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northway
Joined: 05 Jul 2010
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 Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2012 9:20 pm Post subject: |
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| soomin wrote: |
| NilesQ wrote: |
I don't think legalization will make everyone go out and start smoking weed. But, the reality needs to be accepted that a lot of people use pot recreationally and the majority of the harm caused by marijuana is due to it's illegality. Pot is the cash cow of cartels that manufacture much more addictive/harmful drugs. The prohibition just creates a black market that can't be taxed by the government and provides income for organized crime. For these reasons, I think we'll see legalization within the next 50 years in Canada.
I don't drink, smoke, or use drugs either. I used to do all three. I am not anti drug, I'm against laws that don't make a lot of sense. The only thing worse than strictly enforced stupid laws, are having laws on the books that aren't enforced. It calls into question the validity of all laws. If something is illegal, it should be illegal and prosecuted. In this respect, I admire Korea for their harsh attitude toward marijuana. At least they wholehartedly believe in the law they have on the books! |
First of all, saying "everybody does it" isn't really something that invalidates a law... I've never really understood that sentiment. I do believe that a lot of people who always wanted to do drugs but were afraid of the consequences would go out and flood the market looking for legal marijuana. Isn't that the case in medical marijuana states (in the US)? People moan about some vague symptoms at a "doctor's office" that only prescribes marijuana. It's the same problem we have with prescription drug abuse... A friend of mine told me how easy it was to say she was having trouble concentrating and immediately being given a bottle of pills... go to enough places (or get friends to go for you with the same "symptoms") and you could rack up quite the stash. If marijuana were legal like cigarettes, I think it would rack in a lot of cash... but again, what's the benefit to the people? (There's no benefit attached to cigarettes or alcohol, either, imo). Then the government would tax it like crazy and drug dealers who know they can just grow it in their closet would be back again, selling "better strains" at cheaper prices. |
Medicinal marijuana is largely a sham, but if people want pot, they're going to get pot. The argument for decriminalization isn't that drugs benefit society, it's that the prohibition of drugs has a negative impact on society by criminalizing a substance that isn't actually dangerous. Now, I don't think this really applies in Korea, as Korea doesn't have widespread pot use, but it does apply in the States. We have the world's highest rate of incarceration, and it's not even close (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_incarceration_rate); this is largely due to marijuana's criminalization. In any case, I think decriminalization is a much better tactic than medical marijuana, as the former is much more honest. Massachusetts did it and things have yet to go to hell.
As for dealers undercutting the government, I think that's highly unlikely, as you don't see massive bootlegging operations attempting to get around alcohol taxes. |
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slothrop
Joined: 03 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2012 9:33 pm Post subject: |
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what a world we live in, where the most practical minded don't even consider taking a stand on the premise that people should be left alone as long as they are not hurting anyone, but rather put forth the argumant that we could stop incarcerating 1 in every 100 adults AND corporations could make MORE money AND the government could collect MORE taxes from us if a group of corrupt/bought and paid for politicians in washington would pass another law saying what citizens are now ALLOWED to do in the privacy of their homes.
it feels like we are serfs and our rights as citizens are just a sham to make us feel like we have a say so we don't drop off the grid completely or actively rebel. |
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Koharski
Mod Team
Joined: 20 Jul 2009
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| Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2012 10:03 pm Post subject: |
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The thread has run its course and is now discussing the topic in ways that violate the TOS.
Koharski |
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