Do you think marijuana should be legalized?

[Blackcat99]

I think marijuana should be legalized. Our jails are overcrowded. I say "Kick out these marijuana users and replace them with child molesters, rapists, murderers and other violent sexual offenders." All of this non-stop violence and non-stop killing going on with these drug smuggling operations. We can get rid of these drug cartels once and for all.

So what do you think?

[chulada77, ADN, BSN, MSN, APRN]

No. There s a county in California that tried it and there crime rate sky rocketed. Home invasions and robbery was uncontrollable. All the normal tax paying families moved to get their children away from the dealers and addicts.

Also mj is a gateway drug. Most hardcore meth and heroine users started with mj and then moved to the harder stuff.

I think legalization would destroy many communities and law enforcement would find themselves in a mess of crime. Then how do you suppose the Mexican drug hierarchy would react to our legalization? They d start moving to the states to setup operation and would begin killing all the American competitors.

Think about it......

I d move to Canada in a heartbeat or anywhere else to get away from the anarchy it would cause.

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

WOW...that seems to be a bit of an hysterical answer...chaos....drug lords over running the country:eek:

There is no scientific proof that marijuana is a gate way drug. Everyone I knew in college in the 70's smoked it and we are now all contributing members of society. It's been decriminalized in Massachusetts so if you get caught with any, as long as it's less than an ounce, there is a fine but no jail time. I think it should be legalized. Think of all the tax revenue from the sale.

[Blackcat99]

I remember the " good old days.":yeah: Everyone I knew smoked it in the 1970's. I think legalizing marijuana would create jobs and bring in some much needed tax revenue money.

[NorCalKid]

No. There s a county in California that tried it and there crime rate sky rocketed. Home invasions and robbery was uncontrollable. All the normal tax paying families moved to get their children away from the dealers and addicts.

Also mj is a gateway drug. Most hardcore meth and heroine users started with mj and then moved to the harder stuff.

I think legalization would destroy many communities and law enforcement would find themselves in a mess of crime. Then how do you suppose the Mexican drug hierarchy would react to our legalization? They d start moving to the states to setup operation and would begin killing all the American competitors.

Think about it......

I d move to Canada in a heartbeat or anywhere else to get away from the anarchy it would cause.

Of course that is the case if you legalize it in one little area, or even if they do it in all of California. It will create a prohibition type situation with a huge market and a area where it can be produced legally. I do think we would be better off legal but in order for it to work it would have to be everywhere otherwise you are just making an opportunity for criminals to exploit a legal place to manufacture and then export to other illegal areas with high prices.

[Crux1024]

Then how do you suppose the Mexican drug hierarchy would react to our legalization? They d start moving to the states to setup operation and would begin killing all the American competitors.

Think about it......

I d move to Canada in a heartbeat or anywhere else to get away from the anarchy it would cause.

No, because itd then be government controlled. Thered be no need for people to kill each other to sell to the public; people that CAN get it at the store, WILL just get it at the store.

I definitely think the penalties for marijuana should at least be lowered, our jails are overcrowded enough.

[sharpeimom]

no...

[ImThatGuy, BSN, RN]

No. Why let the liberals win?

[Rob72, ASN, RN]

Again? Isn't the horse a sloppy froth by now?

Anyhoo, the deal is, we've been down the same road with alcohol. We will have the same issues. Alcohol was determined to be important enough to sacrifice a few thousand non-imbibers on the alter of "personal choice" each year.

My take on weed is the same as alcohol, sure, legalize it, tax it, etc.. But. If you are arrested for being under the influence while driving, committing a crime, etc., one is not (immediately) eligible for indigent/free healthcare, social benefits, a drivers' license or any other professional license.

Of course, that is sooooo harsh and unfair, they just want to have a little fun, right. So there will be no significant penalties for abuse (and all the contingent/concurrent moral stigmatization and that icky stuff), we'll just be satisfied with an upward tic in the morbidity/mortality for the non-users, be happy with some more tax money for Gvt. benefits and call it good.

[Rob72, ASN, RN]

No, because itd then be government controlled. Thered be no need for people to kill each other to sell to the public; people that CAN get it at the store, WILL just get it at the store.

I definitely think the penalties for marijuana should at least be lowered, our jails are overcrowded enough.

Straw-man argument. The history of org-crime in the US bears it out. The repeal of prohibition simply sent the mob into tax-avoidence models (jacking/stealing tax-stamped cargos), and pursuing other illicit revenue sources.

We cannot legalize enough to satisfy ("decriminalize") illicit desires. Some subcultures are simply formed around people for whom the attraction is not the particular vice/substance/etc., but its inherently illicit nature, and the provision thereof. Their identity is utterly self-gratifying in being "The Man", who can, "Getchoo whatchoo wants...", and having the power of being worshipped as a provider of the desire. These types seek out addictive personalities/co-dependants, and perpetuate the cycle(s).

Edit: The original post is incredibly simplistic. The Cartels are political-economic structures. Politics (power) is their primary purpose, economics is the tool that stabilizes and allows expansion of that power.

Weed is a small part of the business. Legalize prostitution, they'll provide 8 y/o whores. Legalize weed, they'll offer weed sprayed with diazenon to offer the ultimate buzz.

The Cartels are successful because the people are acceoting of, and habituated to, corruption and subservience.

[gijen]

dude. if we just replace all the corn in the midwest with pot, we'd be the richest, most powerful nation with NO DEBT instantly! the government is putting an end to ethanol use in our gas, which effectively bankrupts the entire midwest. they need a new crop to replace their worthless corn!

[laughing weasel]

Party at my place the day it is legal!!!!! Not until then though. I have promises to keep. Ahh let the liberals win one or two or they will stop playing.