Why is Marijuana Illegal?
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its really about the fact that it was pointless for it to be criminalised in the first place.
I find that as a chronic insomniac, a little smoke in the evening puts me to bed far more efficiently and with less side effects than any prescribed or OTC sleeping pills ive tried. I dont see why this should make me a criminal. I really REALLY dont see how it affects anyone else. Its not a drug linked particularly with any crimes or criminal activity, apart from the fact its illegal in itself.
Its a bit like if watching telly was made illegal and then someone came along and said, well i dont like telly anyway, so im quite happy for it to be illegal.
Fair enough that its no skin off your nose one way or the other, but it still doesnt mean it makes sense that its illegal0 -
You're right, you can. But it's illegal so you probably shouldn't. I simply don't see the point in legalizing recreational marijuana. But if it ever becomes legal, I will support your right to smoke it. I just don't care enough about the rights of recreational pot smokers to be actively for the legalization. I'm not actively against it, either. I guess that I'm more neutral and should probably just stay out of this debate, LOL
I too support your right not to smoke if not interested, but I guess this mentality of "it doesn't directly effect me so I don't care enough about those rights" is something kind of foreign to me.
I am a heterosexual woman, so presumably, gay marriage will never have a direct impact on my life or future marriage. I don't see a reason why it shouldn't be legal, and I know that it's an important issue for the people who it does directly impact. That's why I choose to support and participate in the push to make it legal - because I can't see a reason for it to be illegal. I'm not as active as I would be if it was something that effected my daily life or my goals, but when push comes to shove, I support the cause with my votes, sometimes volunteering, etc. I respect your neutrality, but I guess it's a little upsetting to me to be neutral about something when you can't find a reason for it to be illegal, there is so much public push to legalize, but because it's just not really something you're interested in. Just kind of a foreign concept to me is all.0 -
First they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the Communists and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me.0 -
First they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the Communists and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me.
I love this a thousand million times.0 -
It's illegal because Pharmaceutical lobbyists can't corner the market. Because anyone can grow it, no one stands to make any money on it.0
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well thats fine. I support your right not to smoke it if youre not interested.
Why cant i smoke it if i like it and its not bothering anyone else though?
You're right, you can. But it's illegal so you probably shouldn't. I simply don't see the point in legalizing recreational marijuana. But if it ever becomes legal, I will support your right to smoke it. I just don't care enough about the rights of recreational pot smokers to be actively for the legalization. I'm not actively against it, either. I guess that I'm more neutral and should probably just stay out of this debate, LOL
Very funny you are taking this position on this debate. Not too long ago, this pic you have on here was considered illegal and probably gotten someone put away, or at the very least gotten the snot beat out of them in Memphis where you reside. It took the actions of the people saying that enough is enough and that people have a right to do what they want to and not be dictated by someone else. That is all the proponents of legalizing marijuana also want. How can you not see that?0 -
It's illegal because Pharmaceutical lobbyists can't corner the market. Because anyone can grow it, no one stands to make any money on it.
That is a common argument, and there is some truth to it. But that's not really entirely true.
Growing weed is about as tricky as growing tomatoes. Not hard at all and anyone can do it with just a little bit of dirt, sun and water. It is a weed after all. So the fear is everyone will just grow their own.
One question. Do you buy tomatoes or do you grow them?
Most people live in cities with limited green space. Many people live north where it's too cold many months out of the year. Also it's just a real hassle! Who would want to plant weed, wait a few months to harvest it and dry it out when you could just pick some up legally and affordably?
Legal marijuana would be a huge industry that will provide many revenue streams which are now left only to criminals. Growing, preparing, transportation and distribution... small businesses would literally spring up overnight in towns across the country. Not more bars. Not more crime areas. Little cafes selling weed and pastries. People taking the product home for their own enjoyment. Renting a movie and ordering a pizza.
All taxed. All legal. Huge savings on the money we currently spend keeping it illegal. Huge profits on new taxes that no one is arguing against.
I swear I could pull us out of this economic crisis with a little bit of legal weed.0 -
well thats fine. I support your right not to smoke it if youre not interested.
Why cant i smoke it if i like it and its not bothering anyone else though?
You're right, you can. But it's illegal so you probably shouldn't. I simply don't see the point in legalizing recreational marijuana. But if it ever becomes legal, I will support your right to smoke it. I just don't care enough about the rights of recreational pot smokers to be actively for the legalization. I'm not actively against it, either. I guess that I'm more neutral and should probably just stay out of this debate, LOL
Very funny you are taking this position on this debate. Not too long ago, this pic you have on here was considered illegal and probably gotten someone put away, or at the very least gotten the snot beat out of them in Memphis where you reside. It took the actions of the people saying that enough is enough and that people have a right to do what they want to and not be dictated by someone else. That is all the proponents of legalizing marijuana also want. How can you not see that?
It's not very funny at all that I am taking this position.
I am sick of people acting as if smoking pot recreationally is some huge civil rights issue. It offends me that you have put interracial dating/marriage into the same category as lighting up a dubie (sp?). NOT the same thing.
But as I said, I'm not AGAINST it. I just don't care enough to rally FOR it.0 -
it is the same. Its something YOu want to do, that affects noone but yourself. Its about freedom. Whats the point in having laws against things that harm noone just for the sake of it?0
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I am sick of people acting as if smoking pot recreationally is some huge civil rights issue. It offends me that you have put interracial dating/marriage into the same category as lighting up a dubie (sp?). NOT the same thing.
But as I said, I'm not AGAINST it. I just don't care enough to rally FOR it.
It's not the same, but it's similar. It's a civil rights issue because people are being denied freedoms. It's not for you or anyone else to say what I am allowed to do with my own body, provided I don't harm others.
People are just pointing out that there was a time when the same arguments you're using were used in an argument you clearly care very much about. So "why should you care"? Because there was a time when other people, who could have chosen not to care about interracial marriage because it didn't affect them directly, still stood up for what they knew to be right.0 -
it is the same. Its something YOu want to do, that affects noone but yourself. Its about freedom. Whats the point in having laws against things that harm noone just for the sake of it?
I guess that we'll have to agree to disagree on this one. I'm not going to change your mind, and you're not going to change mine.
But please leave my boyfriend out of it.0 -
It's illegal because Pharmaceutical lobbyists can't corner the market. Because anyone can grow it, no one stands to make any money on it.
That is a common argument, and there is some truth to it. But that's not really entirely true.
Growing weed is about as tricky as growing tomatoes. Not hard at all and anyone can do it with just a little bit of dirt, sun and water. It is a weed after all. So the fear is everyone will just grow their own.
One question. Do you buy tomatoes or do you grow them?
Most people live in cities with limited green space. Many people live north where it's too cold many months out of the year. Also it's just a real hassle! Who would want to plant weed, wait a few months to harvest it and dry it out when you could just pick some up legally and affordably?
Legal marijuana would be a huge industry that will provide many revenue streams which are now left only to criminals. Growing, preparing, transportation and distribution... small businesses would literally spring up overnight in towns across the country. Not more bars. Not more crime areas. Little cafes selling weed and pastries. People taking the product home for their own enjoyment. Renting a movie and ordering a pizza.
All taxed. All legal. Huge savings on the money we currently spend keeping it illegal. Huge profits on new taxes that no one is arguing against.
I swear I could pull us out of this economic crisis with a little bit of legal weed.
Spot on! This is exactly what happened when it became legal in MI.0 -
I could care less if they make it legal. Stopped smoking herb about 25 years ago.
Granted, I don't see it as being any worse than alcohol, but who needs more stoners driving to the cookie aisle at the grocery store.0 -
noone needs them, and as long as they walked there or got a lift rather than drove there, its still noones business.
The point of having laws and rules and regulations is to keep people safe and to lead normal lives.
Things being illegal for the sake of it, is in noones interests0 -
I could care less if they make it legal. Stopped smoking herb about 25 years ago.
Granted, I don't see it as being any worse than alcohol, but who needs more stoners driving to the cookie aisle at the grocery store.
What things would the government need to make illegal "just because" for you (directed at all 'neutral' people, really) to start caring? Cigarettes? Pop-Tarts? I choose not to drink regular, non-diet soda, but I would be spitting mad if the government decided to make that illegal, "just because". Me taking the Switzerland approach to sugary soda and saying "welp, who needs more fatties blocking the aisles with their electric carts?" sounds pretty silly, because it's a sweeping generalization of people who choose to partake in that particular substance. Sure, there's people who drink Coke for breakfast, but there's also people who would appreciate having a glass of Coke once in awhile when they go to dinner.
Same goes for alcohol, same goes for marijuana. Not all people who drink alcohol are alcoholics, just like not all people who smoke marijuana are "stoners".
To me, the fight to legalize marijuana isn't JUST about the right to toke up - it's about the right to make an adult choice about what goes into my body. Even if people don't smoke, the right to choose to is what people should be fighting for.0 -
because they wouldn't be able to tax it or control it
Why? They tax and control tobacco and alcohol.
because marijuana can be grown and sold without government approval. they would overprice 'legal' mary jane which would in turn just make consumers find it cheaper illegally.
My boyfriend brews his own beer? He can sell it without government regulating it if he wanted. I'm sure their are plenty of people who do the same and make their own cigarettes too. Especially in the south.0 -
i think with all the funds they would save on the 'drug war' against marijuana and criminalization could be used to fund treatment centers for addicts of more serious drugs that have proven to kill and be dangerously addictive. the only think mary jane ever did to me was raid my fridge :laugh:
Estimated revenue from the black market annually: $18 Billion. The US SPENDS about $13 billion a year on prohibition costs a year.
People ***** and moan about how much money our military is costing us to police the world but don't care how much our government spend on other little things...0 -
It's against the law. Get over it.
That's my opinion, and I'm sticking with it!
edited to add: There are plenty of things that ARE against the law that I wish weren't, but this isn't one of them.
you know, at one time, voting was against the law for African-Americans and women. We didn't just get over that. And no reason why we should have, thank God there are some people out there who really do stand up for what they believe in. If we all just got over it, we may as well live in a place where we have no control over our lives at all.
I hardly think that marijuana is a human rights issue. There really is no comparison between these two things in my opinion.
I didn't mean that it was a human rights issue, but just because it IS illegal doesn't mean it SHOULD be illegal.0 -
I could care less if they make it legal. Stopped smoking herb about 25 years ago.
Granted, I don't see it as being any worse than alcohol, but who needs more stoners driving to the cookie aisle at the grocery store.
What things would the government need to make illegal "just because" for you (directed at all 'neutral' people, really) to start caring? Cigarettes? Pop-Tarts? I choose not to drink regular, non-diet soda, but I would be spitting mad if the government decided to make that illegal, "just because". Me taking the Switzerland approach to sugary soda and saying "welp, who needs more fatties blocking the aisles with their electric carts?" sounds pretty silly, because it's a sweeping generalization of people who choose to partake in that particular substance. Sure, there's people who drink Coke for breakfast, but there's also people who would appreciate having a glass of Coke once in awhile when they go to dinner.
Same goes for alcohol, same goes for marijuana. Not all people who drink alcohol are alcoholics, just like not all people who smoke marijuana are "stoners".
To me, the fight to legalize marijuana isn't JUST about the right to toke up - it's about the right to make an adult choice about what goes into my body. Even if people don't smoke, the right to choose to is what people should be fighting for.
This debate is divided by those that smoke dope and those that don't. I'm sure that pedophiles would like to make kiddie porn legal and meth addicts would like to see meth legalised. Doesn't make it a good argument.
Like I said before, I don't care if marijuana is legalised or not as long as the same laws that are imposed on drinkers are imposed on "stoners". Relax. Toke up. Have a double stuffed oreo.0 -
This debate is divided by those that smoke dope and those that don't. I'm sure that pedophiles would like to make kiddie porn legal and meth addicts would like to see meth legalised. Doesn't make it a good argument.
Sadly this is how most people think. "What would help ME directly". It's too bad, but this is the reality of it.
Thankfully, some people can see the bigger picture. We didn't have to rely strictly on black people to fight for basic human rights; strictly on women to fight for the right to vote; strictly on sick people fight for health care; strictly on alcoholics to end prohibition... catch my drift?0
