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Legalising RECREATIONAL cannabis

  • 01-02-2017 9:56pm
    #1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 552 ✭✭✭


    Having read much of the thread on the legality of medicinal cannabis, I've been thinking what the opinion of Irish people as a whole might be on the legalisation of cannabis for recreational purposes.

    I, for one, am very much in favour of the legalisation of cannabis for recreational purposes.

    People say that it is a "drug" and therefore should remain illegal. Let's define and discuss what a "drug" is though. Cafeiene could be considered a drug, so could sugar, tobacco is a drug and I very much believe alcohol is too. So why aren't they illegal?

    Why is it legal to go to your local pub, drink 6 or 7 pints for €5 each, last orders is called, then guzzle 2 or 3 more down your gullet to get the last ones in, go out on the roads like sheep being herded and make a mess get sick and people fighting everywhere.

    Why can't we just go into a "coffeeshop", spark up a joint, eat a cake, have a cuppa tae, relax, go home and not bother anyone.

    Before people say that it affects your work, alcohol can do that too, if you come in hungover, and there would be channels in place for employers to fiire habitual users, just like an employer can fire habitual drinkers that are constantly showing up late, hungover or not at all.

    It's a waste of Garda resources seizing what essentially is a harmless plant. 18 and 19 year old lads and girls are getting life-lasting convictions for smoking what is a harmless plant. Think of the revenue it'd bring in. Think ho many gangs would be annihilated through having a legal source available!

    And before people use the carcinogenic argument, alcohol is a carcinogen if abused, so too is tobacco. Vaping cannabis or eating it would remove that risk.

    I'd love to see cannabis legalised here, but I'd say it'd be met with fierce opposition from the Vintners Association which comprises a good chunk of our government (thus would not pass) and from puritanical, backward-thinking cunts.

    What do you think?

    Should cannabis be legalised for RECREATIONAL purposes? 74 votes

    Keep it illegal with heavy fines and / or prison.
    0%
    Keep it illegal with a slap on the wrist
    29%
    _Kaiser_jimmycrackcormrobertpattersonHigginsJStinkyMunkeytonycascarinoGraces7Del.MonteRobertKKFred SwansondiomedThe_ValeyardAM21jimboblepSolomon PleasantSILVAMAN5rtytry56prinzeugenDickSwivellerrarariot 22 votes
    Keep it illegal with a blind eye to be turned
    9%
    VictorWitcherbyhookorbycrookXxMCRxBabyxXyerwanthere123qo2cj1dsne8y4kRumpy Pumpy 7 votes
    Decriminalise it without fully legalising it
    2%
    ongariteThe_Mask 2 votes
    Fully legalise it, let people grow it and have it available in shops and coffee shops
    58%
    charlie_saysPixelTrawlermelonstarmegadodgesadie06Mr.Plough[Deleted User]DuffDeedsiemountainandy125ronnie3585thokerDERICKOORayMMitch Buchannonciantheodface1990cup of teaGerB40 43 votes


«134

Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 77 ✭✭ultra violet 5


    tldr


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 23,646 ✭✭✭✭qo2cj1dsne8y4k


    Keep it illegal with a blind eye to be turned
    If I had to vote, I'd vote keeping it illegal. It isn't harmless.


  • Registered Users Posts: 172 ✭✭jackwigan


    If I had to vote, I'd vote keeping it illegal. It isn't harmless.

    Yeah, well, that's just, like, your opinion, man


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 2,960 ✭✭✭Dr Crayfish


    It's never going to go away and it's very easy to grow yourself and a lot of people like it. You can't wrap everyone in bubble wrap and nanny everything, there needs to be some personal responsibility and some people may abuse it or fall by the wayside because of it but that's just the way of the world.
    Stop wasting money on policing a bloody plant. I found it so ridiculous a couple of weeks ago when they found all that weed and had Garda with machine guns standing beside it like they'd just captured an ISIS cell.
    Prohibition is pointless.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,893 ✭✭✭Allinall


    What would Hitler have done, OP?


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  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 2,960 ✭✭✭Dr Crayfish


    dfeo wrote: »
    And before people use the carcinogenic argument, alcohol is a carcinogen if abused, so too is tobacco. Vaping cannabis or eating it would remove that risk.

    It was in the news last week that toast that's a little bit brown, or meat from a grill is carcinogenic. Being alive is carcinogenic. If you live long enough you'll get cancer, we need to die one way or another.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,684 ✭✭✭✭Samuel T. Cogley


    Legalise it in conjunction with a total public smoking ban.

    What you do to yourself in private is entirely up to you, but no one else should have to suffer through it.

    Outwith the scope of your question, but legalise most other drugs with the possible exception of Heroin that should be given away in clinics. Other than traffic enforcement, which you'd have to beef up considerably the role of the guards would change over night.


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    I'd say it'll happen in the next decade. Once the US have it fully legalised, I'd say most of Europe will follow suit


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 975 ✭✭✭Parachutes


    If I had to vote, I'd vote keeping it illegal. It isn't harmless.

    Neither is drink, let's outlaw that too.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 2,960 ✭✭✭Dr Crayfish


    sugarman wrote: »
    The older generation of holy Joe's need to loosen up to bring this country forward.

    Don't worry they'll all be dead soon :D


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 552 ✭✭✭Commotion Ocean


    I'd say it'll happen in the next decade. Once the US have it fully legalised, I'd say most of Europe will follow suit

    Not of the Vintners' Association have anything to do with it.
    sugarman wrote: »
    Legalise it and tax the bejaysus out of it.

    Don't tax it too much though, or we'll be back to square one if it's cheaper to buy from your local scumbag.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,531 ✭✭✭✭MEGA BRO WOLF 5000


    If I had to vote, I'd vote keeping it illegal. It isn't harmless.

    Would you vote to ban half the medicines in your local pharmacy too. Because cannabis is no more dangerous than them. The amount of people going around off their faces on legal drugs they're getting from their local pharmacist is unreal.

    Harmless drug? Maybe, maybe not. But the fuss being made over it is ridiculous. Just legalize it and tax it. If there was a vote in the morning I'm sure sensibility would rule the day and it would be legalised. If it's purely a government vote, no way, it won't get passed. Too many VFI brown envelopes to go around.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 2,960 ✭✭✭Dr Crayfish


    dfeo wrote: »
    Not of the Vintners' Association have anything to do with it.



    Don't tax it too much though, or we'll be back to square one if it's cheaper to buy from your local scumbag.

    I'm sorry but why are people mentioning the Vintners Association? People are hardly going to stop going to the pub and staying in smoking dope. You can't substitute one with the other ffs.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,822 ✭✭✭stimpson


    Legalise it? I'd make it compulsory.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,973 ✭✭✭RayM


    Fully legalise it, let people grow it and have it available in shops and coffee shops
    Decriminalise its use, but keep the sale or supply illegal. Encourage people to grow their own.


  • Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 12,986 Mod ✭✭✭✭JupiterKid


    Yes of course it should be legalised. The Dutch did this over 40 years ago,and it did not lead to a hard drug epidemic. Now it's legal for recreational use in several US States.

    The drinks industry would fight this tooth and and nail even alcohol does far, far more damage than cannabis.

    Any so-called "studies" citing cannabis as a "gateway drug" - you have to question if the alcohol industry is behind this. Very few research is completely unbiased or without strings attached.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,697 ✭✭✭DickSwiveller


    Keep it illegal with a slap on the wrist
    dfeo wrote: »
    Having read much of the thread on the legality of medicinal cannabis, I've been thinking what the opinion of Irish people as a whole might be on the legalisation of cannabis for recreational purposes.

    I, for one, am very much in favour of the legalisation of cannabis for recreational purposes.

    People say that it is a "drug" and therefore should remain illegal. Let's define and discuss what a "drug" is though. Cafeiene could be considered a drug, so could sugar, tobacco is a drug and I very much believe alcohol is too. So why aren't they illegal?

    Why is it legal to go to your local pub, drink 6 or 7 pints for €5 each, last orders is called, then guzzle 2 or 3 more down your gullet to get the last ones in, go out on the roads like sheep being herded and make a mess get sick and people fighting everywhere.

    Why can't we just go into a "coffeeshop", spark up a joint, eat a cake, have a cuppa tae, relax, go home and not bother anyone.

    Before people say that it affects your work, alcohol can do that too, if you come in hungover, and there would be channels in place for employers to fiire habitual users, just like an employer can fire habitual drinkers that are constantly showing up late, hungover or not at all.

    It's a waste of Garda resources seizing what essentially is a harmless plant. 18 and 19 year old lads and girls are getting life-lasting convictions for smoking what is a harmless plant. Think of the revenue it'd bring in. Think ho many gangs would be annihilated through having a legal source available!

    And before people use the carcinogenic argument, alcohol is a carcinogen if abused, so too is tobacco. Vaping cannabis or eating it would remove that risk.

    I'd love to see cannabis legalised here, but I'd say it'd be met with fierce opposition from the Vintners Association which comprises a good chunk of our government (thus would not pass) and from puritanical, backward-thinking cunts.

    What do you think?

    How to begin to respond to this vapid diatribe. The great problem with trying to even debate this subject is the inevitable boring platitudes one is confronted with. Your whole post is a carnival of inanity, cliche and idiocy.

    1. It's simply not an argument to say that because A is legal B should also be legal. Alcohol has caused an untold amount of misery to a great number of people, but it's simply not feasible to make it illegal. It is so ingrained in society that a ban would be futile and a waste of time. Coffee is a drug but last time I checked it doesn't have many negative, brain altering effects.

    2. You, and a number of other posters, have made the tiring remark that a person should be allowed do whatever they like with their own body. How can you make such a remark? A person who smoke's himself into dullness and laziness is affecting other members of his family, and will probably require medical care, paid for by you and me.

    3. Your last few sentences show you to be intolerant of others who hold opposing opinions. Do you really think that's a sensible way of conducting debate? I think you need to grow up a tad.

    Finally, I would plead with people to think seriously about this issue. Don't support it just because it's currently fashionable to so, or because Philly McMahon says it's a good thing. Think for yourself.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 2,960 ✭✭✭Dr Crayfish


    JupiterKid wrote: »
    The drinks industry would fight this tooth and and nail even alcohol does far, far more damage than cannabis.

    Why do you think that? I would have a smoke once in a while but it certainly doesn't stop my absolute infatuation with going to the pub and alcohol in any form


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 163 ✭✭C. Montgomery Gurns


    JupiterKid wrote: »

    The drinks industry would fight this tooth and and nail even alcohol does far, far more damage than cannabis.

    Does it?

    Most alcoholics I have known don't need a can to help them get out of bed every morning.

    Most alcos don't need a can on their lunch to get them through the working day.

    Most alcos can manage tasks like going to the shops without needing to down a can first.

    This whole alcohol= evil weed= great stuff is a load of bollocks frankly.


  • Posts: 31,118 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Legalise it, it would have the benefit of eliminating an entire criminal organisation.
    This would be a far more effective way of fighting crime than a war on drugs.
    Just because it's legal, it doesn't mean huge numbers are going to use it, if anything legally produced & processed product with warning labels may reduce the number of consumers.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,935 ✭✭✭TallGlass


    The day I see cannabis legalised is the day I will finally say to myself we are a modern society. Until then, we are backwards and follow everyone else, very rarely do we do things first.

    That comes from someone who doesn't even smoke let alone smoke it.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,697 ✭✭✭DickSwiveller


    Keep it illegal with a slap on the wrist
    TallGlass wrote: »
    The day I see cannabis legalised is the day I will finally say to myself we are a modern society. Until then, we are backwards and follow everyone else, very rarely do we do things first.

    That comes from someone who doesn't even smoke let alone smoke it.

    I'd rather we remained a backward country so.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,684 ✭✭✭✭Samuel T. Cogley


    How to begin to respond to this vapid diatribe. The great problem with trying to even debate this subject is the inevitable boring platitudes one is confronted with. Your whole post is a carnival of inanity, cliche and idiocy.

    To this we shall return.
    1. It's simply not an argument to say that because A is legal B should also be legal. Alcohol has caused an untold amount of misery to a great number of people, but it's simply not feasible to make it illegal. It is so ingrained in society that a ban would be futile and a waste of time. Coffee is a drug but last time I checked it doesn't have many negative, brain altering effects.

    Why, because of the rampant crime it would produce? Not sure you've thought that argument through.
    2. You, and a number of other posters, have made the tiring remark that a person should be allowed do whatever they like with their own body. How can you make such a remark? A person who smoke's himself into dullness and laziness is affecting other members of his family, and will probably require medical care, paid for by you and me.

    You seem to be suggesting that legalisation would increase the number of people 'who smoke's himself into dullness and laziness' an might I add inject or snort themselves also. That's simply not supported by any evidence.
    3. Your last few sentences show you to be intolerant of others who hold opposing opinions. Do you really think that's a sensible way of conducting debate? I think you need to grow up a tad.

    Your opening few lines...
    Finally, I would plead with people to think seriously about this issue. Don't support it just because it's currently fashionable to so, or because Philly McMahon says it's a good thing. Think for yourself.

    I couldn't agree more.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 2,960 ✭✭✭Dr Crayfish


    Does it?

    Most alcoholics I have known don't need a can to help them get out of bed every morning.

    Most alcos don't need a can on their lunch to get them through the working day.

    Most alcos can manage tasks like going to the shops without needing to down a can first.

    This whole alcohol= evil weed= great stuff is a load of bollocks frankly.

    What? So because the alcos you know don't need cans to get out of bed, it's not that bad? Is that what you mean?
    Is that seriously your argument for alcohol V weed? Jesus!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 163 ✭✭C. Montgomery Gurns


    Legalise it, it would have the benefit of eliminating an entire criminal organisation.
    This would be a far more effective way of fighting crime than a war on drugs.
    Just because it's legal, it doesn't mean huge numbers are going to use it, if anything legally produced & processed product with warning labels may reduce the number of consumers.

    Holland has legal cannabis and the state prescribes heroin to the small number of rapidly aging Dutch addicts, really only leaving the trade in cocaine and ecstasy as their moneymakers. It has the same level of home based gangland violence as we have.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 25 Worple


    It's a naturally growing plant that's probably been here longer than we have.

    I say, legalise humans and tax the ****ery out of them


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 163 ✭✭C. Montgomery Gurns


    What? So because the alcos you know don't need cans to get out of bed, it's not that bad? Is that what you mean?
    Is that seriously your argument for alcohol V weed? Jesus!

    What I mean is that anyone I know over their early 20's who uses cannabis is addicted to it to the extent that they need to be permanently under its influence.

    I've known some alcos, but very few of them who need to be drunk at 8am on their way to work in order to function.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,219 ✭✭✭pablo128


    Weed is legal in Lanzarote, and has been since 2012. I only found out the other day. It's only legal in the coffee shops though. It's still illegal to possess it in public, but it's a start.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 2,960 ✭✭✭Dr Crayfish


    What I mean is that anyone I know over their early 20's who uses cannabis is addicted to it to the extent that they need to be permanently under its influence.

    I've known some alcos, but very few of them who need to be drunk at 8am on their way to work in order to function.

    The alcos may not ingest first thing in the morning but they probably feel like death from the night before and spend the whole day clinging on for their next drink.
    Anyway, the functioning stoners you're talking about, that's purely anecdotal evidence from you. Some people may get to that stage with it, and that's their problem, not anyone elses.

    We're never going to have a society where people live the perfect ideal life some people dream up for us. People like getting stoned, some people will take it too far and come to rely on it. Whatever, let it happen, it'll only be a small minority. There will always be people with problems, we are only human.


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  • Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 12,986 Mod ✭✭✭✭JupiterKid


    Does it?

    Most alcoholics I have known don't need a can to help them get out of bed every morning.

    Most alcos don't need a can on their lunch to get them through the working day.

    Most alcos can manage tasks like going to the shops without needing to down a can first.

    This whole alcohol= evil weed= great stuff is a load of bollocks frankly.


    I should know about the dangers of alcohol as I am an alcoholic in early recovery. And yes, alcoholism can reach a point where you need a drink in the morning to function for the rest of the day. On the other hand, I smoked weed in my 20s (and still do very occasionally) without any addictive or ill effects.

    You,know the saying, walk a mile in my shoes...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,684 ✭✭✭✭Samuel T. Cogley


    pablo128 wrote: »
    Weed is legal in Lanzarote, and has been since 2012. I only found out the other day. It's only legal in the coffee shops though. It's still illegal to possess it in public, but it's a start.

    Effective decriminalisation in Portugal for possession. Okay it's Wikipedia but note the observations.


  • Registered Users Posts: 7,537 ✭✭✭KKkitty


    RayM wrote: »
    Decriminalise its use, but keep the sale or supply illegal. Encourage people to grow their own.

    This is the only logical way to deal with it. The people who really want it will be able to grow it for their own use. Alcohol and pretty much everything else has a different effect on every individual. One person could go out for the night and be grand after a few drinks while another may not. Same with cannibas. Making it illegal brings it into criminals hands which is worse.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,684 ✭✭✭✭Samuel T. Cogley


    KKkitty wrote: »
    This is the only logical way to deal with it. The people who really want it will be able to grow it for their own use. Alcohol and pretty much everything else has a different effect on every individual. One person could go out for the night and be grand after a few drinks while another may not. Same with cannibas. Making it illegal brings it into criminals hands which is worse.

    TBH I don't really want to be living near anyone growing their own, especially in a city centre apartment building. Bob Marley already seems to be alive and well and living in Dublin 8.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 10,070 ✭✭✭✭pq0n1ct4ve8zf5


    Weed isn't harmless but prohibition makes it more harmful on an individual and societal level. Don't see why it can't be fully legalised but decriminalisation would be better than nothing.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,697 ✭✭✭DickSwiveller


    Keep it illegal with a slap on the wrist
    To this we shall return.



    Why, because of the rampant crime it would produce? Not sure you've thought that argument through.



    You seem to be suggesting that legalisation would increase the number of people 'who smoke's himself into dullness and laziness' an might I add inject or snort themselves also. That's simply not supported by any evidence.



    Your opening few lines...



    I couldn't agree more.

    Thank you for your intelligent, considered reply.

    1. No, because it's wrong to smoke drugs and it should be discouraged by a government interested in keeping law and order. If it's legalised it will be advertised and ruthlessly exploited by cynical businessmen.

    2. I'm not sure what evidence you're talking about, but widespread legalization could easily increase the number of people using the drug. Do you really think the illegal trade would suddenly cease? One of the most lucrative illegal markets is illicit cigarettes. Last time I checked cigarettes were legal.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 163 ✭✭C. Montgomery Gurns


    JupiterKid wrote: »
    I should know about the dangers of alcohol as I am an alcoholic in early recovery. And yes, alcoholism can reach a point where you need a drink in the morning to function for the rest of the day. ...

    It certainly can. Proportionately though, from my experience, needing to stay constantly, unbroken under the influence is more a trait for cannabis users. As is a lack of self awarness. Most alcoholics know they have a problem. Most stoners see nothing remotely wrong with getting high in the morning. Many believe it makes them a better person.


  • Registered Users Posts: 825 ✭✭✭jameorahiely


    Thank you for your intelligent, considered reply.

    1. No, because it's wrong to smoke drugs and it should be discouraged by a government interested in keeping law and order. If it's legalised it will be advertised and ruthlessly exploited by cynical businessmen.

    2. I'm not sure what evidence you're talking about, but widespread legalization could easily increase the number of people using the drug. Do you really think the illegal trade would suddenly cease? One of the most lucrative illegal markets is illicit cigarettes. Last time I checked cigarettes were legal.


    If it's wrong to smoke drugs, would you suggest people mainline them?
    I'm sure the illegal cigarette trade has nothing to do with then being double & triple the price here than in our european friends lands.


    I know someone who had a cannibas once, they died


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,684 ✭✭✭✭Samuel T. Cogley


    Thank you for your intelligent, considered reply.

    1. No, because it's wrong to smoke drugs and it should be discouraged by a government interested in keeping law and order. If it's legalised it will be advertised and ruthlessly exploited by cynical businessmen.

    2. I'm not sure what evidence you're talking about, but widespread legalization could easily increase the number of people using the drug. Do you really think the illegal trade would suddenly cease? One of the most lucrative illegal markets is illicit cigarettes. Last time I checked cigarettes were legal.

    1. That's an arbitrary personal view point.

    2. Look at the link I posted. There is a debate over whether such increases actually happen but even if they do they're minimal and there is a massive reduction in harm.

    The cigarettes issue one unrelated to legalisation, it's a tax issue.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,358 ✭✭✭✭jimmycrackcorm


    Keep it illegal with a slap on the wrist
    TallGlass wrote: »
    The day I see cannabis legalised is the day I will finally say to myself we are a modern society. Until then, we are backwards and follow everyone else, very rarely do we do things first.

    That comes from someone who doesn't even smoke let alone smoke it.

    I find it bizarre the we as a society are trying to reduce lung cancer from smoking only to encourage it with smoking cannabis.

    The arguments for cannabis legalization are equally valid for any drug such as legalizing cocaine and heroin.

    I only object to it because we will simply add drug driving deaths to those from drink driving.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,891 ✭✭✭prinzeugen


    Keep it illegal with a slap on the wrist
    .

    2. I'm not sure what evidence you're talking about, but widespread legalization could easily increase the number of people using the drug. Do you really think the illegal trade would suddenly cease? One of the most lucrative illegal markets is illicit cigarettes. Last time I checked cigarettes were legal.

    +1.

    The head shop on Capel St was burnt down because it was eating into the scumbag druglords profits.

    What do you think would happen to cannabis cafes etc??

    And like the cigarettes, you will get fake stuff that will have all sorts mixed in it.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,219 ✭✭✭pablo128


    I find it bizarre the we as a society are trying to reduce lung cancer from smoking only to encourage it with smoking cannabis.

    The arguments for cannabis legalization are equally valid for any drug such as legalizing cocaine and heroin.

    I only object to it because we will simply add drug driving deaths to those from drink driving.

    Do you think people are not already driving around smoking cannabis?

    And by the way, there are other ways to enjoy cannabis without smoking the stuff.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,697 ✭✭✭DickSwiveller


    Keep it illegal with a slap on the wrist
    pablo128 wrote: »
    Do you think people are not already driving around smoking cannabis?

    And by the way, there are other ways to enjoy cannabis without smoking the stuff.

    Yes there are, and they should be punished severely for engaging in suh irresponsible behaviour. Unfortunately, our dead criminal justice isn't interested in protecting law-abiding citizens.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28,789 ✭✭✭✭ScumLord


    If I had to vote, I'd vote keeping it illegal. It isn't harmless.
    Neither is water.Most MDMA deaths are actually water intoxication. The bottom line is it's not harmful enough to justify the mess we've created with organised crime instead.
    1. It's simply not an argument to say that because A is legal B should also be legal.
    Really, I thought president was fairly important in law. Why shouldn't people be able to use a drug that's been scientifically proven to be less harmful than alcohol in every conceivable way?
    2. You, and a number of other posters, have made the tiring remark that a person should be allowed do whatever they like with their own body. How can you make such a remark? A person who smoke's himself into dullness and laziness is affecting other members of his family, and will probably require medical care, paid for by you and me.
    Your going to extremes, someone doesn't get high, they turn into a full blown addict that can't do anything. We have a precedent for society using a drug without every user turning into an addict and that drug is way more addictive than cannabis. People use cannabis recreationally every day in Ireland, you talk to these people and don't even realise they use cannabis recreationally, society hasn't fallen apart. Now before you say we have horrible problems with alcohol, we have problems with binge drinking at the weekends. We have addicts, but they're not the norm.
    3. Your last few sentences show you to be intolerant of others who hold opposing opinions. Do you really think that's a sensible way of conducting debate? I think you need to grow up a tad.
    Lol, pot/kettle/black, your whole post is nothing but an intolerant rant.
    Finally, I would plead with people to think seriously about this issue. Don't support it just because it's currently fashionable to so, or because Philly McMahon says it's a good thing. Think for yourself.
    That's what's happening, you're just sore that people are coming to different conclusions than have been feed to you by sensationalist media..
    1. No, because it's wrong to smoke drugs and it should be discouraged by a government interested in keeping law and order. If it's legalised it will be advertised and ruthlessly exploited by cynical businessmen.
    Why would you assume that? We don't allow advertising for cigarettes, we restrict advertising on alcohol, why would we be so open about promoting cannabis? Cannabis legalisation wouldn't make law and order worse, it would likely improve it as police would be able to spend time solving other crimes rather than the soft target of drug users.
    2. I'm not sure what evidence you're talking about, but widespread legalization could easily increase the number of people using the drug. Do you really think the illegal trade would suddenly cease? One of the most lucrative illegal markets is illicit cigarettes. Last time I checked cigarettes were legal.
    Cannabis in Ireland has a huge markup, like, massive compared to every other European country, the black market would have a difficult time matching legal cannabis for a number of reasons as long as it's not taxed up to a price above the street price which would be difficult given the markups we have here.. The black market would more than likely consist of friends selling their own crops to friends. The whole black market for drugs would take a serious hit if they lost their biggest selling product. Organised crime runs as a business and a business can't operate at the same level if it loses it's best selling product.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,697 ✭✭✭DickSwiveller


    Keep it illegal with a slap on the wrist
    1. That's an arbitrary personal view point.

    2. Look at the link I posted. There is a debate over whether such increases actually happen but even if they do they're minimal and there is a massive reduction in harm.

    The cigarettes issue one unrelated to legalisation, it's a tax issue.

    1. It is not arbitrary. I think it is wrong to take drugs for many reasons, not least the fact that it harms those close to the user. I'm sorry but how are you calculating harm exactly? Who is speaking for the parent who has to put up with stoned children?

    2. How do you know the exact same thing wouldn't happen with cannabis?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 10,070 ✭✭✭✭pq0n1ct4ve8zf5


    I find it bizarre the we as a society are trying to reduce lung cancer from smoking only to encourage it with smoking cannabis.

    The arguments for cannabis legalization are equally valid for any drug such as legalizing cocaine and heroin.

    I only object to it because we will simply add drug driving deaths to those from drink driving.

    Arguments that apply equally to cannabis and harder drugs such as cocaine and heroin are far outnumbered by arguments against legalising harder drugs which don't apply to cannabis.

    There are already drug driving laws in place, legalising or decriminalising won't change that.

    I don't even understand your lung cancer point. The argument isn't "we should encourage people to smoke cannabis", it's "we shouldn't prosecute people for possessing or producing it"


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,684 ✭✭✭✭Samuel T. Cogley


    1. It is not arbitrary. I think it is wrong to take drugs for many reasons, not least the fact that it harms those close to the user. I'm sorry but how are you calculating harm exactly? Who is speaking for the parent who has to put up with stoned children?

    2. How do you know the exact same thing wouldn't happen with cannabis?

    1. I fully sympathise if you've had problems in your personal life, but proceeding from the cold realities of argument you've made my point for me. Read the link and follow the references to the peer reviewed studies.

    2. It would, as it would with any drug, commodity or otherwise were the balance of taxation wasn't properly thought out. Diamonds is a reasonable example I suppose.


  • Registered Users Posts: 825 ✭✭✭jameorahiely


    1. It is not arbitrary. I think it is wrong to take drugs for many reasons, not least the fact that it harms those close to the user. I'm sorry but how are you calculating harm exactly? Who is speaking for the parent who has to put up with stoned children?

    2. How do you know the exact same thing wouldn't happen with cannabis?

    think-of-the-children.jpg?w=432


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,697 ✭✭✭DickSwiveller


    Keep it illegal with a slap on the wrist
    1. I fully sympathise if you've had problems in your personal life, but proceeding from the cold realities of argument you've made my point for me. Read the link and follow the references to the peer reviewed studies.

    2. It would, as it would with any drug, commodity or otherwise were the balance of taxation wasn't properly thought out. Diamonds is a reasonable example I suppose.

    1. Dont patronise me. I haven't had any personal problems as I'm not stupid/selfish enough to take these drugs. When I was in my late teens, my friends started smoking weed and I straight away noticed a change in them. Nearly all of them stopped after a year because they felt they were damaging themselves.

    2. If they were legalized they would be taxed heavily and would therefore cost more. It's a fact.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 43,028 ✭✭✭✭SEPT 23 1989


    Same thread over and over again


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,697 ✭✭✭DickSwiveller


    Keep it illegal with a slap on the wrist
    think-of-the-children.jpg?w=432

    Irresponsible, sneering creeps like you reallly get on my nerves. What age are you?


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