Should marijuana be legalised? (4 Viewers)

[Comrade nathan]

Tonight there at 10 there is a documentory on called "Grass" by Woody Harelson. It is about Marijuana and the laws and how they came about.

 

[Riewe]

But at least with alcohol, you're personality and that doesn't change over time, and when you do drink, the effects are better than pot (at least what i've seen from people when comparing their reaction to both). Alcohol drinkers seem more happy and energetic than pot smokers imo.

 

[Jago]

Yes, yes it should.

 

[spell check]

But at least with alcohol, you're personality and that doesn't change over time, and when you do drink, the effects are better than pot (at least what i've seen from people when comparing their reaction to both). Alcohol drinkers seem more happy and energetic than pot smokers imo.

that's such bullshit

why do you think alcohol is considered such a massive social problem causing violence etc while marijuana is associated with 'peace loving hippies'

 

[Not-That-Bright]

I think alcohol should (and eventually will) be banned.

 

[Götterfunken]

But at least with alcohol, you're personality and that doesn't change over time, and when you do drink, the effects are better than pot (at least what i've seen from people when comparing their reaction to both). Alcohol drinkers seem more happy and energetic than pot smokers imo.

Oh? What about the hundred of cases of domestic abuse, each year, caused by alcohol. And I'm sure the thousands, if not millions, of people globally with serve liver problems, and a range of other problems bought about by alcohol, would disagree with your peachy assessment of alcohol.

Although I do not believe conclusive evidence suggests definitively that one is better, or worse, then the other, I do believe current theories and research suggests that generally marijuana is no more worse, in the short or long term, then alcohol. If anyone has valid and reputable information that that contradicts this I will be happy to read it. Of course such statements are ambiguous—the usage factors of both substances will obvious have differing short and long term consequences.

http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/harm-al.htm
http://www.engology.com/articlealcohol.htm

 

[Götterfunken]

I think alcohol should (and eventually will) be banned.

Some sarcasm is hard to pick up on the internet--where you being serious?

 

[Sonic]

Nothing in society is without laws; I don't think anyone is suggesting that by legalising it there will be no laws associated with it. Its like alcohol, which is still legal, but heavily legislated and regulated.

it's different with drugs though

 

[The_highwayman]

Although I do not believe conclusive evidence suggests definitively that one is better, or worse, then the other, I do believe current theories and research suggests that generally marijuana is no more worse, in the short or long term, then alcohol.

Then make alcohol illegal as well.

 

[MoonlightSonata]

it's different with drugs though

What constitutes a "drug" is simply a conception constructed as the result of the dominate discourse within any society. You only think of drugs as different to alcohol because you've been disciplined and conditioned that way.

 

[Genesys]

By definition alcohol is drug and I don't know why it shouldn't be treated as such.
Legalising the use of marajuana in certain situations for medical purposes I think is acceptable, however it would be difficult to regulate this, especially when it comes to deciding what constitues "medical purposes" but generally I am talking about use by people suffering of cancer and similar such situations.

No tolerance was shown not to work in New York, legalisation seems to work for the dutch. I guess it depends on the societie's mindset as to what the effects would ultimately be.

 

[Genesys]

I don't think it would be possible for alcohol to be made illegal and yes people should excercise responsible judgement. The problem with drugs is that they effect the whole population and people under the influence of any drugs are incapable of excercising such judgement. It's very different from stopping yourself eating cake...which would just effect you. Other people are effected adversely, and so such laws are needed. Sometimes people just can be logical and reasonable with their decisions, then the law has to step in.

 

[Not-That-Bright]

Most of us have chosen to drink alcohol for fun despite it's negative effects. While there are a lot of people who are affected adversely by it and/or affect society, the majority of drinkers don't harm society by ways of crime or health.

This is where I think you're wrong... I think alcohol on the whole is detrimental to the majority of society.

 

[soha]

even tho marajuana should be banned, then so should alcohol, and eventually cigarettes, and everything that can effect us in anyway whatsoever....even tho a world free of all that shit would be great

i think its all here for a reason...such is life

 

[spell check]

I don't think it would be possible for alcohol to be made illegal and yes people should excercise responsible judgement. The problem with drugs is that they effect the whole population and people under the influence of any drugs are incapable of excercising such judgement. It's very different from stopping yourself eating cake...which would just effect you. Other people are effected adversely, and so such laws are needed. Sometimes people just can be logical and reasonable with their decisions, then the law has to step in.

that doesnt really make sense

are you saying obesity/weight problems and associated health issues like heart disease don't effect "the whole population"

 

[katie_tully]

soha, if we banned everything that can affect us in anyway whatsoever, we'd probably live in a vacuum. which would be interesting at best....

Come fly with me (in a vaccum), lesbian nanoparticle!

 

[DooGseY]

Banning marijuana is infringing upon our personal rights and freedoms. If the government says I'm mature enough to vote, then I say I'm mature enough to know how I want to live my life.

 

[Götterfunken]

... my reasons are my own!

And with an exclamation mark and all!

 

[SashatheMan]

in my opinion. if u legislate weed, notihng much will change, more people might try it , not like it and not smoke it again. Regular weed smokers will continue smoking weed. the only things that will change is that the dealers who sell weed will find it harder to compete with the shops , unless weed is taxed ridiculous amounts. anyway .

so basically everyone just grab a joint, put Bone Thugs - weed song , on your Cd player and mellow out.

 

[The_highwayman]

Cutting off your toe is bad for you. Therefore we must make a law to encourage us not to do it.

That is a dodgy comparision. How many people cut off their toes at parties? Besides, what u have said has already happened, in part. There is a law against selling knives to under 18's or something...coz 18+ KNOW that u shouldnt cut of people's toes.

It's like binding yourself to a chair to stop yourself from eating the cake in front of you.

No, u just get rid of the cake. I didnt say lock people inside their houses so they cant get alcohol. I said get rid of the alcohol. once again, a dodgy comparison.

While there are a lot of people who are affected adversely by it and/or affect society, the majority of drinkers don't harm society by ways of crime or health.

Not-So-Bright has this one covered

At the end of last year on the news there was a bunch of people who drowned in a river when a family picnic went bad...but the first thing one of the mothers said was that the river should be fenced off, and that the system had failed them. This picnic was within a national park. To me, the blame-shift from the mother was an even bigger tragedy.

I agree, that is excessive, but the comparison is not the same! Water, as a whole does positive things for the world. We all know without it, we would die. Generally, water is not poisonous, however all alcohol is poisonous. Humans only drink one type of alcohol (ethanol) because it is LESS poisonous than the others. The fact remains, however, that alcohol is still poison and thus, we would be better off without it.