Legalized Marijuana

[rvg]

In fairness to those supporting legalization of canibas usage, the public has been hearing arguments for and against legalized usage for at least 4 decades (and probably longer). That 2 of our 54 constituent political subdivisions want to try legalization after decades of prohibition is hardly "impulsive."

The will of the people reigns supreme, but my personal vote is a firm "nay". If the people decide otherwise, there isn't much I can do about it.

By the way, your efforts earlier to lampoon Idaho's position by inserting crystal meth in place of marijuana -- thus suggesting that if we legalize one we implicitly begin the process to legalize all, even where the "all" includes some that are obviously more dangerous -- takes it the wrong direction.

It was my attempt at reductio ad absurdum.

What right have we to restrict a person's usage of any substance or service that cannot be shown to be harmful to others or to impinge on the rights of another?

Drugs have been shown to be harmful to others. That face-eating guy from Miami was a good example. Thus, public safety is a legitimate concern.

If a person chooses to destroy their mind with crystal meth, providing that they do no harm to others, how and why should the government be involved?

Same as above. It can potentially hurt the public. Compare it with the Seat Belt Laws.

[Lemur]

Drugs have been shown to be harmful to others. That face-eating guy from Miami was a good example. Thus, public safety is a legitimate concern.

Meh, garden-variety drug panic. Take a dangerous, unstable, paranoid schizophrenic, have him gnaw someone's face off, declare it's all because of a new drug. Completely ignore the fact that Mr. Face-bitey was already a mental case.

We've been here before, with previous drug panics. The very familiarity of the emotions and public gestures should have tipped everyone off.

Public safety concern in Gnawface has to do with mental health, and the very large and real holes in our system for dealing with those who have wandered out of consensual reality.

Did you know that the #1 mental health provider in the USA is the prison system? Now you do. Draw obvious conclusions.

[rvg]

Completely ignore the fact that Mr. Face-bitey was already a mental case.

Then there was this guy... These things add up.

[Montmorency]

Clearly, illegalizing the drugs did not prevent the incident.

[Lemur]

Then there was this guy... These things add up.

Yes, and every year we hear about some woman murdering her children because of post-partum depression. The logical conclusion: we must criminalize childbirth.

Mentally ill people are more likely that the rest of us to attempt self-medication with prescription and illegal drugs. Plenty of studies show that.

As per usual, all of this strikes me as a health, not a criminal issue.

Moms need help with post-partum depression. Paranoid schizophrenics need to be locked up and medicated. Frat boys who binge drink need to be allowed to do so.

[rvg]

Yes, and every year we hear about some woman murdering her children because of post-partum depression. The logical conclusion: we must criminalize childbirth.

It's one thing to criminalize something that's currently legal. It's a whole different thing to decriminalize something that is currently illegal.

Clearly, illegalizing the drugs did not prevent the incident.

Clearly. It does not however make the case for decriminalizing the drug.

[Montmorency]

Perhaps legalization could be part of an overall shift in the legal framework, to effect greater public safety than the outdated and ineffectual policy could?

[rvg]

RVG, you strike me as someone who has spent next to zero time in and amongst the weed-smoking sub (or not so sub) culture.

You are absolutely right. I have NEVER smoked weed. I don't even know what it looks like or smells like. I know what a hemp leaf looks like, but that's about it.

Legalizing it has only benefits, no downsides.

Not for me. I quite honestly do not need it nor want it. As for the society at large, what benefits are we talking about?

[TinCow]

It's one thing to criminalize something that's currently legal. It's a whole different thing to decriminalize something that is currently illegal.

Clearly. It does not however make the case for decriminalizing the drug.

Do you believe it was wrong to repeal Prohibition?

[rvg]

Do you believe it was wrong to repeal Prohibition?

No, I do not.