Should marijuana be legalized?

Nathaniel607 wrote: JJLehto wrote: I mean the only real argument against it is some morality type thing, and in this case it's a very very weak one. There must be like 10 angles one can take for legalization. But nah, it's bad and wrong lol I would say yes, but there is one problem. I've heard some evidence that marijuana can cause psychosis in a small group of people. Meaning, they go insane, usually getting paranoid schizophrenia, and are pretty much guaranteed to spend the rest of their lives in a mental institution.

That is true but as you said, that's a small group of people. Seems a bit much for that to override everything else.

And as we know, it's all about to choice. Legal =/= you have to do it. If you never do, then it won't make you schizo. If you do then, you run that small risk.

Besides I really think it's illegality only deters a few people. Almost all I know smoke it because they want to, and those who don't because they don't want to. If it was made legal sure more people will try it (thus increasing the # of those that might get psychosis from it) but some will stop using it. After a while of legalization (and it's used to) I really don't think anymore will use it then currently.

But JJLehto, if you're not supposed to impose your morality on other people, who are you to say that people shouldn't be allowed to expose themselves to the risk of harder drugs?  It seems to me the argument for disallowing the "harder" drugs is the very same as the argument for prohibition of alcohol or marijuana--which is why it confuses me when someone is for the legalization of marijuana but decides to just stop there.

Hanyou wrote: But JJLehto, if you're not supposed to impose your morality on other people, who are you to say that people shouldn't be allowed to expose themselves to the risk of harder drugs?  It seems to me the argument for disallowing the "harder" drugs is the very same as the argument for prohibition of alcohol or marijuana--which is why it confuses me when someone is for the legalization of marijuana but decides to just stop there. I'm for the legalization of marijuana and harder drugs.  Untaxed, unregulated legalization.

Then punish the stealing.

Equality 7-2521 wrote: Hanyou wrote: But JJLehto, if you're not supposed to impose your morality on other people, who are you to say that people shouldn't be allowed to expose themselves to the risk of harder drugs?  It seems to me the argument for disallowing the "harder" drugs is the very same as the argument for prohibition of alcohol or marijuana--which is why it confuses me when someone is for the legalization of marijuana but decides to just stop there. I'm for the legalization of marijuana and harder drugs.  Untaxed, unregulated legalization. Yeah I got to say this to you too JJ.

And this time, (THIS TIME) you made me rethink my beliefs, k?

CCVP wrote: Ivan_Melgar_M wrote: Hanyou wrote: But JJLehto, if you're not supposed to impose your morality on other people, who are you to say that people shouldn't be allowed to expose themselves to the risk of harder drugs? . Because when people become addicted, they turn into a problem for society. People may say pot is harmless, but that's BS, I seen a lot of people who started with pot and ended living bellow a bridge (stealing of course) when marihuana wasn't enough Iván Alcohol is a much larger problem and I don't see it being criminalized any time soon. In fact, if you made pot and cocaine legal, you would destroy the main source of income of the drug cartels.

Another valid point! From Caio of all people
Do you want alcohol to be illegal Ivan? Because we know for a fact it can be highly addictive, damaging, and can tear families apart and leave people as thieving bums on a street. It's legal and heavily advertised....

The gateway theory Ivan. OK, I'll give it to you. That CAN happen. But I'll counter your personal experience with my own. Major pot heads that function normally in society. Even major pot heads that went on to try shrooms, acid, ecstasy, even DMT. Would never touch cocaine or heroin in their lives.

Besides, potheads are filling jails in the US. Maybe if we got rid of all those people, some of that space can be used for those people you mentioned Ivan. As well as those committing more serious crimes.


Edited by JJLehto - January 16 2011 at 21:06

Ivan_Melgar_M wrote: Hanyou wrote: But JJLehto, if you're not supposed to impose your morality on other people, who are you to say that people shouldn't be allowed to expose themselves to the risk of harder drugs? . Because when people become addicted, they turn into a problem for society. People may say pot is harmless, but that's BS, I seen a lot of people who started with pot and ended living bellow a bridge (stealing of course) when marihuana wasn't enough Iván

Hanyou wrote: Then punish the stealing.

So you argument is that when people smoke pot they become  a problem for society.

Don't get too cocky now Pat...

Ivan, maybe you missed it so I'll repeat it.
Do you really think most people smoke weed or don't on it being illegal/legal?

If it is legalized, most who don't will continue to do so. Some will try it. Some of those will continue, some will stop.
Thinking otherwise is a bit silly or naive maybe. Once it's legalization has been around for a while it won't even be a "big deal" anymore. Those who want to will, those who don't wont.

If you disagree then fine.