Marijuana: The Great Taboo Topic

[Sightless Wisdom]

I'm against the smoking of weed and I think your friend's parents have acted in an entirely non-ignorant manner. Weed is illegal in most countries, what does that tell you?

It tells me the government loves obedience, and nothing else. Ignorance may be bliss, but bliss is not logic.

The government loves obedience of course, civillized society is grounded on the basis that people will be obedient and law abiding citizens. Now i'll give you a handful of truly corrupt governments but marijuana is usually legal in these countries anyway. The fact is, nearly all governments think the use and sale of marijuana is a bad thing. That tells me it probably is...

It's more like a reduction of our rights than anything. The drug hurts the users if anyone, not the people around them. Not any more than alcohol at least. The government is not right, we are not free people, consensus between a billion people, even several billion people does not make something "right" there is no "should" be illegal. It is and that's a fact, but it's depriving citizens of their free will.

 

[Berethond]

I'm reminded of the music industry, I challenge any of you to find an artist be it now or earlier years that hasn't used marijuana in song writing and music composition.

A lot of them haven't. It's just an urban myth that all artists smoke weed and do drugs. Michael Flatly, for instance, is clean from what I've heard. And, anyways, the music always comes first -- and even if it doesn't, the music comes from the same source as the desire to smoke. I do believe House said it best. "The secret to becoming a great artist is to be miserable. Then, when the music doesn't make you not miserable, then you turn to drugs."

 

[TailsRodrigez]

The biggest problem with weed today is that it is often of poor quality and very often mixed with other ingredients such as cocaine, bleach, starch, rat poison, amphetamines etc... It is simply not safe to do any drugs anymore because you are effectively playing Russian roulette with your life. Now unless you happen to own a pure marijuana farm in Colombia, the chances are you have never even smoked pure marijuana. That's right, the stuff your parents smoked and their grand parents before them was almost a different kind if plant entirely. Even the plants you grow yourself are the results of many years of cross-breeding.

Like i said before, I have a friend who is 60 years old, and every breed of weed he has tried has gotten him the same results, and he knows that moderation is the key, and it has never failed him.

also, some of my friends know that many weed dealers jack up the price if they are the only guys selling, so if it became legal, the price would drive down due to a little thing we call Capitalism, and a small fee won't change the fact because everything has a tax on it.

(for some reason the thing wasn't quoted, sorry ravens_nest)

 

[Akai Shizuku]

I fully support the use of medical marijuana and the use of it and its hemp relatives as the great construction material that it is (baskets, etc.). However, for me, recreational weed is a no-no. Simply because it's bad for you. Not as bad as cigarettes and alcohol, but still bad.

 

[StonkThis]

I'm against the smoking of weed and I think your friend's parents have acted in an entirely non-ignorant manner. Weed is illegal in most countries, what does that tell you?

That the governments of those countries are stupid?

I've never done weed, I would try it most likely, but still. Weed is safe, relaxes you. How is weed so bad? Alcohol is worse. MUCH WORSE. Weed has medical purposes, obviously recreation, and many other pros. The pros outweigh the cons, and I can't even think of any cons. Maybe I'm stupid, I don't know, but I think it should be legalized.

 

[ReincarnatedFTP]

First off, I know this has been done before, even without using the search bar, and I'm fully aware this topic is very heated and not a lot of people like to touch it, but please....Humor Me! Think of me not as a pothead, or a law enforcement officer. I am merely a mediator on this subject. I'll express opinions from both perspectives, and I hope you do to.

Recently, a friend of mine was caught with marijuana by their parents. The ignorant guardian immediately grounded my friend, giving them no say in the matter. It seems to me, that authority figures are quite ignorant when it comes to this subject matter. How can they lock their own child up, and throw away the key, when they know very little of the drug that we all call marijuana. It makes me angry when injustices like this happen. A few fun facts that you might not have know

1. Marijuana is not toxic to humans.
2. Prohibitions have been trying to rid the world of weed since before MY generation was born.
3. It's the most annual grossing cash crop in America.

Which brings me to my fellow writers of the escapist. What do you think? Are you for or against it? What do you think about the legalization concepts? If you have something to say...Now is the time to say it. Let's drag this subject into the light, and hopefully everyone will be a little more knowledgeable about the topic.

Look, I'm pro legalizing marijuana. In fact I'd legalize alot of things most people wouldn't (prostitution, cocaine, X, on and on) because I believe it should be a person's place to control their body.

There shouldn't even be a question on marijuana. None of the arguments against legalization of MJ even approach legitimate.

However, if your parents don't want you doing it, you should probably obey them. Are they ignorant? It depends. Maybe he has the possibility of being drug tested and having future opportunities ruined.Maybe they're ignorant. Either way, they're the parents, and ultimately they decide.

 

[benylor]

I'm only going to state this one more time. My reasons for supporting a law currently in place, are completely unrelated to my opinions towards the once unlawful practise of homosexuality.

I had nothing to do with the formation of these laws, I have nothing to do with the reasons one is still in place and another is not. So my opinions about homosexuality are irrelevant.

My opinion on whether or not I support a law depends entirely on which law it is. If it satisfies your curiosity, I would always have been against homosexuality being illegal. I do not support laws simply because they are illegal.

In that sentance I was pointing out that one particular law concerning the use or sale of marijuana is stillupheld in the majority of countries across the world. My opinions of why it is a law are irrelevant. Do you need to bring up every single law that was once illegal and obtain my opinion of it to continue this debate? Or are you satisfied with having probed the subject most likely to provide a controversial response from either myself or someone else who wishes to debate the issue of the legalisation of marijuana?

Are we going to have to go over this again?

P.S My apologies for slow responses, I'm typing through an iphone.

I am still not satisfied, I am afraid. I apologise for any tone I gave earlier which may have been less than civil, but your argument contained a fallacy which needed to be addressed.

There are laws still upheld in the majority of civilised countries which are still irrational - I believe you agree with this? So it is, then, why you think it should be law that is absolutely pertinent.

And, I'll be honest, I am sympathetic to why you believe in the law. You've had a negative experience with marijuana yourself - while I would argue its scientific value, at the end of the argument I'm going by research I have not observed myself and you are going by less rigorous but better observed personal experience. Then it becomes an argument of science, and neither one of us really is going to convince the other on this ground.

I hope that you can agree with what I have just said? Please forgive my habit of picking holes in discussion; Phoenix Wright has seared that habit into my, uh, habits >_>

 

[TheGreatCoolEnergy]

3. It's the most annual grossing cash crop in America.

Uh, what about Tabbacco?

And to answer your question, I say no. Everyone I know who smokes on a regular basis is a douche, especially when they arn't high. So maybe my opion is biased, but I'm sticking to it.

Also, It smells like shit.

 

[benylor]

3. It's the most annual grossing cash crop in America.

U, Tabbacco?

And to answer your question, I say no. Everyone I know who smokes on a regular basis is a douche, especially when they arn't high. So maybe my opion is biased, but I'm sticking to it.

Also, It smells like shit.

I disagree with the notion that I am a douche. I believe that it may be more of a problem of the people you know than of pot in of itself

 

[Vuljatar]

when it has been scientifically proven to cause problems in later life such as psychosis, flashbacks, and other mental problems. Save for extreme medical reasons.

...though is still significantly less harmful than alcohol, tobacco, etc. Do you want those illegal as well?

While I agree with your sentiment, I must disagree with your technique.

For argument's sake, I say yes, they should certainly be illegal. They do society no good either, and they've only been allowed to stay legal due to public demand and tradition. Why should they be legal?

Why should they not be legal? People know the risks involved, they can take care of themselves.

 

[CD repo man]

Let's drag this subject into the light, and hopefully everyone will be a little more knowledgeable about the topic.

Drag it into the light? Stoners country-wide have been declaring "LEGALIZE IT" for years, decades even, but i digress because that isn't what is at argument here.

First, i don't think the guardian was being ignorant. Marijuana is illegal, i doubt he/she would want something illegal in their home and punished the kid for it. It depends on the parent to act accordingly and they acted according to their understanding of the law.

Second, i think pot should be legal, but not for recreational use. I couldn't care less whether or not you get high. But because of the possible medical and economic advantages it can have. If you want to use it recreationally, that's fine, but i don't think thats why it should be legalized.

 

[Mantheron]

American Drug War: The Last White Hope (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1033467/)

How's about we starts with a little decriminalization, and then we'll take it from there?

And there's not a substance known to man that won't cause problems when you use a great deal of it. Hell, if you drink enough water it will kill you.

[Edit: Oh, and don't we need a good reason to make it illegal, rather than a good reason to make it legal? That seems... healthier.]

 

[Chesterfield Snapdragon McFisticuffs]

Actually, Marijuana is just as dangerous as alcohol. It is a cause of early onset psychosis, doesn't stop me using it but I don't try to justify by saying its healthy.

 

[whycantibelinus]

First off, I know this has been done before, even without using the search bar, and I'm fully aware this topic is very heated and not a lot of people like to touch it, but please....Humor Me! Think of me not as a pothead, or a law enforcement officer. I am merely a mediator on this subject. I'll express opinions from both perspectives, and I hope you do to.

Recently, a friend of mine was caught with marijuana by their parents. The ignorant guardian immediately grounded my friend, giving them no say in the matter. It seems to me, that authority figures are quite ignorant when it comes to this subject matter. How can they lock their own child up, and throw away the key, when they know very little of the drug that we all call marijuana. It makes me angry when injustices like this happen. A few fun facts that you might not have know

1. Marijuana is not toxic to humans.
2. Prohibitions have been trying to rid the world of weed since before MY generation was born.
3. It's the most annual grossing cash crop in America.

Which brings me to my fellow writers of the escapist. What do you think? Are you for or against it? What do you think about the legalization concepts? If you have something to say...Now is the time to say it. Let's drag this subject into the light, and hopefully everyone will be a little more knowledgeable about the topic.

Did you know that since the 20th century it is the first time this plant has been outlawed in all of recorded human history?

I'm for Marijuana by the way, here is a quote from my father who is a police officer, "Never once in my entire career have I heard of a crime where someone smoked a joint and then went home to beat their children."

Just a little food for thought.



Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.....foooooooooooooood. =-)

EDIT: Oh and one of the main reasons that it is illegal in the United States is because the DuPont company way back in the early 1900's owned a large area of wooded land and wanted to get into the paper making business, which at the time was monopolized by HEMP aka Marijuana. So they lobbyed with congress and had it criminalized.

 

[scotth266]

ITS JUST WEED! its less harmful than alcohol! GAH!

Incorrect. It's EQUALLY harmful/dangerous as alcohol or ciggies. It's definitely not LESS dangerous than them, at least.

The parents did the right thing. Their house, their rules, and it's against the law to boot.

 

[benylor]

when it has been scientifically proven to cause problems in later life such as psychosis, flashbacks, and other mental problems. Save for extreme medical reasons.

...though is still significantly less harmful than alcohol, tobacco, etc. Do you want those illegal as well?

While I agree with your sentiment, I must disagree with your technique.

For argument's sake, I say yes, they should certainly be illegal. They do society no good either, and they've only been allowed to stay legal due to public demand and tradition. Why should they be legal?

Why should they not be legal? People know the risks involved, they can take care of themselves.

Libertarian vs. Authoritarian. I agree with your argument, please believe me, but this is one that doesn't move at all or should be reserved for another place. You aren't going to convince somebody that people should ultimately be responsible for themselves in a discussion this specialised. Bring it up elsewhere, and you'll have a better chance of changing minds.

Let's drag this subject into the light, and hopefully everyone will be a little more knowledgeable about the topic.

Drag it into the light? Stoners country-wide have been declaring "LEGALIZE IT" for years, decades even, but i digress because that isn't what is at argument here.

First, i don't think the guardian was being ignorant. Marijuana is illegal, i doubt he/she would want something illegal in their home and punished the kid for it. It depends on the parent to act accordingly and they acted according to their understanding of the law.

Second, i think pot should be legal, but not for recreational use. I couldn't care less whether or not you get high. But because of the possible medical and economic advantages it can have. If you want to use it recreationally, that's fine, but i don't think thats why it should be legalized.

...and here I go and do the opposite of my own advice.

Sorry to pick you out on a technicality here, but, if you do not care one way or another if you get high, then why not just make it legal anyway? For a whole host of other reasons, it'd be easier to deal with; the people who want to get high will have a choice, although you do not care one way or not, too. I can't help but feel you're resorting to status quo here.

 

[TPiddy]

First of all... those of you who think it's harmless.... you're complete morons...

Weed may not contain some of the harmful chemicals of cigarettes so in that way they are 'healthier' than cigarettes, but you are still inhaling smoke into your LUNGS which is NEVER good for you.

I feel that the governments should do the following:

1. Legalize it, but in a controlled manner, like they do with cigarettes now.
2. Apply the same laws to it as both cigarettes and alcohol (no smoking in public places, no driving vehicles while intoxicated, no being 'high' in public, etc.)
3. Apply the same age limits as alcohol / cigarettes.
4. Monetize that shit, and stop spending money combating it.

 

[Raven's Nest]

Are they unrelated? My friend, it is you who has invited this comparison. I repeat your wording:

Weed is illegal in most countries, what does that tell you?

Here you claim that the illegality is enough to justify it being a bad decision to take it. Now, with the justification you've provided, this argument applies in precisely the same way to homosexuality up til a few decades back.

Actuay this was a question, I'm not claiming anything. Incinuating perhaps, but that doesn't mean you can objectively define why I posed it as a question.

Now, if you want a valid way of attacking my point, please feel free to use any of the following:

a. That law was based off of irrational hatred caused by improper application of religion.
b. Clearly you've not thought this through, as marijuana can harm those not involved while homosexual love cannot.
c. Scientifically, it's been proven that marijuana is harmful, *insert evidence here*.

At which point, there could be a civilised discussion to be had.

I was not of the impression this was an uncivilsed affair, I certainly don't wish it to be.

I'm not going to attack your points listed there. I am simply attempting to justify my views to you. Views gathered from some very personal experiences. Please note I am also not trying to 'win' this debate. I would simply like my views to be understood to my satisfaction. Is this acceptable for a civilised debate?

---
This next section is frankly argument ad hominim, and I would rather it not be used as part of the discussion:

Going back to your point 2 - "My reasons for supporting one law will be completely different to that of another law" - this seems to imply that you support law unconditionally? While you may have a different reason to support each law, you will still support the law anyway? Or, you will support it insofar as to follow it? I feel like (and hope that )I'm massively off-track here, but I'd like you to confirm that anyway.

I must first apologise if you saw that as an ad hominem attack. By your initial post it seemed like you were not going to be as comitted in this debate as I would. The tactic of forcing another controversial issue isn't always the best method of debating another. I saw that as an ad hominem attack as you appeared to be questioning my morals on another issue which is arguably unrelated.

Concerning point 2, I think you have misinterperated. I am of the opinion that I will support a law if I feel it should be supported and I will not support a law If I do not feel it should be supported. I do not support laws simply because they are laws despite what my initial post may have implied.