Poll: Legalize cannabis Yay or Nay

[The Unworthy Gentleman]

I'm not trying to pick on you but you just don't seem to be comprehending ALL of the benefits of cannabis, not just for the U.S., but for all countries. This plant has the potential to completely eliminate the need for oil and coal, reduce the deficit, reduce cannabis related crime, eliminate the use of trees for paper products and building materials, can be used medicinally for numerous ailments, can be used to power whole cities, eliminate the need for natural gas for heat, and about a thousand other uses, and with it legal to grow who knows what else people will think of. Yes, it would be used recreationally but so f**king what, aren't those other issues more important than whether some stoner is getting high or not?

Oh no, it's fine, it's all about discussion.

That means nothing to me. You see, if those things were as beneficial to the world as you make it out to be the government would use it whether it was legal to use it for recreational use. You see, the government can do that. They can say to you that you aren't allowed to touch it, but it's legal to use in medicine and to generate electricity.

Yes, those issues are more important than a stoner, but if it could fix those issues like you think it could then it would have by now.

 

[Twuk]

Impairment? Crap? It's a shame you're allergic.

there's an old saying where I come from, "Don't bullshit the designated driver."

The concept that it's like, addictive or a gateway drug I'd call BS on. The concept that it inhibits your mental capacity? That's pretty easily measurable, actually. I know pot smokers insist otherwise, but so do those drunks who try and insist they're good to drive.

Sorry, I'm not taking it out of context. I'm not pretending it's the devil's gateway drug or that it's going to kill everyone who uses it, but to pretend it doesn't impair your cognitive abilities is self deception. and you may feel awesome, but so does the average drunk.

You have a good argument. But we can agree to disagree I suppose. Impairment of your cognitive abilities is only subjective to the user. I'm not just one of those teenage kids who smoke pot to get "SO FUCKED UPPP". I smoke to relax at the end of the day, or to calm my nerves at the beginning of one. I'm 20 years old, in college, have a part time job, and a steady girlfriend. I'm usually high more often than not, and it's actually brought me closer to my sister, who's also a smoker. Not because of it, mind you, but the fact that it helps relax you and just feel natural about oneself. I never got too caught up in drinking, because the effects and feelings while engaging in such activity are horrible and are life threatening.

I also find it interesting that you say I'm not aware of my cognitive impairment. I met an asshole like you once, who insisted that smoking causes you to have irrational thoughts and have more difficulty in doing important tasks. When I drive stoned, I'm a much better driver. No, not because "I feel awesome", but because I have other experienced drivers in the car at the same time and tell me first hand that I don't seem to make careless mistakes as opposed to me being sober.

Or I could also bring up the fact the I have the flu right now. The last two days, without smoking at all, I've been projectile vomiting and caught a migraine from hell. I just smoked about an hour ago, and my headache is practically gone, and for the first time in 2 days, I can stomach food.

I honestly could argue with you till the sun goes down, but you, as well as everyone else, is entitled to their own opinion on the matter. What I don't appreciate it is you attempting to mock me by making me think what I said about the matter is irrational.

 

[dlsevern]

That means nothing to me. You see, if those things were as beneficial to the world as you make it out to be the government would use it whether it was legal to use it for recreational use. You see, the government can do that. They can say to you that you aren't allowed to touch it, but it's legal to use in medicine and to generate electricity.

Yes, those issues are more important than a stoner, but if it could fix those issues like you think it could then it would have by now.

The government doesn't want to use it because it would cause the timber industry, cotton industry, paper industry, and so forth to go out of business because we would have a cheaper less enviromentally detrimental source to use. These industries help supply the government with financial aid. It's all about keeping the rich, rich and the poor, poor. Look up the real reasons why marijuana was made illegal in the first place. It had nothing to do with its reacreational use.

You absolutely have the right to your opinion about it, but please make sure you are completely informed about every aspect of it first.

 

[SpaceSpork]

-Snip-
People enjoy eating cake too. But they don't go steal shit to buy cake. The addictiveness is completely psychological and even debatable. Video games or movies are about as addicting as pot. The reason some people get addicted is because they have an obsessive streak. Pot has been demonized in societies for more than what it is. Pot isn't going to make you go steal crap or any other nonsense. Your morals might. If someone steals stuff to get pot, they probably steal stuff anyways.

So why bother tempting even more people into stealing stuff? ¬.¬
At least cake doesn't have effects on how people behave, doesn't change how a person feels. Doesn't give them a feeling they want again and again.
Sure, legalise it for the rest of the world if you want, but by damn, move all the bad apples to where I live and firebomb it first. I don't want them loose and ruining it for everyone else.

I don't know what bumfuck cake you're eating, but cake sure as hell gives ME a feeling I want again.

 

[Katherine Kerensky]

-Snip-
I don't know what bumfuck cake you're eating, but cake sure as hell gives ME a feeling I want again.

I don't actually have much of a thing for cake, to be honest >.>
I don't like sponge cake. Really don't like it >.>
However, a good cheesecake is always welcome...

 

[Jim-a-Lim]

This is a nasty topic... I mean one side coin where it can be considered good? (Medicinal use) The other sketchy (abuse and addiction). I have found that honestly it doesn't matter to people if its legal or not, I mean people who want to do it find it and use it. But I don't want to be walking around and smelling the stuff even more than I already do. Oh and major pet peeve on those who smoke it on a bus I'm using, it's a step too far. (Being English it's not legal, we need to either make it free to use or toughen up these laws because honestly there is no point in having them).

 

[Raticate5]

Yay to legalization, although I would never smoke it.

Don't like the look of the conversation here though.

 

[vxicepickxv]

My beliefs have far more to do with the coming police state and budgets than anything else. I'm not saying it should be unrestricted, because that would be stupid. I'm saying it should have reasonable restrictions.

 

[dlsevern]

Overgrow the government, overgrow the government!!!

 

[dlsevern]

Similarly, posts including, advocating, or linking to illegal or adult material are a very quick way to end your time as part of The Escapist community.

Yes but im not doing any of those things, im not providing links to some kind of online pot shop and im not advocating cannabis im simply asking for opinions and questioning a current law whcih if im not aloud to do then the escapist is now the equivalent to china.

Let me refer you to your OP:

I say yay in a time like this when economies are clapsing we don't really need people in prison for a harmless crime like this (now that we know it doesn't shrink your brain and such)

Now lets look at the definition of advoctating.

According to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary:
Definition of ADVOCATE

transitive verb
: to plead in favor of

Yes, I know you aren't the only one but you were the OP. You started a thread where a number of people would say that cannabis is okay. You also didn't use the search bar to check the other hundred or so posts about legalizing cannabis. I know, I'm being the forum dickhead but the rules are there because The Escapist has to protect itself from any legal repercussions of what we discuss here, it's in it's best interests to stay legal.

Please tell me exactly, what legal repercussions are you talking about. It is not nor never has been illegal to express your opinion about something even if it is a favorable opinion about an illegal substance. You can put me on probation or ban me altogether for all I care, but I completely ADVOCATE marijuana!

 

[Ironic Pirate]

Did anyone else read the title as "Legalize Cannibals Yay or Nay"?

That's all I really have to add to the discussion.

 

[th3xile]

snip

To that "god bless" rant; you really need to lighten up. If you have a problem with religion then don't bring others into it and before you say it, no one saying God bless is trying to force any religion on you. It is a simple gesture of politeness that you obviously return with hostility. It's like getting angry with someone for saying "thank you" in a different language. Even though you don't speak that language doesn't mean you should get angry with the person.
OT: I say no. I know people don't just do it because it's illegal. The idea of it "fixing the economy" is just wrong. It would create a similar effect to me opening a chain of supermarkets. Adding one business doesn't open a world of money. I've seen too many of my friends crash and burn after they started smoking. As much as everyone may hate to say it, it is a gateway. They all got worse with worse drugs. I went from pot to pills but stopped because of support of a very very close friend who was concerned for my health. Not everyone will have a person like that

 

[Katherine Kerensky]

-Snip-

Well, please excuse me for having quirks. We can't all be bland and the same.
I have no problem with any religion. I just have a problem with the invocation of the blessing of any deity towards myself, especially when the person saying it is being hostile, to the extent of finding me on another site and posting a hate message.

 

[gmaverick019_v1legacy]

i think it was voltair who said it? (something like it at least)

but...

i may not agree with doing it, but i will argue/fight for your right to do it.

a.k.a. i dont do it, dont see the point of it, never want to do it, but i will agree to say that you should be allowed to do it when alchohol and tobacco run free as a bird.

 

[Jackhorse]

I dunno, I read it from from your piss stained streets of Britain. -snip-
I can't see cannabis benefiting you or your country if it's legalized so why bother?

The piss stained streets of Britian?
I'm not a druggie myself and I actively disapprove when of my freinds who do do it's habits, however I also actively disapprove of my freinds smoking (not same people). I would not illegalize their ability to smoke around me recognising that they have their weaknesses and its their choice etc.

The harm done to themselves that might one day result in hospitalization is in part paid for by 'sin tax' on ciggarettes and wouldn't it be better if cannabis was legalized with a heavy sin tax as well?
The drugs would be cut less dangerously, you could impose maximum qoutas per person, only goverment marked plastic baggies legal etc. The god would far outweigh the harm done in my opinion as very few people I know do not not do drugs for fear of the law but for personel reasons, the money the goverment would gather from the legalisation would help pay for the care for the druggies and more.

 

[Usurpurus]

Just becuase something is 'less' harmful than something else doesn't make it not harmful at all.

If you're going to legalise a drug then do ecstasy. At least that has no detrimental effects aside from memory loss for an hour.

 

[dlsevern]

It is not harmful at all. AT ALL.