Legalization of Drugs

[Michele]

I've always thought it was strange that some "drugs" were legal and that others are not. I don't believe there is really a difference in abuse potential for most of them. I read this article which is just one dude's opinion...and I wondered where the opinionated minds of iMSN stood.


http://www.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/09/28/piper.decriminalize.pot/?hpt=C2

[ladymoreta]

First, I'll say I've never tried it, so this is an "uneducated" opinion. I'm all for legalizing marijuana. I think the crimes associated with it are a drain on our court and prison system, and ultimately on society since people who have been in prison aren't eligible for as many jobs and often end up worse off after being released.

I agree with the author that it should be treated like alcohol - no driving when you're under the influence, and no causing public disturbances.

[houseelf]

I definitely support the legalization of mj. What I found to be a very compelling article on this issue is:

http://www.time.com/time/health/arti...893946,00.html

It is a social welfare/health issue ans should be treated as such.

[fluffhead]

I never understood why the prohibition of alcohol took a constitutional amendment, and the banning of other indigenous plants was considered a simple law.
Anyway, I'm all for the end of the war on (some) drugs.

[Vanquisher]

Legalize it!

[SoonerTexan]

Honest question from someone who was happily sheltered from all drugs...is it possible to use it without going into a very altered mental state?

What are the effects of long-term use? Not much worse than alcohol abuse, I assume.

The statistics are compelling, on what has worked & what hasn't. The Portugal model is very cool.

[Chrisada]

I remember watching a detailed story about why Marijuana became illegal on the History channel a while ago. It's total BS and should be legal.

[oceanchild]

First, I'll say I've never tried it, so this is an "uneducated" opinion. I'm all for legalizing marijuana. I think the crimes associated with it are a drain on our court and prison system, and ultimately on society since people who have been in prison aren't eligible for as many jobs and often end up worse off after being released.

I agree with the author that it should be treated like alcohol - no driving when you're under the influence, and no causing public disturbances.

This is pretty much me all the way.

However, we've functionally legalized marijuana in Colorado through a medicinal marijuana thing, and now Denver is trying to put in place some reasonable restrictions on cultivation and sales. And I have to say, the pot advocates are THE MOST annoying people I have ever had to deal with. I dread the Council hearings where they show up en masse.

I don't understand how anyone can be against legalizing marijuana. Who are the "vested interests" mentioned at the end of the cnn article? The drug dealers maybe? I don't see how anyone else benefits from the current situation.

[Thirteen]

...All I know is, the park system in CA would be a lot more natural habitat and a lot less "burn the huge cash crop and arrest the people in charge."
Additionally, I recently discussed this with a friend of mine, and she agrees that the worry of "crime" associated with drugs is very different when comparing mj to something like, let's say, cocaine.
i.e. What would a person high on mj do, versus a person tweaked out on crack? Of course, this is very debatable.
Personally? I've never tried anything, but I'm pretty convinced that legalizing weed would not be the end of the world.

[Meenah]

What would a person high on mj do, versus a person tweaked out on crack? Of course, this is very debatable.

I would think steal your Doritos and brownies, and share them with you vs. steal your car and shoot you!

I didn't read the article but felt compelled to respond!!!

[Thirteen]

I would think steal your Doritos and brownies, and share them with you vs. steal your car and shoot you!

I didn't read the article but felt compelled to respond!!!

Luanne, that's basically what we concluded as well.

[ides]

Legalize it.

[ladymoreta]

I imagine the "vested interests" are the ones currently benefitting from having it be criminal activity - law enforcement, prison systems (fewer inmates means fewer jobs), and trial lawyers.