Decriminalize it, Not Legalize it!

[SirTokesAlot]

Think about if weed is completly legalized... it would be in the grasp of the government, and under its rule. It would be in the same catagory as smoking, and be taxed to hell. Now if it was decriminalized, it wouldnt be legalized, and wouldnt be illegalized, thus just making it a plant up for anyones use.

One government official, I forgot which one, (i wanna say Poland or something), sorry, when legalized said, "We have successfully succeded in making Pot boring". There was actually a drop in Marijuana users... I mean, running from the law, and having that sense of doing something mischevious is half the fun I think. But if everyone is walking around, tokin up all over the place... it gets old.

We dont want the government to be having control over this special plant, the way they do with tobbaco. So I feel a better tearm to use of what we want, is deciminalization, not legalization.

Thanks for reading

[guitarslinger]

either way you go i will still just grow it in my house and not have to worry about the legalization\decriminalization aspect of it.

[jo_k_er_man]

I mean, running from the law, and having that sense of doing something mischevious is half the fun I think.
obviously you need to grow up... i agree with your view on decriminalization over legalization... but when you say somethin like that... it shows that you are immature and need to grow up...

[MushieBaby]

what he above me said

[EuphoricMelodies]

^^ ditto.

[AnarchistScott]

obviously you need to grow up... i agree with your view on decriminalization over legalization... but when you say somethin like that... it shows that you are immature and need to grow up...
He's only 15, surely he's allowed to bask in the enjoyment of breaking the law?

I don't perticularly see the need in becoming mature when your only a teenager

[jo_k_er_man]

He's only 15, surely he's allowed to bask in the enjoyment of breaking the law?

I don't perticularly see the need in becoming mature when your only a teenager
age is no excuse for maturity... but aside from that... i guess there are two types of smokers in this world... ones who do it to be rebelous and wanna feel the rush of breaking the law... and smokers who are looking for something from the herb.. such as mind expansion, spiritual enlightment, easing pain, or just to feel good... so in otherwords... theres those who smoke for attention(fakes)... and those who smoke because its a way of life(us who dont worry about laws, or wether were breaking them.. we're smoking for a purposes beyond rebellion)

[SunshineTheAngryHipi]

wow. Sir tokes alot kinda took a beating here. Id just like to say that getting a thrill from breacking an unjust rule has nothing to do with maturity, but pesonallity. and there's nothing wrong with it. but hey, just for fun lets imagine total legalizeation in the usa. beyond the first few months, there would be a drop in use. Pot would never be taxed, to many would be growers. it would be cheap as hell. you could buy special varietys at headshops and tobacco stores.

On the negative side, most people will still look down on the practice, just like cigarettes. Middle schoolers will think it makes them badass, just like ciggarettes. and you would still get kicked out of school for it, just like cigarettes. Also, i think the "stoner culture" would be greatly diminished.

just my thoughts, peace.

[jo_k_er_man]

Pot would never be taxed
ha!... pot wouldnt be taxed if it was legal??? my ass!!!! the government would tax the living hell out of it... and you know this... yea.. theres alot of growers.. but not enough private growers to supply the tens of thousands of smokers in the US... corperate america would take it over just like it was tobacco... grow it cheap... and sell it high

[SunshineTheAngryHipi]

no man... think about it. even if it were taxed initialy, it wouldnt last, or if it did grow your own. SO many people would, i'd say most smokers. and breeding would take off, you could order what ever seeds you want. Pot would be to cheap to be a massive coporate thing. Tabacco is hard to grow, cant be grown in the same place to long, and has a very lond and arduous curing prosses. the two are not comparable when it comes to production, and therefore profitablity. Besides, if it were as taxable as ciarettes, republicans would probably back legalization.

[jo_k_er_man]

no man... think about it. even if it were taxed initialy, it wouldnt last, or if it did grow your own. SO many people would, i'd say most smokers. and breeding would take off, you could order what ever seeds you want. Pot would be to cheap to be a massive coporate thing. Tabacco is hard to grow, cant be grown in the same place to long, and has a very lond and arduous curing prosses. the two are not comparable when it comes to production, and therefore profitablity. Besides, if it were as taxable as ciarettes, republicans would probably back legalization.

hey.. they would tax it.. and that would probably be one reason they would legalize it... but the thing is... is america is ran by big corporations... and whats not good for corporations... is not good for the lumber industry... oil industry... and plenty of other corporations running the government... do you think they want alternate fuels or alternate ways of making paper or clothing? no.. why? because they're already making millions the way they are... if paper was made of hemp... that means less lumber industry... its not as easy as it sounds for legalization and why the government aint doing it... look at big corps.... thats the reason for no legalization

[SunshineTheAngryHipi]

i agree, 99%. i just dont see taxing as a realist prospect here, and niether do the corpoations or gov.

[PurpleGel]

legalization is the way to go, not decriminalization. you'd probably still need a permit to grow under legal status, but decriminalization doesn't mean you won't get fucked for a grow op.

weed would be taxed, but i'd rather pay $20 for 3.5g of high-quality bud than $60-70. wouldn't you?

if it's just decriminalized you can expect prices to stay high. i say bring the good weed to the masses at a low cost--legalize it. and it'll open up a bunch of new jobs too...

i think we will be smoking comfortably and without fears by 2015.

[jo_k_er_man]

legalization is the way to go, not decriminalization. you'd probably still need a permit to grow under legal status, but decriminalization doesn't mean you won't get fucked for a grow op.

weed would be taxed, but i'd rather pay $20 for 3.5g of high-quality bud than $60-70. wouldn't you?

if it's just decriminalized you can expect prices to stay high. i say bring the good weed to the masses at a low cost--legalize it. and it'll open up a bunch of new jobs too...

i think we will be smoking comfortably and without fears by 2015.
actually decriminalization goes for whatever you do with marijuana.. growing it... selling it... possesion of it... meaning you are not found as a criminal to a certain extent... so many plants... so much weight... you will only be fined.. and nothing more.. no jail time... and well with decriminalization... it really gives the cops less reason to hassel individuals growin for their own purposes

[SunshineTheAngryHipi]

2012? you are a very optimistic person. sure hope your right.

[SirTokesAlot]

Holy shit. I just checked on this thread today, was having computer problems.

How the hell am I being immature by stating you get a sense of having fun out of knowing your engaging in something that is illegal? Its not like I said "Yeah I smoke cuz i wanna be cool and im breaking the law", I was just stating, that plays a part. You guys knitpick the dumbest shit, its incredible. And I agree, its all in your personality.

And as far as saying weed wont be taxed... how moronic... weed would get taxed to HELL!! How else are those greedy bastards gonna make money off something people wanna do in their spare time?

Decriminalization would just save your ass if you ever got caught smokin or growing... legalization would make it readily available, taxed to shit, and boring.

Thanks for sharing your opinions! =D

[buxillafion]

But if everyone is walking around, tokin up all over the place... it gets old.
BwahahaahahsahahsjajaahahaaaaH!H!H!H!!!

Thats the funniest thing I have ever read.

[SirTokesAlot]

Hilarious huh? Glad you got a laugh

[guitarslinger]

I smoke weed cause its cool. And all the big kids do it too.

[Karmic1]

The drug generally isn't more harmful than alcohol or tobacco if used in moderation.
As you'll see by reading research studies from the related links section at the bottom of the page, the studies of the harmfulness of marijuana are inconclusive and contradictory. Most doctors would agree that it's not very harmful if used in moderation. It's only when you abuse the drug that problems start to occur. But isn't abuse of almost any bad substance a problem? If you abuse alcohol, caffeine, Ephedra, cigarettes, or even pizza, health problems are sure to follow. Would you want the government limiting how much coffee you can drink or how much cheesecake you take in? Most doctors believe that marijuana is no more addictive that alcohol or tobacco.

Limiting the use of the drug intrudes on personal freedom.
Even if the drug is shown to be harmful, isn't it the right of every person to choose what harms him or her? Marijuana use is generally thought of as a "victimless crime", in that only the user is being harmed. You can't legislate morality when people disagree about what's considered "moral".

Legalization would mean a lower price; thus, related crimes (like theft) would be reduced.
All illegal drugs are higher in price because the production, transportation, and sale of the drugs carry heavy risks. When people develop drug habits or addictions, they must somehow come up with the money to support their cravings. Unless a person is wealthy, he or she must often resort to robbery and other crimes to generate the money needed to buy the drugs. Legalization would reduce the risks and thus reduce the prices. There would therefore be less need for the secondary crimes needed to raise money.

There are medical benefits such as the those for cancer patients.
As detailed in the related links section, there are a number of medical benefits of marijuana, most notably in the treatment of patients undergoing chemotherapy. Others believe it helps in the treatment of depression. Certain states like California have brought initiatives to legalize the drug for at least medicinal purposes.

Street justice related to drug disputes would be reduced.
Currently, if someone in the drug trade screws you over, there's no police to call or lawyers to litigate. You must settle disputes yourself. This often leads to cycles of retaliatory violence. Legalization would create proper means to settle disputes.

It could be a source of additional tax revenues.
An enormous amount of money is raised through government taxation of alcohol, cigarettes, and other "sins". The legalization of marijuana would create another item that could be taxed. I'm sure the government would have no problem spending all that extra money.

Police and court resources would be freed up for more serious crimes.
Many consider the War on Drugs an expensive failure. Resources for DEA, FBI, and border security are only the tip of the iceberg. You must add in the cost of police officers, judges, public defenders, prosecutors, juries, court reporters, prison guards, and so on. Legalization of marijuana would free up those people to concentrate on more important things like terrorism, harder drugs, rape, murder, and so on. In addition, an already overloaded court docket would be improved; thus, the wait time for a court case would be reduced.

Drug dealers (including some terrorists) would lose most or all of their business.
Perhaps the biggest opponents of legalizing drugs are the drug dealers themselves. They make their enormous sums of money because of the absence of competition and the enormous street prices that come from the increased risk. Legalization would lower prices and open competition; thus, drug cartels (that might include terrorists) would lose all or some of their business.

The FDA or others could regulate the quality and safety of drugs.
Many drug users become sick or die because of poorly-prepared products. After all, there is nothing to regulate what is sold and no way to sue anyone for product liability. By bringing marijuana into the legitimate business world, you can oversee production and regulate sales.

Drug busts often trap young people in a flawed system that turns them into lifelong criminals.
Imagine an impressionable teenager who is tired of earning minimum wage, who hates living in a poor ghetto area, or who needs to save money for college. He's offered the opportunity to make some decent money simply carrying some drugs across town. Then he's busted. He's thrown in jail as part of a mandatory sentence. There, he spends his time and becomes friends with many other delinquents. He gets meaner in jail since he has to defend himself in a rough crowd. When he gets out of prison, his job and college prospects are slammed because of a felony record and/or disruption of school. This just makes the resumption of a normal crime-free life all the more difficult. Strapped for cash, he joins some of his new friends in a greater crime like robbery. Suddenly, you have someone who has started down the road of being a lifelong criminal. This story may seem farfetched, but it is all too real for some. The legalization of marijuana would remove another temptation that could lead a young impressionable individual down the wrong road.

Related Links

Reader Comments (http://www.balancedpolitics.org/comments/marijuana_legalization.htm)
Marijuana Policy Project (http://www.mpp.org/)
Legalization of Marijuana Organization (http://www.legalizationofmarijuana.com/)
Partnership for a Drug-Free America (http://www.drugfreeamerica.org/)
Whitehouse Office of National Drug Policy (http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/)

[SirTokesAlot]

Legalization would mean a lower price; thus, related crimes (like theft) would be reduced.
All illegal drugs are higher in price because the production, transportation, and sale of the drugs carry heavy risks. When people develop drug habits or addictions, they must somehow come up with the money to support their cravings. Unless a person is wealthy, he or she must often resort to robbery and other crimes to generate the money needed to buy the drugs. Legalization would reduce the risks and thus reduce the prices. There would therefore be less need for the secondary crimes needed to raise money.

Who said Decriminalization wouldnt mean wouldnt mean lower prices either? The risks would be to a very low minimum either way...

[outlaw immortal]

Think about if weed is completly legalized... it would be in the grasp of the government, and under its rule. It would be in the same catagory as smoking, and be taxed to hell. Now if it was decriminalized, it wouldnt be legalized, and wouldnt be illegalized, thus just making it a plant up for anyones use.

Thanks for reading
i would prefer it to be completaly legal. you could grow your own in peace.

[jo_k_er_man]

Most doctors believe that marijuana is no more addictive that alcohol or tobacco.
i have to totally disagree on this point... i've spoken to former heroin addicts that have told me cigarettes(tobacco) is tougher to quit than heroin... i myself was a cigarette smoker and i shit you not... goin without weed for a month or so was a alot easier than tryin to go without cigarettes for a day... people depend on the short stimulant rush of cigs... keeps them calm keeps them awake... same with alcohol... i've seen alcohol addiction... and its no where near marijuana smokin is at... people will nickle and dime for a bottle of wild turkey or mad dog 20/20... if anything... i can say at least theres nothing less addictive than marijuana... i can personally say i've met people who FEEL they need to get high every day... and i guess that addictive... but they wont fuckin go nuts over it

[Spastic_Monkey]

ha!... pot wouldnt be taxed if it was legal??? my ass!!!! the government would tax the living hell out of it... and you know this... yea.. theres alot of growers.. but not enough private growers to supply the tens of thousands of smokers in the US... corperate america would take it over just like it was tobacco... grow it cheap... and sell it highObviously there are enough growers to support all the other smokers, because they do it right now. Everything would go on the same as always, except if they caught you with it you wouldn't be as fucked.

[SunshineTheAngryHipi]

Thats right man! so many people would grow if it were totally legal.

Joker man, i think there is some kind of official study that says cigs are more addictive than opiates. Congrats on quitting!

Does any one else share my opinion that everyone is addicted to something?

I define addiction as something that is not needed to live, but that someone feels they cannot live without. So it doesnt have to be a substance.

The more you think about it, everyone is addicted to something, you can get addicted to almost anything, its part of human nature and by no means always bad. I think religion would be the most common addiction.

pot isnt pysically adictive, but someone could come to depend on it, or, say... cable TV.

y'all just got me thinkin! peace.

[element7]

Decrim is a total bitch move. No compromise brother. Quit the heady meanderings and wake up to reality. Rules are created by other lessr beings. We should change that and not on a compromise. It's wrong, period. Quit trying to act like the baby and stand up!

Peace, love yall.

THE REV0LUTION HAS BEGUN.

[Shaman420]

Fuck that we have to legalize it. We specifically need to legalize personal cultivation then the government would never touch any of the organic goodness I can and lots of other people can personally produce. If they legalize it, they will tax it, but they will also open the door so that people can grow their own. Then you can get it for free, and gauge what pesticides, etc. touch your buds. Its the best way to go. Plus I don't feel like having my herb confiscated and being fined whenever a cop finds my stash. Sure its better than jail but if it were legal then I can keep it and puff it down. The way its supposed to be.

[Trippin' Billies]

SirTokesAlot.... i agree with u with saying "taking part in something illegal is half the fun" (although maybe only 20% of the fun?) and i dont know y every one blew up on u for saying that even though i would give up the risk part of smokeing weed in a second if i could smoke without risk lol... as far as legal status goes, i think either decriminalization OR legalization would be a great step forward... either one, just hope one or the other comes soon ;)

[Spastic_Monkey]

SirTokesAlot.... i agree with u with saying "taking part in something illegal is half the fun" (although maybe only 20% of the fun?) and i dont know y every one blew up on u for saying that even though i would give up the risk part of smokeing weed in a second if i could smoke without risk lol... as far as legal status goes, i think either decriminalization OR legalization would be a great step forward... either one, just hope one or the other comes soon ;)Yeah everyone who freaked on him for that comment was just being stupid. You honestly can't deny that it gets your adrenaline pumping to be doing something that's not only illegal, but for the most part considered morally wrong in our society. It makes you feel like a rebel, and some people are just too busy being "mature" and thinking they're better than everyone else to accept the fact that it being illegal is part of the fun. Although, like you said, I'd be fucking happy as hell if there wasn't any legal risk.

[Trippin' Billies]

thanks for agreeing

[Spastic_Monkey]

thanks for agreeingNo problem :)