bigsmooth Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 History of Weed I saw this on Showtime the other day and thought about how much money is spent on enforcement, proscesution and inprisonment of users and couldn't help but think of Prohabition and the waste of time and money that lead to; as well as the growth of organized crime. I believe it's time to legalize it, regulate it, tax it and move on. A lot of new business could pop up and the medical disbursement center don't have to live in fear of a Raid everyday. Get the Feds out of this one and let the states decide. IMHO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vagabondjpm Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 (edited) So, just so I understand you. You want to legalize pot so the government can collect more tax money that they will piss away. In turn, since we won't need them to enforce penalties for drugs, so the government can scale back the police force and prison/jail guards and keep some more money in their pockets. With those people laid off, the demand for their work necessities (uniforms, weapons, training, etc.) will decrease as well as supporting items (gas to and from work, vehicle maintenance, "eating out" for meals as needed, etc.) adding to a dwindling economy. In addition, since you are legalizing pot, it will become more acceptable and the negative view toward its abuse will lessen. That means it will be compared to smoking a cigarette. Now we will have some professionals taking smoke breaks with them. By professionals, I mean doctors, lawyers, police officers, politicians, and the like. People that have a direct impact on the lives of us or our loved ones. Note, I did not say all, I said some. (I do know some professionals that do not partake in the herb ONLY because they could lose their license.) Even if all that was a small percentage or could be controlled for WITH MORE GOVERNMENT LAWS, lets me move to the other consumers. Now we have average John, who by definition elected Obama, smoking freely. Well, let's say a fraction of the "new smokers" fall victim to addiction because they are depressed or unhappy with their life because they are out of work and have no money OR they are content with collecting their government check and relaxing with a smoke while no-so-average Peter goes to work to support them. Well, they are happy with the situation so they keep electing BIG government, who then keeps protecting them and taking more for it. I could continue to play this scenario out but I won't. I think I've made my point. I'm not opposed to using pot, I know some people, who have told me about some people, who heard of others that use it, and I'm OK with that. They assume the risk. In a nutshell, there are pros for responsible users and cons for irresponsible users. There are FAR more irresponsible users' consequences (cons) that responsible user benefits (pros). Look at another legal "drug" for comparison, alcohol, and see how well self-regulation has worked there. Ride safe, Vagabond Edited August 4, 2009 by Vagabondjpm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whadayawant Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 LEGALIZE IT. IT'S ABOUT TIME. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indian T Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 If you legalize pot, there will be more hippies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Micmac Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 I do not use pot, I have nothing against anyone using it. It is their choice IMHO, and who am I to dictate to you what you should do. Jim, I fully understand your treatise and believe it is a well thought out argument, and most likely would/could not argue with many of the points you've made,given we legalize it and continue the status quo.However, I would take it a step further and legalize all drugs. I feel we have had a war on addicts, not drugs in this country. If we could put 1/10 of the funds used to arrest addicts into best practice treatment I believe the drug problem in this country would dramatically. The dealers operate in this country with realitive impunity, it is the little guy selling to support his habit that does the time. Having worked in the mental health aspect of corrections for over a quarter of a century, I cannot tell you the number of young peoples lives who have been robbed by the legal system giving out lengthly prison sentences that the judge has little choice in giving despite circumstances given the federal sentencing guidelines.Don't get me wrong, I believe if you break the law there should be consequences. If you send an addict to prison, and provide no skills to exsist in the free world, he will re-offend. 9 out of 10 in prison will be released in a neighborhood near you. We did some testing a few years ago and of the 12,000 men, women and childern admitted to our system, 87 % were incarcerated for issues related to drug/alcohol use. I would venture an additional 8-9 % lied on the test and the remainder needed to be there forever. I say that just to illustrate the massive costs involved with locking someone up, (46k er year per inmate here). Legalize yes, tax yes, treat those who are addicted. Just my .02 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TitanChief Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 This Libertarian understands that prohibition does not, nor ever has, worked in America...people that wanna smoke, smoke, and quite frankly the only folks getting rich off it are the Mexican Cartels. Might as well start farming it legally..that will create more jobs...and the DEA...well, they can just get into regular law enforcement. The hypocrisy of legal alcohol and illegal pot is stupid. It's time for us to stop worrying aobut the morality of others, and start worrying aobut our own actions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Diesel Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 LEGALIZE IT. IT'S ABOUT TIME. If you legalize pot, there will be more hippies. I do not use pot, I have nothing against anyone using it. It is their choice IMHO, and who am I to dictate to you what you should do. Jim, I fully understand your treatise and believe it is a well thought out argument, and most likely would/could not argue with many of the points you've made,given we legalize it and continue the status quo.However, I would take it a step further and legalize all drugs. I feel we have had a war on addicts, not drugs in this country. If we could put 1/10 of the funds used to arrest addicts into best practice treatment I believe the drug problem in this country would dramatically. The dealers operate in this country with realitive impunity, it is the little guy selling to support his habit that does the time. Having worked in the mental health aspect of corrections for over a quarter of a century, I cannot tell you the number of young peoples lives who have been robbed by the legal system giving out lengthly prison sentences that the judge has little choice in giving despite circumstances given the federal sentencing guidelines.Don't get me wrong, I believe if you break the law there should be consequences. If you send an addict to prison, and provide no skills to exsist in the free world, he will re-offend. 9 out of 10 in prison will be released in a neighborhood near you. We did some testing a few years ago and of the 12,000 men, women and childern admitted to our system, 87 % were incarcerated for issues related to drug/alcohol use. I would venture an additional 8-9 % lied on the test and the remainder needed to be there forever. I say that just to illustrate the massive costs involved with locking someone up, (46k er year per inmate here). Legalize yes, tax yes, treat those who are addicted. Just my .02 This Libertarian understands that prohibition does not, nor ever has, worked in America...people that wanna smoke, smoke, and quite frankly the only folks getting rich off it are the Mexican Cartels. Might as well start farming it legally..that will create more jobs...and the DEA...well, they can just get into regular law enforcement. The hypocrisy of legal alcohol and illegal pot is stupid. It's time for us to stop worrying aobut the morality of others, and start worrying aobut our own actions. Right on to all of you. And if my emoticons worked, I'd post one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maninbox Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 Hey Dude, where's my car? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indian T Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 the last time I smoked some marijuana, I couldn't even fucking talk! that sucked...no fun at all. That was about 16 years ago. the shit you guys are smoking now is way different from the shit I used to get. I'll abstain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCH Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 I smoked some while I was on chemo, it is different than back in the days. I loved it! If it was legal, I would trade my beer in for it. But, since I have kids at home still, I must set an example. Fuck, I hate saying that..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffalo Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 I smoked some while I was on chemo, it is different than back in the days. I loved it! If it was legal, I would trade my beer in for it. But, since I have kids at home still, I must set an example. Fuck, I hate saying that..... Hey RCH i'll set an example for your kids it'll be a bad example but it will be an example just the same Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigsmooth Posted August 5, 2009 Author Share Posted August 5, 2009 This Libertarian understands that prohibition does not, nor ever has, worked in America...people that wanna smoke, smoke, and quite frankly the only folks getting rich off it are the Mexican Cartels. Might as well start farming it legally..that will create more jobs...and the DEA...well, they can just get into regular law enforcement. The hypocrisy of legal alcohol and illegal pot is stupid. It's time for us to stop worrying aobut the morality of others, and start worrying aobut our own actions. Great Point I Agree! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCH Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 Hey RCH i'll set an example for your kids it'll be a bad example but it will be an example just the same Believe me, I do enough of that on my own! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Micmac Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 RCH, that speaks to your charecter as a father. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FiremanDave Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 (edited) Leaglizing pot won't effect most folks work enviroment, if your subject to random booze and drug testing, you understand that if you get picked randomly ( I get picked randomly every time I come back from a motorcycle rally )for booze or drugs and blow more than 0.00 BAT you can be fired, since pot can stay in the system up to 30 days the joint you smoked off duty will still show up when you show up for work the next day. I know your not under the influence, but hey it's still in you system and your boss may or may not understand. With that being said, and jobs some what hard to come by these days I don't see alot of folks giving up the ol paycheck for a couple of hits off the bong. I know it ain't right but hey if your drawing a check from any one other than the Government (IE welfare ) your probably subject to testing. Edited August 5, 2009 by FiremanDave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCH Posted August 6, 2009 Share Posted August 6, 2009 RCH, that speaks to your charecter as a father. Thanks Pete. It's not easy, but Lord knows I try! My kids will at least look you in the eye when they talk to you, more than some of the sorry lot that is out there now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Diesel Posted August 6, 2009 Share Posted August 6, 2009 Thanks Pete. It's not easy, but Lord knows I try! My kids will at least look you in the eye when they talk to you, more than some of the sorry lot that is out there now. Poor kids - Either look you in the eye, or Pete .... Helluva choice to have to make for an impressionable young'un ... They might poke their eyes out with a broken pushrod Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCH Posted August 6, 2009 Share Posted August 6, 2009 Poor kids - Either look you in the eye, or Pete .... Helluva choice to have to make for an impressionable young'un ... They might poke their eyes out with a broken pushrod Worse yet, they will even look a Kanukistani like you in the eye (and feign respect ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Diesel Posted August 6, 2009 Share Posted August 6, 2009 Worse yet, they will even look a Kanukistani like you in the eye (and feign respect ). that's good - you've taught them the most important life lesson in getting by - "when in doubt, fake it" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCH Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 that's good - you've taught them the most important life lesson in getting by - "when in doubt, fake it" Sincerity, once you can fake it, you got it made! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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