How has criminalization decreased the use or availability of pot? We have 80 years of turning the country into a police state and still half of us have tried pot, used it for awhile and then stopped. That's the pattern for most of us because we learn about things like time and place. Most of don't have whiskey for breakfast either.
As a baseline, 6% of any population, including places where possession can get you the death penalty become addicts or serious abusers. How does making the country into police state make that problem better? Alcoholics find help, maintain jobs and don't get arrested for possessing a beer.
How does ruining someone's life for possession of a cocktail help fix the problem of abuse? Prohibition creates a black market that keeps prices high enough to risk jail. You don't have hop farmers booby trapping secret fields in the national parks, or beer truck drivers having shoot outs on corners.
Some people are going to have a problem with it regardless. Making the country into a police state is not the answer.
This must be your copy&paste reply to every person who isn't for this plan, but I will say this: 6% may not be a lot, but it's still something that occurs. Doing it behind closed doors is one thing, but if you're out and about behind the wheel, high as a kite, you're a danger. The US should only combat an issue like this. Not accept it.
Sorry about the cut and paste - but the points are important. I think combating addiction is absolutely noble and important. I'd love to take some percentage of the more than 40 billion dollars a year we spend incarcerating potheads on helping people with serious problems
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That's why I said that if it were to become legal, it should be taxed the hell out of. There are always going to be a list of pros and cons for any issue, but at a personal standpoint, I really don't want to see this legalized. I don't want it to be the simplest thing for any person to get, especially kids. I remember being in high school and being able to get alcohol and cigarettes, even though I was clearly under the age. Although now I am way beyond that, I plan to have children in the future and I really would like to raise them without worrying about the extra added "They could get weed at the 7/11 now."
I think the Gov't at this point now need to focus their eyes on the national problem which are the lack of jobs and this insane idea to fix healthcare. I hate to get too political though.
Nice POV from you though; at least you're well educated on the subject; well thought out unlike those who responded to this LJ writers block. Half of them were probably stoned already when they responded. ;)
I don't know all the issues, but i'm personally all for legalizing marijuana. I've tried both and really believe alcohol is a lot worse. I've never not remembered what I did the day before when I was high.
I think you mentioned something that it was addicting? I've always been under the impression that it is not an addictive drug. If you are going by the term "addiction" meaning that day to day functions cannot be completed without the particular substance, marijuana would not fall under that category.
My only concern would be how police would be able to classify whether someone is under the influence of marijuana when taken a drug test. Marijuana stays in your system for up to a month. If I got into a fender bender, and was forced to take a drug test and it was positive, it could be from weeks before. I'm not sure how they would be able to work that one out.
It's considered a psychologically addictive drug. It's the high that people like, and like all things that make us feel good, it makes us want more. It's a common misconception that it is not an addictive drug, when really it is
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As a baseline, 6% of any population, including places where possession can get you the death penalty become addicts or serious abusers. How does making the country into police state make that problem better? Alcoholics find help, maintain jobs and don't get arrested for possessing a beer.
How does ruining someone's life for possession of a cocktail help fix the problem of abuse? Prohibition creates a black market that keeps prices high enough to risk jail. You don't have hop farmers booby trapping secret fields in the national parks, or beer truck drivers having shoot outs on corners.
Some people are going to have a problem with it regardless. Making the country into a police state is not the answer.
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I think the Gov't at this point now need to focus their eyes on the national problem which are the lack of jobs and this insane idea to fix healthcare. I hate to get too political though.
Nice POV from you though; at least you're well educated on the subject; well thought out unlike those who responded to this LJ writers block. Half of them were probably stoned already when they responded. ;)
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I think you mentioned something that it was addicting? I've always been under the impression that it is not an addictive drug. If you are going by the term "addiction" meaning that day to day functions cannot be completed without the particular substance, marijuana would not fall under that category.
My only concern would be how police would be able to classify whether someone is under the influence of marijuana when taken a drug test. Marijuana stays in your system for up to a month. If I got into a fender bender, and was forced to take a drug test and it was positive, it could be from weeks before. I'm not sure how they would be able to work that one out.
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