Why Is Marijuana Illegal?

I_AmThe_Walrus

Firstly, I want to express the fact that I am not a regular user of the drug itself, nor am I condoning it - I am just interested how society has labeled it negatively when they are unwilling to educate the ill-informed about the benefits.

1) It is not in any way, shape or form, addictive, mentally or physically.
2) It has unlimited and legitimate medical uses.
3) It is not a "gateway" drug.
4) If it was legal, organised crime would fall.
5) Government can tax it and give tourism a boost.

The funny thing about this whole farce is, Marijuana has been legal in the Netherlands since the 30's and according to the consumption stats, the Dutch use the recreational drug the least. Not one recorded fatality has occurred from the use of marijuana, yet alcohol and tobacco are severe killers and they're still available.

What are you thoughts? Should it be available for purchase, legally?

smash

I_AmThe_Walrus wrote: »

5) Government can tax it and give tourism a boost.

Marijuana has been legal in the Netherlands since the 30's

And have you seen the state of the people that go there? Temple Bar is bad enough as it is without bringing hash café's into it.

easyeason3

You will find that most people who are afraid of marijuana are usually the ones that have never tried it or done any research into it.

Biggins

...Must be that time of the month.
Here we go again...

Neither for/against.
Just wish some would read previous threads that mention/discuss this topic.

Procasinator

Are we really having this conversation. Again. Someone needs to make a sticky.

Blackhorse Slim

Because it doesn't have powerful lobby groups backing it like alcohol and tobacco do.

Wazdakka

They're doing a vote in the US about this pretty soon.
Washington and California are having a referendum on whether it should be legalised

folan

Because of pressure from the States which made it illegal in the early part of the last century.

George Washington grew it on his plantation.

Celly Smunt

Procasinator wrote: »

Someone needs to make a sticky.

ok tilt your head back and open wide

Procasinator

easyeason3 wrote: »

You will find that most people who are afraid of marijuana are usually the ones that have never tried it or done any research into it.

A lot who try it also have done no research on it either, and simply trust whoever gives it to them. Just saying.

DrumSteve

Biggins wrote: »

...Must be that time of the month.
Here we go again...

Neither for/against.
Just wish some would read previous threads that mention/discuss this topic.

I would note that some people are not regulars of this forum Biggins so they would not be aware of other threads... like the bi-monthly God thread thats happening right now. Lets not be too harsh on them.

losthorizon

folan wrote: »

Because of pressure from the States which made it illegal in the early part of the last century.

George Washington grew it on his plantation.

He also had slaves.

I_AmThe_Walrus

Wazdakka wrote: »

They're doing a vote in the US about this pretty soon.
Washington and California are having a referendum on whether it should be legalised

Interesting - I heard something about this Proposition but I can't remember it. Wasn't that supposed to happen years ago? I thought Obama was a strong advocate for it?

pmcmahon wrote: »

ok tilt your head back and open wide

lulz.

jordan..

I_AmThe_Walrus wrote: »

Firstly, I want to express the fact that I am not a regular user of the drug itself, nor am I condoning it - I am just interested how society has labeled it negatively when they are unwilling to educate the ill-informed about the benefits.

1) It is not in any way, shape or form, addictive, mentally or physically.
2) It has unlimited and legitimate medical uses.
3) It is not a "gateway" drug.
4) If it was legal, organised crime would fall.
5) Government can tax it and give tourism a boost.

The funny thing about this whole farce is, Marijuana has been legal in the Netherlands since the 30's and according to the consumption stats, the Dutch use the recreational drug the least. Not one recorded fatality has occurred from the use of marijuana, yet alcohol and tobacco are severe killers and they're still available.

What are you thoughts? Should it be available for purchase, legally?

It is definately mentally addictive!! Great drug but it does have its side affects!

Biggins

DrumSteve wrote: »

I would note that some people are not regulars of this forum Biggins so they would not be aware of other threads... like the bi-monthly God thread thats happening right now. Lets not be too harsh on them.

True but God/Allah/Mother Earth/Xenu bless the search function.

Wazdakka

Thread needs poll...

Menengroth™

Because of Liveline with Joe "****ing" Duffy.

D.R cowboy

I_AmThe_Walrus wrote: »

Firstly, I want to express the fact that I am not a regular user of the drug itself, nor am I condoning it - I am just interested how society has labeled it negatively when they are unwilling to educate the ill-informed about the benefits.

1) It is not in any way, shape or form, addictive, mentally or physically.
2) It has unlimited and legitimate medical uses.
3) It is not a "gateway" drug.
4) If it was legal, organised crime would fall.
5) Government can tax it and give tourism a boost.

The funny thing about this whole farce is, Marijuana has been legal in the Netherlands since the 30's and according to the consumption stats, the Dutch use the recreational drug the least. Not one recorded fatality has occurred from the use of marijuana, yet alcohol and tobacco are severe killers and they're still available.

What are you thoughts? Should it be available for purchase, legally?

Stop trying to push drugs on boards.ie:mad:

Biggins

Wazdakka wrote: »

Thread needs poll...

Thread needs free samples!

I_AmThe_Walrus

D.R cowboy wrote: »

Stop trying to push drugs on boards.ie:mad:

I am not! Take that back!

The truth is that ALL propaganda, from THC making you loose your memory to being a gateway drug, everything, has been proven false. There are numerous reasons why it is illegal. Originally in the early 1900's it was because it was associated with other races, which is racist! Later in the Vietnam War, it was associated with peace and anti-war activists; therefore president Nixon promoted the, now failed, war on drugs. None of the reasons it is illegal make sense.

Sinfonia

Anyone for proposing a new "Thorny Recurring Issues" forum?

Although, AH would be empty...

biko

It would have been nice some serious links to back up your claims.
Too much to ask?

I_AmThe_Walrus

biko wrote: »

It would have been nice some some links to back up your claims.

I'm on it, let me have time for some awesome research!

Also, this thread is not a run-of-the-mill one. I am asking people why people have made it illegal, not an unoriginal petition to make it legal.

thebigbiffo

it's illegal because of racism against mexicans and portions of the black community who were using it instead of working like the good 'ni**ers' they were supposed to be. check out harry anslinger too, he was the man behind alot of the hype and propoganda that ended in prohibition

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Anslinger

the textiles industry also provided a massive amount of backing for the campaign as hemp was the main rival to newer synthetic materials and it suited them for the plant to be outlawed

D.R cowboy

I_AmThe_Walrus wrote: »

I am not! Take that back!

I will if you take back your thread, drugs destroy peoples lives every day and make it hell for people likes us, who have to live with those people in our society.

If everyone was high, nothing would get done.

Biggins

There should be a "Don't know" or "Neutral" voting option.

ddef

I_AmThe_Walrus wrote: »

1) It is not in any way, shape or form, addictive, mentally or physically.

I have friends who are like zombies after months of taking it everyday. a couple even came in high to some of their leaving cert exams. It is most definately addictive mentally. and also about the "gateway" part of it; i wouldnt agree with some people saying it will lead to meth, heroin, crack etc. but my friends have done salvia and mdma and acid. Im very doubtful they would have done that without first experiencing weed.
Its bad enough seeing my friends like this, we dont need an entire zombified city.

I_AmThe_Walrus

This issue must be openly debated using only the facts. Groundless claims, meaningless statistics, and exaggerated scare stories that have been peddled by politicians and prohibitionists. ANNUAL DEATHS CAUSED BY DRUGS.

TOBACCO …………………… 400,000
ALCOHOL …………………… 100,000
ALL LEGAL DRUGS ……… 20,000
ALL ILLEGAL DRUGS ……15,000
CAFFEINE ……………………. 2,000
ASPIRIN ……………………… 500
MARIJUANA …………………. 0
—————————————-

biko

I_AmThe_Walrus wrote: »

I'm on it, let me have time for some awesome research!

It's all in the preparation.

smash

I_AmThe_Walrus wrote: »

ALL ILLEGAL DRUGS ……15,000

MARIJUANA ………………….0

Why is it in a separate category?

Cookie_Monster

why can't people just be happy with getting pissed off their heads every weekend?

DrumSteve

Biggins wrote: »

True but God/Allah/Mother Earth/Xenu bless the search function.

thou shalt have no false gods before me!

smash

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

why can't people just be happy with getting pissed off their heads every weekend?

That's way too legal.

I_AmThe_Walrus

steve06 wrote: »

Why is it in a separate category?

Firstly, I'm not here to convince you of why it should be legal like all the other threads.

I asked for information as to why it is illegal? I'm at a loss for words when I look at the facts...and I was intrigued if anyone else found it mind boggling.

WindSock

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

why can't people just be happy with getting pissed off their heads every weekend?

Some people don't like getting pissed off their heads.

Biggins

Biggins wrote: »

True but God/Allah/Mother Earth/Xenu bless the search function.

DrumSteve wrote: »

thou shalt have no false gods before me!

You forgot to bold the rest!

(Except the mammy one. You can't pick on mothers!)

Fallen Buckshot

steve06 wrote: »

And have you seen the state of the people that go there? Temple Bar is bad enough as it is without bringing hash café's into it.

Yes but you are comparing oranges to apples ...if there were hash bars instead of pubs you would not see or see less Fights/Pissing in public/puke on the sidewalk etc

thebigbiffo

D.R cowboy wrote: »

I will if you take back your thread, drugs destroy peoples lives every day and make it hell for people likes us, who have to live with those people in our society.

If everyone was high, nothing would get done.

ddef wrote: »

I have friends who are like zombies after months of taking it everyday. a couple even came in high to some of their leaving cert exams. It is most definately addictive mentally. and also about the "gateway" part of it; i wouldnt agree with some people saying it will lead to meth, heroin, crack etc. but my friends have done salvia and mdma and acid. Im very doubtful they would have done that without first experiencing weed.
Its bad enough seeing my friends like this, we dont need an entire zombified city.

both these points are ridiculous when taken in the context of what we're talking about here. does the whole country go around drunk every day? is caffeine a gateway drug? it has a stimulatant effect but you wont consider outlawing it on the basis that you move straight to speed or coke when you're not gettting the same buzz off your java in the morning.

drugs (especially MJ) dont destroy peoples lives, the decision they've made destroys their lives. you want to take heroin? welcome to hell sir and there's nobody out there who doesn't know it, you made the choice. salvia and mdma are both harmless aswell. so lets distinguish between meth, crack, heroin and the like and drugs which are - although you'd never want to believe it - in medical terms safe

Wudyaquit

It was made illegal in Ireland before it was in any way widespread, so doubt a huge amount of thought went into it - "all drugs is bad" most likely.
It's still illegal because there seems to be a stronger anti-drugs lobby in Ireland than pro-drugs. There'd be gangs of auld ones hitting the streets with banners, just like with the head shop nonsense. A major party proposing to legalise it would be impacted negatively on the whole, without doubt, and we don't have too many politicians who'd back it out of the courage of their own convictions.

It's not exactly difficult to find, and you usually get a couple of strikes if you're caught, so the only difference if it were legal would be we'd attract a whole new breed of freak like you meet doing laps of the red light district in Amsterdam.

revz

Fallen Buckshot wrote: »

Yes but you are comparing oranges to apples ...if there were hash bars instead of pubs you would not see or see less Fights/Pissing in public/puke on the sidewalk etc

Are you really saying you wouldn't expect to see less people fighting/pissing on streets if they were smoking weed instead of drinking alcohol?
It's not apples and oranges at all
Alcohol is a diuretic and makes you need to piss, weed doesn't do this, as well as alcohol altering your self-control a lot more (anyone ever blacked-out on weed?)
If you think people would get just as aggressive smoking weed as they would after 6-10 pints........Basically, they don't

EDIT: i may have read your comment wrong, I took it as you said "you would not see less fights/pissing" Although you may have been agreeing with my point, the "not see or see" thing is confusing me. Sorry if I took it wrong

folan

Wudyaquit wrote: »

It's not exactly difficult to find, and you usually get a couple of strikes if you're caught, so the only difference if it were legal would be we'd attract a whole new breed of freak like you meet doing laps of the red light district in Amsterdam.

Last time i was there, it was American tourists and their kids.

We definatly dont want more of them

I_AmThe_Walrus

Entity Prevalence

United Kingdom 10.8
Canada 16.8
Australia 13.3
Czech Rep. 10.0
Micronesia 19.0
France 9.8
Germany 6.9
Italy 7.1
Ireland 5.1
Jamaica 10.0
N. Zealand 13.0
Switzerland 9.6
U.S.A 12.6
Spain 11.0
Netherlands 6.0

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annual_cannabis_use_by_country

Wazdakka

I_AmThe_Walrus wrote: »

Entity Prevalence

United Kingdom 10.8
Canada 16.8
Australia 13.3
Czech Rep. 10.0
Micronesia 19.0
France 9.8
Germany 6.9
Italy 7.1
Ireland 5.1
Jamaica 10.0
N. Zealand 13.0
Switzerland 9.6
U.S.A 12.6
Spain 11.0
Netherlands 6.0

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annual_cannabis_use_by_country

That can't be right.
They're saying that 5.1% of Irish people between the ages of 15 and 64 used cannabis in the the last year?
1 in every 20 people??

That's wayyyyyy too low.

reprazant

I_AmThe_Walrus wrote: »

1) It is not in any way, shape or form, addictive, mentally or physically.
3) It is not a "gateway" drug.

Massively incorrect on both counts, especially the first one.

Some of my friends are prime examples of how this is incorrect. After nearly 2 decades of continious smoking, they spend their lives in a unenthusiastic, lethargic haze which they seem incapable of escaping.

I_AmThe_Walrus wrote: »

ANNUAL DEATHS CAUSED BY DRUGS.

TOBACCO …………………… 400,000
ALCOHOL …………………… 100,000
ALL LEGAL DRUGS ……… 20,000
ALL ILLEGAL DRUGS ……15,000
CAFFEINE ……………………. 2,000
ASPIRIN ……………………… 500
MARIJUANA …………………. 0
—————————————-

This is pointless use of stats.

Please show the amount of people who use all the above listed items.

How many people smoke, drink or take prescription drugs regularly compared with the rest? The people who smoke dope is minuscule compared to the rest.

Chuchoter

I don't agree with it. It screws up your brain, especially of younger people. I get people are going to say so does alcohol, but two wrongs don't make a right.

thebigbiffo

reprazant wrote: »

Massively incorrect on both counts, especially the first one.

Some of my friends are prime examples of how this is incorrect. After nearly 2 decades of continious smoking, they spend their lives in a unenthusiastic, lethargic haze which they seem incapable of escaping.




This is pointless use of stats.

Please show the amount of people who use all the above listed items.

How many people smoke, drink or take prescription drugs regularly compared with the rest? The people who smoke dope is minuscule compared to the rest.

you - sir - are massively incorrect on both counts. i will say no more except to ask you to please back up where a: you have proof that MJ is addictive b: that it has caused even one solitary death (prevalence of use is not relevant here as the stats are used to show that even what people consider mild drugs are dangerous whereas MJ has never killed anybody)

Mike 1972

I_AmThe_Walrus wrote: »

Marijuana has been legal in the Netherlands since the 30's

No it hasnt

Marijuana is not even legal in the Netherlands today

Can we stop spreading these misconceptions

crayolastereo wrote: »

I don't agree with it. It screws up your brain,

Reading the Mail/Express/Metro/Herald/Sun/Sindo screws up ones brain too but we allow that

MrStuffins

I_AmThe_Walrus wrote: »

4) If it was legal, organised crime would fall.

Do you honestly believe this? You honestly think that career criminals will just go get a job in McDonalds rather than find another way to make a shed load of money illegally?

Does Nederlands have organised crime? Of course!

Flash86

I'm against it for one simple reason.

I work in a shop and if you had ever seen a very stoned person taking bloody ages to count out the change he needs to pay for his crisps and Jaffa Cakes you'd be against it too.

I just don't need the hassle.

I_AmThe_Walrus

Mike 1972 wrote: »

No it hasnt

Marijuana is not even legal in the Netherlands today

Can we stop spreading these misconceptions

I am fully aware it is not and I apologise for that...what I meant to say was, that it was available in the Netherlands to a more liberal degree than elsewhere.

MrStuffins wrote: »

Does Nederlands have organised crime? Of course!

Of course the Netherlands has organised crime, but you'll find that the conservatives are backed by organised crime in a push to crack down on drug related tourism, use etc., which is occurring right now, in fact.

I am fully aware that criminals will find another way to make money but it won't involve hijacking the prices of said narcotics. To this end, our prisons won't be filled with tedious crimes such as possession of marijuana.

thirtythirty

Flash86 wrote: »

I'm against it for one simple reason.

I work in a shop and if you had ever seen a very stoned person taking bloody ages to count out the change he needs to pay for his crisps and Jaffa Cakes you'd be against it too.

I just don't need the hassle.

Well I'm sorry, but it's difficult counting out change when you're trying to work out if you need to get some sherbert dip for your jaffa crisp sandwich, or whether the fried ice cream will be enough.