Hellobee Boards

@mrbee: That's a very good point - and this is why I'm not running the country, because I don't have the answers. Nothing is ever simple. But I strongly believe that turning a blind eye to the issues and saying "oh, let's legalise it, people are going to do it anyway and, hey, we can tax it" just isn't good enough.

It's amazing how many people who have commented here fall into the "well I've never tried it and I never will but, hey, legalise it" camp. The same camp as most of these politicians who are relying on reports and cleanly, concisely presented scientific research to make their decisions. Where are all the "I'm a regular user and it hasn't done me any harm" people???

@mrbee: Ahh! It's borderline legal here anyway the law is so lax on it. I don't think I know anyone who fits that description, myself, but it might just be because the only successful people I know I know from work (and you don't admit that to a colleague, do you?!)/ Our *real friends* are all struggling musicians and ex party girls/guys. We fall into two camps now - those who have grown up (and given up) and those who haven't.... and let me tell you, there's nothing sadder than a mid thirties stoner hanging around the student pubs.

@Cherrybee: I have also seen talented people stripped of all ambition by pot... especially when used heavily by minors. But we've tried the whole war on drugs thing for marijuana, and it hasn't been going very well. At some point, I think it makes sense to try something different!

@Cherrybee: Even though I have never tried it, and never intend to (for the same reasons that I would never try a cigarette), and would vote to legalize it, it's not because I think it's harmless. I think marijuana is *much* worse than cigarettes in many aspects (including, but not limited to, its causal link to mental illnesses ranging from paranoia and hallucinations to depression and suicide, and increased risk for heart attacks, etc.)

I'm not even sure that it (marijuana) should be used in medicine to treat pain and nausea (there are several reasons for that), although other THC-based drugs to treat pain and nausea are already FDA approved and prescribed, and scientists continue to investigate the medicinal properties of cannabinoids.

I also don't think any regular users will admit that it has--or can--done/do them any harm. I certainly haven't met any who have ever admitted that to me. I guess at the end of the day what it comes down to for me is what I want our resources dedicated to . . . prosecuting child molesters, rapists, and other criminals, or prosecuting someone for having a baggie of pot when they got pulled over for a broken tail light. In a perfect world, we could do it all.

I don't think it should be legalized because it's harmless or because it isn't damaging to lives--it definitely is. @dagret: I worked at an outpatient substance abuse facility and had maaaany clients who literally smoked all day, every day, and often felt like they needed to smoke in order to get through the day.

I think its more of a case of--people are doing it anyway, and will do it anyway, and I would rather have regulations on it than have illegal drug dealers be the one controlling the distribution, not to mention making all the money off it.

It's much less harmful than alcohol or cigarettes - so I say yes & tax that! Would also save lots of money currently wasted on locking people up for pot offenses and on the "war on drugs".

@Cherrybee: i don't think people need to personally use something to have an opinion on whether the government should have the right to punish people for its use. i don't need to try meth to say it should be illegal because it is dangerous to society and strongly addictive and harmful to individuals.

@Aimed: are the harmful effects from just one use that you're referring to related to smoking it? because while inhaling smoke of any variety isn't great for your body, marijuana doesn't need to be smoked and people can avoid those harmful effects by using it in other ways if they want.

@Greentea: sorry, I didn't follow that. It's terrible in what way? Because it's misused by some people? Most things are, but I can still buy cough syrup at the pharmacy & choose not to abuse it. My husband is an alcoholic, it doesn't mean the entire country should be punished for drinking & alcohol causes physical addiction, pot does not. Studies have shown teens have a harder time getting alcohol vs getting pot, making it legal doesn't mean you allow young people to use it or that it shouldn't be controlled, it's just the opposite. And I can't address your firearms comment, could you clarify?

All for it! Regulate it and tax it...get money instead of losing money on prosecuting it!

I, unfortunately, was exposed to the darker sides of marijuana when I was in school. And by darker, I mean being at drug dealers homes where they were trafficking it out of their homes and their were some seriously shady people coming and going all the time. It scared the hell out of me! If it were legalized, these kind of at home operations would no longer be a concern (for marijuana at least). I also know of plenty of people who use it medicinally and recreationally who are very active successful members of the community. Why not legalize it to a) tax it b) allow cops to focus on more important things c) use the tax money to research the hell out of it and its effects on people. The people who will suffer the most are the ones who are already using because the cost of it would skyrocket. Just because its legal does not make it 'harmless'. But if people want to abuse it, go hard. The gov't should place regulations on it just like everything else, which I am sure they would.

Yes! If it's regulated & taxed, it would be HUGE for the government. I really hope it works. Also, there are idiots who drink alcohol and act very foolish ... there will be idiots who smoke pot & do the same. People smoke bath salts, so yeahhhh ...

Intellectually I think it's a good idea to get it out of the hands of criminals, and tax the bahjeezus out of it. Emotionally I think it's crap and don't want it anywhere that is easily accessible and seemingly acceptable. I think pot stinks in ever sense of the word and driving while under the influence of cannabis is hard to 'road test' (no breathalizer for that). It just makes me nervous to think about more people having easy access to another something that make driving dangerous.

@MrsStormy: @prettylizy: I didn't know about the potential DUI issue . . . that, in and of itself, is serious cause for me to consider my position regarding legalization.

@prettylizy: I also agree with you regarding your emotional feelings.