For Or Against Legalization of Marijuana?

[Red]

Are you for or against the legalization of Marijuana?

[miniboes]

I voted for both the second and fourth option. One one hand I think it's your own decision, on the other hand I think it's very unwise. It's well proven that smoking marijuana causes significant brain damage, anything that causes significant brain damage is something to be avoided. I have the exact same position towards alcohol.

[Volenta]

I'm for legalization, regulation, and as always done together with good education. Recreational usage shouldn't be considered as a crime, only misbehavior (which doesn't happen often, if at all). If you're allowing much more destructive drugs like tobacco and alcohol in a society, it's absurd to ban cannabis.

It's well proven that smoking marijuana causes significant brain damage, anything that causes significant brain damage is something to be avoided.

Well, only with significant usage. The dangers with moderate amounts and usage isn't as bad as you would expect. And the likeliness of getting addicted isn't that large (compared to some other drugs).

[miniboes]

Well, only with significant usage. The dangers with moderate amounts and usage isn't as bad as you would expect. And the likeliness of getting addicted isn't that large (compared to some other drugs).

Whilst that might be the case, if the potential is there I would advise against it. Your brain , after all, is the most valuable thing you have. Also, you can't really ever feel the desire to smoke weed until you've done it. The best way to go is to just never start if you can withstand some peer pressure.

I am all for legalization though, I do think it should be your own decision. I do agree smoking and alcohol (also cheese, eggs, fast food and milk) are much worse, that's a good point.

[Volenta]

Whilst that might be the case, if the potential is there I would advise against it. Your brain , after all, is the most valuable thing you have. Also, you can't really ever feel the desire to smoke weed until you've done it. The best way to go is to just never start if you can withstand some peer pressure.

I actually agree with you up to a certain point, because I'm also sympathetic to the thought of 'why have brains if not for the exploration of it's own capabilities.' Smoking can easily be ruled out in that philosophy, because it doesn't serve any purpose at all (except for wanting to see your body getting destroyed). A safe and responsible 'try before you die' attitude I'm pretty open to (of course not for most of the hard drugs out there). It depends on the person whether she actually is capable of doing it responsible without getting addicted (although I would recommend staying away from addictive substances in general).

That being said, I myself use caffeine on a regular basis, and pretty rarely alcohol in social environments (moderately). Except for medicines on doctor's advice, I've never tried/used anything else.

I am all for legalization though, I do think it should be your own decision. I do agree smoking and alcohol (also cheese, eggs, fast food and milk) are much worse, that's a good point.

Absolutely. But this also raises some questions for me about how to arrange our (social) health care/insurance. It isn't very nice to pay for people that are irresponsible drug users (or meat eaters for that matter). But it's also not desirable to monitor people's drug usage because it would seriously restrict your freedom.

[Zed4711]

What about all the new research being conducted around the world (in the U.S. especially in recent times) to do with problems such as epilepsy, cancer research, increased lung function or chronic pain?

https://news.vice.com/article/leading-a ... -companies
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcoQyppcLmA
http://healthland.time.com/2012/01/10/s ... ng-damage/
http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.asp ... id=1104848
http://healthland.time.com/2011/09/08/m ... dy-weight/
http://www.epilepsy.com/make-difference ... -marijuana
http://www.epilepsy.com/node/2012231#Is ... l%20crime?

[brimstoneSalad]

Marijuana has a number of medicinal benefits, but smoking is harmful to health, regardless of what you're smoking; incomplete combustion produces substantial amounts of carcinogens.

The silver lining for Marijuana users is that they don't smoke very much, and the active components in the drug may in some rare cases slightly outweigh the negative side effects. However, due to the danger of smoke inhalation, that method of delivery should never be approved by the FDA.

Vaping, however, may be, and certainly pills, possibly oil extracts, etc. There are numerous safer ways to effectively deliver THC and other components which are beneficial without the dangerous effects of the products of partial combustion in smoke.

I'm 100% against smoking. Magic brownies, though? Eh, maybe it wouldn't hurt to legalize those.

That said, smoking nicotine should be illegal too, and maybe it will be some time soon. People can chew if they want their buzz, or use gums or vape, or something else.
Nobody should be allowed to burn things and harm the lungs of those around them.

[Jebus]

In the future, please consider simplifying the options. I would recommend "yes" "no" or "don't know" as options.

I definitely believe all drugs should be legal as the war on drugs is too costly and the money could be better spent on information and addict treatment. However, I strongly agree with Brimstone that if a drug could have second hand negative effects on others it needs to be legally controlled. I have the same opinion about tobacco smoking.

[dwindley]

all drugs should be legal. its a persons right to do as they wish, so long as they are not harming others.
i believe quite firmly that the more we declare this war on drugs and say dont do that. the more people will.

alcohol is openly sold in stores around the world and causes more problems than cannabis EVER HAS.
the amount of money spent here in the uk each year by the NHS for alcohol related injuries and conditions is stupid. never mind police time, destruction of property and so on.
if not used in moderation any substance (be it food, drink or drugs) can cause you serious harm. and many are sold freely in shops.
MacDonalds is far more harmful than cannabis but i dont see anyone protesting the legality of the filth.

also i think its important to note that the happier we are as individuals, the less we need or want such substances.
i still enjoy a spliff from time to time, but the more i motivate myself, the more i learn. the more content i feel and the less i want such things as alcohol and cannabis.

[Zed4711]

Marijuana has a number of medicinal benefits, but smoking is harmful to health, regardless of what you're smoking; incomplete combustion produces substantial amounts of carcinogens.

What about vaping or cooking?