Forums → WEPR → Legalize Marijuana???

Which for most of the population would occur only after long term heavy use.

So I suppose we should now legalize other drugs as well since they cause harm only after long term use?

My argument is not against legalization, but legalization with taxation.

So I suppose we should now legalize other drugs as well since they cause harm only after long term use?

Most other illegal drugs cause harm very quickly.

My argument is not against legalization, but legalization with taxation.

I agree it should be taxed, but only at a normal level.

My argument is not against legalization, but legalization with taxation.

My argument is not against legalization, but legalization in a controled area. (wich includes taxation =) )

I checked the first link and couldn't find anything.

from the link:

"Cannabis is as dangerous as any other drug and people must understand that it kills," said Mr Turner. "From my long experience I can say that it is a very dangerous substance. Increasingly it is mentioned not only as the first drug taken by people who overdose.

I agree it should be taxed, but only at a normal level.

So why can tobacco be taxed higher, but not pot?



Ah that link. Yes, I did mention earlier that the deaths were not directly caused by pot. The harmful effects of it though, cannot be denied.

My argument is not against legalization, but legalization in a controled area. (wich includes taxation =) )

My stand is somewhat similar, so why are we arguing haha?

so why are we arguing haha?

because we both like debate? =P

So why can tobacco be taxed higher, but not pot?

I don't really like the fact that tobacco is taxed higher, even though it is slightly more dangerous.

Morality is a questionable thing, and I fail to see how taxation is ''immoral'', since how does it even touch up morals?

Stealing, or taking something that is not yours through coercive means, is wrong. This is exactly what taxation is. You make 100 dollars, the government takes a slice of that 100 dollars whether you want them to or not. This is theft, or to be more accurate, robbery.

I know we can't just stop paying taxes out of the middle of nowhere, and maybe we'll always need some form of taxation, but it is never the preferred method to solving problems.

That's preferable, but have campaigns worked?

When doctors and scientists discovered that smoking causes cancer and other health problems, the number of smokers in America dropped drastically.

Campaigns are not the only means of discouragement. When it comes to discouragement, it should be the responsibility of family and friends to encourage positive behavior.

A risk is a risk. It has upped the chances of having respiratory problems tremendously as shown by the evidence. If risks are discarded just because they haven't happened and they might not happen to you, then don't wear helmets, don't wear seatbelts, and don't wear gloves when taking a turkey out of an oven since they all have risks, but they haven't and might not happen.

That's the spirit! Helmet laws suck. Seat belts, if you're an adult, it's really your choice. Taking a turkey out of the oven without gloves, well, that will always result in burns so it doesn't really fit. Regardless, it's perfectly legal to take a turkey out of the oven with your bear hands.

Do we have to wait until something is absolutely going to happen then act as you say? No.

I disagree, but keep in mind that we're talking about the government. When it comes to the individual, it's their responsibility to take whatever precautions they can in helping those around them.

If that compromise is not taken, are you willing to let it be criminalized then, according to your black and white statement?

I do not, nor would I ever, support criminalization. I do not believe it is the government's responsibility to deter people from smoking marijuana. If I did however believe it was the government's responsibility to deter people from smoking, then I would support criminalization, because taxation doesn't deter smokers.

Nope. Double nope.

Let's look at the sources.

From my long experience I can say that it is a very dangerous substance. Increasingly it is mentioned not only as the first drug taken by people who overdose, but also in suicides and accidental deaths.

Okay, I'm not an expert, but wouldn't alcohol be the first drug taken? I could be wrong, it's just that most people I know drink alcohol before trying marijuana. I obviously don't know, it's just something I wish was made more clear.

It is an awful waste of young lives. People are trying the drug at a very young age. Many go on to harder drugs and I am dealing with more and more heroin overdoses. People can also suffer severe consequences from the cannabis alone, however.

All mind altering drugs are gateway drugs. This isn't so much a problem with the drug as it's a problem with the person. The ONLY reason marijuana is one of the first drugs used before people climb onto harder drugs is because marijuana is one of the safest drugs to start out on. People hardly ever jump straight to hard drugs. If you're going to start on a drug, you're going to start on alcohol, marijuana, or acid.

I'm not saying marijuana isn't dangerous. It's easy for people (especially teens) to gain a mental addiction.

The other article you linked shows 0 primary deaths from marijuana, and 279 secondary (suspected) deaths.

Let me address marijuana that's smoked before one self mutilates or commits suicide. Generally, when people are depressed, they turn to drugs. When someone is cutting themselves or thinking of suicide, it's probably not the drugs making them do/think such things.

Okay, I'm not an expert, but wouldn't alcohol be the first drug taken? I could be wrong, it's just that most people I know drink alcohol before trying marijuana. I obviously don't know, it's just something I wish was made more clear.

it is, but alcohol is excepted by society. and most people don't consider it a drug.

it is, but alcohol is excepted by society. and most people don't consider it a drug.

But it is, and according to rug_danger_and_dependence.png">this, its worse than cannabis. In fact, even caffine is worse.

But it is, and according to this, its worse than cannabis. In fact, even caffine is worse.

i know that =)
i smoke it (legaly) for the past 20 year, instead of drinking alcohol.

In fact, even caffine is worse.

True, but too much of just about anything or taking it the wrong way could kill you or have bad side effects. Thousands of people die every year from inhaling liquid dihydrogen monoxide, yet it is available nearly everywhere in the world.

i know that =)
i smoke it (legaly) for the past 20 year, instead of drinking alcohol.

I know. I'd like to know why nobody seems to care about this information in the U.S.

I know. I'd like to know why nobody seems to care about this information in the U.S.

My guess would be money. It's possible marijuana owes its extremely illegal status to companies wanting to protect their profit. It would make sense that they are still keeping it illegal. That and no matter how much people seem to hate the government they really seem to listen to everything they say.

You make 100 dollars, the government takes a slice of that 100 dollars whether you want them to or not. This is theft, or to be more accurate, robbery.

You get the State's protection against foreign threats (Defense), internal threats (Legal system), infrastructure (Government hospitals, roads, education). I would say it is a fair deal.

When it comes to the individual, it's their responsibility to take whatever precautions they can in helping those around them.

And how many actually do? The vast majority of addicts just smoke it off, and don't actually care for the greater good. That's where the government comes in.

Okay, I'm not an expert, but wouldn't alcohol be the first drug taken? I could be wrong, it's just that most people I know drink alcohol before trying marijuana. I obviously don't know, it's just something I wish was made more clear.

Well, it depends on what you classify as a drug anyway.

My guess would be money. It's possible marijuana owes its extremely illegal status to companies wanting to protect their profit. It would make sense that they are still keeping it illegal. That and no matter how much people seem to hate the government they really seem to listen to everything they say.

That is exactly why. Special interest groups have gotten to the point where Congress can't do anything without having to listen to the tobacco industry, the alcohol industry, the grain industry, etc. If it weren't for special interest groups, pizza would not have been classified as a vegetable (look it up! and watch the ridiculist on AC360), and many things would be better today. Plus Congress would actually be able to pass a budget. So I say legalize marijuana, however tax it to the fullest extent of the law, like tobacco, so that the people and the govt. actually benefit.