Legalize Pot?

[Johnny Dangerously]

I'm usually pretty set in my opinions, but on this particular issue I have to say I'm kind of on the fence.

On one hand one could argue that pot is a gateway drug to other drugs. Not sure about the clinical proof of that, but it's possibly a valid argument.

Another argument against legalization could be that it would start a slippery slope. If pot, then why not narcotics? The legalization proponents would argue that these are "victimless crimes" and why not just go the full monty with it?

On the other hand it's kind of hypocritical for one to condemn pot, yet approve of alcohol use isn't it?

The argument could be made that if we legalized pot it would become a regulated industry, we could regulate potency, venues of use, etc. and most important tax a multi billion dollar industry that currently enjoys tax free status.

Many states have already made possession of under an ounce a misdemeanor with punishments commensurate of a traffic ticket.

Furthermore, it could be argued that legalizing pot would do the same thing as ending the prohibition - take the industry out of the hands of organized crime and make it a legitimate business.

Any thoughts? I'm jes askin'....

[MYCAR47562]

It's A Hard One, I Know For A Fact That It Is A Gateway Drug. But On The Same Hand The People Will Smoke It Anyway Why Not Tax Them For It. Hell Maybe It's What We Need To Get Out This Recession. Well At Least Till Everybody Is To Unmotivated To Do Anything.

[Johnny Dangerously]

It's A Hard One, I Know For A Fact That It Is A Gateway Drug. But On The Same Hand The People Will Smoke It Anyway Why Not Tax Them For It. Hell Maybe It's What We Need To Get Out This Recession. Well At Least Till Everybody Is To Unmotivated To Do Anything.

:rofl:rofl:rofl Once again MYCAR, you never disappoint. If I ever make it to your neck of the woods we're going to have to ride together sometime...

[Remphoto]

"Pot will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times with no dope." Jerry Garcia (i think)

That said, of course, I am against legalization. Enough drunk drivers out there, don't need to encourage stoners on the roads, too. And I do believe it is a gateway drug based on experience with friends who now have fried brains. Pot laws did not stop that from occurring, but if legal, more people would be doing it.

[Johnny Dangerously]

"Pot will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times with no dope." Jerry Garcia (i think)

:rofl:rofl Yep, definitely heard that one (and used it back in the 70s & 80s).


That said, of course, I am against legalization. Enough drunk drivers out there, don't need to encourage stoners on the roads, too. And I do believe it is a gateway drug based on experience with friends who now have fried brains. Pot laws did not stop that from occurring, but if legal, more people would be doing it.
I would agree with this and also the fact that THC stays in your system much longer than alcohol. It would make it much more difficult to define DUI. When you blow hot on a breathilizer (sp?) you're busted, but if you come up hot on a piss/blood test for cannabis you may long since have come down from the effects OR you may still be high. How would that be determined?

[The G]

And this is a conservative subject ?

and they call us liberals, maybe this why you guys missed the last 8 years :rofl

[nelson]

It's a good question.

On the other hand it's kind of hypocritical for one to condemn pot, yet approve of alcohol use isn't it?

The argument could be made that if we legalized pot it would become a regulated industry, we could regulate potency, venues of use, etc. and most important tax a multi billion dollar industry that currently enjoys tax free status.

Many states have already made possession of under an ounce a misdemeanor with punishments commensurate of a traffic ticket.

Furthermore, it could be argued that legalizing pot would do the same thing as ending the prohibition - take the industry out of the hands of organized crime and make it a legitimate business.

I definitely see this argument. The hands off libertarian side of me says to hell with it - legalize pot - regulate it - force that whole part of the illegal trade to do legitimate business and pay taxes if they still want to make money from this. Give businesses something else to sell, and let law enforcement spend less time focusing on this.

On one hand one could argue that pot is a gateway drug to other drugs. Not sure about the clinical proof of that, but it's possibly a valid argument.

Another argument against legalization could be that it would start a slippery slope. If pot, then why not narcotics? The legalization proponents would argue that these are "victimless crimes" and why not just go the full monty with it?I can see this too.

Pot has so many different effects on different people beyond just being high - none positive. I have seen radical changes in people who smoke a lot of weed over a long period of time... everything from attitude to incentive to appearance.

I am certain that trying any substance means trying the next substance isn't such a big leap.

And I agree, what would people push to legalize next? Would there be a legalization snowball effect?

I don't really know my answer.

Right now it's hard to see anything outside the context of capitalism, which leans me toward legalization.

[Max]

Well I don't know that pot is the gateway to anything. In my younger years I smoked for several years and never had the desire to try anything else. Of course it was the laws that stopped me even from the occasional smoke knowing it could cost me my job and future. I honestly think beer is a more dangerous drug then pot is. Unlike alcohol you cannot continue to get more and more stoned no matter how much you smoke. When it comes to driving it actually slows people down :) unlike alcohol which people don't always slow down for. I haven't smoked anything in about 20 years so it really doesn't matter to me one way or the other.

[MYCAR47562]

Well My Friend The Stoner Told Me It Is A Gateway Drug, But On The Same Hand Wouldn't A Stoner Tell You Anything To Fell Bad For Him, Give Him Somethng?

[scol]

Every where I look i see some town, state making smoking tobacco eligal, now there's talk about legalizing pot, where the hell is the logic second hand smoke is second hand smoke regardless as to where it comes from. I don't get it.:confused:

[Johnny Dangerously]

Every where I look i see some town, state making smoking tobacco eligal, now there's talk about legalizing pot, where the hell is the logic second hand smoke is second hand smoke regardless as to where it comes from. I don't get it.:confused:

See??? I would agree with that too, but then I go back to the alcohol argument - how can that be legal but not pot which, in my opinion isn't much different.

I mean I'm honestly conflicted about this. I'm leaning in the direction of legalize, tax, control. Otherwise it's just kind of a free for all.

P.S. I don't smoke anything myself, so other than the social implications I don't have a dog in this fight as they say. Just wanted you guys to know that I'm not a pothead...:cool:

[gtrman66]

I have been an advocate of letting the states decide. People cross into Mexico to buy prescription meds without a prescription all the time. Smoking and drinking are really bad for you, yet they are legal. It's a double standard. I wouldn't tolerate a pot-head working for me any more than alcoholic, but by making it illegal, we see the results. Organized crime, cartels, seedy back street deals.... it didn't work for alcohol during the prohibition and it really isn't working with dope.

This falls outside of the scope of FEDERAL gov't. My $0.02 worth.

[Remphoto]

And this is a conservative subject ?

and they call us liberals, maybe this why you guys missed the last 8 years :rofl

Hey man, I smoked some weed back when I was a liberal college hippie!:) That was when I was young and foolish and believe the pap being brainwashed into me by the very liberal faculty at an eastern establishment college. When I grew up and could think for myself, I saw the error of my ways and became conservative.

As to why conservatives are discussing this, you guys have been pretty quiet. We need to talk about something.:)

[Johnny Dangerously]

As to why conservatives are discussing this, you guys have been pretty quiet. We need to talk about something.:)

Exactly! I was just thinking this morning, I'm afraid we've got Engels so beat down he doesn't want to post here any more. He's probably off to greener pastures where he doesn't get near the grief he gets here. I think he and G are the only libs that post here.

We need to go out and recruit more libs so we'lll have someone to beat up on...:rolleyes:

[Remphoto]

I miss Engels. Think he might be over on the VRod forum mixing it up with someone else regarding spelling or grammar. I did enjoy his posts during those times when he is not being insulting.

[Johnny Dangerously]

I miss Engels. Think he might be over on the VRod forum mixing it up with someone else regarding spelling or grammar. I did enjoy his posts during those times when he is not being insulting.
:rofl:rofl I even like it when he's being insulting. In fact, I think that's when he's at his best...

[Remphoto]

:rofl:rofl I even like it when he's being insulting. In fact, I think that's when he's at his best...

His insults are amusing in a Don Rickles kind of way. And he is bright and articulate. Actually he is more like his nemesis Rush Limbaugh than he would ever admit. Both he and El Rushbo have a shtick that makes them appear pompous and a bit arrogant. Rush does not take himself quite as seriously, but in reality I am sure they are both "loveable little fuzzballs" that are just passionate about what they believe. Bet they would be great guys to talk with one-on-one.