Quick Legalization Poll

[Ford]

Just wanted to get a quick view of where people stand on the issue and then maybe get into it a bit more based on how people vote ..

Some negatives of legalization people use are:
-Government sending a message that they condone drug use
-Government makes a lot of cash off seized drug money and impound cars they find pot in which they also make a lot of money off of.
-Some believe pot is harmful and addictive.
-Some argue that there would be a lot of stoned drivers behind the wheel.

Personally I'm in favor of legalization. First off, with a setup like the coffeeshops in amsterdam, the state governments would make a lot of money off of taxing the product. It would help the economy tremendously. Plus they wouldnt need to be paying to keep as many people in jail ... people who don't need to be in jail. And it would take away crimes revolving around the distribution of the stuff .. because it would be legally accesible. I don't think the entire population should smoke pot, but the arguments about it's harmful effects are kind of rediculous. It can be used properly or it can be abused .. just like alcohol.

The argument that there would be more stoned drivers on the road isn't much of one either. Saying that legalizing pot would skyrocket use is just flat out wrong. Contrary to what a lot of people think, a significantly lower percentage of the Dutch population, where marijuana laws are extremely lax, smokes than in the United States. I think it's about 650,000 people who get arrested every year for posession .. and it's just excessive to me.

Ok ... let's see what ya'll have to say ;)

[rskinsfan10]

Interesting question. I'll have to give this one alot of thought.

[jsarno]

there is no doubt in my mind. 100% legalize it...and this is why. It's a multi billion dollar industry. If the government regulated it, or at worst taxed it, the country would make a killing. It is a non violent drug, and promotes non violence.
I would say NO if and only if cigarettes were illegal. But since weed is muhc more healthy than cigaretts, why not legalize it? It's either legalize both, or ban both.

[skinsfan44]

"Just do it".

Legalize it.

[Skins57]

Originally posted by skinsfan44
"Just do it".

Legalize it.

I would say NO if and only if cigarettes were illegal. But since weed is muhc more healthy than cigaretts, why not legalize it? It's either legalize both, or ban both.

Ban both :D

I like the idea if the goverment controls the taxes on it. It would give some tax reliefs to those of us who would not use the stuff

[rskinsfan10]

Do you require the "street vendors" to apply for business licenses to continue to sell?

[Ford]

Kenny --

There are no street vendors. It's sold legally in government regulatd spots... in amsterdam it's coffeeshops. There would be no need for drug dealers who sold bud because it would be much cheaper and easier to obtain legally. So crimes revolving around weed would start to disappear though there would still be violence around hard drugs.

[rskinsfan10]

Originally posted by Ford
Kenny --

There are no street vendors. It's sold legally in government regulatd spots... in amsterdam it's coffeeshops. There would be no need for drug dealers who sold bud because it would be much cheaper and easier to obtain legally. So crimes revolving around weed would start to disappear though there would still be violence around hard drugs.

Ahh, gotcha.

I have to think that those that choose not to earn their loot legally would then find something else to line their coffers with. I'm not sure that the crime would decrease from legalization.

[NCskinsfanatic]

At the very least it should be like it is in the UK.It's ridiculus that its campained against as if it were cocaine or heroin.If alcohol and nicotene are legal then there is no reason marijuana shouldnt be.The goverments ability to regulate it would rake in the money.I dont see this country ever being that open to change in this area though.People would assume that we have enough problems with alcohol related issues and they continue to hammer the tobacco industry and smoking in general.

[AZ#1SkinsFan]

Drugs would be a lot easier to control if they were legal. A couple of points.

the gov is trying to blame drug users on terrorism. If drug use and distribution were legal and regulated the taxes could be used to fight terrorism

most violent crimes involving drugs are from people either killing/dying to get some or killing those who didn't pay

legalization of non-violent drug use could free up over 70% of the US's prison cells

hemp is the fastest growing and strongest natural fiber known to man

enough hemp could be grown in 350,000 acres to completly negate the necessity to cut down trees in the amozon rain forrest. (could produce the WORLDS supply of paper, string, etc.)

IMO . . . why not legalize drugs . . . makes sense from many different point of views including not wanting a society addicted to drugs . . . drug use is a disease, not a crime

[jporterweb]

Answer me this question.... What is the difference between Alchohol and Weed? Can someone answer that one for me? Thanks.

[jsarno]

Originally posted by rskinsfan10
Ahh, gotcha.

I have to think that those that choose not to earn their loot legally would then find something else to line their coffers with. I'm not sure that the crime would decrease from legalization.

Mary Jane doesn't bring in a lot of money for the dealers...the money is in the powder. People would still do that illegally. And those making tiny profits off weed, would turn to it a little easier as well.

[jsarno]

Originally posted by jporterweb
Answer me this question.... What is the difference between Alchohol and Weed? Can someone answer that one for me? Thanks.

Alcohol allows ugly people to get laid! :lol1:

"aaah, alcohol, the cause of, and solution to, all of lifes problems!"
~Homer Simpson


Weed is far better than alcohol because when you do "too much" you want to sleep or eat, or generally stay inside. While drinking too much, they then drive, or get violent or do stupid things.
After I got alcohol poisoning in college, I turned my attention 100% to weed. I was doing both, but that poisoning changed me quick. I haven't done the stuff in about 7 years, but I never did anything stupid when high other than verbal comments. Even if I drove, I noticed I was going WELL under the speed limit, but my senses were wide awake. I noticed every little thing. Not like alcohol that dulls those senses and makes you not care.

It just shocks me to see the government allow cigarettes, but not control the weed industry. What a huge money maker they are missing out on there.
Tax the crap out of it (and throw in some more cigarette taxes while they are at it) and fund this war!

[jporterweb]

Originally posted by jsarno
Alcohol allows ugly people to get laid! :lol1:

"aaah, alcohol, the cause of, and solution to, all of lifes problems!"
~Homer Simpson


Weed is far better than alcohol because when you do "too much" you want to sleep or eat, or generally stay inside. While drinking too much, they then drive, or get violent or do stupid things.
After I got alcohol poisoning in college, I turned my attention 100% to weed. I was doing both, but that poisoning changed me quick. I haven't done the stuff in about 7 years, but I never did anything stupid when high other than verbal comments. Even if I drove, I noticed I was going WELL under the speed limit, but my senses were wide awake. I noticed every little thing. Not like alcohol that dulls those senses and makes you not care.

It just shocks me to see the government allow cigarettes, but not control the weed industry. What a huge money maker they are missing out on there.
Tax the crap out of it (and throw in some more cigarette taxes while they are at it) and fund this war!

That was MY point EXACTLY!

[AZ#1SkinsFan]

Originally posted by jsarno
Mary Jane doesn't bring in a lot of money for the dealers...the money is in the powder. People would still do that illegally. And those making tiny profits off weed, would turn to it a little easier as well.

Thats why all drugs should be legalized . . . we're losing the "drug war" anyway . . . if they were legal they could be controlled . . . 500 - 800 BILLION DOLLARS per year are estimated taxex from pot alone . . . would that be 2 Trillion if other drugs were included? . . . plus the "war on drugs" money could be used elsewhere . . . plus our prisons would be freed up and we would spend a lot less tax dollars on prisoners . . . the list can go on an on . . .

drug use is not a crime it is a disease . . . treat the users, don't lock them up . . . legalization gives control over the drugs from the dealers to the government

[jsarno]

Originally posted by AZ#1SkinsFan
Thats why all drugs should be legalized . . . we're losing the "drug war" anyway . . . if they were legal they could be controlled . . . 500 - 800 BILLION DOLLARS per year are estimated taxex from pot alone . . . would that be 2 Trillion if other drugs were included? . . . plus the "war on drugs" money could be used elsewhere . . . plus our prisons would be freed up and we would spend a lot less tax dollars on prisoners . . . the list can go on an on . . .

I just can't support letting ALL drugs be legal. Crack / ectasy / Ice etc...it's all terrible stuff. I see what you're saying about the money, but don't you think others might be more easily tempted to try it if it was legal?

drug use is not a crime it is a disease

I completely disagree. It IS a crime...because they are not addicted the first time they snort the stuff. It's after repeatedly breaking the laws that they become addicted. Why treat someone for stuff they should not have been doing in the first place.
No one wakes up one morning after never touching the stuff and becomes addicted...therefore it is not a "disease", it's a learned behavior brought upon by poor choices.

[AZ#1SkinsFan]

People are going to do (Try) drugs no matter what. Why not at least make sure the drugs are safe (more safe anyway) by having the government regulate production and distribution? If you have a kid, chanced are that kid, whether you like it or not, will do some drug in his/her life. Would you rather he/she be getting dirty crack from the crack house down the street? AND, when your child is busted for smoking a duby at his 18th birthday party, does a night in jail and cannot go to the college he/she wanted to , don't you think it would have been better if instead of arresting him/her the police would have just told you so you could help your child seek treatment and get away from the habbit?

Drugs are here and are not going anywhere whether we like it or not. LEGALIZATION MEANS THE ABILITY TO CONTROL THE DRUGS AND DRUG TRAFFICING. It eliminates drug dealers. Let me repeat that . . . NO MORE DRUG DEALERS . . . no more "bad acid" . . . no more "dirty heroin" . . . etc.

THE STREETS WOULD BE MUCH SAFER FOR OUR CHILDREN!!!

[Ford]

I don't agree with legalizing all drugs. I am for legallizing pot because it is fairly harmless, and you cannot overdose. cocaine, crack, heroine, meth, etc ruin peoples lives, pot does not.

[AZ#1SkinsFan]

Originally posted by Ford
I don't agree with legalizing all drugs. I am for legallizing pot because it is fairly harmless, and you cannot overdose. cocaine, crack, heroine, meth, etc ruin peoples lives, pot does not.

I don't think you guys understand what I am saying. I DO NOT condone the use of drugs. If you want to use fine. If you don't fine. What I'm saying is in today's world drugs are illegal. While they are illegal you CANNOT control them, its impossible because you can't creat laws governing how or where people get their drugs from or whether or not the drugs are safe or have been altered or laced with something else (or just made wrong).

IF they were legal (very strict usage laws, but legal) the government could create laws allowing them to control the strength of the drugs, the quality of the drugs, the price of the drugs, who gets the drugs, where the drugs can be used, etc..

AGAIN, people are going to do them anyway. Control them, make sure they are safe (so people don't die from a hit of acid). 82% of Americans will try some illegal drug other than pot.

LEGALIZATION WOULD:

GET RID OF DRUG DEALERS
ENSURE DRUGS ARE SAFE (not laced, made incorectly, etc.)
CONTROL WHERE DRUGS COME FROM
CONTROL WHO MAKES DRUGS
CONTROL WHO GETS DRUGS
CONTROL THE PRICE OF DRUGS
CONTROL WHO GET THE PROCEEDS FROM DRUGS
SAVE THE US BILLIONS ON "DRUG WAR"
BANKRUPT TERRORISM (acording to gov. drugs pay for terrorism, this would stop)
FREE UP 70% OF US PRISONS
HELP EXPEDIATE THE CREATION OF DISEASE TREATMENTS


LEGALIZATION WOULD NOT:

INCREASE THE USE OF DRUGS (people already are using them, the thrill of "illegal use" would be gone)
ENCOURAGE DRUG USE (use some proceeds to educate about drug dangers)

Why fight a losing battle? At least control is better than what we have now.

[JoeDaSchmoe]

I'd support the legalization of marijuana, but no other drug. To me, alcohol is worse than pot, and cigarettes are just about dead even. That and the fact there we're bashing our heads against a brick wall when it comes to pot makes it pretty obvious what needs to be done. I can't think of nearly enough negatives to outweigh the positives. The government is way too stubborn to do it, though.

[jsarno]

Originally posted by JoeDaSchmoe
The government is way too stubborn to do it, though.


You said a mouth full there.
I don't think we are far away from legalizing weed, and only weed though. More and more politicians are getting into office that have done it themselves, and realize their affect. Most politicians that are dead set against it have never tried it.
(R) Gov. Gary Johnson of New Mexico was a huge advocate of legalization, and taxation etc. He is now out of the office for some dope (D) Bill Richardson that has already bankrupted the state and is now cutting medicaid to those who need it because of that. Hopefully he will realize the money pot can bring in and legalize it.
Also, there are states where it is already legal to have weed. Wyoming is one, I know it is legal to have a dime bag or so in Vegas. I thought I heard of one other, but can't remember. Anywho...point is, total legalization is coming.

There is no way on God's green earth that ALL drugs will be legalized however.
AZ#1fan, I see your point, and you make a convincing argument. However, in a sue happy world that sue's companies for having too much cholesterol in their burgers, or their coffee is too hot, or (fill in the blank), there is no way the Government would open that door. Also, one of your reasons "control who gets it" can't happen. Once you control "WHO" gets it, then there will still be illegal transactions with the stuff. Someone will make it cheaper because he grows it in his back yard or something, and there is no tax on it, so the "dealers" will then still exist. There is no total control in this scenario. Just think about hw young you were when you tried your first cigarette, or drank your first alcoholic beverage. I guarentee BOTH were before the LEGAL limit. Those are BOTH legal, yet something ILLEGAL happened with it.
It's human nature, we always find a way to corrupt things. Give us an inch, and we want a mile.

[AGibbsGirl]

Here’s my view:

First let me state that I have NEVER tried drugs of any kind (except alcohol), never smoked a cig, never did a bong hit.

My first husband was/is an alcoholic. He did, and sold drugs.

My brother was/is a heavy drug abuser. Right now his drug of choice is alcohol. He has done everything there is to do and has almost killed himself many times. A few years ago my husband and I paid to detox him off Heroin, the only thing that saved his life through the Meth treatments was pot. (I would agree to the legalization for medical purposes only, but not for everyday use.)

My sister used cocaine heavily and only recently (while she was pregnant, stopped smoking pot).

My Mother has used pot her whole life, probably cocaine as well, although I’ve only been told this.

All three of my father figures where either alcoholics or drug users. When I was a teenager my step dad was rushed to the hospital, I was told he had a heart attack, I found out as an adult, he overdosed on coke.

My life sucked as a child, we were very poor and very neglected. Was this bad parenting or the drug use? I have my own opinions…

Why I never did drugs, when it was everywhere when I was growing up, you might be wondering? Because I knew that a person could become addicted, I don’t believe it is a disease, but I do believe some people are weaker mentally then others and become addicted while others do not. I chose to never start, because I was sure I could never stop.

Your points here are all valid and intriguing, food for thought, especially the taxation issue…we could use the tax money for drug programs.

But…I think it would encourage more people to start and who knows who will become addicted?

[rskinsfan10]

Damn Lorri. I'm speechless.

[JoeDaSchmoe]

Jesus God, Lorri.... That's incredible.

[Ford]

GibbsGirl -- Your stories are very powerful, but I don't think they take away from the argument to legalize pot. Legalizing it does not mean increased use. It means safer use for those who use now .. but studies have shown that legalizing pot DOES NOT have any corrolation to an increasing usage rate.

I really enjoyed reading your post, and I find it impressive the way you stayed away from harder drugs when some people in your family could not .. but I still think pot should be legal.

[AustinSkins]

Originally posted by jporterweb
Answer me this question.... What is the difference between Alchohol and Weed? Can someone answer that one for me? Thanks.

Well let me put it this way... I've never seen to stoners get into a bar fight. A hug-fest maybe, but never a bar fight

[AGibbsGirl]

Originally posted by Ford
GibbsGirl -- Your stories are very powerful, but I don't think they take away from the argument to legalize pot. Legalizing it does not mean increased use. It means safer use for those who use now .. but studies have shown that legalizing pot DOES NOT have any corrolation to an increasing usage rate.

I really enjoyed reading your post, and I find it impressive the way you stayed away from harder drugs when some people in your family could not .. but I still think pot should be legal.

I tell you Ford, obviously the [I]main reason I'm against it is because of my childhood. The other, probably being that I believe that it does lead to experimenting with harder drugs.

But honestly...I can't dispute what you are saying...I would really like to see real research done on this...I'm sure there would be plenty of volunteers:p :p


PS: Sorry if anyone was weirded out by what I wrote, being a Christian I see this as my testimony, I forget sometimes how it comes across. Besides that ain't the half of it...


ALSO!!!! I wanted to clarify My first husband was the bad guy!!! Mike (aka Hubbo) is my second husband of 13 years, a wonderful man and not a drug user

[AZ#1SkinsFan]

Quick thought for all of you to ponder. How many kids do you have? Let's just say 4. If you have 4 kids, chances are, at least 3 of them will try pot, at least one of them will smoke pot on a regular basis and at least 1 of they will "experiment" with harder drugs.

REMEMBER . . . 1 out of every 4 hailreskins.com children will experiment with harder drugs.

You say to yourself . . . "not my kids" . . . I hope you are right, but probably not. Will making stiffer drug laws help this not happen? Absolutely not!! Will legalizing all drugs? Absolutely not!!

THE ONLY WAY TO ENSURE YOUR KIDS WILL NOT USE DRUGS IS FOR YOU, THE PARENT(S), TO BE ENVOLVED, TO KNOW YOUR CHILD AND TO MAKE SURE YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM/HER IS GOOD ENOUGHT FOR YOUR TO BE ABLE TO TELL WHAT IS GOING ON IN HIS/HER LIFE. The chances are some of your kids will still experiment, but at least you will know and can HELP them get away from any bad habbits.

GO LUCK and maybe if enought parents get it, someday drugs will be a thing of the past.

[jsarno]

drugs will not be a thing of the past because bad parenting is becoming the norm. Not all are bad parents, but send your kid off to go to school, or play a game with a kid that has bad parents, and well...the wrotten apple spoils the bunch.

Good parenting all around WILL NEVER HAPPEN. Too many people just don't care. It's sad, I know.
But at least you're right...you gotta talk to the kid.

[JoeDaSchmoe]

THE ONLY WAY TO ENSURE YOUR KIDS WILL NOT USE DRUGS IS FOR YOU, THE PARENT(S), TO BE ENVOLVED, TO KNOW YOUR CHILD AND TO MAKE SURE YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM/HER IS GOOD ENOUGHT FOR YOUR TO BE ABLE TO TELL WHAT IS GOING ON IN HIS/HER LIFE. The chances are some of your kids will still experiment, but at least you will know and can HELP them get away from any bad habbits.

Speaking from the teenaged side of the spectrum, I can tell you that this is far from true.

[jsarno]

Not to be disrespectful Joe...but are you even in college yet?

College is where most experiment. SOme do it senior year, or earlier...some in JR. High...but college is where the majority do it. So for now, it may be true...but we'll see come college time.

[Spence]

I'd legalize marijuana and decriminalize the rest of them. [The Holland solution.] The drug war has got to be the single worst government program in the history of this country. It costs billions of dollars a year, puts thousands of people behind [disproportionately poor] and does not decrease the addiction rate in this country.

Education and treatment. That's how to battle drugs.

Disclaimer: Never done drugs, don't drink alcohol.

[JoeDaSchmoe]

Originally posted by jsarno
Not to be disrespectful Joe...but are you even in college yet?

College is where most experiment. SOme do it senior year, or earlier...some in JR. High...but college is where the majority do it. So for now, it may be true...but we'll see come college time.

No, I'm not. But seeing as I was talking about parental involvement, I don't think that matters. It's pretty hard for parents to check your room when you're living in a dorm 500 miles away.

Also, the majority of people who use pot start doing it in high school, not college. It's more than 60% now.

[AZ#1SkinsFan]

Originally posted by Spence
I'd legalize marijuana and decriminalize the rest of them. [The Holland solution.] The drug war has got to be the single worst government program in the history of this country. It costs billions of dollars a year, puts thousands of people behind [disproportionately poor] and does not decrease the addiction rate in this country.

Education and treatment. That's how to battle drugs.

Disclaimer: Never done drugs, don't drink alcohol.

This would work for me.

[AZ#1SkinsFan]

Originally posted by JoeDaSchmoe
No, I'm not. But seeing as I was talking about parental involvement, I don't think that matters. It's pretty hard for parents to check your room when you're living in a dorm 500 miles away.

Also, the majority of people who use pot start doing it in high school, not college. It's more than 60% now.

It's not about checking your room to find your stash. It's about what they did over the last 18 years to instill in your head that you want to stay away from drugs and those who would disrespect you enough to push them on you.

[AZ#1SkinsFan]

HURRY UP AND LEGALIZE IT!!!! After the way the Skins played in the fourth quarter I could use a little (or a lot)!!!

lol :wacky:

[JoeDaSchmoe]

Originally posted by AZ#1SkinsFan
It's not about checking your room to find your stash. It's about what they did over the last 18 years to instill in your head that you want to stay away from drugs and those who would disrespect you enough to push them on you.

Again... I'd say more than half the time, this just doesn't matter. Other things have a lot more influence that parents when it comes to drugs.

[NamVet4]

Originally posted by AGibbsGirl
Here’s my view:

First let me state that I have NEVER tried drugs of any kind (except alcohol), never smoked a cig, never did a bong hit.
...
Why I never did drugs, when it was everywhere when I was growing up, you might be wondering? Because I knew that a person could become addicted, I don’t believe it is a disease, but I do believe some people are weaker mentally then others and become addicted while others do not. I chose to never start, because I was sure I could never stop.



A Gibbs Girl,
Wonderful testament..You are to be applauded!

It is not easy to face any temptation; addiction can come in many forms: food, alchohol, drugs, tobacco, sex, etc. It is the nature of Humankind to be exposed to these temptations. My Grandmother, who lived to be 90+ years, said, loosely translated from the Neapolitan tongue: Eat, drink and enjoy all of life in moderation and do not abuse what God gave you.

[jsarno]

Originally posted by NamVet4
My Grandmother, who lived to be 90+ years, said, loosely translated from the Neapolitan tongue: Eat, drink and enjoy all of life in moderation and do not abuse what God gave you.

Wise woman...if only all of us could follow her advice!

[IowaSkinsFan]

Can anyone quickly tell me the difference between weed and beer with a clear and coherent argument? If you stop and try to compare the 2, I think you will find that they are very much in common and it doesn't make sense for one to be legal and the other illegal.

[ShaggySkins]

Originally posted by robert11273
Can anyone quickly tell me the difference between weed and beer with a clear and coherent argument? If you stop and try to compare the 2, I think you will find that they are very much in common and it doesn't make sense for one to be legal and the other illegal.

But your argument is that they are both bad for you so make them one legal just like the other one is. If thats truly the case why not make both illegal???

[jsarno]

Originally posted by robert11273
Can anyone quickly tell me the difference between weed and beer with a clear and coherent argument? If you stop and try to compare the 2, I think you will find that they are very much in common and it doesn't make sense for one to be legal and the other illegal.

Well, drinking too much makes you too impaired and in a lot of cases, beligerant to do anything...weed doesn't.
Hmmmm.

[AZ#1SkinsFan]

Originally posted by jsarno
Well, drinking too much makes you too impaired and in a lot of cases, beligerant to do anything...weed doesn't.
Hmmmm.

Maybe your just not smoking good eonoug weed . . . lol . . . :smash:

[jsarno]

:lol1:

My point is, after smoking weed, yes, you may be slower, but you can still do things. Even drive.
Being drunk you have no capability to focus, and you do things you would never do sober. (while with weed, the only you do is eat too much and veg out too much.)

[JoeDaSchmoe]

Keeping weed illegial reminds me way too much of probation. For the decade or so that alcohol was illegial, underground breweries sprung up everywhere, people would completely ignore the law, and gangs got a lot of their funds from selling whatever they could make on the black market. Now, with pot illegial, underground shipments come in everyday, people completely ignore the law, and gangs get most of their money from selling a ton of the stuff on the streets. The government eventually realized that keeping alcohol illegial was simply too costly and too impossible to pull off, and I think it may have to reach that conclusion with marijuana.

[jsarno]

it's prohibition, not probation! :lol1:
It was from 1920-1933 (just in case you wanted to know)

And yes, Joe, I completely agree...especially with the medical world finding good use for it.

[JoeDaSchmoe]

My Lord, I said probation? I was more distracted than I thought.....

[jsarno]

I know...this Bye week has all us Skins fans all discombobulated.