Are you against legalization of marijuana ...If so why?

[HEyHEY]

Just curious to which DUers are against it's legalization. I personally don't smoke the stuff, but have no problem if others do. I know some people take the stance that it's a mind altering substance and therefore should be illegal ALONG with booze. My only real opposition to it's legalization is that if cigarrettes are so bad, why legalize something else to smoke..anyway..your thoughts?

[Girlfriday]

1. I say legalize

eh? :)

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

2. I am against legalization of marijuana

Leave its cultivation in the hands of entreprenuers rather than corporations who will ruin it.

They may claim marijuana money finances terrorism but compared to what? The tobacco companies?

I do feel it should be not be a felony, however.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

44. If it's legal you don't need corporations. You can just grow it.

[youngred]

3. Legalize it, regulate it and tax it

take it away from the drug runners and give some money to the government. No real reason not to at least decriminalize except that the government is so stuck in the war on drugs it will likely never happen

Marijuana doesn't just have to be smoked, there are other alternatives to ingestion, and perhaps with legalization they would become more common.

[HEyHEY]

4. Like THC pills?

[youngred]

8. yeah

pills, brownies, drinks etc.

[bfusco]

26. Legalize it

Just soak it some fat (oil and butter) and injest it. Legalize it, tax it, regulate it, take it out of the hands of the criminal element and free up prison space that is occupied because of BS mandatory sentencing.

[youngred]

29. forgot that last reason, thanks for the reminder

general amnesty on non-violent drug offenders. The largest per capita criminal population in industrialized the world.

[Skip Intro]

5. Legalize - its a freedom issue.

Its my body, my mind, my money and my time. As long as I'm not infringing on someone else's rights, its none of the government's business. Period.

And that goes for gambling and all consensual sex, even prostitution.

Among adults, of course.

I've never understood why it is criminal to feel euphoric. Yet the caffeine flows like a mighty, production-enhancing river...

[ShaneGR]

6. Decriminalize

Make it like a parking ticket with no criminal liability. Focus on the large-scale distrutors.

For example, if you have a hornets nest in your yard, do you kill one bee at a time or go after the source?

[shanti]

41. it's already

been decriminalized in california...

[Bread and Circus]

7. People can smoke all they want...

it should be regulated like tobacco and alcohol.
I think the same thing for other drugs.

As a doctor, I don't think it should be legalized
or sanctioned as a medical treatment unless it passes
FDA standards. Seeing as it contributes to cancer,
cardiovascular disease, peripheral vascular disease
and a bunch of other stuff, I doubt it would pass muster.

People can smoke all they want, I just don't want to
prescribe it.

Oh my god you say...."WTF, what about how it helps with pain?"

Well, if I am going to prescribe Marijuana for pain, then
I'd have to prescribe tobacco for stress and anxiety. I'd
also have to prescribe alcohol for the same.

If treatments have bad/serious side effects, they shouldn't
be prescribed unless the benefits clearly outweigh the
risks.

Furthermore, the active ingredient in Marijuana is already
legal, its called Marinol. It's just super expensive.

That's my two cents, and I don't smoke or do recreational
drugs except for chocolate, caffeine, and beer.

:beer:

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

9. It only contrinutes to cardiovascular disease and pulmonary disease

when smoked in a quantity comparable to cigarettes. I know of NOBODY that can smoke that much and be functional but DO know many women who underwent chemo and got passed their nausea by smoking a bit of pot.

[Bread and Circus]

24. Like I said they can smoke all they want.....

or take Marinol. I don't care. They don't need
me to prescribe it.

[arcos]

52. I've heard Marinol doesn't work very well...

it is still more effective to smoke it. That's what I've heard and I have no first hand experience with Marinol, so I could be wrong, though.

[Pepperbelly]

12. if it was treated like alcohol and tobacco ...

they wouldn't need a script anyway.

[HEyHEY]

13. Lat me hit you with this

I don't know all of the consequences realated to alcohol. But I know about liver spots and brain damage. But booze is sold on the complete lie that people have a drink to relax...never will you see a mention of getting drunk, so you drink whiskey for the taste - not to get slammed. So lets say someone likes the taste of pot...and getting high is just the side effect. Does that make it easier to accept legalization?

[Bread and Circus]

25. I said you can legalize it....

I just don't think it should be treated like a pharmaceutical
unless it passes randomized controlled trials.

Frankly, it would be worse if it was a damn pharmaceutical.
Then it's price would be so high, grandma would have
to decide whether to get high or pay the heating bill.

:smoke:

[Mairead]

28. Try pulling the other one, why don't you...it's got bells on.

I'd be astonished if you were an MD or DO.

[Terwilliger]

32. marinol does NOT help people who can't eat anything

they have to wait for hours for the effect, then hope their stomach will tolerate the pill enough to eat something

there is no evidence linking cannabis smoking to cancer or cardiovascular disaease

[LeahMira]

34. One glass of red wine is good for you!

Seeing as it contributes to cancer, cardiovascular disease, peripheral vascular disease and a bunch of other stuff...

Seems like just about anything these days is bad for you! :crazy:

I'd legalize it because there are entirely too many people in prison for possession and/or selling.

Also, there are Indians on the Pine Ridge who would like to grow hemp as a way of bringing money and jobs to the reservation but the Feds keep coming in and destroying their crop.

I think that there will always be some people who abuse pot just as there are people who abuse alcohol and tobacco, but I don't believe we should make laws with abusers in mind. We should make laws with reasonable, responsible citizens in mind.

[shanti]

42. just one doctor's opinion, eh?

there are plenty of physicians who imbibe.

[InkAddict]

50. During the 70s, my family doctor, an old school

Chief of Staff at a local Catholic hospital would not prescribe BC pills (to anyone, but especially me 'cause I smoked) but told my MIL to "have a beer or two" for menopausal symptoms. She took it as a script and passed many a late afternoon with a Miller/Pabst "nap". At the time, I didn't like his answer to my not quite newlywed dilemna, but as time proved him absolutely correct re clotting problems, I'm glad I followed his advice, and I'd venture she was too!

I think it ought to be legalized and sold as packages of, say, 5 joints, in a state "vice" store along with the booze and tobacco. IDs checked in every case, and a hefty stamp tax affixed and payable along with competitive pricing by the State store license holders (whose license fees would increase dramatically if they want to carry it). No bulk purchasing or containerized by weight tins either.

Verified medical use at home should not be penalized, but no script should be needed and no "assistance to purchase" provided through insurance except through a medical only co-op who would purchase only stamped product through State "Minimum" but could apply for "grants" and/or set up "charitable contribution" funding to defray the cost to themselves and patients.

Felony crimes done as well as driving "under the influence" should be subject to stiffer penalities similar to crimes done "armed."

[gully]

56. Interesting thanks...

you share Deans postion. Doc.

[Pepperbelly]

10. LEGALIZE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! nt

[HFishbine]

11. Legalize

The decline of the tobacco industry is an added drain to the NC economy which is taking a triple hit from declines in domestic textiles, furniture and tobacco. But if there's one thing NC farmers know how to do, and well, it's grow weeds. Legalized marijuana would be a boon to NC tobacco farmers.

[AndyTiedye]

18. Legalize It, and Help the Economy Recover

The cops have much more important things to do.

[Momof1]

14. Here is a local op-ed piece about the justice system

and how it works in PA, it's who you know.

http://www.centredaily.com/mld/centredaily/news/opinion/6896251.htm

snip:Owen awoke to find agents going door to door telling residents to leave their homes. He questioned the order. That night, agents returned to raid his home and confiscated 25 marijuana plants.

Owen suffers from Crohn's disease, an illness so obscure that a Daily Collegian article that ran last year referenced it several times without ever spelling it correctly.

Snip:
Compare this outcome to a nearly identical case three years ago. In 2000, Christopher Johnstone, a Penn State professor and former Patton Township supervisor, was arrested for possessing 28 plants 4 to 6 feet tall and about two pounds of dried marijuana hidden throughout the house in coffee cans, peanut butter jars, in the den, in the freezer and baked into brownies.

At the time, Centre County District Attorney Ray Gricar seemed more concerned about Johnstone's job at Penn State than prosecuting him on drug charges.

To expain this without any more snips, the Professor got probation and $1,000 fine. Owen got sentenced to 2yrs, minus one day in prison. Owen was born in Canada.

[HEyHEY]

16. They're opressing my people!

FREEEEDDDOOOM! Seriously though, they let the other off light because of his job...real nice.

[Momof1]

21. what really pisses me off is

The Judge sentenced the guy to 2 yrs minus one day, so he could stay in County prison. The DA that was sooo concerned about the professors job 3 yrs earlier is now appealing the decision, so the guy with Crohn's desease can be sent to state prison.

Snip:
Owen, who is a Canadian citizen, has become a pawn in a larger political chess game. Canada has progressed further than the United States in reversing its antiquated drug laws. The Canadian courts have pushed the country toward decriminalization; not only legalizing marijuana for medicinal use, but mandating that the government provide it to patients. The Bush administration has vehemently opposed it and has threatened numerous retaliations. One such retaliation appears to be making an example out of one their own.

[fujiyama]

15. Better it be grown at home...

than abroad, since it is pretty safe to say that terrorist groups do use drugs as a source of funding. The demand isn't ceasing, so definetely decriminalize it.

Medical marijuana seems especially ridiculous to criminalize.

If it was legalized it could be regulated and taxed.

[Paranoid_Portlander]

17. This would make a good DU poll question.

We know the majority would approve, but by what % ? My own attitude is that we have stopped dunking witches to see if they float, therefore we should legalize pot. Furthermore, everyone who has been fined or imprisoned since the year 1937 needs to receive financial compensation from whomever caused the injustice. I hope it runs into billions. I never touch the stuff, only because I have been successfully intimidated.

[shanti]

43. this has been polled on DU

numerous times...

[Spazito]

19. I think Canada is doing it right....

decriminalize it and legalize medical marijuana. I suspect these are the first steps at legalizing it.

[Kat 333]

33. Not sure about other states but ...

In Oregon "medical marijuana" is legal. If your doctor writes a prescription the state gives it to the patient. Here, however, I don't think it is the first step to legalizing it. For various reasons I would be very surprised if they were to do that.

[jumptheshadow]

20. Legalize it

There are much better ways to spend our money then on law enforcement and imprisonment of marijuana buyers and sellers.

[George_Bonanza]

22. Legalize but do not market

Do not let another substance fall into the hands of reckless corporations. Arresting marijuana offenders are like shooting pebbles at the tank fleet that is the drug cartel. It's useless, it drains energy and funds from police forces which are stretched out as it is, and it just crowds jails with people that shouldn't be there.

If marijuana can help farmers then that's a bonus. It should be a local product, sort of like fruit I guess. Cornerstore grocery stores buy produce from local farmers, without a big corporation in the way. It should be like that with marijuana. Local farmers, without corporate middlemen, give it to stores and shops, who sell it behind the counter like cigarettes or porn
And remember, legalization does not mean

[Rowdyboy]

23. Decriminalize....

Regulate, sell and tax...

[Karenina]

27. The government should no more be involved

in marijuana than it is in DANDELIONS. It's a WEED fer crissake. What do folks do with dandelions? Complain about their lawns, make tea out of it, eat it in salad, watch the kids blowing them like bubbles? The ONLY reason it is illegal is that it is an EXTREMELY HUMAN-FRIENDLY plant with MANY benign uses... uses that have threatened the money/power structure for a century. Get the government's nose OUT from between women's legs and OUT of what indigenous plants inhabit the backyard.

It's so RIDICULOUS.

[ninkasi]

30. Legalize

Aside from the benefits of not spending millions to incarcerate those locked up for pot offenses, it would bring in new sources of revenue for both the growers and he government.

In addition, there are advantages as far as easing pain and nausea. Making it illegal destroys too many lives as it is; we can't afford to keep pouring money into a war when we don't need to.

[MrPrax]

31. I used to think Decriminalize...

But now I am all in favour of legalization.

They decrim'ed it in Australia and the police are having a field day collecting stupid fines.

Oh I think the medical marijuana thing is hogwash actually--it may alleviate symptoms in some people, but so will ASA.

If it were simply legal, then individuals that want to use it for 'medical' reasons can use it as freely as any number of 'natural' remedies

The stuff is harmless, but of course should suffer the same prohibitions as cigarettes.

[Pastiche423]

35. What is ASA?

What may seem hogwash to you, is a natural, non liver damaging painkiller/anti-spasmodic to me.

Due to violent spasms, I have broken toes while in bed. A half of a joint before bed can calm my body spasms. It also decreases the pain in my biceps and shoulders due to using them for mobility. Unforunately, I am too frightened of the ignorant laws to keep any around.

There are many medicinal reasons for pot.

Decriminalize it! And keep the f'ing government out of it!

[Rowdyboy]

36. But you live in one of the more liberal states...

don't you? I can't imagine you catching serious flak for having small amounts under the circumstances. That sucks seriously.

Medical marijuana is a no-brainer but we need to go beyond that. Its simply ridiculous for anyone to even be fined for possession of less than 4 ounces (I think that's standard the Alaska Supreme Court set).

[Pastiche423]

38. While Oregon

is one of the more liberal states, finding a doctor that will prescribe marjiuana is close to impossible. (I live in a rural area.) When I asked a doctor about a script, he told me, "No Way! It's the same as cocaine." When I stopped laughing, I realized he was serious. :-(

A neighbor of mine was arrested and charged for posession of less than an once. He has spent upwards of $1,000 and it's not over w/yet. (There went my anti-spasmodic.)

*Thinking fondly of the good old days when a lid went for $15 and you could smoke and listen to great tunes w/thousands of other people in public*

[Kat 333]

49. That's Not good ...

I also live in a rural area but it's the Illinois Valley (Southern part of the state) and here it's not unusual to see people standing outside the post office, right across from the police station, passing a joint around. Doctors in this area (several anyway) do not have a problem with it provided the reason is legit.
Wonder if there is any way to get a list of doctors that do
prescribe ?

[Kitsune]

37. Legalize!

[quaker bill]

39. Legalize

Prohibition only fills the coffers of the prison industrial complex.

They donate heavily to repugs. They lobby for mandatory minimums.

The illicit drug trade has supported as many right wing paramilitaries and left wing. Remember Air America?

Spend the drug war money addressing the public health crisis that is addiction, properly understood.

[shanti]

40. legalize it

don't criticize it :smoke: (see my avatar)

[FDRrocks]

45. Hell ya!

Legalize the stuff.

Warning..
The surgeon general warns:
Cigarette smoking is dangerous,
dangerous, hazard to your health
Does that mean anything to you?
Then legalize marijuana
Right here in Jamaica
Dem say it cure glaucoma
I am a de bush doctor
So there'll be
No more smoking and feeling tense
When I see dem a come
I don't have fi jump no fence
Legalize marijuana
Down here in Jamaica
Only cure for asthma
I man a de minister
So there'll be no more police brutality
No more disrespect for humanity
Legalize marijuana
Down here in Jamaica
It can build up a failing economy
Eliminate the slavish mentality
So there'll be no more illegal humiliation
No more police interrogation
Legalize marijuana
Down here in sweet Jamaica
Only cure for glaucoma
I man a de bush doctor yeah!
And there'll be no more need
To smoke and hide
When you know you're taking
A legal ride
Legalize marijuana
Down here in Jamaica
it's the only cure for glaucoma
I man a de minister...

-Peter Tosh

[shanti]

51. hi friend!

:hi: :thumbsup:

[Terwilliger]

58. right on

:hi:

[Lefty48197]

46. Legalize it

Jean Chretien says if Canada legalizes it, he may just smoke some after he leaves office.

[union_maid]

47. It's ridiculous that it's illegal

In a society where our whole social life is organized around alcohol, to have pot be illegal is comical. I haven't smoked it in years and I don't drink either, but I've seen so many people destroyed by alcohol, and none by pot. It can be overdone, to be sure, but it seems to me to be by far the lesser of those two evils.

[Sephirstein]

48. Legalize it...

Chrétien may be a corrupt bastard, but he's right about this, same-sex marriage, and non-involvement with the PNCA...

Hmmm...Sounds more like a left-wing version of Chirac.

[Nikia]

53. Legalize it

I went to the Midewest Marijuana Harvest Fest in Madison, WI on Saturday. I heard many moving speeches. No onw who smokes pot deserves to go to jail. No one who helps others get pot should go to jail either. The police should be concerned with arresting and imprisioning real criminals who pose a threat to others. Pot is helpful to many people, especially medically. It is horrible that they arrest anyone for marijuana crimes, but to arrest someone for consuming and possibly growing something that they have found to be more effective and safer than many perscription drugs they had been taking, is inhuman.

[Loyal]

54. I say decriminalize,

but as for ideas about taxing it, I don't think it would work. People could just grow it in their backyard. Would it be illegal to do that if marijuana was legalized?

[frank frankly]

55. legalize it

yep

[Solly Mack]

57. ...Pot falls up under the pursuit of happiness

well, it should anyway....