Controversial Drug Legislation...yay or nay?

**TimTwoFace** · 09-05-2002, 12:45 PM

This has been the topic of debate for years in Canada (and the US, too, it seems), and it looks like Canada is THIS close to legalizing marijuana (but only that) from coast to coast - originally just for medical reasons but now it appears they're gonna legalize it for general use. I never have, and likely never will, succumb to this vice, but my own personal jury is out on whether this decision (that even the aged guys in Senate are gunning for) is a good or a bad idea.

Here's an article that was in the local paper today. What do you think?

Vancouver Province article

-Tim

PS - Let's try to keep this one tame, as I realize that such a topic is somewhat iffy, but is OK as long as it's an intelligent conversation.

**Psycho Fox** · 09-05-2002, 02:47 PM

Well cigarettes is bad for you yet any adult can smoke. People have the legal right to get drunk so why are they legal while marijuana is not? Also what have prohibition of the drugs accomplished? Putting users in jail that have done nothing wrong but use the drug? Give drug lords tons of money. It didn't work during the alcohol prohibion so what would make the prohibtion of marijuana any diffent?

**James** · 09-05-2002, 02:58 PM

Hmm.

I'd be more inclined to say 'yay'. The Uk is going through a similar question. 98% of the young I know have tried grass at the very least. It's here and will stay.

I think our legislation at the moment lives on the assumption that it's a seedy habit which only the few stupid do. These same people then put up with their brother in law being involved in another bar brawl thanks to drink..

I'm not interested in taking the stuff, but it's about, best keep it above board rather than as a seedy culture where the blackmarket makes cash..

I think decriminalizing it is the move to make - referring to grass/weed whatever you wish to call it... The more countries that do it, the less seedy it will become.

**gtracer72** · 09-05-2002, 03:03 PM

Legalize it. Then I can set up a business selling and growing it, and make a fortune off of it. YEAH!!! Drug dealing business, underground economy as it is called, is a very large part of the economy. We are talking billions of dollars, and that could all be mine

.

**Karkull** · 09-05-2002, 03:53 PM

Well, I guess this means a bunch of my friends are moving to Canada,

.

I say, "yay." The criminalization of marijuana was a BS law enacted to maintain the interests of the paper, textile, and pharmecutical industries; who stood to lose a substantial amount of money from the then-newly developing hemp industry. Experts have come to the conclusion that pot is less harmful than tobacco and alcohol, plus it does have benefits that can aid the terminally ill. Besides, has anyone ever heard of anyone, ANYONE, ODing off of weed?

On a lighter note, check this page out. It always cracks me up:

http://www.theonion.com/onion3001w/marijuana.html

**TimTwoFace** · 09-05-2002, 04:18 PM

I don't care if they legalize it or not, for I won't be taking it unless it's for some medical reason and a doctor prescribed it to me.

What I find odd is that the Canadian Senate is considering the legal age to smoke marijuana to be 16...whereas smoking cigarettes, drinking, and any of those other types of things are 18 or 19, depending on what province you live in.

If you're gonna legalize it, at least put it on par with other similar acts.

-Tim

**Pilmedium** · 09-05-2002, 04:19 PM

I view this as a step in the wrong direction. More nasty drugs should become illegal, not legal.

**VashTheStampede** · 09-05-2002, 05:37 PM

Legal? I don't care. Illegal: I don't care. All I know is I don't need any kind of drugs.

The criminalization of marijuana was a BS law enacted to maintain the interests of the paper, textile, and pharmecutical industries; who stood to lose a substantial amount of money from the then-newly developing hemp industry

OMG you really believe hemp would ever replace what we use now OMG that is so weird. I i'm not flaming you I'm just trying to come to grips to one hell of a conspiracy theory.

Experts have come to the conclusion that pot is less harmful than tobacco and alcohol, plus it does have benefits that can aid the terminally ill.

Marijauna does get rid of the pain, but so does death and a hit to the head with a sledgehammer. Man potheads will do what ever they can to validate getting high.

**Psycho Fox** · 09-05-2002, 05:46 PM

Originally posted by VashTheStampede

OMG you really believe hemp would ever replace what we use now OMG that is so weird.

Actully that was the reason hemp was banned in the first place. Mexico used hemp for paper, textile,ect and there was a fear it would take jobs away from American workers.

Marijauna does get rid of the pain. but so does death and a hit to the head with a sledgehammer. Man potheads will do what ever they can to validate getting high.

Yes but pot it a much better solution then death or being hit on the head with a sledgehammer.

**wussiewussie** · 09-05-2002, 05:54 PM

yay.. even though that makes me very jealous of Canadians. i'd hope the same can happen here. if alcohol and cigarettes are legal then marijuana certainly should be. it's less harmful than cigarettes (unless of course you're abusing it to hell) and actually enjoyable. sure its harmful for idiots that abuse it and do stupid things, it's the same way with alcohol. if weed is illegal, then so should all alcoholic beverages. and even if a doctor didn't recommend it, i think someone should be able to have it if they're in pain. i'm having surgery soon and i really think it'd be nice to smoke and relieve my pain and undoubtedly depression since i'm going to have my jaw wired shut and.. that really sucks

. people can get drunk out of their mind, why shouldn't they be able to get high? not that i encourage getting that drunk because people just can't handle themselves then, but you see what i'm saying here. if things are legal that are worse than marijuana, it sure as hell should be legalized.

**VashTheStampede** · 09-05-2002, 06:13 PM

Yes but pot it a much better solution then death or being hit on the head with a sledgehammer.

Thats your opinion.

Hey if people want to get high whatever. Just don't spout stupid conspiracy theories like "the CIA made MJ illegal because it would cause world peace" or something like that. I just know I am confident in myslef enough that I don't need to impair myself.

**Nightflower** · 09-05-2002, 06:38 PM

I'm going to quote my friend for a bit-

"First off, we need to think: if marijuana was legal, who would grow it? Most farmland in the world is taken by crops that feed people. Already the world is filled with hungry people, so we're obviously not making enough. But if these food farms became weed farms (which many would; there'd be big cash in a weed farm!) there'd be even higher levels of people not eating dinner, even in less impoverished countries! Does the world need this?

Secondly, who would end up distributing it? Before you'd be able to blink twice, the tobacco industries, who people trust with stuff that burns in your mouth, would be making buyable cannabis cigarettes. They'd make a killing, too. Your average user would love to go to the corner store and by weed in a box. This, obviously, would make the rich richer. And when that happens, the poor get poorer, and what self-respecting leftist wants that? The 'dealers' of today would move to things even more A) violent, B) welfare, C) harder drugs. Sure, some corrupt higher-ups would fall, but what higher-ups aren't corrupt? They all are. It's instinct, protect your den, your gold pile. "

**VashTheStampede** · 09-05-2002, 07:19 PM

his, obviously, would make the rich richer. And when that happens, the poor get poorer,

Just because someone gets richer that doesn't mean that ultimately someone gets poorer, zero-sum gain* does not exist.

*The belief that there is a limited amount of money in the world and that if someone makes more money than before that someone must make less money.

**Psycho Fox** · 09-05-2002, 07:43 PM

Originally posted by Nightflower

"First off, we need to think: if marijuana was legal, who would grow it? Most farmland in the world is taken by crops that feed people. Already the world is filled with hungry people, so we're obviously not making enough. But if these food farms became weed farms (which many would; there'd be big cash in a weed farm!) there'd be even higher levels of people not eating dinner, even in less impoverished countries! Does the world need this?

You do know since all the drugs are in the buds the rest of the plant is edible.

**wussiewussie** · 09-05-2002, 07:50 PM

Originally posted by Nightflower
I'm going to quote my friend for a bit-

"First off, we need to think: if marijuana was legal, who would grow it? Most farmland in the world is taken by crops that feed people. Already the world is filled with hungry people, so we're obviously not making enough. But if these food farms became weed farms (which many would; there'd be big cash in a weed farm!) there'd be even higher levels of people not eating dinner, even in less impoverished countries! Does the world need this?

uh.. look at all the marijuana that's grown in our country alone. it's all done indoors and there still manages to be a very large amount grown, same thing in canada.

**Dark Vicious** · 09-05-2002, 07:54 PM

I say yay I'm not ashamed to say I smoke weed and must say it calms me after a tough day at work I think they should legalize it because cigarettes kill more people than weed and cigarettes are legal so I ask you why NOT?

**VashTheStampede** · 09-05-2002, 07:58 PM

You do know since all the drugs are in the buds the rest of the plant is edible.

I'm sure that will catch on just like the use of hemp.

**Sandro** · 09-05-2002, 07:58 PM

Psycho Fox, for once, you and I are in agreement.

I think we should legalize marijuana. Why should people get punished for what they do to themselves? I mean, we are wasting tax money, time and valuable resources going after people with insignificant amounts of pot on their hands. Besides, if we can legalize marijuana and get it regulated to some extent, that would take away income from the drug dealers and might even lead to a decrease in crime. The pros outweigh the cons.

First off, we need to think: if marijuana was legal, who would grow it?

Secondly, who would end up distributing it?

I believe the tobacco industry is already to start growing and selling marijuana should it become legalized. (Of course, that's what I've heard).

**James** · 09-05-2002, 08:02 PM

Originally posted by VashTheStampede
Thats your opinion. Hey if people want to get high whatever. Just don't spout stupid conspiracy theories like "the CIA made MJ illegal because it would cause world peace" or something like that. I just know I am confident in myslef enough that I don't need to impair myself.

That didn't stop many of the greatest artists of our time creating some of their best works from drugs. It's not about confidence for some. It's about experiencing things that you can't naturally. Now, I've never been comfortable with tripping and the like, but not all people who do it do it because they want to look cool, some are interested in the effects. Personally I like control of myself. I fear letting go. It's nothing to do with confidence.

I never advocate drugs for use or fight it. It's up to you, and while I don't feel confortable with saying on this occasion 'you have to try to understand' (I've had many people try to convince me to take acid on that ground) I think it's easy to generalise.

People who occasionally smoke grass are no lesser people than those who drink occassionally have a cigarette or have a tipple at the pub. It's life. The hemp argument does have some historical basis, although I don't think the whole attitude to grass can be attributed to it..