Legalization of Marijuana

Have philosophical discussions about politics, law, and government.
Featured Article: Definition of Freedom - What Freedom Means to Me

Do you think marijuana should be legal?

Yes
28
90%
No
3
10%
 
Total votes: 31

gregdavidson
Posts: 3
Joined: March 19th, 2008, 11:04 am

Legalization of Marijuana

Post by gregdavidson »

Everybody is saying that marijuana should be legal and the only reason it isn't is because the government can tax the people who sell it. Do you think this will ever happen or is this simply an imaginary idea that a bunch of stoners came up with?
anarchyisbliss
Posts: 515
Joined: February 28th, 2008, 4:23 pm
Location: Maryland
Contact:

Post by anarchyisbliss »

I'm hoping it happens soon. It is a shame what this government will do in an attempt to uphold standard morality.
"If there is hope, it lies in the proles." - George Orwell, 1984
MrK
Posts: 17
Joined: December 5th, 2007, 10:05 am

Post by MrK »

Presumably you meant that some people think that Marijuana hasn't been legalized because the government can't tax it. Surely they could tax it, I think the actual argument is that it is not legalized because if the state were to manufacture it then the seeds they provide could last consumers a life time and so they would miss out on profits. This is ridiculous- what about the range of seeds that are sold for every other plant and vegetable? It is much more likely that it has not been legalized due to the state's reactionary nature- it is too much of liberal idea to gel with the conventions of the states where it is not legal.
User avatar
Eckhart Aurelius Hughes
The admin formerly known as Scott
Posts: 5765
Joined: January 20th, 2007, 6:24 pm
Favorite Philosopher: Eckhart Aurelius Hughes
Contact:

Post by Eckhart Aurelius Hughes »

I'm not sure if it will ever happen. The war on drugs costs taxpayers a lot of money, but that means a lot of people are making a lot of money through the war on drugs. Those people are going to work very hard to keep the racket going. The war on drugs helps the government excuse spending so much taxpayer money.

For the most part, it is in the interest of the people in power to keep marijuana illegal and wage a war on drugs. So I wouldn't count on drugs such as marijuana being legalizing.

For the the most part, I believe the people in society would be better off if drugs were legalized. Mainly, legalizing marijuana would reduce violent crime. Also, the saved taxes (and the potential extra taxes made by taxing marijuana) could be used to alleviate other social problems such as poverty.

In conclusion, I support marijuana legalization because I believe it would greatly benefit most people in society, but I doubt it will be legalized anytime soon because the ruling class benefits from prohibition.
My entire political philosophy summed up in one tweet.

"The mind is a wonderful servant but a terrible master."

I believe spiritual freedom (a.k.a. self-discipline) manifests as bravery, confidence, grace, honesty, love, and inner peace.
User avatar
Eckhart Aurelius Hughes
The admin formerly known as Scott
Posts: 5765
Joined: January 20th, 2007, 6:24 pm
Favorite Philosopher: Eckhart Aurelius Hughes
Contact:

Post by Eckhart Aurelius Hughes »

A new thread about legalizing marijuana was created which I locked since we already have this one. Here are the posts from that thread:
buddaluver1414 wrote:This is a very popular topic with politics today. But I want your opinion. Should people be able to purchase marijuana if they are 18, know the addiction effect on there lives, know this may cause brain damage, and will only smoke it in there homes? In my opinion if they are going to smoke it indoors and out of minors sight its fine with me if they are okay with the side effects. But the schools and goverment should still do PSAs and programs like D.A.R.E.
ape wrote:In the sense that MJ is just like cigarettes and drinking, --with all of the ill-effects known,--yes.

But in terms of mj being more hallucinatory and etc, it shd be kept illegal, like propofol is kept out of reach.

Of course, as long as the real illegality and crime of self-Hate is allowed as legal and uncriminalised, then there is no solution no matter how many psa's there are and how many programs like DARE there are nor if mj is kept as illegal.
buddaluver1414 wrote:I never thought about it like that, but your right. If the stuff wasn't illegal then there would be no point for any of the PSAs and programs. And society would collapse.
tmv wrote:Legality will just lower the price so people can get more and smoke more and realize how boring it is and stop even quicker. Either way people will smoke it though so at this point it hardly matters. Getting some tax dollars off the sale of it could be nice though.
pjkeeley wrote:What business is it of the government what substance an adult puts into her body?
Veritas wrote:
buddaluver1414 wrote:I never thought about it like that, but your right. If the stuff wasn't illegal then there would be no point for any of the PSAs and programs. And society would collapse.
What do you mean by, "society would collapse"? I don't see how the lack of anti-drug programs would cause a collapse of society (especially being that society worked just fine before any of these programs were first implemented.)
wanabe wrote:all drugs should be legal!. kids should be taught of there dangers and there blessings and should refrain from their use until they are mature enough(they decide, yes that can be fallacious, but only they know for sure).
To add to my previous comments, I believe marijuana usage could be more effectively lowered using a public health campaign like that used against cigarettes. Additionally, the massive savings (from not having to pay for the expensive war on drugs) and the new revenue (from heavily taxing marijuana) would allow us to fund more drug rehabilitation and drug education programs, other important social programs or just give tax breaks to the working folks.
My entire political philosophy summed up in one tweet.

"The mind is a wonderful servant but a terrible master."

I believe spiritual freedom (a.k.a. self-discipline) manifests as bravery, confidence, grace, honesty, love, and inner peace.
User avatar
whitetrshsoldier
Premium Member
Posts: 1773
Joined: March 11th, 2009, 1:19 pm
Favorite Philosopher: Frederic Bastiat
Location: San Diego, CA

Post by whitetrshsoldier »

Having previously used drugs [as a teenager], I say we should do as Amsterdam has done, but in a more severe fashion.

We should create a centralized location and wall/fence it off. Check every individual heading in. Mandatory strip searches for all people exiting and re-entering the 'drug-free' world.

If we did this, all who wished to use so-called 'illicit substances' could do so in peace, and so could kill themselves in a controlled and taxed environment.

I think this is a sensible solution.
"I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings! I'm obviously just insecure with the ineptitudes of my logic and rational faculties. Forgive me - I'm a "lost soul", blinded by my "ignorant belief" that there's such a thing as reality and truth in the world"
Nick_A
Posts: 3364
Joined: April 19th, 2009, 11:45 pm

Post by Nick_A »

Part of the question includes if a user is responsible for their actions while using? Now it is fashionable to be compassionate towards the addict as societal victims and go after the pushers. Are you willing to hold an addict responsible for their crimes and equal under the law at least theoretically with anyone else regardless of race, color, religion etc.?
Man would like to be an egoist and cannot. This is the most striking characteristic of his wretchedness and the source of his greatness." Simone Weil....Gravity and Grace
tmv
Posts: 111
Joined: June 3rd, 2009, 10:33 am

Post by tmv »

Of course someone is responsible for what they do, drugs or not. Addicts that want help should readily be able to receive help.
prodygi
Posts: 247
Joined: August 29th, 2009, 7:46 am

Post by prodygi »

whitetrshsoldier wrote:Having previously used drugs [as a teenager], I say we should do as Amsterdam has done, but in a more severe fashion.

We should create a centralized location and wall/fence it off. Check every individual heading in. Mandatory strip searches for all people exiting and re-entering the 'drug-free' world.

If we did this, all who wished to use so-called 'illicit substances' could do so in peace, and so could kill themselves in a controlled and taxed environment.

I think this is a sensible solution.

I absolutely agree here and think this could be applied to all drugs, from alchohol to crack. Wall them off, set a limit on the amount of time they will have had to abstain from using so that they won't be entering the 'drug-free world' intoxicated. In the past weren't opium dens like that? In a way? I'm sure you could probably leave when you wanted though.

Doing this, though, would have some problems. Such as, when a drug is being used for medicinal purposes and such.
He so buried himself in his books that he spent the nights...and the days...[reading]; and so, from little sleep and much reading, his brains dried up and he lost his wits. ~~~Don Quixote
User avatar
Eckhart Aurelius Hughes
The admin formerly known as Scott
Posts: 5765
Joined: January 20th, 2007, 6:24 pm
Favorite Philosopher: Eckhart Aurelius Hughes
Contact:

Post by Eckhart Aurelius Hughes »

I want to add a note about conditional releases. There are many activities that we may agree we want to be legal but that would still want to disallow some or all convicts from doing as a condition of their release. For instance, while it is legal to walk past a school, I think prohibiting--as a condition of release--a convicted child rapist from ever going near one would be supported by almost everyone and make society safer. An alcoholic abuser could be prohibited from drinking alcohol or going to a bar as a condition of his release. One who commits violent crime that may be associated with an addiction such as gambling or internet porn or a relatively non-addictive habit like smoking marijuana could similarly be disallowed from engaging in such activities. A guy who gets convicted of recklessly driving his car way over the speed limit could have his right to drive his car safely under the speed limit revoked.

***

whitetrshsoldier,

I like the idea of prohibiting weapon possession in places where alcohol drinking, drug doing, gambling and other similar activities occur.

***

Nick_A,
Nick_A wrote:Are you willing to hold an addict responsible for their crimes and equal under the law at least theoretically with anyone else regardless of race, color, religion etc.?
Of course, Nick_A, nobody is proposing allowing offensively violent crime, such as murder, rape, battery, muggings, vandalism and so forth. If someone commits an act like murder or rape, I think all us want them detained regardless of whether or not they happen to smoke marijuana, drink alcohol, gamble, watch internet porn or perform some other arguably self-destructive, intoxicating or addictive activity. And as explained above, those convicted of a violent crime can be prohibited from engaging in this activities as a condition of their release.

Anyway, Nick_A, I think you make an important point. Even when drinking alcohol, smoking marijuana or doing some other addictive, intoxicating or self-destructive activity is legal, we cannot allow that to be a defense for committing other violent crimes. "I was drunk at the time," is not an excuse for abusing one's children. "I wanted buy drugs to get high," is not an excuse for mugging someone.
My entire political philosophy summed up in one tweet.

"The mind is a wonderful servant but a terrible master."

I believe spiritual freedom (a.k.a. self-discipline) manifests as bravery, confidence, grace, honesty, love, and inner peace.
Nothingman
Posts: 106
Joined: September 3rd, 2009, 3:35 pm

Post by Nothingman »

I think weed should definetly be legal. I think it is pretty damn stupid that it is not. If you smoke it out of a vaporizor you won't get cancer from it. It is a leisure drug. I find it dumb that oxycodone is legal(medically) and weed isn't. I mean that's a opiate. People are dying from opiate overdoses all the time. Alchohol is killing people left and right but BIG BAD WEED, oh no. Ridiculous.

Besides the potential to help the economy, the drug is extremely effective for a lot of epileptics. Some epileptics have to take a range of drugs to reduce their seizures. The meds are basically mood stabilizers that are normally used for people with mental problems. For a lot of epileptics, regular meds don't work and they are suffering through multiple seizures a week. I haven't the slightest clue why it is not at least medically legal.

Also, people that are terminally ill should have the right to smoke or vaporize a little weed before they die. I mean come on, they're dying. A lot of cancer patients don't want to use poppy plant derived meds for pain(for obvious reasons). I mean, who wants to be a slave with the little time they have? Offered opiates and denied weed????? Am I in the freakin Twilight Zone?
The only thing I know is that I know one thing which is that.
Belinda
Premium Member
Posts: 13813
Joined: July 10th, 2008, 7:02 pm
Location: UK

Re: Legalization of Marijuana

Post by Belinda »

Is medical grade cannabis synthethic now? Is it safe to buy any medications off the internet? Is the whole weed better for not causing adverse effects, as is sometimes claimed by herbalists?
Socialist
BigDLively
Posts: 10
Joined: February 20th, 2013, 2:18 am

Re: Legalization of Marijuana

Post by BigDLively »

Visit breaking the taboo period commercial (I am new and cannot post links, come on Scott!) if you are interested in more information on the war on drugs and accurate unbiased statistics. You can also support the campaign to end the war on drugs by visiting wear the taboo period commercial. I hope this post doesn't go against some sort of advertising/spam rule, do people actually read the rules? As far as my opinion goes I believe that all drugs should be decriminalized, as an addiction to heroine is a psychological problem, not a criminal one.
DPMartin
Posts: 203
Joined: October 22nd, 2012, 1:24 pm

Re: Legalization of Marijuana

Post by DPMartin »

The last thing Al Capone would have wanted was the prohibition on alcohol to end. The last thing cartels and the like would want is, the average American growing a cash crop like marijuana. Notice we could grow marijuana and export it, but that’s not happening at all is it? But its happening somewhere else quite successfully. Even much of what is grown here is sponsored from out of country. Back in the day when we were nothing, tobacco was our greatest crop and was exported to Europe. I was watching a program last night on the subject, there getting $400 a ounce for the stuff. WOW.

Even in states where its half-ass legal like California they “the law enforcement” constantly harass and shake down legal operations in the name of federal law.

Its all about the production and distribution, as in some states now its perfectly legal to consume marijuana, but I wonder if its legal to grow and sell in significant quantities.

On the other side of the coin, if anyone knows the result of using marijuana, then they know that they wouldn’t want their army smoking the stuff, when they are supposed to be combat ready. As far as social ramifications those who would drink and drive drink and drive law or no law, those who would consume marijuana and drive consume marijuana and drive law or no law.
User avatar
Sword of Apollo
Posts: 11
Joined: July 8th, 2012, 8:46 pm

Re: Legalization of Marijuana

Post by Sword of Apollo »

All drugs should be legal for adults to take. A person is not violating anyone else's rights simply by taking a drug. Now, if they commit other crimes or neglect their children while on drugs, obviously that should be prosecuted.
Post Reply

Return to “Philosophy of Politics”

2023/2024 Philosophy Books of the Month

Entanglement - Quantum and Otherwise

Entanglement - Quantum and Otherwise
by John K Danenbarger
January 2023

Mark Victor Hansen, Relentless: Wisdom Behind the Incomparable Chicken Soup for the Soul

Mark Victor Hansen, Relentless: Wisdom Behind the Incomparable Chicken Soup for the Soul
by Mitzi Perdue
February 2023

Rediscovering the Wisdom of Human Nature: How Civilization Destroys Happiness

Rediscovering the Wisdom of Human Nature: How Civilization Destroys Happiness
by Chet Shupe
March 2023

The Unfakeable Code®

The Unfakeable Code®
by Tony Jeton Selimi
April 2023

The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are

The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are
by Alan Watts
May 2023

Killing Abel

Killing Abel
by Michael Tieman
June 2023

Reconfigurement: Reconfiguring Your Life at Any Stage and Planning Ahead

Reconfigurement: Reconfiguring Your Life at Any Stage and Planning Ahead
by E. Alan Fleischauer
July 2023

First Survivor: The Impossible Childhood Cancer Breakthrough

First Survivor: The Impossible Childhood Cancer Breakthrough
by Mark Unger
August 2023

Predictably Irrational

Predictably Irrational
by Dan Ariely
September 2023

Artwords

Artwords
by Beatriz M. Robles
November 2023

Fireproof Happiness: Extinguishing Anxiety & Igniting Hope

Fireproof Happiness: Extinguishing Anxiety & Igniting Hope
by Dr. Randy Ross
December 2023

Beyond the Golden Door: Seeing the American Dream Through an Immigrant's Eyes

Beyond the Golden Door: Seeing the American Dream Through an Immigrant's Eyes
by Ali Master
February 2024

2022 Philosophy Books of the Month

Emotional Intelligence At Work

Emotional Intelligence At Work
by Richard M Contino & Penelope J Holt
January 2022

Free Will, Do You Have It?

Free Will, Do You Have It?
by Albertus Kral
February 2022

My Enemy in Vietnam

My Enemy in Vietnam
by Billy Springer
March 2022

2X2 on the Ark

2X2 on the Ark
by Mary J Giuffra, PhD
April 2022

The Maestro Monologue

The Maestro Monologue
by Rob White
May 2022

What Makes America Great

What Makes America Great
by Bob Dowell
June 2022

The Truth Is Beyond Belief!

The Truth Is Beyond Belief!
by Jerry Durr
July 2022

Living in Color

Living in Color
by Mike Murphy
August 2022 (tentative)

The Not So Great American Novel

The Not So Great American Novel
by James E Doucette
September 2022

Mary Jane Whiteley Coggeshall, Hicksite Quaker, Iowa/National Suffragette And Her Speeches

Mary Jane Whiteley Coggeshall, Hicksite Quaker, Iowa/National Suffragette And Her Speeches
by John N. (Jake) Ferris
October 2022

In It Together: The Beautiful Struggle Uniting Us All

In It Together: The Beautiful Struggle Uniting Us All
by Eckhart Aurelius Hughes
November 2022

The Smartest Person in the Room: The Root Cause and New Solution for Cybersecurity

The Smartest Person in the Room
by Christian Espinosa
December 2022

2021 Philosophy Books of the Month

The Biblical Clock: The Untold Secrets Linking the Universe and Humanity with God's Plan

The Biblical Clock
by Daniel Friedmann
March 2021

Wilderness Cry: A Scientific and Philosophical Approach to Understanding God and the Universe

Wilderness Cry
by Dr. Hilary L Hunt M.D.
April 2021

Fear Not, Dream Big, & Execute: Tools To Spark Your Dream And Ignite Your Follow-Through

Fear Not, Dream Big, & Execute
by Jeff Meyer
May 2021

Surviving the Business of Healthcare: Knowledge is Power

Surviving the Business of Healthcare
by Barbara Galutia Regis M.S. PA-C
June 2021

Winning the War on Cancer: The Epic Journey Towards a Natural Cure

Winning the War on Cancer
by Sylvie Beljanski
July 2021

Defining Moments of a Free Man from a Black Stream

Defining Moments of a Free Man from a Black Stream
by Dr Frank L Douglas
August 2021

If Life Stinks, Get Your Head Outta Your Buts

If Life Stinks, Get Your Head Outta Your Buts
by Mark L. Wdowiak
September 2021

The Preppers Medical Handbook

The Preppers Medical Handbook
by Dr. William W Forgey M.D.
October 2021

Natural Relief for Anxiety and Stress: A Practical Guide

Natural Relief for Anxiety and Stress
by Dr. Gustavo Kinrys, MD
November 2021

Dream For Peace: An Ambassador Memoir

Dream For Peace
by Dr. Ghoulem Berrah
December 2021