On the topic of legal Marijuana

[syaoranvee]

This election did not just show a victory for democrats, gay marriage, and for women but also Marijuana.

First, I would like congratulate Massachusetts on their move to legalize it for medical purposes.  Drugs used medically as pain relief should not be illegal if it brings more positive effects then negative in a controlled manner.  I would not mind seeing it legal for medical use in all states.

And then there's the outright legalization of it in two states, Colorado and Washington.  I have to say I'm surprised they managed to stop being high for five minutes to vote: Which was the first thing to come to mind as I heard this news.  It made me realize now that I've been stereotyping these users unfairly, as I've been overwhelmingly anti-drug all my life, it's somewhat blinded me, I mean, I'm pro-choice, vote for the ability for homosexuals to marry, yet wouldn't have voted for the ability for people to choose their recreations.  So after watching all this transpire, how many people voted for this, I have to say:  I may not agree with your choice, however I will from this point allow you to make it.

Let the people have their Marijuana

[Meshakhad]

Let the people have their Marijuana

And let Olympia have 50% of the profits.

I'll find the source later, but the effective sales tax on marijuana in Washington State is about 50%. Given that I have no plans on purchasing any, I'm actually in favor of this - it'll be good for the state economy.

[nickiknack]

Exactly, let them have the damn pot. This is great big middle finger to the war on drugs, and I hope it spreads to all states soon, and this is coming from someone who's never used the stuff. After all, alchool prohibition was a total failure.

Let the people have their Marijuana

And let Olympia have 50% of the profits.

I'll find the source later, but the effective sales tax on marijuana in Washington State is about 50%. Given that I have no plans on purchasing any, I'm actually in favor of this - it'll be good for the state economy.

If the whole country was to adopt such a policy, can you imagine how much stuff that could be funded with the profits??

[rubix]

Just wanted to say I was in a similar anti-drug mindset until a few years ago. When I got my new job and started hanging out with my coworkers, it was the first time I ever encountered "pot-heads" (I was pretty sheltered). Turns out they were all...well, really normal people. They held down jobs, had different hobbies, and sometimes got together with their buddies after work to smoke. You really couldn't tell them apart from anyone else. I was REALLY surprised that so many people either did it or didn't care about it, like it was already legal. It strikes me as more like drinking beer than some life-destroying illegal drug.

There are a lot of pretty nasty drugs out there that I don't think I'd support, even if people wanted the choice...but this one? Medical or recreational, I say end the prohibition.

[Sylvana]

Just wanted to say I was in a similar anti-drug mindset until a few years ago. When I got my new job and started hanging out with my coworkers, it was the first time I ever encountered "pot-heads" (I was pretty sheltered). Turns out they were all...well, really normal people. They held down jobs, had different hobbies, and sometimes got together with their buddies after work to smoke. You really couldn't tell them apart from anyone else.

I agree with the sentiment in general, but I have also encountered pot-heads who have basically melted their brain from using too much pot. I would just like to state that marijuana use is similar to alcohol use. Both can be addictive, both can screw up your life and permanently mess up your brain chemistry (also seen someone become essentially retarded from alcohol abuse. its sickening.). If users are responsible though, then I have no problem with the legal use of Marijuana.

One part that has been bugging me with the legalization part has been the regulation of it. I fail to see how the government plans to regulate something that most users grow themselves. Similarly, I don't think drug corporations can possibly undercut that kind of market despite them being the best way to assist in regulation.

[largeham]

I have to agree with Sylvana in that it depends. I know pot heads who are relatively normal and some who do nothing but play video games all day.

As for the legalising of weed, fucken' A.

[Captain Jack Harkness]

First of all, I wonder how this can even be done in contradiction to federal law.  Secondly, I think I'll just take a wait and see approach to whether the legalizations are a smart idea.

[Witchyjoshy]

I have to agree with Sylvana in that it depends. I know pot heads who are relatively normal and some who do nothing but play video games all day.

To be fair, there are complete straight edges who do nothing but play video games all day.  It seems to be more of a personality trait than any actual result of drug use.

[ThunderWulf]

I have to agree with Sylvana in that it depends. I know pot heads who are relatively normal and some who do nothing but play video games all day.

To be fair, there are complete straight edges who do nothing but play video games all day.  It seems to be more of a personality trait than any actual result of drug use.

Yeah, gotta agree with this.  Some of those people would probably be that way with or without pot.

[Art Vandelay]

One part that has been bugging me with the legalization part has been the regulation of it. I fail to see how the government plans to regulate something that most users grow themselves. Similarly, I don't think drug corporations can possibly undercut that kind of market despite them being the best way to assist in regulation.

Most likely simple convenience. It's the same reason pot dealers are still a thing, despite the fact that users can still grow their own. I'd wager quite a significant number of people would rather just buy a bag of weed rather than spending several weeks/months growing and preparing their own.

[erictheblue]

First of all, I wonder how this can even be done in contradiction to federal law.

If state officials find you smoking/growing, they do nothing. If the feds find you, they can arrest you.

As others have said, I used to be anti-pot along with all other illegal drugs. Then I learned more and met people who had either used it in the past or use it now. I realized they are normal people who lead productive lives. (One of the former users I met is my father-in-law, who just retired from teaching.)

[Canadian Mojo]

One part that has been bugging me with the legalization part has been the regulation of it. I fail to see how the government plans to regulate something that most users grow themselves. Similarly, I don't think drug corporations can possibly undercut that kind of market despite them being the best way to assist in regulation.

Most likely simple convenience. It's the same reason pot dealers are still a thing, despite the fact that users can still grow their own. I'd wager quite a significant number of people would rather just buy a bag of weed rather than spending several weeks/months growing and preparing their own.

I'm sure some people don't grow their own because it is a lot easier to hide a bag of weed then it is a few pot plants. It's also easier to avoid dealer weights which is a good thing if the feds are still in the picture. (I'm assuming they still pull the 'entire weight of plant including soil' B.S. and grossly overstate the street value per plant).

[Qlockworkcanary]

From what I understand, growing the stuff isn't easy ...you have to know what you're doing. Plus homegrown is seldom ever as good as the more exotic stuff. Sure, some growers are excellent at it, but I doubt people could/would effectively grow all that much to keep themselves supplied plus most homegrown isn't worth a darn. I imagine some would grow their own in little amounts but still go buy the premium at the store.

Part of the problem with pot being illegal is that often it's laced with other stuff -PCP, coke, mold, you never know ... or mixed in w/crap that it was shipped in, etc. This is not good and another reason it should be legalized -so it can be tested and approved.

[Nightangel8212]

What I think is sad is that while you guys are LEGALIZING it in some states, up here the Harper Government is making it so you get double the sentence than people who expose themselves to children in public or lure children away to watch child porn

[Distind]

Gah... I'm incapable of discussing this rationally. Suffice to say I look dimly on substance abusers of any stripe and have a particular hatred for the given weed due to family issues.

While I'm sure there are some people out there who are capable of drinking, or any number of other things in moderation, I've watched the results of when people don't. A few times. Legalization should only come with severe penalties for anyone who commits a violent, criminal or negligent act under the influence either staying in place or being created. Even then I'd probably not vote for it.

Edit: Or spelling while discussing it apparently. Derp.