How Can Pot Be Made Legal, As Alcohol & Cigs? Is It Realistic? Will it happen in our time?

Any and all opinions (within Forum Guidelines, of course) welcome! :)

Here is my pitch:

1. Make all "drugs" legal.  By that I mean weed, heroin, cocaine, ludes, meth, peyote, etc.

2. It can only be sold to those over the age of 21, and only at licensed outlets like a drug store.

3. Users must sign a registration form that lets their medical insurance company "off the hook" if their drug foolishness damages their health.

4. overnment then taxes the sale of the drugs.

This will take all the big money out of the drug trade and thus will eliminate 95% of drug-related crime.  Take the cost savings (no more war on drugs) and the tax income, and fund anti-drug-education.

People who want to kill themselves with drugs are already doing that.  So my proposal only reduces the other collateral social costs of the drug trade.

Your pitch is duly noted; however, it's not a response to the set of questions posed in the thread.

How Can Pot Be Made Legal, As Alcohol & Cigs? Is It Realistic? Will it happen in our time?

I doubt it or any securlar view will happen in our lifetime.  But I with deep regret must agree with ''Why Liberals will win the battle for America.''  Gay marriage legal in every state, drugs legal, strict separation of church and state and all that stuff will be no-doubt a reality in my opinion.  I can only hope I die before I see the day, besides while I do believe it will happen just not anytime soon.  ---Anyway no probably not legal anytime soon.  First will be pot, then possibly other drugs will follow.  The mental thinking is ''more drugs will equal less addicts.''

The mental thinking is ''more drugs will equal less addicts.''

That's a broad generalization. While I agree than some people may present that thinking pattern, perhaps you; not everyone thinks that way. I think the logic's a little deeper than that.

First of all, I think that there should be more in depth studies on pot. Show that pot truly helps people with glacoma, AIDS, cancer, etc. with very little side effects-as with other synethic meds. Also, do a study to see the effects of long-term use, etc.-just like they have done with tabacco and alcohol. Once these studies show that pot is LESS harmful than these other "vices" that are legal and can even be helpful in some incidents, then maybe Congress will legalize it (or we will have to wait until the "Flower children" of the 60s decide to run for office.) I have NEVER heard of anyone dying for a pot-related death.



Cat

Marijuana is not in the same class as cocaine, heroin, and LSD.  These drugs present much more immediate hazards to the users.
LyricBoy is suggesting marijuana legalization with numerous restrictions and bureaucratic restraints.  If it is too complicated to get the legal stuff, people will resort to the blackmarket, and you're back to square one.
Legailization is a complicated issue with many pros and cons.  It's another argument we'll never settle on this board!
At the very least, I think we need to insist on decriminalizaton.  Stop arresting pot-smokers, stop putting two-bit grass peddlers in prison.  I think addiction to harder drugs, such as cocaine and heroin, needs to be treated as a medical problem, not a legal problem, and certainly not as a moral problem. 
Needle exchange is a perfect example.  A lot of moralists go on about how providing clean needles to junkies sends a message that drug use is OK.  No one is suggesting hyopdermic needles in vending machines!  Eventually a heroin addict either gets treatment or dies.  If he can get clean needles, then he'll need treatment for heroin addiction.  If he can't get clean needles, then he'll need treatment for heroin addiction, hepatitis, and HIV.

First of all, I think that there should be more in depth studies on pot. Show that pot truly helps people with glacoma, AIDS, cancer, etc. with very little side effects-as with other synethic meds. Also, do a study to see the effects of long-term use, etc.-just like they have done with tabacco and alcohol. Once these studies show that pot is LESS harmful than these other "vices" that are legal and can even be helpful in some incidents, then maybe Congress will legalize it (or we will have to wait until the "Flower children" of the 60s decide to run for office.) I have NEVER heard of anyone dying for a pot-related death.



Cat

Good thoughts on this, but the thing is many studies on pot (US government done many reports) have already been conducted.

Nixon, Carter and Bush administrations have ALREADY had commissions on Marihuana Abuse.
Nixon’s 1972 Commission on Marihuana Abuses states that “Marihuana does not lead to criminal, violent or aggressive behavior. The effects observed suggest that it may be more likely to neutralize aggressive and criminal acts. If its use is to be discouraged, it must be discouraged on grounds other than its role in the commission of criminal or violent acts” and “not known (at this time) to cause any permanent dangers more threatening than tobacco or alcohol.”

So the question is not whether we need studies to find out if or what the effects are, we already know from the AMJ/AMA and many, many past studies and research that marihuana has serious health advantages for those suffering from diseases with or that include severe or chronic pain, and that the overall effects of pot are not as severe or as damaging as alcohol.

The question is why and how have these studies (that most are unaware of or the results of) not been made aware of to the public, and why the powers that be (most recently the Bush administration and the DEA) have almost systematically devised ways to lie and distort the truth that they themselves have known about for more than 30 years about pot.

Don’t misunderstand, anything taken into our bodies has an effect, and pot has bad effects too, as any drug does. For this reason, as with tobacco and alcohol, it should be taxed and regulated if it were to become legal. Keep in mind though, that the Federal Bureau of Mortality statistics state that no deaths have ever been caused by marijuana.

How can it become legal? First and foremost the federal laws and classification of marihuana has to be changed. Surprisingly contrary to the “get big government-off our back” conservative regime’s usual ethic, they have been steadfastly opposed to states rights and the voting public wishes in this matter. The federal government, Bush (Clinton too, surprisingly) and the DEA under Bush’s administration have made it clear that they do not intend on honoring the clear choice of several states to decriminalize pot.

Next there has to be a major change in the DEA and its hierarchy. Realize that the war on drugs mentality is entrenched; even though it has been proved it is un-winnable. It also costs lots of $$$. To make pot legal would really mean a HUGE reduction of funds, jobs and other perks that would not be going this and other agencies if pot were made legal. As long as pot is illegal, the DEA, and other agencies like it will continue to suck down much off our tax dollars and we know they do not want the end of that cash cow to end...

Once we can remove the federal government from this, let the states make their own choices on marijuana. Once legal, tax it, regulate it, give the control of regulating it to the ATF, pass STRICTER laws with stricter fines for selling it without a tax stamp (like tobacco or alcohol), thereby giving the incentive to sell or grow for a black market too risky and unworkable. Once reputable firms start selling it commercially (usually that means at a lower cost to produce and sell), the temptation to sell illegally and the criminal profits that comes from that will be taken out of the picture.

Does America have the ability to do this? Probably not entirely in my lifetime, but we are and have already seen slow changes (state to state) to the laws that govern pot. Eventually they will be changed.

2. It can only be sold to those over the age of 21, and only at licensed outlets like a drug store.



>:(  You can buy tobacco cigarettes when you're 18, so why not weed?

>:(   You can buy tobacco cigarettes when you're 18, so why not weed?

Funny thing that.  Tobacco 18, alcohol 21.  Alcohol intoxication is stronger, but commercial cigarettes are much, much worse for your health.  Nicotine is more addictive the heroin.  Marijuana, were it legalized, would present a similar issue.

How Can Pot Be Made Legal, As Alcohol & Cigs? Is It Realistic? Will it happen in our time?

Any and all opinions (within Forum Guidelines, of course) welcome! :)


There is a vast difference between pot and cig&alcohol.  The main thing is pot being banned is generally accepted by society.  Any law that passes much always have some general acceptence by society, we saw what happen with there wasn't a general acceptence when alcohol was banned in the 18th amendment.  But unlike pot, when you ban alcohol and tobacco people would go crazy and demand it back and with all the addicts have a revolt.  World of difference.

There is a vast difference between pot and cig&alcohol.  The main thing is pot being banned is generally accepted by society.  Any law that passes much always have some general acceptence by society, we saw what happen with there wasn't a general acceptence when alcohol was banned in the 18th amendment.   But unlike pot, when you ban alcohol and tobacco people would go crazy and demand it back and with all the addicts have a revolt.  World of difference.

They didn't go crazy; they went underground.  Like our current drug trade.  Are you saying if enough people approve, any law is okay?

They didn't go crazy; they went underground.  Like our current drug trade.  Are you saying if enough people approve, any law is okay?


I'm just saying for any law to be upheld it must be accepted somewhat by the general public.  If 2/3rds of the people starting demanding no more freedom of speech and starting threatning the government it would have no choice.  What law don't you approve of that the majority of the U.S. supports?

>:(   You can buy tobacco cigarettes when you're 18, so why not weed?


I have never taken drugs in my life so please don't laugh at this naive question:

'Is there a big difference between tobacco and weed? Like how it affects you and that.'

I have never taken drugs in my life so please don't laugh at this naive question:

'Is there a big difference between tobacco and weed? Like how it affects you and that.'


I've never touched pot but I do smoke a hell of a lot of tobacco.  From what I know tobacco doesn't ruin your sense of judgement, like you can still drive and smoke tobacco, but not drink alcohol or smoke pot because they ruin your trian of thought.  Pot is supposed to ruin your reaction time, but i'm not 100% sure.  The example i'm used to (from a commercial) where a normal sober clean person will touch a hot stove and instantly take their hand off because they feel the heat, but someone who has smoked pot may take 5,6, or 7 seconds to relize that their hand is burning.

I've never touched pot but I do smoke a hell of a lot of tobacco.  From what I know tobacco doesn't ruin your sense of judgement, like you can still drive and smoke tobacco, but not drink alcohol or smoke pot because they ruin your trian of thought.  Pot is supposed to ruin your reaction time, but i'm not 100% sure.  The example i'm used to (from a commercial) where a normal sober clean person will touch a hot stove and instantly take their hand off because they feel the heat, but someone who has smoked pot may take 5,6, or 7 seconds to relize that their hand is burning.


Thanks for that, GWBush.  :)

I've never touched pot but I do smoke a hell of a lot of tobacco.  From what I know tobacco doesn't ruin your sense of judgement, like you can still drive and smoke tobacco, but not drink alcohol or smoke pot because they ruin your trian of thought.  Pot is supposed to ruin your reaction time, but i'm not 100% sure.  The example i'm used to (from a commercial) where a normal sober clean person will touch a hot stove and instantly take their hand off because they feel the heat, but someone who has smoked pot may take 5,6, or 7 seconds to relize that their hand is burning.

Sounds like GWBush watches too much Dragnet!
Say, if tobacco didn't ruin your sense of judgement, why do you still smoke?

I have never taken drugs in my life so please don't laugh at this naive question:

'Is there a big difference between tobacco and weed? Like how it affects you and that.'


Pot makes you high, hungry, and for some, horny.

As to the question, who knows?  Some staes have already passed "medical marihuana" laws allowing doctors to prescribe it for pain etc.

This big problem with either decriminalizing or leagalizing it is that you can grow it yourself - no taxes, no regs, no middlemen raking in a profit - sounds like a communist conspiracy to me  ::)  ;)  ;D

Pot makes you high, hungry, and for some, horny.

As to the question, who knows?  Some staes have already passed "medical marihuana" laws allowing doctors to prescribe it for pain etc.

This big problem with either decriminalizing or leagalizing it is that you can grow it yourself - no taxes, no regs, no middlemen raking in a profit - sounds like a communist conspiracy to me  ::)  ;)  ;D

That is a problem.  Corporations don't like commodities they can't control.  On the other hand, think of all the farmer who would go under once marijuana is legalized.  The high prices it fetches due to its prohibition makes it the second largest cash crop in the U.S., surpassed only by wheat.  Struggling farmers have been subsidizing themselves with pot for decades.

They probably won't ever be legalized but I wouldn't be surprised if they do. Pot can cause COPD-it's not totally harmless, and can cause harmful behavior , poor judgement which can lead to eventual death. I do agree with the first post which was said to have not been an answer to the posted question...I think all drugs should become legalized.I just don't think I'll see it in my lifetime.At least the money from all the recreational drugs would generate taxes that might be put to constructive use. And elderly people wouldn't be getting knocked over the head  by people  desparate for a high .Prostitution might decrease as well. There's a lot to think about when considering legalizing drugs. If abusers can access their substance of choice easier, there'd be a lot less harmful activity towards uninvolved people  in society.

That is a problem.  Corporations don't like commodities they can't control.  On the other hand, think of all the farmer who would go under once marijuana is legalized.  The high prices it fetches due to its prohibition makes it the second largest cash crop in the U.S., surpassed only by wheat.  Struggling farmers have been subsidizing themselves with pot for decades.


You got that right.  But I'm not much of a gardener, so I might just patronize my local "diversified" farmer, as I do with fresh veggies.  Not that I would buy it now, while its illegal.

I have never taken drugs in my life so please don't laugh at this naive question:

'Is there a big difference between tobacco and weed? Like how it affects you and that.'


I have never smoked cigarettes, although I have had a little tobacco in a joint.  Anyway, I'm pretty sure tobacco alone doesn't screw up your reaction time or anything.  Depending on how good the weed your smoking is, it may take you half a minute to realise what's going on, or you may not feel much a difference at all.  I definitely wouldn't recommend smoking and driving.  As for cigarettes, they contain nicotine, which is highly addictive so tobacco smokers are like 2 pack-a-day chain smokers.  Whereas weed is not physiologically addictive so it's not really harmful in that sense.