Poll: legalization of cannabis

[RainDog]

Poll question: Poll: legalization of cannabis

[Bettie]

1. No reason for it to be illegal

Plus, it is one of the most useful plants on the planet. Then again, you guys all know that already!

[ixion]

2. To those of you who don't support it, a reminder:

Prohibition doesn't work, and in the end, only gets people killed and destroys families.

[eShirl]

14. don't forget, enriches organized crime. n/t

[ixion]

16. indeed

and causes so many other issues to boot.

[Uncle Joe]

62. Yes like disenfranchising the American People from the their government and/or livelihoods, while

also contributing to the world's record breaking prison population here in the "land of the free."

[Mike K]

46. And considering the massive number of people arrested -

- and serving time in prison for marijuana offenses, the cost of enforcing the utterly unnecessary marijuana laws is enormous.

[Danascot]

77. Cost of enforcement is estimated at about $10.7 billion

plus another $31.1 billion in foregone revenues.

http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/504/marijuana_prohibition_costs_billions_jon_gettman_study

Not to mention the untold human misery and hassle.

[RainDog]

3. Those who want cannabis to be illegal...

it would be interesting to hear those reasons too.

[whistler162]

11. I have seen the results!

[Toots]

15. I have seen the results of alcohol as well but I don't want it illegal even though it is far more

harmful to society. And in fact I do not believe your results. I have smoked pot for over forty years and own a multi million dollar business. I do not drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes though, and lead a quite peaceful life.

[RainDog]

17. and this is the truth for the majority of those who ingest cannabis

..except for the multi-million dollar biz part.

hey, do you need a librarian?

[asdjrocky]

73. Sounds like you need a personal full time grower.

:eyes: I know a guy, who knows a guy.

[RainDog]

19. the results of legalization? where? n/t

[Winterblues]

32. In the State of Alaska pot was completely legal for seventeen years

Crime rates were low and Never was any Problem ever suggested. Then Alaska recriminalized it, because of Federal demands, and problems of kids huffing and alcohol usage sky rocketed..

[Romulox]

30. No you haven't. Nonsense post. nt

[mike_c]

53. drive-by nonsense....

I've seen the results, too. Advanced education, professional employment, excellent reputation. Good, secure, interesting job. Low stress lifestyle. Good health.

That's just in my own family.

[Enthusiast]

54. Most people are tired of being

treated like a criminal.

[BakedAtAMileHigh]

4. I can't believe there are morons here

who think the War on a Plant should be continued and millions of innocent Americans should be arrested and jailed for using a naturally occurring medicine they can grow in their own back yards.

What pathetic, bootlicking, sychophantic idiocy.

[The_Commonist]

8. I've often said...

...that it is totally amazing that there are human beings who feel that they somehow have the right to make a PLANT, that grows in nature, "against the law."

Does that take major arrogance? or what?

"This plant is now against the law!"

Who thinks like that?

[immoderate]

24. Well, these are people who close the ocean at sundown.

That's power!

--imm

[Quantess]

27. And the flip side is that plants can be patented

for example, Monsanto owning the rights to soybeans. That is also screwed up. "This plant belongs to a corporation!" How did we get to this?

[whistler162]

12. Yet there are 33 at this count!

[Romulox]

29. You ran away when called out upthread. nt

[walldude]

55. Notice not one of them said why they don't support legalization.

THe voted and ran away. Becaus ehtey can't come up with a single valid fucking reason..

BTW I too am "baked at mile high" you wouldn't be a musician by any chance would ya? I'm putting a band together and need like minded players...

[cherokeeprogressive]

59. So those who disagree with you are moronic, pathetic, bootlicking sycophants...

Terrific.

I've been getting high since the mid-seventies and no one I smoke with is so NOT mellow as to make statements like that.

I fully support the complete legalization of cannibis, and I think your attitude sucks.

[Romulox]

61. He's right. People have a right to their own opinions, not their own facts.

The Drug Warriors have no respect for facts, for decency, for the Constitution...

Tolerance of evil and ignorance is itself wrong.

[pipi_k]

5. I don't personally like the stuff, but...

there's no reason I can see for it not to be legal for anyone else who wants to use it.

It's no worse than booze, as far as I'm concerned.

[unhappycamper]

6. Massachusetts decriminalized grass last year.

One ounce or less = the cops take your dope & give you a ticket for $100. Sure beats the shit out of jail time.

[Mike K]

36. Marijuana was decriminalized in New York City -

- throughout the 60s and 70s. Possession of less than 55 grams (two ounces) was at most a summons offense but police were discouraged from making marijuana arrests because it diverted them from more important patrol duties. The only real exception was sale to minors, which remained a Class-B felony (good for five years in the slam). There were ordinances against general sale and public use, but Thompson Square Park was home to petty dealers who sold small quantities and rolled joints discreetly to adults and the police paid no attention to them or to the stoners sitting around, smoking weed, chatting or playing chess.

The original Feenjon coffee shop (which eventually became a commercialized tourist joint) was located on the corner of Seventh Avenue and Barrow Street. It had a Middle Eastern atmosphere and when Arabic music wasn't piped through a speaker there was a three piece dumbeg and Bazuki group playing it live. And while the proprietor didn't sell marijuana (a la some Netherlands coffee shops) just about everybody in the Feenjon after midnight was openly passing a pocket pipe or smoking a joint, some while sitting at a window table and visible to anyone walking by -- including the cops, who paid no attention.

It was a peaceful, pleasurable, wonderful atmosphere and the fact that it no longer is allowed to exist is testimony to the pathologically authoritarian nature of American society.

[Trillo]

89. Agree, but

one ounce isn't enough for some folks medicinal use, or for those caregivers who may be delivering it to non-mobile patients (I'm thinking of California's prop 215).

[FormerDittoHead]

7. I see a few people are drug dealers and/or law enforcement...

"and/or" - my funny for the day.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

9. The Poll probably shouldn't say "total legalization"

It creates an ambiguity as to what "total" means... legal like alcohol or legal like candy?

[RainDog]

10. total as opposed to limited to medical usage

total as opposed to decriminalized.

[anigbrowl]

25. I'd rather it were regulated like alcohol

I'm actively involved in the Tax & Regulate campaign in California. I prefer clear regulation to a free-for-all followed by a a backlash. I can make my own beer but I can't just start selling it to people, and am OK with similar limitations on the sale and distribution of pot.

[Fumesucker]

13. Legal like tomatoes, squash or green beans..

No one cares if I grow those plants in my garden, why should cannabis be any different?

As far as selling it, make it like alcohol or maybe tobacco, it's far more safe than either one.

[Mopar151]

80. I would agree, with a minor exception

No exemption for labeling for origin, or non-disclousre of other ingredients.

[Tailormyst]

18. Total and complete legalization

For using, growing, selling, just like any other plant.

[baldguy]

20. Tax it.

[HopeHoops]

21. Legalize it and TAX IT! It is the largest cash crop in several states including NH (of all places).

Think about the cost savings even without taxing it.
- enforcement
- prosecution
- incarceration
- probation supervision


Taxing it not only brings in revenue, but would allow it to be regulated and sold through distributors in a way that would go along way toward eliminating the problem with laced and bogus weed. Yeah, I know - tobacco is just SO safe - the cigarettes are poison distribution machines. But bulk tobacco actually is rather clean and while I'm sure there would be a market for pre-rolled (and probably filtered) joints, I suspect most people would prefer the traditional bag method of distribution. Besides, weed's good like it is - it doesn't NEED all that bullshit they put in cigarettes.

[Danascot]

78. Marijuana Cash Crop Charts

Domestic Marijuana Production

The Top Ten Outdoor Marijuana Producing States:

California
Tennessee
Kentucky
Hawaii
North Carolina
Washington
Alabama
West Virginia
Georgia
Arkansas

It's interesting to see how well represented conservative southern states are in the top ten.

http://www.drugscience.org/Archive/bcr2/domstprod.html


Comparison with other Cash Crops

Marijuana is America's #1 Cash Crop, bigger than corn, soybeans, etc.

http://www.drugscience.org/Archive/bcr2/cashcrops.html

[ismnotwasm]

22. I don't use it

And I totally support full legalization. As far as legalizing for medical purposes, the longer it stays illegal, the longer the situation will add, sometimes greatly, to human suffering.

[Mike K]

23. While I support total legalization of marijuana -

- I believe decriminalization must necessarily come first because its conditions are more acceptable to the less enlightened voters. The very word, legalize, tends to intimidate that segment of the public which has been indoctrinated by Reefer Madness propaganda over the years.

Legalization presents much too final an implication whereas decriminalization, which maintains the illegal status of marijuana but administratively suspends prosecution for possession and use by adults, is far more acceptable because the implication is that enforcement of the laws can be instantly resumed if decriminalization produces negative effects.

Over time, the decriminalized status of marijuana will convince the voters of its relatively harmless nature and make them more amenable to fully legalized status.

[anigbrowl]

26. Correct. This is why the California campaign is 'tax and regulate'. nt

[Bluenorthwest]

38. What part of the East Coast are you from?

Because you have to be. You guys stand out.

[RainDog]

56. The AMA has called for cannabis to be rescheduled

... last time I know of was 2003.

anyway, with the release of the new study, the first in twenty years in the U.S., citing the medicinal value of cannabis, it should be moved to a schedule III substance immediately.

This is done via the DEA. No one has to vote for anything. It's a medical issue and the largest medical association in the U.S. wants the substance to be reclassified.

its schedule I status (no medicinal value) is simply wrong and the longer the govt continues to keep this designation, the more people will lose respect for the govt or law and order. I think the "war on drugs" did more to make kids cynical than just about anything that came along. ...The number of pot smokers who wear Dare shirts "ironically..."

but I agree with you that this nation will move first to decriminalization, at least at the Federal level. States can then decide, I suppose, and if it is no longer a Schedule I substance (it's not a drug, sorry, but it's not.. it's a plant...) the Federal v States fight will have less power.

[Romulox]

28. The Drug War is racist and fascist, and so are 6 DUers. nt

[Echo In Light]

41. +1

[Enthusiast]

57. +2

[meeshrox]

71. +3

:hi:

[Shandris]

95. The APPLICATION of the laws used in the so-called Drug War

are being applied in a racist, fascist fashion. I don't think that gives you license to call 6 DU'ers racist or fascist. You seriously need to reconsider cause and correlation if that's the best conclusion you can draw. There are/can be/may be other reason other than simply be racist or fascist that people could support the Drug War. I may feel that those reasons are wrong (and I do) but I won't call them names that aren't demonstrably true.

[Romulox]

98. Nope. The very PURPOSE of the laws are racist. And if you can't give a RATIONAL reason to support

the Drug War, then wear the shoe that fits ya... :shrug:

[wuushew]

31. complete legalization

the only rational option

[Quantess]

33. At the very least, it should be decriminalized for recreational use, and legalized for medical use.

I would like to say that I despise marijuana, and I never want to consume weed ever again. But, I would like to see marijuana legalized.

[tridim]

35. That's how it is in Denver..

Yet we're still being harassed by the government and law enforcement every day.

Based on what I've witnessed, legal MMJ and recreational decrim doesn't work simply because there are politicians involved.

Cannabis needs to given BACK to the people. Anything less isn't freedom.

[Mike K]

43. Interesting response.

May I ask why you despise marijuana? I know that the weed affects some people in very untypical ways so I'm curious as to your experience.

I should mention that I knew one young woman who became morbidly depressed from smoking a joint and one very large body-builder acquaintance who became almost violently paranoid after a few hits on a particularly potent bowl of purple indica. Aside from those two, I've known hundreds of people who use marijuana regularly with nothing but the usual euphoric and tranquil results.

[gateley]

48. You weren't asking me the question, but I'll chime in that I don't use it because

I just don't like the high. :shrug:

[Mike K]

50. Okay.

That's perfectly understandable. I feel exactly that way about alcohol. I don't like anything about it.

[gateley]

63. Yeah, same type of thing, it sounds like.

Although I'm of the belief that all drugs should be decriminalized at the very least, I'm especially strong in my support of this. The plant could do so much in so many areas, it's almost criminal that we DON'T utilize it for its many benefits.

I remember reading that it was John D. Rockefeller behind prohibition -- that because cars could run on alcohol and didn't need his oil, he set out to get the substance banned.

I wonder if there was something behind making pot/hemp/cannabis illegal because it always seems to be about the money. Do you know?

[Quantess]

76. It makes me confused, depressed, and paranoid.

The most incapacitated I have ever been, was after eating several pot cookies. I literally could not get out of bed for almost an entire night and day, could not sleep, and I was mildly hallucinating. I felt weird for days afterward.

Even smoking it makes me unable to function normally for the rest of the day. I have not had any weed in over 15 years, and will never again, ever. (Unless I'm on my death bed, or something).

[meeshrox]

86. Me too...

It's been a while...but, I always got twitchy and couldn't calm down into the high...could not enjoy the fun and happy side...I know, I'm lame!

[Quantess]

90. The first 5 or 10 minutes are fun, turning into depression and anxiety for several hours.

Stoners are not inherently cool. I think it makes people a little weird and boring. I would rather hang out with drinkers.

[gateley]

34. I need help before I vote --

I was told that 'legalization' would subject it to the laws and regulations of alcohol, for example. Taxes, stuff like that.

"Decriminalization" would make it so people growing, buying, selling it wouldn't be prosecuted, but people couldn't walk into a store and buy it.

I want what's best for the most people -- people able to partake, sell, etc., and access for those who would benefit medically.

Which way should I vote?

[Romulox]

44. Legalization means that pot (and profit!) is taken out of the hands of criminals.

"decriminalization" keeps the black market profit centers humming along.

[gateley]

45. Thanks! nt

[cliffordu]

37. Other:

I have the munchies. Got any Chocolate chip cookies???

[Echo In Light]

39. Ha...do I really need to further clarify my position?

[RainDog]

52. Apparently there are no known deaths from cannabis in its 3000 year history

of use by humans.

none.

Michael Pollan's book, The Botany of Desire, is a great read about plants that evolved in response to humans - cannabis, tulips, potatoes and apples.

pbs did a program based on the book.

http://www.pbs.org/thebotanyofdesire/

[RainDog]

68. oh, the reason why their are no deaths attributed to cannabis

The safety reflects the paucity of receptors in medullary nuclei that mediate respiratory and cardiovascular functions." This is also why cannabinoids have great promise as analgesics or painkillers, in that they do not depress the function of the heart or the lungs. In this respect, they are far superior to opiates, which decrease the entire physiological system because the receptors are all over the medulla as well as the brain.

This is why people can overdose from any barbituates that doctors prescribe all the time - if someone takes enough of them, they will depress heart and lung function to the point that someone cannot keep their own body alive by breathing, etc.

Marijuana is distinguished from most other illicit drugs by the locations of its brain-receptor sites for two predominant reasons: (1) The lack of receptors in the medulla significantly reduces the possibility of accidental, or even deliberate, death from THC, and (2) the lack of receptors in the mesocorticolimbic pathway significantly reduces the risks of addiction and serious physical dependence. As a therapeutic drug, these features are God's greatest gifts.

[krabigirl]

40. I don't see why it shouldn't be legal.

It's a beneficial plant in so many ways...you can even bypass the "high" if you don't enjoy that and get the other effects of the plant.

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

42. I support the legalization of possession, growth, & use of pot for PERSONAL use only.

You want to grow your own stash, fine. You want to smoke pot, fine. You want to keep a month supply at your house, OK.
But if you want to sell pot, it should be from a licensed/certified and taxed sourced... such as tobacco and alcohol are.

People deserve to know that the pot they will be ingesting or smoking is "safe" and lives up to advertised qualities.
Just like the food and alcohol industry, pot consumers deserve protection from several groups who might prey on them.

Also, there should be some restrictions on use. Numero uno... no underage possessionor use. I think a good rule of thumb would be, if tobacco or alcohol or drunkenness is not allowed, pot should not be allowed. For example, restaurants that do not allow smoking, driving, at work, carrying firearms, schools...

FWIW, I am not a smoker (pot or tobacco) nor do I drink often/excessively. I probably would not skoke pot even if legal.
I feel my stance is reasonable to both allow people to enjoy cannabis and gently introduce the public to legalized pot.

[RainDog]

49. I agree, as far as recreational use goes, but...

people who choose to use medicinal pot need to know the percentages of various cannabinoids - some of them are not psychoactive (like THC) but have useful medicinal properties. One interesting thing that research has found is that the cannabinoids work in concert with one balancing properties of the other.

in terms of recreational use, it should be treated like alcohol - you can make your own, buy it in stores where you know what you're getting and there should be penalties for driving under the influence, as detected by a saliva test, not a pee-in-the-cup test (which is not accurate to indicate if someone is under the influence.)

If cannabis were legal, most people would probably vaporize it b/c it's better for the lungs that way. No smoke.

and I really support the legalization of cannabis for its use as an industrial product.

[Caliman73]

47. I vote for total legalization with one stipulation.

I would not want pot to be advertised like alcohol is. In fact, I don't think that alcohol should be advertised like it is. I have nothing against either substance consumed responsibly or even not so responsibly as long as safeguards are in place to limit the effects on others. The problem is that the marketers of alcoholic drinks push a lifestyle and associate their products with sex and success. Because they are driven only by profit motive, they seek "creative" ways to build in a demand from successive generations of drinkers. The talk about, "Please drink responsibly" after showing images of beautiful women going after "average" looking men just because the opened up a can of the Silver Bullet. Which message do you think is sinking in?

So that is my rant. They should make pot fully legal and decriminalize other drugs to neuter the gangs who make their money and power off of the illegality. Then they should increase treatment services for people who fall into addiction and abuse patterns.

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

60. They should not decriminalize many other drugs (if any).

There is some nasty shit out there (meth, heroin, crack, ...) that really destroys the human body and is extremely addictive. Others like oxycodine and ecstacy are simply too easy to dangerously misue and OD.

About the only two drugs I'd give a pass on for decriminalzation are cocaine and maybe (a big maybe) acids.
And neither of these drugs should be allowed for use in public.

[Caliman73]

67. Then we would be right where we are today.

I know the effects of those drugs (crack is cocaine by the way, just that poor people can afford it and it is stronger). I have worked with people struggling with addiction, which is why I say pump the money currently being spent on incarceration into treatment of addictions. By decriminalizing the drugs you just take away the incentive for people to gain from their illegality and you can deal with why people would use as a health problem not as a crime problem. Keeping things illegal is not going to make them less accessible to those who want them, no matter where you slice the pie. Just like banning firearms or only certain types of firearms has not had any impact on rates of violence. Instead you stop the incentive for people profiting from others' problems and you stop the profiteering from those who would lock people with problems up. Focus on the behavior not the objects isn't that a familiar argument?

[reggie the dog]

91. How would legal pure MDMA pills be worse

than the illegal, cut with speed and heroin pills we get today? If you knew you had 200 mg of MDMA in a pill you would know your dose.

[Enthusiast]

51. The government of the United States

should have no law concerning the growing, possession or selling of marijuana. Except for minors, of course.

[Therellas]

58. im encourage by the the overwhelming agreement.but

if everyone agrees
and its still not legal
we must really be so so screwed.

[Codeine]

64. I can't stand pot

and I can't stand potheads.

That said, legalize it and tax it like any other drug.

[Blue-Jay]

66. I *like* potheads.

I just wish that they'd stop talking about pot like it was the most important issue ever.

Note: most potheads don't act like this - just the stupid ones.

[Codeine]

69. Agreed.

It's the single-issue aspect of their demeanor that bugs me, combined with the almost-religious adoration of the plant. Potheads all seem convinced it cures everything, has zero negative effects on anyone, and will usher in a new age of peace for all mankind.

And I just cannot stand that smell. :puke:

[Occulus]

79. Well, when you can lose your home over a joint

it really is a very important issue.

[Echo In Light]

82. Police $tate LOVES it

[Blue-Jay]

93. Refresh my memory, if you don't mind.

I must have forgotten the many cases where a home was lost over one joint. (Unless maybe someone set their house on fire.)

[reggie the dog]

99. selling a single joint can lead to asset forfeiture

sometimes they take land even when people dont grow. In california the cops killed a guy to get his land and house and used drugs as the excuse, even though they guy had no drugs. also Peter McWilliams died for lack of anti nausea cannabis because his mother would have lost her house that she posted as bail money if he did so much a a single joint.

[madokie]

65. The things that they use to make it illegal should be why they make it legal

it has so many medicinal uses and to my knowledge not one single bad side effect.

Dupont needed a market for his newly discovered nylon, If memory serves me right, and he was driving force behind making it illegal so farmers couldn't grow the hemp plant to compete with his new invention in lots of products. Hemp cloth is the best cloth I've had on my body, bar none.

[meeshrox]

70. I suport decriminalization of ALL drugs, actually...

and legalization of the lesser ones like cannabis. This way, we can treat their abuse as a disease like in Holland...the junkies are all pitied as addicts, not thrown in jail as criminals. They are treated medically. In Holland, the "earthy" drugs (like mushrooms and cannabis) are legal. They don't have a meth problem, either.

http://americandrugwar.com/

This is a fantastic film if you haven't heard of it...it's available on Netflix, too.

Edited to add: I used to smoke often, but the "munchies" made me fat...so I had to drop the weed and the weight! :(

[asdjrocky]

72. Hemp can save the world, cannabis can save your head.

It's true.

[asdjrocky]

74. Spoke just this morning at the County Board "emergency meeting."

Some people are getting their panties in a bunch because we've no managed to open 3, and 2 more on the way, legal dispensaries here in Stockton.

You should have seen the eyes of the supervisors light up when my associate told them that there are more than 5,000 card holders in Stockton alone and he went on to suggest that we'd have no problem paying 30.00 per card yearly to add to the county coffers.

Everyday, fewer and fewer cannabis bigots stand in our way.

[RainDog]

75. are the rules for this being decided city by city in CA?

last I heard that was the case.

democracy in action.

[Warren DeMontague]

81. That depends. What does Peter Tosh have to say on the matter?

Well, I guess that settles it. :hippie:

[Royal Sloan 09]

83. K & R, Solution = Legalize, eom

[Odin2005]

84. I support the full legalization of Marijuana and other "soft" drugs (LSD, Ecstacy, etc.)

[yawnmaster]

85. Seriously? This should be legal???

I don't think eating human flesh should be legal in any form...
Wait...
just put on my glasses...
nevermind.

[WonderGrunion]

87. I support cannabis being legalized and highly regulated and taxed

Similar to cigarettes and alcohol.

[old mark]

88. I worked for years in drug/alcohol rehab and mental health fields - Legalize it.

I haven't smoked it for over 30 years, and would not start if it were legal, but jailing people for using pot is absolutely stupid.

I seriously doubt it will ever become legalized, however - there are too many politicians law enforcement people and financial institutions making bales of cash off bales illegal of pot.


mark

[RainDog]

92. I think it will be legalized

because our economy is crashing and burning, just like prohibition was lifted during the depression.

but, just as there are people who rail against all alcohol now, there will still be fossils who rail against legalized cannabis.

[Shandris]

94. I support legalization but with the same application of caveats...

...that apply to alcohol and dangerous machinery. IE, no drinking/smoking and driving because it impairs your ability to drive/react safely. But for a person in their own house, there is no reason to be telling them they can't enjoy a joint in their spare time. And don't give me that 'gateway drug' argument, that doesn't hold water when marijuana is legal.

[fascisthunter]

96. well... that settles that

spark em up especially if you are suffering from a sickness.

[reggie the dog]

100. I aint sick but i got some wicked afghan hash to spark up

straight out of Kabul.....tasty stuff

[4lbs]

97. I support full legalization of cannabis/weed/pot/marijuana.

Over the past 40 years, thousands of times many more people have died in alcohol-related deaths than marijuana-related ones.

All those college kids that shotgun liquor using a funnel and a hose, and then dying of alcohol poisoning. All those people killed in drunk driving related incidents, including speeding. All the people that get into fights or kill themselves/others when they drink and lose control over their emotions or do stupid stuff.

Yet, it's alcohol that's fully legal for everyone over 21 and marijuana isn't.

Make marijuana legal, and put similar age restrictions on it. Say, 18 years of age.

Once marijuana becomes fully legal, I'm investing money in Pizza Hut and Domino's Pizza stock. :D

[howard112211]

101. Guess what? I voted "I support legalization". Even with my thread I started the other day.

I think people can have bad reactions to it. However, I think that the people who are having bad reactions to it are the most likely to get busted for it and end up being criminalized instead of getting help.