Why SHOULDN'T Marijuana be legalized?

Me too. I've thought I should not be there because I'm not a "stoner" though.

 

I've never ever smoked pot, but whatever....Its not like they only talk about that.

 

maybe it's changed; i haven't even gone in there except to link it as a joke in probably over a year, because it used to be really really really really awful there.

 

I have. Not to the point I'm staying up till 4:20.

No, they don't just talk about how high they are...so I don't feel so bad posting there from time to time.

 

It is bad for your health.

 

Snap. Erm, Kind of.

 

decriminizaled in Colorado--legal with a script im Cali only reason i can figure is they havnt figered a way to tax the shit out of it yet--plus its the gateway drug--LOL

 

while cannabis is indeed less physically damaging and very often less psychologically damaging than consumption of some legal intoxicants, most notably alcohol, society simply doesnt need yet another inebriating substance prominently available and promoted. unlike cannabis, the alcoholic beverage industry is, among western societies, centuries (if not millenia) old and is a very important social institution. many people's livelihoods are linked to the production of beers, wines and spirits, and an air of elegance exists among polite society when it comes to alcohol. you can appreciate the subtle nuances of a fine drink...for instance in a wine bar you will never hear the phrase "pass that shit."

as alcohol already exists as an inebriant which can be legally and safely enjoyed in moderation, as it exists as the financial backbone of thousands if not millions of lives, as it provides a venue for sophisticated enjoyment of something for people of all levels of income, and as it's darker side (as with any inebriating substance) is damaging to society, we can scarcely afford to introduce a new inebriant as socially acceptable.

further, legalization of cannabis would promote significant shifts in agriculture, many of which would cause a loss of profits on most ends, except for those farming hemp.

as it stands, cannabis is illegal, a schedule I substance in the united states. while there are certainly some good people who enjoy cannabis and some good people who grow and even sell it, many of these people are not good. due to its illegality, people involved in cultivation, distribution and sale of cannabis are very often involved in other crimes, or more often connected to more serious criminals, people who deal in hard drugs, pushers, people wielding weapons and making money any way they are able. if cannabis were legalized, then the people who would emerge as the pioneers of a newly legitimate business would be the people who know what they are doing. many career criminals would suddenly be ignored, would suddenly be legitimized. even if cannabis, in theory, should be legal, these cutthroats should be prosecuted, not hailed as upstanding citizens all of a sudden.

most importantly, though, every drug promotes or reinforces different values in its consumers. caffeine, for instance, promotes industrious behavior. cannabis, on the other hand, promotes contentment and thus anti-capitalist values. people who habitually smoke cannabis are less likely to stimulate the economy by working as hard as they can in order to make and spend as much money as possible. this may not be a bad thing, but it is in direct opposition to the dominant theme of our society. i dont think this is necessarily a bad change, but it could lead to a VERY drastic change in our society in terms of general attitude, and this must be taken into consideration when discussing legalization. imo, industrious behavior and money-seeking would decrease sharply and people would more often be content with what they have if cannabis consumption was widespread and tolerated.

 

such is not the case in the netherlands where cannabis is widely tolerated (variable).

further, just as it is legal to brew your own beer and make your own wine and grow your own tobacco in the united states, people who had any issue with commercially available cannabis could easily cultivate their own to their specifications. the lazy are the only people stuck with what is available at the store, regardless of what product we're discussing.

similarly, there is a wide range of tastes when it comes to cannabis. some companies would produce as much as cheaply as possible. some would specialize and provide pricier but better quality herb. just like with tobacco and alcohol, a plethora of options would be available, almost definitely including organic/natural cannabis.

 

oh brother--you really believe that---im out

 

in terms of putting people out of work, politically it is infeasible to legalize marijuana.


however i disagree with the widespread claim that it would be impossible to tax. it would be no harder to tax than tobacco or alcohol, both of which can easily be produced at home legally. the key lies in the fact that americans are infinitely lazy. some enthusiasts will grow good pot in their garden or closet of course, but most people won't bother if they can just go to the store and buy a few joints or a blunt or a bag of pot for their pipes

 

if you're referring to my first post, i'd advise you not to be stupid.

very little of that i believe. this thread is for the purpose of playing devils advocate and providing reasonable excuses for prohibition, remember?

i feel i provided a few somewhat compelling arguments for prohibition, whether you agree or not. most of them i would argue against, but a shift in societal values and norms i do believe in, though i don't believe this is a "threat" to anything beyond the status quo, and doesn't warrant prohibition.

 

If marijuana was legalised then hardly anyone would bother voting, and that would be bad because voting is the important thing you can do for your country.

 

Because I would go out of business...

 

I know!! I love them there.

I'm not what you'd call a "stoner".. I get stoned several times a month but I don't really come on here high

That's strange Must've changed.

Micha's there now

 

*

 

because marryjewanna is da devul

 

Thomas Jefferson- "Marijuana is like OMG like super bad!"
George Washington-"Like OMG I know right anyone who smokes it is like an uber loser."
Ben Franklin-"I know like I like knew this guy who did and he's suck a lame fag."

(Actual excerpt from the constitutional convention.)

 

because some people are goofy idiots on it, and would cause others to get hurt.

we'd need to have laws similar to those with alcohol, just less strict, and employers have to be able to send people who are stoned at work home if they're operating heavy machinery and being reckless

 

It would reduce a large portion of the international drug cartels income, all the corrupt politicians would lose money, can't let that happen.