Should US Legalize Marijuana?

simplephysics · 04-28-2009, 12:38 PM

It wouldn't matter to me, I'd probably still buy it illegally.

Flamin' Hot Cheetos are awesome.

333 · 04-28-2009, 12:40 PM

You know, at this point, it's no so much of a discussion to me anymore. It's more or less judging of the smokers time. The effects of this drug, I feel, should be irrelevant in determining legalization if drugs like alcohol, prescription painkillers and Ritalin are legal. All three of these are more detrimental to your health than marijuana would ever be. I'm getting off topic. Shutting it.

Son of JayJamJah · 04-28-2009, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Urban Hatemonger

It's not a senseless generalization. I find people that are high are an irritation.

It is a senseless generalization (though it was not your intent to be), Marijuana effects different people different ways and their are different types of Marijuana with different effects.

A lot of people that get high, you'd never know it, because it regulates them.

It's like saying all toupees are bad toupees. They are not just the ones that you can tell are toupees. Likewise, not all or even most potheads are annoying, childish or demonstrate another sort of stereotypical behavior, they are too high and thus content to bother.

Now if you'll excuse me I have some gardening to do.

anticipation · 04-28-2009, 01:22 PM

in theory this all sounds great, but when put into application it would never succeed. who is willing to pay the government $100 dollars in taxes on an ounce? (which is the precedent being set by oregon growers who are being subsidized by the government). taxation would be regulated entirely by the US government, which would see an increase in taxation during recessions and the masses would just resort to the previous system. underground drug trade would still flourish, the problem wouldn't be effectively solved by just legalization and taxation.

Urban Hat€monger ? · 04-28-2009, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 333

I can sort of see where you are coming from even though I smoke weed about everyday (have been since junior high with the exception of a year or two off). I think that when most people think of pot smokers, they think of your typically lazy, uneducated, unmotivated stoner, or the tree-hugging hippie. I think that you are generalizing individuals who smoke marijuana based on one, maybe a few negative experiences.

No i'm basing it on virtually all of my friends who smoke it regularly having problems at some stage, Not saying it was the cause of them but they made them a hell of a lot worse.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 333

Also, what of all the musicians you dig? I have no doubt that some of them smoke marijuana. Are you going to discredit them as well because they smoke weed? You see where I'm going with this?

They don't do it near me , my life isn't affected in a negative way from them doing it so I don't think that makes any difference. I don't have a problem with people doing pot. I have a problem with them doing it and involving me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 333

I'm sure you have valid reasoning behind why you prefer to not socialize with potheads, but there are those of us out there who can handle our shit when we're stoned. Ultimately, though, I respect it as your opinion and personal preference - just had to drop in my 2 cents.

I'm glad you can handle it, pretty much all of my friends said that at 18/19 years old. Let's hope you can still say that when you're 25/26.

Son of JayJamJah · 04-28-2009, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anticipation

in theory this all sounds great, but when put into application it would never succeed. who is willing to pay the government $100 dollars in taxes on an ounce? (which is the precedent being set by oregon growers who are being subsidized by the government). taxation would be regulated entirely by the US government, which would see an increase in taxation during recessions and the masses would just resort to the previous system. underground drug trade would still flourish, the problem wouldn't be effectively solved by just legalization and taxation.

It's not that your scenario can't happen it's that it's too easy to see coming to let it happen.

People will gladly pay a bit more to obtain it legally and taxes will not get out of hand initially because the market won't allow it. There is no precedent for the scenario you propose, The product is currently being produced in very small supply comparative to a nation wide recreational legalization and taxes and base prices would be reduced dramatically and quickly as the market would demand such. Odds are you'd pay anywhere from $100 to $500 an ounce depending on geography and potency.

Guybrush · 04-28-2009, 04:16 PM

Taxing marijuana is gonna be really hard. With a predicted rise in consumers, the government would have a massive job on their hands fighting a bigger black market being supplied by a big rise in homegrowers as well as foreign interests ..

Instead of reigniting the whole convo, feel free to backtrack a few pages.

**Scarlett O'Hara** · 04-28-2009, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tore

SATCHMO, the growers who come to your doorstep would also still most likely be criminals because they would be part of a black market. The thread is about the possibility of taxation and as such, in such a "legalized society" the war on drugs would simply shift and become a war on homegrowers.

Perhaps less interesting for you guys, there's also the problem of wether or not America should support foreign drug industries. Many of these deal in other shady businesses and are troublesome for many countries. Opening up a market to them is going to support those businesses. If America closes the market to them, they're still gonna be present on the black market.

edit :

I've already replied to this

I had two points. The first is so what about alcohol and tobacco? If we have some harmful things in society, does that by default mean we have to allow more? Secondly, alcohol and tobacco are easily taxed something marijuana is not and so the government makes a lot of money from them.

The question really is, do you want more harmful things in society, more ways for the youth of our world (if not children) to be exposed to further substances that will take over their lives. Younger people arn't as educated on the effects of drugs, it can really effect their learning and concentration at school. I realise that it would be an 18+ only drug if it were legalised but like alcohol, older brothers and sisters/bad parents can supply it to them easily this way.

And so what's next? Will we want to legalise E or cocaine next because it's a popular drug? There's a possibility that marijuana could become a gateway drug to other drugs with far more damaging effects.

Picture this as the new peer pressure scenerio, a group of school kids are smoking marijuana on a lunch break, and one of them pulls out some cocaine. He/she encourages the rest of the group to try some and because they're wanting to fit in and already high on grass decide to go for it. Bam. A downward spiral.

I know this is not the only angle on this arguement, but if the western world cannot control the youth of today from binge drinking and smoking ciggarettes, then how will they stop them from becoming a majority of pot-smokers? I think we need to focus on the real issues at hand before we get carried away with making other harmful substances legal and available.

If you want to smoke it, fine, it's not that hard to get a hold of. Wouldn't you rather it be cheap and avaible without huge tax's like there are on alcohol and ciggarettes? That's if governments could even tax it in the first place.

Guybrush · 04-28-2009, 05:00 PM

Vanilla, you know I've been discussing against legalization and not for it?

Seems you might have misunderstood where I'm coming from.

**Scarlett O'Hara** · 04-28-2009, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tore

Vanilla, you know I've been discussing against legalization and not for it?

Seems you might have misunderstood where I'm coming from.

Kind of....I was merely responding to your comment but I havn't read much of the other posts to be honest...my bad! Haha someone else can try argue with me then.

Edit: Wow you are on the same page as me!

Quote:

Originally Posted by 333

Vanillah, if I move to N.Z., I'm shacking up with you.

edit: Just to watch you pick up a bag "from anywhere". wink

You will not be disappointed I promise!

04-28-2009, 04:16 PM	#97 (permalink)
Guybrush Juicious Maximus III Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Scabb Island Posts: 6,525	Taxing marijuana is gonna be really hard. With a predicted rise in consumers, the government would have a massive job on their hands fighting a bigger black market being supplied by a big rise in homegrowers as well as foreign interests .. Instead of reigniting the whole convo, feel free to backtrack a few pages. __________________ Something Completely Different

04-28-2009, 05:00 PM	#99 (permalink)
Guybrush Juicious Maximus III Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Scabb Island Posts: 6,525	Vanilla, you know I've been discussing against legalization and not for it? Seems you might have misunderstood where I'm coming from. __________________ Something Completely Different

04-28-2009, 12:40 PM	#92 (permalink)
333 Music Addict Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 965	You know, at this point, it's no so much of a discussion to me anymore. It's more or less judging of the smokers time. The effects of this drug, I feel, should be irrelevant in determining legalization if drugs like alcohol, prescription painkillers and Ritalin are legal. All three of these are more detrimental to your health than marijuana would ever be. I'm getting off topic. Shutting it.

04-28-2009, 01:22 PM	#94 (permalink)
anticipation Music Addict Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 3,565	in theory this all sounds great, but when put into application it would never succeed. who is willing to pay the government $100 dollars in taxes on an ounce? (which is the precedent being set by oregon growers who are being subsidized by the government). taxation would be regulated entirely by the US government, which would see an increase in taxation during recessions and the masses would just resort to the previous system. underground drug trade would still flourish, the problem wouldn't be effectively solved by just legalization and taxation.