Poll
Question:
Are you for legalizing pot?
Option 1: Yes
votes: 30
Option 2: No
votes: 8
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/22/AR2009112201986.html
QuoteThe same day they rejected a gay marriage ballot measure, residents of Maine voted overwhelmingly to allow the sale of medical marijuana over the counter at state-licensed dispensaries.
Later in the month, the American Medical Association reversed a longtime position and urged the federal government to remove marijuana from Schedule One of the Controlled Substances Act, which equates it with heroin.
A few days later, advocates for easing marijuana laws left their biannual strategy conference with plans to press ahead on all fronts -- state law, ballot measures, and court -- in a movement that for the first time in decades appeared to be gaining ground.
"This issue is breaking out in a remarkably rapid way now," said Ethan Nadelmann, executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance. "Public opinion is changing very, very rapidly."
The shift is widely described as generational. A Gallup poll in October found 44 percent of Americans favor full legalization of marijuana -- a rise of 13 points since 2000. Gallup said that if public support continues growing at a rate of 1 to 2 percent per year, "the majority of Americans could favor legalization of the drug in as little as four years."
A 53 percent majority already does so in the West, according to the survey. The finding heartens advocates collecting signatures to put the question of legalization before California voters in a 2010 initiative.
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At last week's International Drug Reform Conference, activists gamed specific proposals for taxing and regulating pot along the lines of cigarettes and alcohol, as a bill pending in the California Legislature would do. The measure is not expected to pass, but in urging its serious debate, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) gave credence to a potential revenue source that the state's tax chief said could raise $1.3 billion in the recession, which advocates describe as a boon.
There were also tips on lobbying state legislatures, where measures decriminalizing possession of small amounts have passed in 14 states. Activists predict half of states will have laws allowing possession for medical purposes in the near future.
Interest in medical marijuana and easing other marijuana laws picked up markedly about 18 months ago, but advocates say the biggest surge came with the election of Barack Obama, the third straight president to acknowledge having smoked marijuana, and the first to regard it with anything like nonchalance.
"As a kid, I inhaled," Barack Obama famously said on the campaign. "That was the whole point."
In office, Obama made good on a promise to halt federal prosecutions of medical marijuana use where permitted by state law. That has recalibrated the federal attitude, which had been consistently hostile to marijuana since the early 1970s, when President Richard Nixon cast aside the recommendations of a presidential commission arguing against lumping pot with hard drugs.
Allen St. Pierre, the executive director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, said he was astonished recently to be invited to contribute thoughts to the Office of National Drug Control Policy. Obama's drug czar, Gil Kerlikowske, was police chief in Seattle, where voters officially made enforcement of marijuana laws the lowest priority.
smoke 'em if you got 'em boys
What is your stance on it Stephen?
I voted yes.
It is none of the government's business what a private citizen wishes to ingest recreationally.
Dope is for dopers.
Marijuana laws are for the oppression of free people.
I'll vote yes for pot... Other drugs can stay illegal.
I support the legalization of pot and most other drugs, so of course I voted yes.
but shouldn't this be in the national politics forum?
To hell with everything. The country's going down the tube anyway so why not legalize everything that's illegal.
Heights Unknown
WOOOOOOOOOO ANARCHY!
*humps the neighbor's dog*
Sounds good to me, have glaucoma, would be the most popular person in the complex!
Quote from: Reaper man on November 23, 2009, 09:34:10 PM
WOOOOOOOOOO ANARCHY!
*humps the neighbor's dog*
*tapes and sells to the internet for alot of money* o-o
Well like in the Netherlands there are many gray areas surrounding this there. Technically is is not legal although tolerated and for tax purposes the government turns a blind eye. Therefor provided a coffeeshop owner doesn't try and bend the rules and sticks to the strict guidelines set out by the government everything is alright.
As a consumer/smoker, you are legally allowed to have up to and including 5 grams of weed on you at any time. This may have changed recently although it used to be that a coffeeshop could not sell you more than this amount at one time. Although as there are no stop and search laws you could repeat this purchase in a number of coffeeshops.
Citizens are allowed to own a certain number of plants too. I believe that amount is 5.
Of course some of the rules and laws differ from city to city. Like where and when a coffeeshop can open etc.
The Netherlands is low in crime compared
Quote from: Sportmotor on November 23, 2009, 10:06:44 PM
*tapes and sells to the internet for alot of money* o-o
You better give me a cut of that. >:|
Hell YES! For someone with xxx medical problems, this would be a Godsend for me. Get me off these damn adictive pain killers and on something that works with all natural reactions, and little to no side effects. YES YES YES! Maybe for once Faye and I will agree on something important?
Doesn't hurt that I'm an old hippie too! YEAH!
OCKLAWAHA (dancing on his head around the kitchen)
With all of the push around the country to essentially ban cigarettes I really don't see this happening. The problem with pot is that there are those that may be exposed to its affects unwillingly, the same with cigs. Personally I don't have a problem with pot itself but I don't want my kids exposed to a pass-by buzz because someone is toking nearby.
IMO, keep it behind closed doors at home and all is good. Assuming you aren't exposing your own children to it as well.
My vote therefore is to keep it illegal unless there are some strict regulations set with regards to the amount allowed and where it can be smoked.
I agree with Jason's stand on it.
I also hate the smell of that crap.
Quote from: Jason on November 24, 2009, 11:40:31 AM
Personally I don't have a problem with pot itself but I don't want my kids exposed to a pass-by buzz because someone is toking nearby.
(http://www.moviegoods.com/Assets/product_images/1020/420731.1020.A.jpg)
(http://www.brucealanblock.com/images/Reefer_Madness_movie_Poster.jpg)(http://www.vinmag.com/online/media/gbu0/prodlg/AP674-assassin-of-youth-movie-poster.jpg)
Wow man! If your kids can cop a buzz on a pass-by, I want the name of your dealer! (Only for future reference of course).
As is most everyone else, your assuming that it's always smoked, not true. Cannabis is a herb in the same family as tomatoes (Fact is they both produce THC) and can be used in anything cooked.
It can also make a tea that tastes good like the Oklahoma prairie grasses smell after the rain. This could be a life saver considering the narcotics handed out today for most anything. DISCLAIMER: Not that I have ever tried any of this stuff, but I have read the book, seen the movie...etc.
OCKLAWAHA
Quote from: Ocklawaha on November 23, 2009, 11:26:33 PM
Hell YES! For someone with xxx medical problems, this would be a Godsend for me. Get me off these damn adictive pain killers and on something that works with all natural reactions, and little to no side effects. YES YES YES! Maybe for once Faye and I will agree on something important?
Doesn't hurt that I'm an old hippie too! YEAH!
OCKLAWAHA (dancing on his head around the kitchen)
Ah, you mean to say you don't believe in LOVE and PEACE anymore ;)
i've never smoked or saw the point of it, but i'd like it to be legalized. it would be a monster revenue generator.
Quote from: fsu813 on November 24, 2009, 12:31:41 PM
i've never smoked or saw the point of it, but i'd like it to be legalized. it would be a monster revenue generator.
Yeah, and then watch the alcohol and tobacco lobbyists shit themselves. They will do everything in their power to make sure it won't happen here.
just because it is legalized doesn't mean everyone will start doing it. Alcohol and tobacco will sustain itself just fine. All three have different effects on the consumer and aren't interchangable.
QuoteWow man! If your kids can cop a buzz on a pass-by, I want the name of your dealer! (Only for future reference of course).
As is most everyone else, your assuming that it's always smoked, not true. Cannabis is a herb in the same family as tomatoes (Fact is they both produce THC) and can be used in anything cooked.
It can also make a tea that tastes good like the Oklahoma prairie grasses smell after the rain. This could be a life saver considering the narcotics handed out today for most anything.
DISCLAIMER: Not that I have ever tried any of this stuff, but I have read the book, seen the movie...etc.
OCKLAWAHA
Ock, that's the reason I stated that if legalized there would need to be strict regulations. Someone sitting next to me or my family eating some pot brownies or sipping a tea is no different then someone drinking a beer or cocktail. I just don't want my children exposed to any side effects of some else's smoke, that's all.
Quote from: Jason on November 25, 2009, 08:44:01 AM
QuoteWow man! If your kids can cop a buzz on a pass-by, I want the name of your dealer! (Only for future reference of course).
As is most everyone else, your assuming that it's always smoked, not true. Cannabis is a herb in the same family as tomatoes (Fact is they both produce THC) and can be used in anything cooked.
It can also make a tea that tastes good like the Oklahoma prairie grasses smell after the rain. This could be a life saver considering the narcotics handed out today for most anything.
DISCLAIMER: Not that I have ever tried any of this stuff, but I have read the book, seen the movie...etc.
OCKLAWAHA
Ock, that's the reason I stated that if legalized there would need to be strict regulations. Someone sitting next to me or my family eating some pot brownies or sipping a tea is no different then someone drinking a beer or cocktail. I just don't want my children exposed to any side effects of some else's smoke, that's all.
A reasonable take.
I like smaller government with great individual freedom. That said, I am not an anarchist who would remove all legal and social constraint. We should be free to be naked, but not in public. (most of us at least! ;) )
How about the freedom to be nude at our public beaches?
^ I'll be the judge of that....
I think there might be some fools that will blow smoke in the air till all the Nonsmokers get on them and the thrill wears off.
After that it will most likely be enjoyed in private and will be at our local Hookah establishments...(WHAT! They are out of everything but Mexican!?!) :D
Just wait till the ACLU and NAACP start crying foul about profiling their clients for smoking in public.
This will lead to something like an open container law.. (The roach law?)
Regarding public consumption during the work day....C,mon..I would send my employees home for ANY signs of intoxication of anything. THIS INCLUDES PILL ABUSE! just because you have a "Doctors" prescription doesn't give you the right to come to work all whacked out on all these meds.
Quote from: Jason on November 24, 2009, 11:40:31 AM
With all of the push around the country to essentially ban cigarettes I really don't see this happening. The problem with pot is that there are those that may be exposed to its affects unwillingly, the same with cigs. Personally I don't have a problem with pot itself but I don't want my kids exposed to a pass-by buzz because someone is toking nearby.
IMO, keep it behind closed doors at home and all is good. Assuming you aren't exposing your own children to it as well.
My vote therefore is to keep it illegal unless there are some strict regulations set with regards to the amount allowed and where it can be smoked.
@Jason
I am for the legalization of pot - mostly because the reasons it is illegal are laughable. However, I agree with what you are saying where kids are concerned...but, what is to prevent your kids from getting a contact high now?
People smoke pot all the time. It's extremely popular and it's all over the place. Sure, you're not going to get exposed to it while eating out at Olive Garden but you might while walking through the parking lot.
My point is that people are going to use it regardless. You have almost as much risk as exposing your kids to it - illegal or not. Should they legalize it, people will use it in inappropriate places...just like alcohol. That's human nature. DUI is illegal, yet millions of people do it.
It's not OK to smoke in most places these days anyway so I fail to see how pot would be any different. That doesn't mean that people will follow the rules though.
The pros outweigh the cons.
(http://lemonodor.com/archives/images/top-o-the-mornin-pot-sticker.jpg)
"Then secreted from the law, there is that desert cabin in Landers California, where Ocklawaha, has been rumored to indulge in secret rituals..." Quote from: FayeforCure on November 24, 2009, 12:31:01 PM
Quote from: Ocklawaha on November 23, 2009, 11:26:33 PM
Hell YES! For someone with xxx medical problems, this would be a Godsend for me. Get me off these damn addictive pain killers and on something that works with all natural reactions, and little to no side effects. YES YES YES! Maybe for once Faye and I will agree on something important?
Doesn't hurt that I'm an old hippie too! YEAH!
OCKLAWAHA (dancing on his head around the kitchen)
Ah, you mean to say you don't believe in LOVE and PEACE anymore ;)
WTF? Being stoned never stopped anyone from love and many have found peace in another dimension. I'm 100% for decriminalization of Pot and all Pot products, and loosing the regulations on Opium smoking products to about where Pot is today. Decriminalization of this product without legalization, would mean grow your own. The Federal Government would stay the hell out of the business, tax or otherwise.
Don't worry Faye, I voted Fascist Just for you! When I see you downtown again, I'll be sure to double park the micro-bus in front of your car.O C K L A W A H A
Number of people who have died of alcohol poisoning or prescription drug overdoses this year alone = thousands. Number of people who have died from overdosing on marijuana, ever = 0.
Amount of money spent each year on law enforcement to stop marijuana import and use = Billion$
Amount of money collected on taxes on marijuana each year = 0.
No brainer!
There are pros and cons to everything, but I tend to agree with Jason. I don't want to breathe in anybody's smoke of any kind, anywhere. Also, I would not want the pilot of any aircraft which I happen to board to be stoned, nor a train engineer, surgeon, etc. But it would raise a lot of tax revenue. And piss off our neighborhood drug dealers. heehee....
What is stopping any of the people you don't want handling your life in their hands not tending to you drunk or looped on pills . . . Probably the same thing that will keep them from showing up stoned. An addiction is an Addiction no matter the root.
Give us legal Pot and we will grant to you fullauthority (big new word) to the beltway proceedings.
This action(ze) will then render us as Northern Californians ll which will create averting end of America.(Even though we lost Orange Park and Clay County-good trade!)
?
"?".....just like a jax native...........
::)
Quote from: north miami on November 26, 2009, 12:00:39 AM
"?".....just like a jax native...........
No, he was throwing a question mark at you because you were incoherent and not making any fucking sense.
Excerpted from http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/11/03/national/main5515569.shtml
Portugal: A Case Study
In 2001, Portugal decriminalized not just marijuana but all drugs - heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine. Drug use has held steady overall, but declined in several key demographics, including teenagers. Drug-related crime plummeted. So did overdoses and HIV from needle use.
Last year, the libertarian-leaning Cato Institute sent the writer Glenn Greenwald to Portugal to report on the country's experience in the nearly eight years since decriminalization.
Greenwald, a former attorney who blogs at Salon.com, is best known for his liberal positions on civil liberties, torture, and the Bush administration. He said he has never written about drug policy before and went to gather empirical evidence on Portugal's outcomes. (Greenwald lives in Brazil and speaks fluent Portuguese.) The result was a strongly positive 30-page report published by Cato in April.
"In the 1990s they probably had the single worst problem with drug abuse and related pathologies of any country in Europe. Crime was through the roof," Greenwald said in an interview in September. "They felt like they had a huge crisis on their hands … The more they criminalized the worse it got."
Since decriminalization, lifetime prevalence rates (which measure how many people have consumed a particular drug or drugs over the course of their lifetime) in Portugal have decreased for various age groups. For students in the 7th-9th grades (13-15 years old), the rate decreased from 14.1 percent in 2001 to 10.6 percent in 2006. For those in the 10th-12th grades (16-18 years old), the lifetime prevalence rate, which increased from 14.1 percent in 1995 to 27.6 percent in 2001, the year of decriminalization, has decreased subsequent to decriminalization, to 21.6 percent in 2006.
Other age groups saw increases: lifetime prevalence among 20- to 24-year olds rose about 9 percent.
Quote from: Reaper man on November 26, 2009, 07:19:29 AM
Quote from: north miami on November 26, 2009, 12:00:39 AM
"?".....just like a jax native...........
No, he was throwing a question mark at you because you were incoherent and not making any fucking sense.
North Miami was probably just hitin' the pipe :o
Meanwhile, back in Florida, 2 legislators - including Sen. Steve Wise from this area - are proposing a 25% tax on the sale of bongs.
QuoteSen. Steve Wise, R-Jacksonville, and Rep. Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg, have both filed legislation that would subject a range of pipes often used to smoke crack or marijuana to a 25 percent tax.
The charge would come regardless of whether the pipes are to be used for legal purposes or not â€" a way to get at so-called “head shops†that often sell the instruments while claiming they don’t know whether the pipes are going to be used for tobacco or something else.
“What we hope to do is get rid of the charade, the hypocrisy,†Rouson said.
From jacksonville.com: http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2009-11-25/story/two_florida_lawmakers_propose_25_percent_bong_tax%E2%80%99
Steve Wise and Darryl Rouson talking about getting rid of charade and hypocrisy????? Best and quickest way for either of them to do that would be to resign and go home. That would make a measurable difference in the level of hypocrisy in the Legislature for sure!
Look to the beam in your own eye, guys!
Quote from: thebrokenforum on November 25, 2009, 10:05:13 AM
Quote from: Jason on November 24, 2009, 11:40:31 AM
With all of the push around the country to essentially ban cigarettes I really don't see this happening. The problem with pot is that there are those that may be exposed to its affects unwillingly, the same with cigs. Personally I don't have a problem with pot itself but I don't want my kids exposed to a pass-by buzz because someone is toking nearby.
IMO, keep it behind closed doors at home and all is good. Assuming you aren't exposing your own children to it as well.
My vote therefore is to keep it illegal unless there are some strict regulations set with regards to the amount allowed and where it can be smoked.
@Jason
I am for the legalization of pot - mostly because the reasons it is illegal are laughable. However, I agree with what you are saying where kids are concerned...but, what is to prevent your kids from getting a contact high now?
People smoke pot all the time. It's extremely popular and it's all over the place. Sure, you're not going to get exposed to it while eating out at Olive Garden but you might while walking through the parking lot.
My point is that people are going to use it regardless. You have almost as much risk as exposing your kids to it - illegal or not. Should they legalize it, people will use it in inappropriate places...just like alcohol. That's human nature. DUI is illegal, yet millions of people do it.
It's not OK to smoke in most places these days anyway so I fail to see how pot would be any different. That doesn't mean that people will follow the rules though.
The pros outweigh the cons.
My being a responsible parent prevents my children from exposure, legal or not. I simply move on. And I really do see your points, the fact that it is illegal desn't make me or my family and safer. I get it. I've had my own fare share of experiences with the stuff and chose to leave it alone for my own reasons.
Again, if the legalization is done so with some stipulations on how and where it is consumed I have no problems whatsoever. No driving while under the influence, keep the smoke away from others, and have all the fun you want in liscensed establishments or at home. Easy.
I have a friend that got busted once in San Luis Obispo, CA, she tried to drive from LA to SF on highway 101, at 6 miles per hour!
OCKLAWAHA
You mean she made it that far??! Must have started at rush hour (ooo! bad pun!) in L.A.
Quote from: stephendare on November 25, 2009, 02:13:58 PM
Im for it.
Tax the hell out of it!
+1,000,000,000 The tax-revenue would be awesome , and compared to most other Illegal drugs and those that are legal, such as Alcohol ... It seems pretty ridiculous that it is still illegal. That said , I concur with Jason in that it should have some regulation as to amounts, should not be used to the point that it impairs ,just as alcohol does, coupled with operating an Automobile, and should not be sold to minors, just as with Alcohol.
Quote from: Ocklawaha on December 01, 2009, 09:55:13 AM
I have a friend that got busted once in San Luis Obispo, CA, she tried to drive from LA to SF on highway 101, at 6 miles per hour!
OCKLAWAHA
LOL... this is what I mean about using it and operating an automobile.. :)