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It's time to legalize pot
Sentinel Review ^ | 9/5/2002

Posted on 09/06/2002 8:59:47 AM PDT by MrLeRoy

It's enough for a big thumbs up ... or a big light up, if you prefer.

Canada should legalize marijuana use by adults, a Senate committee recommended Wednesday. The report comes on the heels of a two-year study of public policy relating to pot.

The present system of prohibition on marijuana just doesn't work, the committee found. Obviously, the committee learned something from early 20th-century history, when alcohol was prohibited in the United States. Then, prohibition simply gave gangsters a product to move and people to shoot.

Instead of the current system that penalizes people for having small quantities of pot on them, there should instead be a regulated system for marijuana, perhaps like our current system for alcohol, the committee determined.

"Scientific evidence overwhelmingly indicates that cannabis is substantially less harmful than alcohol and should be treated not as a criminal issue but as a social and health issue," said Senator Pierre Claude Nolin, the committee chair.

It's true that taking pot still involves the harmful intake of smoke, which the committee recognized. But, as the committee pointed out, it's more of a health issue than anything else.

In addition, making pot legal would clear the way for our police to tackle other, more harmful crimes relating to the public good. Really, would you rather see a pot smoker or a child molester behind bars?

Whether the federal government will ever adopt the Senate recommendations is up in the air. Hopefully the feds won't throw up a smokescreen on this to cloud the issue, and goes ahead with legalization.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: marijuana; pot; wod; wodlist
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To: Destructor
You were asked yesterday to stop the personal attacks.

"To: Destructor
Knock off the personal attacks, name calling and profanity or face suspension or banning. Thank you.

66 posted on 9/5/02 2:33 PM Central by Admin Moderator

You have a one day suspension.

101 posted on 09/06/2002 11:31:59 AM PDT by Admin Moderator
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To: Willie Green
With the druggies gone, the market for socialized medicine disappears as well.

You have an amazing grasp of government and public policies.

102 posted on 09/06/2002 11:32:27 AM PDT by gdani
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To: MrLeRoy
the funniest thing of all is that the WODers believe they are conservatives.
And yet, have still never offered anything to prove that MJ is more dangerous than booze but still insist that it remain a crime.
103 posted on 09/06/2002 11:33:15 AM PDT by vin-one
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To: Jack-A-Roe
I do not endorce wanton pot smoking ..no way,
the issue to me is jailing pot offenders
I'm against that
104 posted on 09/06/2002 11:33:21 AM PDT by cactusSharp
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To: Dakmar
Hmmm...I'm certainly not moving to Canada, but I have been patronizing some of their fine export product.
105 posted on 09/06/2002 11:34:22 AM PDT by Wolfie
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To: f.Christian
This is original...

Liar. That was already posted in Marijuana Reform Group Files Suit Against Officials. (As I said then, "Smackhead William Burroughs wrote stuff that was far more comprehensible than this babble. Seek treatment at once.")

106 posted on 09/06/2002 11:35:06 AM PDT by MrLeRoy
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To: Dakmar
Don't bash America...the NAVY---ask Michael Rivero(poof) about that one!

Poor Jim!

107 posted on 09/06/2002 11:35:17 AM PDT by f.Christian
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To: Destructor
"My facts are ham-handedly dismissed as "government propaganda," being "irrelevant," or "out and out lies." I've been called a Federal Agent, a Disruptor, and a Drug Warrior among other things."

Maybe if you'd actually post some "facts" instead of propaganda you might find things easier...
108 posted on 09/06/2002 11:36:18 AM PDT by Lord_Baltar
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To: f.Christian
Excuse me, FC, I don't work for a fortune 500 company, in a hightech field based on my good looks alone. I actualy do work very productively, with outstanding reviews consistently. And yet you feel I am disfunctional. Tell that to my accountant. Please take a moment and explain to me why is MJ illegal, and should remain that way.
109 posted on 09/06/2002 11:36:40 AM PDT by vin-one
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To: Willie Green
That's just silly and you know it. Do you actually believe that pot smokers are costing this country more in health care costs than senior citizens, welfare recipients, and illegal aliens?
110 posted on 09/06/2002 11:36:46 AM PDT by Dakmar
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To: gdani
What he seems to fail to realize is that the big push behind socialized medicine comes from the poor and from the elderly. Getting rid of the "druggies" would do nothing to slow down the destruction of our healthcare system.
111 posted on 09/06/2002 11:37:06 AM PDT by Dead Corpse
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To: MrLeRoy
If Jim wants to kick me off his board, fine; I've already been kicked off FreeConservatives for the crime of kicking the pro-WOD moderator's ass all over that board---and my life went on.

Sir, Mr. Robinson runs this board and as you are enjoying the benefits of what he's paying for, you should show him a bit more respect.

Your arguments here have consisted of little (if any) evidence and spiteful personal jabs. If your arguments on the other board were similar, it is my guess that you were kicked off the board not for your debating talent but for your lack of respect.

I think it's likely that you can debate rationally and reasonably - and I'm willing to bet that if you did so, you'd be more than welcome on this board and the other.

112 posted on 09/06/2002 11:37:19 AM PDT by Persuasion
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To: Admin Moderator
do you think he will ever learn, and thanks for your diligence.
113 posted on 09/06/2002 11:37:36 AM PDT by vin-one
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To: f.Christian
Don't bash America...the NAVY---ask Michael Rivero(poof) about that one!

I would respond to that, but once again I have no clue what you are babbling about. Are you saying I have insulted JimRob, the United States, and the Navy? Could you please point out where?

114 posted on 09/06/2002 11:40:42 AM PDT by Dakmar
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To: Wolfie
I'm certainly not moving to Canada, but I have been patronizing some of their fine export product.

And they have some fine (Northern Lights) export indeed.

115 posted on 09/06/2002 11:49:57 AM PDT by Mr. Mojo
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To: Persuasion
you should show him a bit more respect.

How have I been disrespectful?

Your arguments here have consisted of little (if any) evidence

You have half a point; in this particular thread, I've just poked holes in the bogus "logic" of others. But there's nothing anti-intellectual about that.

and spiteful personal jabs.

It's sometimes entertaining to sink toward the level of one's opposition. (Though I suppose I oughtn't indulge that urge.)

it is my guess that you were kicked off the board not for your debating talent but for your lack of respect.

You guess incorrectly.

I think it's likely that you can debate rationally and reasonably

It's well established. See, for example, Marijuana Reform Group Files Suit Against Officials.

116 posted on 09/06/2002 11:52:18 AM PDT by MrLeRoy
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To: Jack-A-Roe
NAFTA has its benefits.
117 posted on 09/06/2002 11:55:49 AM PDT by Wolfie
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To: Destructor
Not many will dare go one-on-one with Destructor!

ROFLMAOEABOFC - Too much, too freakin' much!

118 posted on 09/06/2002 11:56:05 AM PDT by realpatriot71
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To: Dakmar
That's just silly and you know it. Do you actually believe that pot smokers are costing this country more in health care costs than senior citizens, welfare recipients, and illegal aliens?

Senior citizens paid into the current system during the course of their more productive years.

Securing our borders, however, takes care of not only the druggies, but also the illegal aliens and welfare recipients. Can't have these lowlifes overburden a system designed to assist our seniors.

119 posted on 09/06/2002 11:57:32 AM PDT by Willie Green
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To: Willie Green
Let the druggies emigrate to Canada and overburden THEIR socialized health-care system.

Straw Man - our health care system would not be any further burdened by a legalization of a substance already in use by the exact same people who would use if it were legal. Nothing changes, except a war against the citizens of the United States, and also the freeing of police to go after real criminals. You have nothing to worry about from the college student, hippie, and cancer patient.

120 posted on 09/06/2002 12:00:39 PM PDT by realpatriot71
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