Legalize marijuana?
November 13, 2008 - 8:20pm
by kat
Another reporter and I are teaming up to write a point-counterpoint on legalizing marijuana. I want to hear your thoughts on this topic. We are highlighting the pro's and the con's of this in a debate-like format.
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Legalizing Marijuana has seemed to work in Amsterdam, yeah sure people sure do it but they dont feel so rebelious doing it. I think thats half the pleasure for some people.
i feel like i agree with that. half the pressure is definitely the act of being rebellious.
I'm actually doing my graduation project on this topic and I have found there are many pros and cons to legalization.
Through legalization the government will make a profit through taxation, the THC percentages [the chemical that makes you high] will be able to be monitored, it will be easier to access for medicinal reasons, gang violence related directly to the trafficking of marijuana will be reduced if not completely eliminated [making our country safer]. Also when comparing the drug to alcohol - no one has died from overdosing on marijuana, while many have died from alcohol consumption. There is also complete proof that marijuana is not a gateway to other hard drugs [i.e. heroin, crack].
With legalization you would have to set a proper and agreed upon age in which you can obtain the drug, and have strict laws prohibited driving while under the influence. Marijuana also does have addictive characteristics which could prove to be harmful to the way in which our society currently operates.
That’s just a few of the many points both for and against legalization. I did most of my research through the Opposing Viewpoints series, which I would highly recommend. If you have any specific questions I would be open to help.
thanks :)
I think marijuana legalization has to be restricted like it is in amsterdam, only legal in bars and private property
I have two issues with legalizing marijuana & until they figure out a way to deal with these i'll stay against it.
1) Contact high: There would need to be some very strict public smoking laws in regards to where you can smoke & who you can be around. We all know second hand cigarette smoke could be terrible for you in the long run but second hand marijuana smoke will get you high and impair your judgment.
2) Working & Driving while high: There needs to be a driving limit & a way for businesses to test daily marijuana use. I think most businesses wont allow workers to smoke before or during businesses hours.
I have to agree. I'm a big proponent for the legalization of marijuana, mostly because it's entangled in political issues and has little based on health reasons. I'd suggest the first step, however, before any talk of legalization is decrimilization. More and more states are passing laws that if you're caught with a minimal amount ( usually less than an ounce) then it isn't a criminal offense. This is extremely important because right now there are way too many pot dealers and stoned kids behind bars and wasting tax dollars. It's an unbalanced system that needs to be corrected.
Cool project!
As for my thoughts, I think that using pot for recreation is stupid and expensive. However much I disagree with it, people will use it regardless.
This is why I believe that legalization is ok. By legalizing it, we will cut a lot of crime and hopefully pot will cause less trouble for everyone.
I think that if we do this, we should have pot houses/dens/lounges where the people who buy it must use it there and need to be sober by the time they leave.
Controlling this substance will be hard, but if we do something about it we can do a lot of good for society.
thats's my two cents, anyone else?