Legalization of Marijuana?

[Catty1]

I don't recall who it is - but someone here in Canada expressed the opinion (some years ago) that all illegal substances be legalized and available by prescription or some such method.

Why?

It would put the drug dealers and related gangs out of business. Less violence.

Not a bad idea...

[Pembroke_Corgi]

"Medicinal" marijuana is legal here in Colorado. I put medicinal in quotes because I would estimate that 90% of the people who have a medical marijuana card don't actually need it for medical reasons. The regulations around medical marijuana have tightened up recently, but several years ago it was not uncommon to see sign spinners all over less-than-savory districts of Denver advertising their dispensary (though not all communities have allowed dispensaries; we don't have any in the city I live in, for example).

One of the issues surrounding the legalization of medical marijuana is that it can impair some (but not all, some argue) drivers. The tests to gauge the drug content in the body are not as easily administered as alcohol-level tests (it requires a blood or urine test). If impairment levels vary so much between individuals, and are so hard to measure, how can you regulate this and make sure people on the road are safe?

In addition, marijuana has just as many cancer health risks as cigarettes. Personally, I think the risks outweigh any potential benefit to legalizing it. I think the real problem is sending someone to jail over this- our society jails way too many people (the most in the world).

[dab_20]

Karen, I think that if they did legalize it, marijuana probably couldn't be smoke on the streets anywhere. Just like you can't go on the streets with alcohol in your hand (In most cities anyways).
But I DO agree with the driving issue, particularly with what Pembrokecorgi stated;

One of the issues surrounding the legalization of medical marijuana is that it can impair some (but not all, some argue) drivers. The tests to gauge the drug content in the body are not as easily administered as alcohol-level tests (it requires a blood or urine test). If impairment levels vary so much between individuals, and are so hard to measure, how can you regulate this and make sure people on the road are safe?

It would be hard to tell for sure whether someone was under the influence of marijuana or not. And if their were a bunch of pot heads on the road, the world would be a scary place.


My main argument for legalizing marijuana is if alcohol is, why not marijuana? Alcohol is proven to be significantly worse for your health than marijuana, and more addictive. (I know Marijuana is a Schedule I drug, techinically, but that's just plan SILLY if you ask me) Why not legalize it and tax it like
moosmom suggested. God knows we could use the economic advantage of it right now...

Gotta run to class, I'll be back on to post more later

[Karen]

Karen, I think that if they did legalize it, marijuana probably couldn't be smoke on the streets anywhere. Just like you can't go on the streets with alcohol in your hand (In most cities anyways).
But I DO agree with the driving issue, particularly with what Pembrokecorgi stated;

Yes, but unlike alcohol, smoke from marijuana will travel under door frames and out windows ... I'd likely just have to avoid certain neighborhoods. In college, people would roll up a damp towel and stuff it under the door in the dorms to try to keep their pot smoking a secret, but we could all smell it anyway, and it would make me ill if I smelled enough of it!

[happylabs]

"One of the issues surrounding the legalization of medical marijuana is that it can impair some (but not all, some argue) drivers. The tests to gauge the drug content in the body are not as easily administered as alcohol-level tests (it requires a blood or urine test). If impairment levels vary so much between individuals, and are so hard to measure, how can you regulate this and make sure people on the road are safe?

I agree and am against it for this reason. There are enough crazy drivers out there without some of them being high on marijuana in addition.

Why can't people just take legal pills from the doc and be happy like I am.

[beeniesmom]

I don't recall who it is - but someone here in Canada expressed the opinion (some years ago) that all illegal substances be legalized and available by prescription or some such method.

Why?

It would put the drug dealers and related gangs out of business. Less violence.

Not a bad idea...

I agree. As for driving under the influence of drugs, people already do that. Making it legal won't increase or reduce that.

[happylabs]

I agree. As for driving under the influence of drugs, people already do that. Making it legal won't increase or reduce that.

I don't agree with that. I think making it legal will make it too easy for people to partake and then drive.

[beeniesmom]

I don't know... if a person is responsible enough not to drive after a beer I think they'd be responsible enough not to drive after smoking a joint too.

[Asiel]

I don't think marijuana will ever be legalized in Canada. They tried to pass a bill legalizing it for medical purposes and it was shot down. I know my doctor would never prescribe it for medical use even if it was legalized. I wouldn't take it for medical purposes even if it was legalized. And I would hate to have it legalized because of the stench it has, some people smoke it in elevators in malls sometimes and I can't get in them, it just reeks.

People smoking it and driving it will be the cause of as many accidents as those who drink and drive. I won't be voting for legalizing it, there's enough problems with drinking without adding drugs.
And before someone says that some prescription drugs can impair your driving yes there are but there is a warning on the bottle that warns you about it. And yes, we do have idiots who disregard the warnings and drive.

[catland]

I work for a company that has a no (illegal) drug policy and even though I'm not in a safety sensitive position, I abide by that policy to keep my job. But this is my choice to do so. (I'm not interested in pot anyway, so the job thing doesn't really matter to me)

I think pot is a gateway drug - to drug dealers.

Key difference between pot and alchohol is that pot stays in your system for a much longer time.

You don't ever hear of domestic violence cases involving stoners as opposed to drunks.

I think economics will finally win. There's too much money to be made taxing pot vs. fighting it. I'm all for fighting the truely evil drugs like meth, but going after pot-heads is a waste of time and money.

However, anyone selling to or encouraging the use with minors deserves harsh punishment.