Decriminalizing Pot: Why Stop There?

Toronto Sun ^ | July 21, 2002 | Connie Woodcock

[chitownman]

I've never tried marijuana. But it seems like out last two president's have. How bad can it really be, when you have leaders of the most powerful nation have indulged in the good ole mary jane?

Wait a minute - we must protect the children. They can't be doing this stuff - it was only meant for us to learn that it is the wrong thing to do. We enjoyed - I mean learned to give it up and now we stand as proud and shining examples of how not to smoke it.

So now we must pass extreme laws that have zero tolerance.

Put everyone in jail who smokes the weed - except for my children. Problem solved!

Class Dismissed!

[Wolfie]

The marijuana of the 1990's is much much stronger than that used in the 1970s.

This is a common Prohibitionist lie.

[LadyDoc]

And your solution to the drug situation is....?

Have every pastor remind their congregation about the joys of sobriety, hard work, faithfulness in marriage, and caring for children as the aim of life, not "living life to the fullest".

The alcoholism epidemic of the early 1880's was largely stopped because one brave pastor, seeing the deaths and family disintigration, decided to preach on it, and the movement spread.

But of course, people now worship at the church of TV. And a drugged up/drunk population become sheep easy to welcome a nanny state that will remove the need for personal responsibility.

As for rehab, it only works if the society changes. Nowadays, they come home from rehab, and the local crack houses are still there. And don't fool yourself: Meth and crank are the REAL problems in the bible belt, and usually polypharmacy is the rule.

[RJCogburn]

Well, I agree with you in general. The 'solution' lies in reducing demand. We can reduce demand the same way, hopefully, as has been done with tobacco....education, societal disapproval.

We'll never succeed on the supply end, IMHO.

[vin-one]

The marijuana of the 1990's is much much stronger than that used in the 1970s.

This is a bold face lie and you know it, it has been disproved many many times, right here on FR. it may be slightly stronger, and tests have prooved it over and over again, that the overall THC level has not signifcantly increased.

Most of the people I know who smoke take parenting seriously, in fact of the people who smoke MJ, I can't think of many that are divorced, and most are raising well adjusted children. As opposed to the many other parents putting kids, on ritalin, and all other sorts of anti-depressants. I would rate the Pot smokers as some of the best parents around.

[vin-one]

but it certainly is addictive. Legalizing it will produce great tax revenue because, to the addicts at least, it is a necessity. Regardless of the tax burden they must continue to buy.

this is so from Refer Madness movies, MJ is not addictive, it is habit forming and has virtually no withdraw symptoms when quitting.

[palo verde]

hi vin-one
you are correct
I smoked MJ for 10 years
I stopped when I no longer enjoyed it
it is not addictive, nor habit forming, there were no withdrawal symptoms

it is different from trying to give up cigs
I used to try to give up cigs
it seems like impossible feat
finally I stopped trying to give them up
I just wish they'd lower the taxes on them, so carton of marlboros doesnt cost a fortune

I never got into alcohol at all
the high didnt work for me
just made me dizzy and I couldnt remember my thoughts

I think all drugs should be legalized
let people do what they want
Love, Palo

[vin-one]

Well, I have quit my tobacco habit, many many many times, the withdrawl sypmtoms can last years, I quit in Feb. and actually back slid, for beach week. MJ. I was forced to quit all the time do to availablity. Never had any problems compared to tobacco. Beer is my choice of beverage, and an occasionaly weekend warrior with a couple of my brothers....

legalize and tax it. It is much less harmful, than what is currently legal intoxicants.

[palo verde]

Hi RJ
I don't understand the above posts
I was still liberal when I watched the Starr Investigation and realized clinton would get rid of our Constitution if we didn't get rid of him
I wanted him Impeached and removed from power more than anything else in the world
When I got on internet in '99 I joined Lucianne and FR
because liberals refused to see truth about clinton
right-wingers were willing to see it
I became right-wing on these forums, because I understood the falsehood of liberalism is the idea that someone else knows what is better for you than you do
Don't right-wingers support individual liberty?
I now think the only purpose of government is to protect our liberties
Love, Palo

[palo verde]

hi vin-one
I stopped trying to quit cigs
I enjoy smoking
they have one advantage too, they are a way to do nothing when the best thing I can do is nothing
when my marriage went thru turbulent time & I was teaching myself not to answer back
(I wanted to stop fighting)
I would light a cigarette
lol maybe this is what Jesus meant when he taught, it's not what goes into your mouth which hurts you, it's what comes out of it
I dont think cigarettes ever hurt me
but fighting was debilitating me
and I'm sure happy I saved my marriage
(I love my husband)
Love, Palo

[RJCogburn]

Hi, palo, good to run into you again.

Don't right-wingers support individual liberty?

Some do, some don't. I think the so-called 'cultural' or 'social' conservatives are less likely to do so across the board. I agree with them a lot, but don't agree with their desire to have the government impose those ideas.

[palo verde]

Hi RJ
nice to run into you again too
rofl I remember the totally cynical piece you posted on Valentines Day
I don't believe in sacrifice either
I think love and freedom go hand-in-hand
(who among us does not want both)
what a come down for Asa Hutchinson
he was so courageous and trustworthy during Impeachment
now he's making war on individual liberty

they've got to stop this war on drugs
corruption from drug money is dragging down our whole government
Love, Palo

[Snuffington]

Don't right-wingers support individual liberty?

Not those eager to legalize something and then heavily tax it. I really don't get the "freedom" angle in that position.

[StriperSniper]

and more cops til we get everyone sober.

LOL! You are right, we need lots more - D.A.R.E. cop faces local prosecution

;-)

[Protagoras]

We can make this a better brave, new world. With video cameras and by deputizing everyone, we can get everyone to do right.

I assume, perhaps incorrectly, that you are using sarcasm. But there are many here who really do subscribe to that exact philosophy. They are too cowardly to admit it so they dance around the edges.

[palo verde]

hi snuffington
I think prostitution should be legalized too
I'm willing to tax prostitution and drugs
it's the income tax I want to get rid of

I think there is diff between taxed and heavily taxed
carton of Marlboros costs $11 on the air force base near me
but I have to pay $40 for the same carton at the grocery store
they are screwing us cig smokers

my priority remains stopping the war on drugs tho
our fellow citizens are being put in prison for exercising individual liberty
while gangsters grow rich on drugs and sex money

all the money we give Colombia et al for war on drugs
goes right into hands of gangsters there
Love, Palo

[A2J]

Kudos on #12.

It's good to see some common sense on this thread.

[A2J]

Who cares? I wouldn't let Canadia influence US laws, so why should they let us influence theirs? Sovereignty is still a very valid concept.

Agreed. Canada is one of the most liberal nations on earth and one that America would do best to ignore.

[Snuffington]

I'm willing to tax prostitution and drugs

why?

[palo verde]

Hi TJ
how can anyone control another person
citizens will turn to black market to get what they are not sold legally
posters on FR have a right to express that point of view
I just don't agree with them
I'm for freedom for my fellow citizens
I expect this issue to be front burner on the political arena shortly
Love, Palo