Do You Support the Legalization of Marijuana?

In the early 1970's, in my libertarian phase, I favored this position. Now I know better. Ridiculous.Even the economic argument falls flat. If marijuana is legalized, then government regulation and taxation enters into the picture. I would assume that the earnings from the marijuana trafficking circulate in the community now. Legalization and governmental control would probably stifle the market to a certain degree. Revenue would ultimately go down although the rapacious tax collector would benefit. The marijuana trade is laissez faire economics in its classic pose. Let the buyer beware!

For the foreseeable future, I think legalization will remain too big of a step for the population at large to accept. As long as members from both parties can portray themselves as "tough" on the subject of drugs and score cheap political points, it won't happen. The more realistic debate, and what could be viewed as a logical "first step" is massive de-criminalization. We all know that there are many people in our jails for smoking grass/pot/shit/dope/reefer whose sentences are at odds with common sense. Plus, they are taking up space in our prisons that would be better populated by violent criminals. Lack of space has led to early release of criminals who are more hardened. For that reason, de-criminalization and being tough on crime can go hand in hand, if a politician has the guts to make that argument.

Although marijuana is considerably less harmful than tobacco and/or alcohol,   prohibition will never be abolished. It serves as price suport for the drug lords, a guarantee of great budgets for law enforcement, and welfare for the prison industrial complex. UPDATE: Looking at self-proclaimed advocates of 'liberty' spinning like crazy is making me dizzy. I think they're more dangerous than pot.

It would be nice if it were just taken off the list of illicit substances and it could be grown in the garden like tomatoes and carrots. The major impact then would be a sudden and dramatic surge in the time honoured suburban practice of "Garden Raiding".

It has always seemed pretty hypocritical to me to allow the legalized sale of tobacco and alcohol and not this. It would appear that the real concern from on high isn't so much the safety and well-being of the public but rather the fact that pot is one vice that can't be completely controlled. And, lack of control does not exactly make for maximum profit.

I can forsee only good things Coming from this. But Sadly, it will Never happen. At least not any time soon.

Yes-the more freedom we give the people the better-the reason conservatives do not want this is because THEY ARE AGAINST FREEDOM-they want a tyrannical police state.

I support the legalization of all drugs and tax them accordingly. It will get the organized crime out of the picture and will increase tax revenues which will be used for rehabilitation and consumer education programs. Make drugs available at market prices in every drug stores limited only by the age factor as it is today with tobacco and alcohol products. But, most of all, release the technology that have created cures for both physical and psychological addition. But unless there is a political will, nothing will change. There is too much money, power and influence to be given up for the benefit of the general population.

Only if it is used to help control pain in terminally ill patients.  This would be far different than the "recreational" use of a drug.  Before my mother died, the doctor actually instructed us to give her morphine from time to time to control pain and I see nothing wrong with that.  Other than this, I can't imagine any positive use of the drug.  As for taxing it, NO!  The government is already woefully addicted to taxation as it is.

No, I don't see the point. I suppose you could legalize it and tax it like others have suggested, but you could say the same thing about a lot of other harmful to semi-harmful activities. That doesn't necessarily make it a great idea. Besides, if you need a drug, tobacco and alcohol are already legal. Pick one of them if you have to have something. (Yes, I drink, and fully admit that alcohol can be a harmful drug.) Besides, as a personal issue, second hand pot smoke gives me a headache. The last thing I want to do is walk into my favorite bar and have to leave because there are a bunch of potheads lighting up where I want to drink.

No, because the only people arguing in favor of its de-criminalization are potheads who aren't thinking clearly.

The criminialization of this item is a complete joke to people in the world with any measure of intelligence. . .if you can't handle puffing this stuff, you clearly can't handle more severe adult responsibilities. . .next. . .

Eh, there is an arguement to tax the crap out of it, but that's the only point I can make in its favor. Indeed, mostly potheads with little more than nonsensical gibberish to offer for reasons to "legalize it" (isn't that the slogan?) are the people making the most noise about this.

Thirty - forty years ago you could get 10 years in the can in some parts of the country for JUST having a joint. Ludicrous. I really don't care whether people smoke it or not, but I do think that while it's more than ok to be concerned about say YOUR own kid smoking it, there's way too much sanctimonious, nosy, condescension from some people about what other people do or do not do.

I live in the Netherlands. Here we have 'coffeeshops' were adults can buy Marijuana. If I have to choose between living next to a bar, or next to a coffeeshop, I'd pick living next to a coffeeshop. Because people on Marijuana don't cause any disturbances at all compared to drunks that stumble out of bars. The stepping stone-theory is proved untrue in this country, because the shop only sells Marijuana. You are not bothered by dealers who want you to buy other drugs besides Marijuana. This is what happens in other countries like the US. You buy some weed from a dealer, and then he wants you to buy some speed, or whatever else he has. There are less junkies over here then in countries where Marijuana is illegal, say the UK, the US etc. There are also less Marijuana-users over here compared to countries where weed is illegal. Sure, Marijuana is not healthy. But it is better to give adults the chance to experiment with it in a safe way, controlled by the government. That way the weed has ... Read more

Let's face it, there's alot more dangerous drugs on the street than a bit of pot. Legalize it and tax the hell out of it. The government can produce and distribute it alot cheaper than any smuggler or "seedy" neighbor will ever be able to. Take a bite out of crime and the deficit at the same time, if you ask me.

Absolutely. If we aren't going to criminalize cigarettes, which we know cause harm not only to those who smoke them, but those around them, then what's the point of criminalizing Marijuana? Think of the millions of dollars a year that could be saved, in police costs, court costs, and prison costs? Legalizing Marijuana would have many potential benefits, with very few downsides. After all, how dangerous do you think Marijuana smokers are? They're to busy eating the sofa to do any harm to anyone, yet we throw them into jail/prison with the murderers and rapists anyway.

absolutely. alcohol is legal while driving under the influence of alcohol is illegal. the same should go for marijuana, sure its bad if you're behind the wheel but nobody is arguing that should be legalized. Don't tell me its a gateway drug because the kids that do harder drugs are going to do them regardless of trying weed or not. Don't tell me its addictive because THC is not addictive and our country is filled with alcoholics and people addicted to cigarettes. I can't understand how someone who thinks alcohol should be legal would argue against the legalization of marijuana.

Yes.If you look at the past history is in a way repeating itself. During prohibition, crime went up. If marijuana was legalalized, there wouldnt be anymore drug battles or anything of the sort.

Of course. ... All plants should be legalized.

Interesting that there is such a hue and cry to try to abolish cigarette smoking and tobacco use here4 in the US, but that many raters feel that legalizing marijuana is OK. Perhaps it should be legalized with respect to purely prescribed medical use, but I am not convinced by arguments that it is totally harmeless. I guess I'm in no position to judge from direct experience, because I never touched the stuff.

if it was legalized it could be regulated better.

Yes, I do. Marijuana can be harmful when taken in excess, just like alcohol, ciggerettes and fatty foods. People get addicted to the above substances FAR more often then they do to Marijuana. Not that I'm a huge advocate of it or anything, I just think it's a waste of time dedicating so many resources to fighting it when there are more important crimes for the police to focus on.

we wouldn't have a Federal Deficit if we did!

Dont we have enough legal ways to alter-states of consciousness.

Yes. Compared to the other legal drugs (nicotine, alcohol, and prescription drugs) it has much fewer side effects to the major systems. Whether used for recreation or medicinal purposes, it is hardly dangerous, and its users are generally more functional than their alcohol imbibing counterparts. Legalizing it would also ensure the regulation of purity/product, and probably lower the price. The money used in the war on drugs would decrease, and there could be revenue generated by taxes and jobs created for farmers and manufacturing. I think initially there would be an increase in use, but probably after the excitement waned, there would be either equal or less users than there are now. And far less law enforcement time wasted on controlling a fairly benign substance.

no, because it will make crime go higher and turn decent people into lazy junkies.

I'm in the middle of the road here, people. I hate drugs. I do. I hate pot, coke, smack, A-bomb, alchohol,LSD, and cigarettes with a passion. But I'm sensitive to a person with a terminal illness using marijuana for medical purposes. I understand that. However, If some depressed psuedo-abercrombie girl wants it legalized so she can get high and drift away instead of fixing her own problems, Then keep it illegal.

Yes. I support the decriminalization of all drugs. People are not criminals until they infringe upon another person's rights. Some dope-head wasting away in his basement does not infringe upon anyone's rights. A crack fiend that smokes crack all day does not infringe upon anyone's rights. Now, when the dope-head falls asleep at the wheel or his car causing an accident, or the crack fiend holds up a liquor store for drug money, THEN they are criminals and should have the book thrown at them.

Are you insane? Come on. Marijuana is dangerous and useless. There are so many side effects, it can fill up a poster (like the ones seen at my high school--apparently many older people here need to see that as well) and it causes people to lose focus--therefore causing vehicluar accidents and more. Keep it illegal!

I have witnessed and partaken in alot of marijuana smoking when I was in college and it really is no more evil than alcohol. It's not a gateway drug from what I've seen and a stoned person is a lot less stupid acting than a drunk one. If someone wants to waste their life smoking pot, that's fine with me and the government should find more important things to freak out about. As far it being more available to kids if it's legalized, more kids than people would care to admit are exposed to it anyway, and that's what parenting is for. Being there for your kids so they don't get caught up in it in the first place.

Absolutely yes. Almost everyone I know smokes marijuana and all of them lead normal, functional lives and they don't do other drugs. They are teachers, bankers, bosses, even cops. Also, imagine the blow to the big pharmaceutical companies...a drug that help alleviate pain and you can grow it in your back yard. You won't have to be gouged by the drug companies.

Only for truly medicinal purposes.