps each other stay healthy and safe. My wife and I talk about usage in frank terms and I listen to her when she says she thinks I'm using anything far too much.
Thanks to pot's illegal status proper and precise titration is impossible for me. It's a lot easier to control usage when you know and don't have to guess exactly how many mgs. of a substance you're taking in. Good job Anslinger, you evil bastard.

On a related note: There will always be those people who abuse drugs of some kind. The American government made an exceptionally stupid decision when it effectively (if not intentionally) sanctioned alcohol for this purpose while demonizing marijuana. Drug abuse is a horrible problem in need of effective solutions. However, if I can't end the problem then it needs to be mitigated as much as possible for a healthy society, not dealt with emotionally and ideologically.

As for my "childish" behaviour, I'd like to say you jumped into a mosh pit and expected Queensbury rules of combat. Your mistake, not mine. I'm not going to go out and use a gun to enforce my politics, and I will use civil disobedience when I feel it's appropriate, with the important point being that one suffers the consequences of their actions when engaging in civil disobedience. However I don't find it childish to tell a government that it's rules are fail so I will follow my own for the good of me and my community. I do find it strategically stupid to do so openly. After all, I have a community to serve. As for how I treat people online and in public discourse, when it's obvious (or seems obvious to me) that the opposition has quit listening and is looking to hammer their beliefs into me I reserve the right to metaphorically kick the opposition in the balls. After all, mockery is a political tool too, and far better than the gun.

 

[Inverse Skies]

You just won a really big cookie. If I could post pics you'd get one involving cookie monster. I almost never return to a debate after deciding my opponent can fall off a cliff for all I care. In the interest of compassion (You just got a Taoist Christian pirate to adhere tightly to his for morals for you, feel impressed with yourself) I'll answer your questions.

First, just to get this out of the way, about my legal decisions. I gave up on the American legal system a long time ago. Justice is blind and we decided to let her be led around by lawyers working for money, not justice. It's been a disaster since then and I refuse to do what religious conservatives in this country tell me what to do whether or not they managed to influence the legal status of my chosen actions. I do believe in healthy communities which requires adhering to social standards of some kind but I make my own choices about which communities' rules to follow. I smoke cigarettes but I support efforts to curtail it's use and have been trying to quit myself. I called you a sheep not because you follow laws, some of which are most likely completely arbitrary, but because you advocate to me that I should do the same. To summarize: We all have to choose for ourselves what's right or wrong. Just because I will take actions that lie outside of what is defined as legal isn't an admission that it's wrong. I choose to not get caught because my life is not the business of the federal government unless and until I do something that actually affects them.

My choice to smoke pot was based on personal, psychological, and pharmacological reasons. By the time I got to legal reasons I was of the opinion that America's drug policy was beyond hope. Since I wasn't breaking the rules of my chosen community I had no problems breaking federal and state laws.

I see value in altering our state of mind. I watch people do it everyday with caffeine, and I see the effects on productivity. I also understand the hazards. I see what happens on the news when people drink too much. Frank Herbert shows us how we can theoretically expand our potential while mitigating the hazards using the substances of the universe. We are an evolving creature and our evolution has transcended the basics of "eat or be eaten" long ago. Pharmacology, technology, spirituality, recreation, and philosophy have all been affected by and have deeply influenced our progress.

For many pot is just a thing to do at the end of the day to relax. However pot is a set and setting kind of drug, and has far more uses than as a replacement or addition to alcohol. For myself it has been a positive tool as I find myself more "in the moment" in a Taoist sense. As a recreational drug it's nice sometimes to achieve something mentally that I can't otherwise, a state of mind that flows well. As a spiritual drug it has been a powerful tool that has helped me achieve viewpoints I probably wouldn't have otherwise.

There is of course the hazard of overuse, and when one substance does so much it had better be water or air, or you risk potentially serious health risks from daily use of almost anything. Even a break from one of the macro-nutrients (protein, fat, carbs) is a good idea once in a while unless you have a near-perfectly balanced diet. In the interest of full disclosure I will admit I overuse. On the flip side I would like to state three things:
Unlike other some other substances I've used in the past (caffeine, tobacco, alcohol) pot is not inherently physical addicting and has a low rate of physical dependence. Ending overuse or all use is far easier. I have a harder time cutting back on carbs than I do pot. When it comes to drugs of choice, I recommend the ones that don't enslave the user.
I live in a community that keeps an eye on each other, cares for each other, and helps each other stay healthy and safe. My wife and I talk about usage in frank terms and I listen to her when she says she thinks I'm using anything far too much.
Thanks to pot's illegal status proper and precise titration is impossible for me. It's a lot easier to control usage when you know and don't have to guess exactly how many mgs. of a substance you're taking in. Good job Anslinger, you evil bastard.

On a related note: There will always be those people who abuse drugs of some kind. The American government made an exceptionally stupid decision when it effectively (if not intentionally) sanctioned alcohol for this purpose while demonizing marijuana. Drug abuse is a horrible problem in need of effective solutions. However, if I can't end the problem then it needs to be mitigated as much as possible for a healthy society, not dealt with emotionally and ideologically.

As for my "childish" behaviour, I'd like to say you jumped into a mosh pit and expected Queensbury rules of combat. Your mistake, not mine. I'm not going to go out and use a gun to enforce my politics, and I will use civil disobedience when I feel it's appropriate, with the important point being that one suffers the consequences of their actions when engaging in civil disobedience. However I don't find it childish to tell a government that it's rules are fail so I will follow my own for the good of me and my community. I do find it strategically stupid to do so openly. After all, I have a community to serve. As for how I treat people online and in public discourse, when it's obvious (or seems obvious to me) that the opposition has quit listening and is looking to hammer their beliefs into me I reserve the right to metaphorically kick the opposition in the balls. After all, mockery is a political tool too, and far better than the gun.

I was incredibly impressed by what you just wrote there, it was pleasant, not attacking me in any way and clearly explained your reasons for using marijuana, all of which I can appreciate and understand. This line here;

"We all have to choose for ourselves what's right or wrong."

Struck me as it reminded me of the autonomy ethics they always bash into us in med school, ensuring the patient's decision is their decision to make. I guess if you were my patient using marijuana say as an analgesic I would disagree with your choices and encourage you not to make them, but in the end I know that it's your decision to make. Basically, I know where I stand on this issue and now I know exactly where you stand. It's good to know that, and it's interesting to see how the conservative belt of America affects politics over there, as that's something we don't really get that much of over here in Australia, one group or larger group affecting everything.

I was surprised when you said cannabis was the least addictive substance out of the three you mentioned, as every piece of literature that I've read has talked about its tolerance and dependence properties, but of course its effects are different for everyone and some people kick addictive substances easily whilst others dont. I'm still concerned about the potential for psychosis induced by long term chronic use, or the suggestion from five prospective studies saying that its long term use doubles the risk of schizophrenia (they further go on to suggest that 8% of schizophrenia cases in the UK might be prevented through discontinuationg of marijuana usage which is interesting) but, when you compare them to the damage cigarettes cause it's negligible.

Another thing which I thought was curious is what you said about the spirtual connection. I had another user PM me one of the previous times I was in a debate like this asking about the risks of use and explaining to me how he achieved a similar state when using cannabis. The difference is, you will use marijauna or cigarettes to relax at the end of your day, I'll play piano or listen to classical music or something similar. We've both just got different systems of doing so. I don't understand your way, you probably don't understand mine, it's just the way things go. Also, I absolutely adore the Dune series, although melange is slightly more powerful than what you use!

 

[RockThineWorld]

In regards to people's questions on the substances that marijuana is sometimes cut or laced with, sometimes weed is dusted with cocaine/crack crystals - normally then referred to in my area as 'skunk'. I've also known of hash blocks to contain plastic residues which can then be inhaled when smoked - this comes from the packaging process, where the block is wrapped in clingfilm for transportation, and when they bring it into the country they melt the plastic off. This makes it a highly toxic substance.

If hash or weed could be sold legally, a process of trading standards would be part of the production, making sure that it was safe for consumption - same as they do with checking that beer isn't contaminated during production.

 

[Rolling Thunder]

@XxMorlokxX So, you were high, and you still managed at college?

Wow. You went to one shitty college.

 

[PurpleRain]

I gathered, but you were just telling me things I already knew and compared it with marijuana. Caffeine is bad for you. I don't drink it because of that. So is most Soy products and much much more. But all this doesn't make marijuana any less dangerous. I've experienced off hand two cases of friends close to me becoming very infected with it and doing horrible things because of it. Just saying.

Man, that is silly. They became infected with it? Holy shit, you need a bit more experience in the subject than to say it like smoking weed is spreading an STD. People do horrible things totally sober, and I doubt your friends did much that they would not have done stone cold sober. People don't rob others for a bag of weed and it's as simple as that really.

Infected:
To taint or contaminate with something that affects quality, character, or condition unfavorably.

But my latter friend, who I did not share his story, was very induced with the drug and it has done permanent damage on his brain. People say the weed doesn't, but hell, if coffee can, so can this. And it did. He smoked so much of it he became a complete wreck and actually thinks of himself as Gandalf. He is much older then me and thought this before the movies.

Still, I'm only arguing against marijuana and not people taking it. If you read the OP, I actually feel people growing their own is good for their freedoms and to arrest the crime rate surrounding it.

I think marijuana should be legalized. Not only that it should be standardized, give it different grades based on THC content (and priced according to potency), make 'smoking laws' and 'smoking age (18 or 21), sell it alongside cigarettes and even tax it.
Legalizing it would dry up some crime and drug cartels, I'm sure people would much rather go up to a Shell station or Wal-Mart to buy a few joints rather than go hunt down some drug dealer and buy what might be marijuana. The smoking laws and smoking age would work just like alcohol laws- no smoking and driving, no buying marijuana for under-aged people etc. And taxing marijuana could bring in a lot of money.

Also, marijuana can be cut or laced with other things.

This has nothing to do with my point though.

-big effing snip-

I gathered, but you were just telling me things I already knew and compared it with marijuana. Caffeine is bad for you. I don't drink it because of that. So is most Soy products and much much more. But all this doesn't make marijuana any less dangerous. I've experienced off hand two cases of friends close to me becoming very infected with it and doing horrible things because of it. Just saying.

Yes, and how many people die of alcohol poisoning a year, or get into drunk driving accidents and kill themselves or others? The argument that "we should ban it because it's not very good for you" is simply poor when you have far worse substances being sold at your local grocery store.

I simply compared it to caffeine because people who take the "it's bad for you so it's wrong" route don't seem to understand that the only difference between caffeine, tobacco, alcohol and marijuana is levels of social acceptance. If marijuana had not be demonized, the current attitudes on it would be completely different.

Edit: Do something that's bad for you once in a while. Have a beer, drink a cup of coffee. Spending your whole life avoiding everything that might possibly be bad for you is going a sad way to live. You're going to die anyway, life is a terminal condition.

I'm only going to reply to your last point, because like so many people above, you have missed my points and have gone too far off topic. For your last point however, I'd rather not. Those stimulants work against your body an brain rather then with it like say, normal food. I'd rather put things into my body that is good for me and has benefits. For this I've basically given up quite a bit like meat, coffee, any un-fermented soy products, a bulk of milk, etc, etc. Drugs and alcohol are on top of that list. That's not to say I have never or will never drink. I do have spirits every so often when I do want the taste at some classy party. But alas, it's a fun and enlightening way to live. I've learned so much about food and about my body because of this and I'm a lot happier. I don't see how this is a sad way to live. If forced into it, perhaps?

The only problem I can see to legalizing weed would be the uses of motor vehicles and anything else you are not allowed to operate when drunk. The problem is the lack of testing to see if a person is currently high. With alcohol you have a BAC that can be checked by a breathalizer but there is no such thing with weed. It would be very hard to enforce this and pretty dangerous for high people to be driving all the time.

Hmm, this is a good point. Is there any way to do a swab or something?

To be honest, the only decent way to do it is to either legalize it completely or forbid anything to do with it. Half-legalizing it will cause it to become important sales merchandise in clandestine circles. Also, legalizing it fully won't have the shocking effect some people think it will have - it's not like suddenly half the country will be driving around stoned. People who want to smoke weed generally do so whether it's legal or not.

I'm from Holland, I know what I'm talking about =P
Edit: And actually, ironically enough, the 'Purple Rain' is a coffeeshop near my place.

I feel the 'half-legalizing' it is better though just because people will be aware of what goes into their bodies.