Do You Think Marijuana Shoud Be Legal Or Not?

Why does everyone in this forum have the perception that marijuana is bad for your health and it makes you not care about yourself....

Sugar is far worse for your health yet half the people in this forum are probably obese... If marijuana makes someone happy, feel better, etc... than why is it such a big freaking deal that he use it? They aren't worried about what you are doing...

Most don't even realize the real reason it's illegal, they have just fell into the propaganda about the issues on tv. Hemp is one of the most useful materials in the entire world and has hundreds of uses from clothing to metals, yet they keep it illegal to protect the rich companies.

Blah, our societies are going downhill fast. Living with human sheep.

 

I do think marijuana should be legalized, but not for the same reasons you do (It's awesome - LOL!).
1. It should be used for medical purposes
2. It's stupid to send people to overcrowded jails for possession of marijuana. Let's keep that space for the real criminals.
3. If it's legalized, farmers can grow it & sell it, the government can tax it too. Talk about a stimulus plan!
4. Alcohol is legal & controlled by the government - why not marijuana?

 

I believe it should because there are virtually no negative affects just a lot of potential positives.

 

That's a pretty brave statement for someone who's still in high school.

Without incriminating myself too much on a public forum, I can quite safely say I'm around smokers more than you. You're buddies smoke? Great, my buddies sell it for a living Does that make either of our points any more relevant? Not really

The fact that 1 out of the 20 smokers you know care about their life shows nothing more than you know a very small selection of smokers. My friends and I smoke, and have done for quite some time. Yet almost all of us are heading off to uni (not sure of the American equivilent) this year, with life goals planned out.
Then again a I do know 2 people that have no plans other than to smoke daily.

What does this prove? Nothing, just that some people are more motivated in life than others.

 

Hey, I'm not argueing -- everyone is entitled to their opinion. And actually, you are probably right, at least somewhat. I did the majority of my high school in Canada -- a lot different there.

I grew up in a ROUGH neighborhood. I'm in high school, and I assure you I know a LOT more people than you, thus a larger amount of smokers. I would argue this, but it is pointless, as it won't go anywhere. Don't assume because I am against it I am some "nerd" or "geek" (or whatever they call them nowadays). I simply am against it because I saw it ruin many of my friends lives. How so? Drop out of school, or even get killed -- yes killed. Marijuana doesn't cause direct deaths (health wise), but in another sense, it does create violence. Now you're going to say, legalize it, and that violence won't exist. Be realistic with yourself -- that won't stop the violence over drugs. People get so addicted to it that they become violent for it.

I do not mean to generalize at ALL, but please consider this. If you choose 20 people. Assume 10 are smokers, 10 are not. Also assume these kids are in high school. If you were to rank the top ten (grade-wise), I assure you 9 of the 10 would be from the nonsmokers. I don't know how things were when you were in high school, but maybe they changed now.

I also despise those men who even consider dating women who smoke marijuana. Nothing more trashy in my eyes (unless she's been on the Maury show). I'm sure there are females who feel the same way.

Clearly there is a reason it has not been legalized yet -- or are the smokers smarter than the people in charge?

 

Marijuana does not create violence. You stated you grew up in a 'ROUGH' neighborhood, I'm sure that was the cause for violence. With my thousands of experiences, I have NEVER, not once, became violent because of this. Nor have I ever heard of any wild assumption, coming from someone who has never used.

And quit throwing around assumptions that you know more people and this and that.

And to your point that legalizing it would not stop any violence. Wow, just wow man. You literally have no knowledge on this topic. You do realize there is an entire drug war worldwide because marijuana is being kept illegal. The war is based on MONEY, because our society has been set up in a way that you have to live by money in order to survive as the rest do, in a sense. If it was legalized, there would be no war on the drug, no killing for the drug so they can sell it, nothing. Hence, there would be less violence......

Stop reading your school books so much, you can learn much more with an open mind and thinking for yourself mate.

 

Out of all eternity it has been illegal for less than 100 years. And if you investigate how and why it was made illegal it really becomes ridiculous.

It is the only thing that makes my chronic pain tolerable. "Legal" medications almost lead to my suicide. You decide, I have.

Edit: And yes I am, I qualify as a member of MENSA, do you or most of "the people in charge"?

 

EXCELLENT response!

 

I clearly said -- it does not cause violence directly (meaning the drug does not alter the brain and make people violent). What I meant is that it leads to violence -- bad drug deals, etc.. Even if it becomes legal, people WILL still become violent over it.

I'm also not throwing around "assumptions" -- just stating the facts. It also doesn't take a genious to know the effects of marijuana. I don't think I need to try it to make any "assumptions" -- actually, that is the wrong word -- I'm simply stating facts.

 

Don't have a response of your own?

I also do live my life to the fullest -- I just don't need marijuana to do it. I am not ASSUMING anything. I am speaking from what I have seen first hand. Stop assuming that I AM assuming -- if that makes sense. I am not ASSUMING anything. I did not make this thread to assume things. I am stating what I know. Good for you that you smoke marijuana. I never said I have a problem with those that do it -- I just don't think it should be legal.

 

Fair enough, neither of us can prove our point, so we might as well let that one go heh.

As for weed creating violence, very little in comparison to the harder drugs. People get short changed on deals all the time, but most people just accept it when buying weed.
It's reletively cheap, and the people that get p***ed off with bad deals usualy spend a bit of time getting a better dealer.

Compare that to any of the harder drugs and you'll see the real problems. Powder (most forms of it) is generaly a lot more expensive, addictive and "fun" than weed.
Undercut people for coke and there's a good chance of violence, sell someone a light bag of weed and they'll most likely just not buy from you again

My point being that I'm not arguing that you didn't grow up in a rough area, I'm just saying I doubt most of that violence was caused by weed

 

You're right, not all of the violence was from marijuana. Sorry, I don't mean to seem like I am arguing -- this is what I would call constructive arguing (if there is such thing ).

I'm open to hear the other side of the argument, as you have given. There is always two sides to everything. I'm not some soccer mom psychopath against marijuana. I'm in high school, know people who do it -- just don't like it. If someone likes to smoke, it is their own decision. I just think it will be hard to convince a large, large population of people that legalization is a good idea.

 

No need to apologise mate, this is about the best debate I've seen on the forum so far

And the trouble with a topic like this one is no matter how much we argue, the chances of changing each others opinions is slim.

That said, it does make for a healthy discussion

 

Haha! I think you're right. Then again, you never know -- if it did become legal and it really did fix the economy, I'd change my mind about it

 

You say you're stating facts over something that you have never experienced for yourself. That's like saying, "Yeah, I really enjoy the beaches at Hawaii except every once in a while the sun burns my skin"....when you have never even been to Hawaii itself.

People are always going to be violent, even if everything in the word was illegal. You're whole argument is based off of an opinion you have based off of a select piece of a group. Then you claim the entire group is responsible for the actions of those few. You're using kindergarten teacher techniques to come to your conclusions.

Sure there is violence in drug deals, because people have to evade the ignorant laws, avoid getting sent to prison for 50 times the amount a child rapist gets, etc...all just to do something that makes him happy and doesn't bother you at all. Just as alcohol, anti-depressants, etc...millions of people use them... A select amount of users of those drugs become quite violent, kill people, family abuse, arguments, anger problems, etc.... and it is perfectly fine to be legal... I've been around thousands of smokers from houses to music festivals, and a very very very small group ever brings any violence or negativity around at all. Most people smoke it to become relaxed and to escape all the negativeness of the culture that the people have created. Some people watch movies, go on vacations, go to a bar, etc... my choice is to smoke in my private home, bothering no one at all.



Doesn't make a lot of sense amigo.

 

So if it would fix the economy you would change your mind about it. But you could care less about exactly how our economy got to this point. Possibly you follow scripted mainstream media and see the side of the story they want you to hear, who knows. I don't blame you, because you're still young and I wasn't fully awake to what's going on 4 years ago at your age.

Anyways, I'm done debating here.

 

Done debating as soon as you state your side? NO, I have not only seen one place. I've lived in many areas. When did I ever say I didn't care as for why our economy got here? Did our economy get here because marijuana is not legal? No, that is absolutely ridiculous. I'm not use kindergarten teaching techniques -- you're simply out of words to say. You know, you have one of the worst debating approaches I've seen.

Onlinesupplies takes the right approach. You, on the other hand -- I can bet anything you are a smoker, right? You seem ANGRY as for anyone who opposes you. I'm sorry, but the fact is, marijuana is addictive. I have seen people in Canada, I have seen people in California -- where do you need me to go next? I've seen two COMPLETELY different places, but as for marijuana goes -- it is the same. People who smoke it grow to the point that they need it to have fun, which is pretty sad. I've tried debating this with smokers before -- it is pointless, they will NEVER admit that it is ethically wrong. You know, if we make marijuana legal now for those above 18, or 21, and it does not work, I'll tell you what will happen.

You guys will come back again and say, let's make it legal for those under 15. This will keep happening until we have 5 year olds smoking pot. Don't come back now and say I have kindergarten teaching technique, say something legitimate. You don't seem to be explaining how it will save the economy, you just keep saying it should be legal.

Also, please don't say you only smoke it in the comfort of your home. It starts in your home, but that gets boring. Next, it is at the local park. Next, it is at the local amusement park. Trust me, I've seen all this. I have never seen a smoker only do it inside their home. It keeps escalating. I don't think many parents want someone smoke pot within meters of their kids -- unless their from a trailer park.

 

Of course Marijuana being illegal didn't get our economy in the position it's in. It's practices, which this being a smaller part of them as a whole, are done to have better control over the population.

I'm not angry a bit, I've just seen your argument over and over from people that haven't experienced it themselves. You're saying you don't need to experience it to make your opinion about it, then why try anything if you can get your opinions from other people?

For SOME people, you can say it makes them lazy, sure...so does energy drinks. Some people can't go to work without getting their caffeine fix or their in a pissy mood or get headaches, that's okay though? Some people can't go all day without lying or being a douchbag to people, so when you compare it to those things that go on everyday around you...it's not so bad is it?

I really don't see why you're saying it's addictive. Addictive is when you will prostitute for coke, sell your cars and all your stuff to buy more crack, etc... there is a difference. You can easily stop and continue on with life, and you don't even have to go to an alcohol anonymous meeting or even drug rehab !. Sure you may be a little bumbed, but it doesn't ruin your entire life.

Sure I smoke in public places away from people. People drink alcohol which kills people, ruins families, all day in front of millions of people. People smoke cigs, which kills millions of people, in front of millions of people. Kids watch television and movies that show people drinking, smoking, driving fast, killing people, violence, violence, violence, etc...But all that is fine to be legal, because you have the personal choice to do what you want, even if they are harmful to others.

So sure behman, being around an unharmful plant should scare you... Wow, give me a break. Maybe parents should spend more time with their childeren, teach them the moral they want, and then let them decide on their on how they want to live their life. No, I don't want it to be legal for children. It should have laws regarding it's use. e g: 18/21 years old... Also it should have education materials to teach what exactly it is and the hundreds of great uses it. Which would take some domanating companies out of business, which is why it's left illegal.

 

Too many people keep bringing alcohol into this -- I never mentioned alcohol once.

As for what you said in your 5th paragraph, sorry, but it makes no sense. Did you just say killing people is legal? I also don't think driving "fast" (over the speed limit) is legal. I'm a bit confused as for that paragraph -- please clarify.

Also, as for addiction. There are different levels of addiction. Nonetheless, marijuana is addictive for a LARGE portion of it's smokers -- and once again, I'm stating what I have seen first hand. When kids have to do it before they come to class, you know there is some sort of addiction problem there. Comparing it to coke is ridiculous. Working 4 times a week, then blowing it on marijuana is also addiction to a certain degree, which is something a lot of kids do.

Do not bash parents to spend more time with their kids. Up until the age of 19, or even 20, the brain is not fully developed, thus the chance of doing stupid things is a lot higher. Should all parents leave their 16 year old kid to make their own choice? Stupid. I don't know why you are blaming parents. Majority of parents in the USA do give their children a lot of care -- try visiting 3rd world countries. Kids seem to use their parents as an excuse for everything -- minus myself.

 

The 5th paragraph was explaining the legal drugs and the problems they cause then compared to the problems marijuana causes. Marijuana doesn't cause harm to other people (drunk driving, ruining bodies health, family abuse, etc) as legal drugs such as alcohol do. And no I didn't say killing people was legal, I'm saying alcohol causes millions of deaths each year, yet it remains legal. Marijuana causes zero deaths/harm to health, yet it remains illegal.

Yes there are different levels of addiction, marijuana would be on the lesser of those levels. Everyone is addicted to something in a way, so why should people care so much about limited other people 'addictions' (in marijuana's case, it's just something people smoke/eat to make them feel better, enjoy their time, to see things in a different perspective, and many other HARMLESS activities. So, you have your ability and freedom to have your activities and I have mine.

And I'm not bashing parents at all, I personally think parents should let kids do what makes them happy as long as they aren't harming any one else. Sure they can attempt to teach the morals they have lived by, but it's ultimately up to the individual. They should be responsible for their actions and live by their mistakes. I don't blame my parents for anything, they make mistakes, so do i, so do you... sometimes it brings about harder living conditions economically and emotionally but that's life.