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WHY LEGALIZE MARIJUANA?
Voy forum ^ | 2-19-2 | Marc-Boris St-Maurice

Posted on 02/20/2002 6:08:45 AM PST by Magician

My first reaction is WHY NOT?

It’s a question of common sense.

Our marijuana laws do not work. They never have, and they never will.

Their stated goal being to rid society of the so-called affliction of marijuana use, the harsh reality is that since prohibition, usage rates have increased drastically.

Either we legalize it, and fast, or we get busy locking up millions of Canadians. With one out of three Canadians admitting to having tried marijuana, we may very well be locking up our best and brightest, not ruined by drugs, but ruined by the criminal sanctions that go with getting caught for what amounts to a common social practice. I can’t even begin to count how many elected officials admitted to having used it, yet everyday hundreds of average citizens are arrested for marijuana offences.

So, why are there so many users, and why is marijuana so easy to acquire?

In a strange twist, prohibition is to blame.

When a product is illegal, the profit margin skyrockets. Prohibition turns an agricultural product (a plant that’s very easy to grow) into a drug worth its weight in gold. Without prohibition, marijuana would cost pennies to produce. No wonder some adventurous modern day prospectors are setting up in their own back yards and basements to try and get in on the gold rush. Who could blame them? They aren’t hurting anyone, they’re making good money, and most of all customers are willing, grateful participants in the process.

We must come to grips with the fact that the demand for marijuana is never going away and find a better way of dealing with it. Imagine the billions of dollars spent on marijuana and enforcement going to more noble causes like health care and other social programs.

The general public understands this. Support for legalizing marijuana recently reached the much sought after 50%+1 majority. Recent polls show that 51% of Canadians support legalizing marijuana, a slim, but very real majority.

And with more and more advocates, the trend is just taking off. Several European countries like Belgium, Switzerland, Holland and Germany are successfully leading the way towards tolerance with legislation aimed at helping drugs users, not by treating them as criminals, but as human beings deserving of respect. There is no reason why Canada should lag behind. We should be on the cutting edge of this new international movement.

Now it is time to step onto the world stage and assert our sovereignty by legalizing marijuana once and for all. I would venture a friendly wager that the international community would stand by Canada on this issue. Our inevitable success would then make us a world leader in marijuana reform—an example for others to follow.

(I can hear it already): But marijuana is dangerous!

For the record, marijuana is NOT dangerous. It is no worse than coffee and much safer than alcohol. Marijuana is also much less addictive then cigarettes. Chronic use is rare as the majority do not smoke it everyday. Try that with tobacco!

What little risks that may be present with marijuana are no worse then any other risks deemed "morally acceptable". Should we ban music because, if played too loud it might hurt your hearing?

French fries and gravy are far more dangerous for our health then marijuana. Should we ban fast food and send overeaters to mandatory fitness camps?

Who are we, as a society to judge? What exactly are marijuana users guilty of? Who are they hurting? What have they done wrong?

To deny marijuana users the right to choose what they want to consume is nothing more than an arbitrary decision based on moral values, not public interest......

Legalization does not mean promoting use. It means providing medical care, support, education, quality standards and proper labeling. We then trust that responsible adults will make their own choices. This is what makes legalization healthy for our society. At least legalization would force retailers to be accountable for what they sell.

Under prohibition, the government has waived its responsibility for the well being of marijuana users, and is only responsible for their arrest and persecution.

This total disregard for their rights drives a wedge between them and the rest of society and breeds contempt for our legal institutions. If society does not tolerate pot smokers, how are pot smokers supposed to tolerate society? This does not make for a healthy social climate and even less a basis for sound policy.

If a policy so deeply flawed as prohibition not only fails to reach its goals, but actually makes the situation worse, it should be radically changed.

Prohibition is the problem, and legalization the solution.

In places where marijuana is tolerated use actually decreases.

Of course, don’t count on the politicians to have the courage to change the law—it’s not in their nature. Look instead to the Supreme Court. That is where most significant legal change comes from anyway. Gay rights and abortion issues were resolved there, and, some time this year our land’s highest court will also rule on the constitutionality of marijuana prohibition. I strongly urge government to make a wise decision and end this madness now. Millions of bright, productive, patriotic pot-smoking Canadians are counting on it.

Most sincerely, Marc-Boris St-Maurice Le Parti Marijuana


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial
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To: clamper1797
Not really evil just confused and afraid of the wraith of his peers

Oh he might be evil, and what he is really afraid of is spending twenty five years in the pen for dealing drugs. He is less afraid when he has the spoon up his nose, it gives him courage.

701 posted on 02/22/2002 4:13:08 PM PST by Protagoras
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To: Dane
Did your Dad ever say to you(as he was waiting in the truck), hey kid go in the drug store and get me a vial of heroin

Was that your drug of choice? Wow! I thought you only did blow and weed! Did you deal heroin while you were selling other hard drugs?

702 posted on 02/22/2002 4:16:09 PM PST by Protagoras
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To: Virginia-American
Hi VA
I'm willing to go for universal amnesty
stop the war on drugs now
release all in prison for it
and all those under indictment
and skip prosecuting the corrupt narcs
let's just dismantle the whole sh-bang
I'm sick slick willy asked for and was given billion dollars more to fight drugs during his last year in Office
you know that money went directly into the hands of gangsters
I can't wait till we figure out how to stop sending the government so much money
but priority one is stop the war on drugs now
Love, Palo
703 posted on 02/22/2002 4:17:31 PM PST by palo verde
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Comment #704 Removed by Moderator

To: Zon
If in the future you want to attack me, since you apparently can't be honest perhaps you should stick to quoting scriptures.

Careful when mentioning scriptures to CJ, he will hit the abuse button and get your post pulled.

705 posted on 02/22/2002 4:19:55 PM PST by Protagoras
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To: Central Scrutiniser; clamper1797; ThomasJefferson
You all are pahthetic, IMHO.

But you all go ahead and post.

You just give more credence to the term "pot head".

706 posted on 02/22/2002 4:32:37 PM PST by Dane
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To: Virginia-American
For starters billclinton is Head of Dem Party now
The moneymen of Dem Party told Al Gore to get lost and made billclinton Head
clinton is a gangster and looks out for gangster interests
It does not benefit gangsters to have drugs legalized
as their money comes from sex and drugs
The trial lawyers also contribute heavily to Dem Party
and their money comes from defending gangsters
so I don't expect Dem Party under aegis of billclinton to ever legalize drugs
Love, Palo
707 posted on 02/22/2002 4:32:57 PM PST by palo verde
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Comment #708 Removed by Moderator

To: ThomasJefferson
Hi TJ
people can quote Scripture all they want
either God wants us in prison, or He wants us free
I happen to believe God wants us free
Love, Palo
709 posted on 02/22/2002 4:39:39 PM PST by palo verde
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To: VA Advogado
For gods sake, I did NOT make that claim. I only asked about a dozen times why I am EVIL and they said because I support something that is against the law.

I suppose the analogy escapes you. I like how you all paint me with a broad brush saying "pot-head". Did you READ anything I posted?

I can not tell you much about what I do or myself because it is my belief that many people are not homest when they are on the Internet, so what is the point? Suffice it to say, I am not a "Cheech and Chong" type. I told you I do not smoke dope.

Are all imbiders of alcohol gutter alley drunks? Do you all know how to THINK?

710 posted on 02/22/2002 4:44:48 PM PST by Arioch7
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To: Dane
Hey Dane ever figure out that Pyramid thing yet ....
711 posted on 02/22/2002 4:45:13 PM PST by clamper1797
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To: Arioch7
Thats "Honest"
712 posted on 02/22/2002 4:45:45 PM PST by Arioch7
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To: palo verde
people can quote Scripture all they want

I agree, but if you call CJ on his problematical spirituality, be becomes flustered and calls on the nannies to save him.

713 posted on 02/22/2002 5:11:26 PM PST by Protagoras
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To: palo verde
people can quote Scripture all they want

I agree, but if you call CJ on his problematical spirituality, be becomes flustered and calls on the nannies to save him.

714 posted on 02/22/2002 5:11:30 PM PST by Protagoras
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To: Dane
You just give more credence to the term "pot head".

You should know what one is since you have admitted being a drug abuser. Not to mention a dealer.

715 posted on 02/22/2002 5:14:15 PM PST by Protagoras
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To: ThomasJefferson
Hi Tom
I never argue religion
we each have our own beliefs
and I respect all beliefs
but I find this thread exhilaratin', cause so many posters are joining minds for freedom
I couldn't resist saying I bet God loves freedom too lol
Love, Palo
716 posted on 02/22/2002 5:19:16 PM PST by palo verde
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To: palo verde
I never argue religion we each have our own beliefs and I respect all beliefs

I have no problem with what people believe, (although I do not respect all beliefs, like the Taliban's beliefs for instance) I have a problem with people spewing hate in the name of God and also calling themselves something which they are not.

CJ for instance, has no problem telling people what God means, but has a big problem when anyone calls him on where he gets his bizzare concepts.

717 posted on 02/22/2002 5:29:16 PM PST by Protagoras
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To: Virginia-American
Hi VA
it is astute of you to perceive the Dem Party has no courage
they'd never call for something bold and sensible like decriminalizing drugs
but under billclinton they were overtaken by crooks too
I voted staight GOP in last election
I thought x42 would be our dictator if we didn't get Bush in
I'm planning to vote Libertarian from now on, altho I am small l libertarian
Love, Palo
718 posted on 02/22/2002 5:31:14 PM PST by palo verde
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To: palo verde
I couldn't resist saying I bet God loves freedom too lol

No need to speculate on that, he gave us the freedom to believe and follow him or go our own way, you can't make a bigger statement about freedom than that.

719 posted on 02/22/2002 5:32:09 PM PST by Protagoras
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To: palo verde
You are aware that the LP is PRO-CHOICE?
720 posted on 02/22/2002 5:34:38 PM PST by Arioch7
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