I definitely support legalization but if it's just decriminalization to start with, hell, I'd take that any day!

just my two cents worth here, but if the government legalized pot they could tax the hell out of it (like they do with cigarettes and gas) and probally bring the country out of debt alot faster, especially if the export to european countries where it is legal...

(just my thoughts on the whole thing. )

Originally posted by Beyond sparked criticism from the United States. "Scientific evidence overwhelmingly indicates that cannabis is substantially less harmful than alcohol and should be treated not as a criminal issue but as a social and public-health issue," said the committee's chair, Progressive Conservative Senator Pierre Claude Nolin.

I totaly agree with this statement, that it should be treated as a social/health issue rather than a legal one but....

John Walters, director of the U.S. National Drug Control Policy and President George W. Bush's drug czar, issued a statement from the White House disputing the report's findings that marijuana is less harmful than alcohol. the U.S. Republican administration has shown no signs of backing away from its hard-line war against drugs.

Unfortunately this has a lot of pull. It's unfortunate that we do happen to be 'sleeping next to an elephant' and that they like to butt their nose in on other country's business, and believe me, if they add us to their 'too soft on drugs' list, they can put some pretty serious dents into our economy in the form of trade sanctions and stuff. think cuba and columbia. I doubt that the canadian government is willing to stick their neck out on this issue and risk the repurcussions.

Originally posted by alligator they can put some pretty serious dents into our economy in the form of trade sanctions and stuff. think cuba and columbia. I doubt that the canadian government is willing to stick their neck out on this issue and risk the repurcussions.

There is no WAY that the US would put trade sanctions against us over this. Yes, they are our largest trading partner, but we are also their largest trading partner.

Originally posted by Beyond I beg to differ Here's a link you should try http://www.pot-tv.net/index.html Canada's Senate Committee Says Legalize Cannabis! HEY AMERICA LEGALIZATION IS COMMING TO A COUNTRY NEAR YOU! Breaking News coverage of the Canadian Senate Committee, who have called legalization of marijuana use and amnesty for those convicted of pot possession.

Their ultimate goal is legalization, but Canada has anti-drug agreements with a lot of other countries that would pose a problem to doing that. The suggestion on the table in the immediate future is for decriminalization.

What exactly is your position? I thought it was clear, and then I see you posting these articles about the harmful effects of marijuana, along with your apparent support for legalizing it.

Like I said before, the decriminalization/legalization argument has me a bit worried that a lot of people will perceive it as meaning that marijuana is less poisonous than tobacco or that it is somehow "safe". Most people will not follow the documentation that goes along with its legalization.

What if we repeat our mistake with tobacco? Get marijuana going with a "cool" image, get half the population smoking it because it has no health risks, and then find out 50 years later about cancers, birth defects, respiratory problems, heart failure, brain damage, or something new that isn't even a consideration with tobacco?

It's not at all beyond North American society circa-2002 to repeat its mistakes, but if we took enough time we'd know a bit more.

So, we have all of these "what ifs" and more on the "against" side. And on the "for" side, what do we have? A bunch of people who just want their recreational drugs recognized as an "I told you so!".

I do enjoy a good debate. However I question why no one discusses the impact that legalizing pot would have on the medical profession. There are many doctors who prescribe pills. Many people are doing research for pill companies. Pill companies account for billions of dollars in business. I am not saying that pill companies are bad however I do not belive that these companies are not pressuring politicans. It is quite understandable why some are for and others are not.
Therefore the war on drugs is not about the drugs but who is making the money.
What are all of these police officers, lawyers, social workers,etc. going to do ? Start looking a white-collar crime, thats a joke.

SORRY I AM NOT THE BRIGHTEST FISH IN THE BOWL, but I think it should be legal, hell why not if I am suffering from a headache or illness or disorder damn hell it should be an option to smoke, or take some atificially engineered pain killing bullshit, i think pot should be legal!!!

Just as smoking a cigarette or drinking a beer is a personnal choice, so should smoking a joint, for whatever reason.

The argument that people would think it's "safe" to smoke because it's legal doesn't stand up in today's society. We are not a bunch of sheltered idiots. People are quite aware (or they should be) that inhaling anything into your lungs can't be "good" for your body. People are also aware that drinking in excess will eventually cause liver damage. People are also aware that smoking cigarettes can cause a slew of other problems to someone's health. Hell, the government is aware of these side-effects yet these forms of "entertainment" are still legal. What matters here is that we have a choice. We live in a free society and as adults, should have the right to make a choice for ourselves how we choose to entertain ourselves and/or damage our own bodies. I agree, however, that they should reconsider the legal age of 16. Should be like booze, 18 or 19.

Alcohol and tobacco are way more detrimental to society than pot could ever be. Stoned people do not drive erratically, do not get aggressive, loud or boisterous and won't knock off the corner store to get more.

I've often found that people who put up the strongest objection to making pot legal are usually those that are the most clueless. They have bought into the media telling them about how pot is bad for them, will make them stupid, slow, is a gateway drug, etc. These are usually the same people who have never tried pot but are the first ones to put it down. I say to them, try a joint, relax, and live and let live. Why should someone smoking a joint make another person get bent out of shape? I don't go nuts when I see someone making an ass of themselves by drinking themselves silly...

LEGALIZE ALREADY - IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME COMING!

To further comment on inhaling smoke.
A while back I was discussing with a couple of the old boys about smoke. One was critical about the cigar I was smoking. He claimed it stinks and it is polluting the air. He then stated that he has the choice to smoke or not. However he stated that when someone smokes in front of him, he loses that option of choice.
At that time I did not drive and I inquired about his vehicle. I stated that all the cars driving on the road are taking the option of free air away from me. That cars and trucks pollute the air. Factories are an enviromental joke. Imagine a company making 1,000,000 (estimated guess) a day and are fined 25,000.00. Man they must really feel the pain of being fined.
I, at one time worked in the tobacco fields. The tobacco which is picked is not the same when it is smoked. However it is legal because tobacco is big business, same as alcohol. Both have additives.
I personally believe that pot and hash should be legal. However the politics is trying to figure out how to make more money off the taxapyer.

Where will people be able to smoke? I assume this would only be in your house and not public places. I find it ironic that they want to legalise pot when they are trying to curb cigarette smoking. They are basically saying, "sure its ok to smoke pot now buts its bad for you remember!!" ha ha how many kids are going to listen to that?

I think its fine for some people to have a small amount for personal enjoyment, but keep busting the dealers and grow-ops. Now what about smoking and driving? That can't be legal either. It is also addictive, but not as strong as cigarettes.

Decriminalisation? ok, with limits. Legalisation? No way, too many issues.

Originally posted by TotalSpaz Just as smoking a cigarette or drinking a beer is a personnal choice, so should smoking a joint, for whatever reason. The argument that people would think it's "safe" to smoke because it's legal doesn't stand up in today's society. We are not a bunch of sheltered idiots. People are quite aware (or they should be) that inhaling anything into your lungs can't be "good" for your body. People are also aware that drinking in excess will eventually cause liver damage. People are also aware that smoking cigarettes can cause a slew of other problems to someone's health. Hell, the government is aware of these side-effects yet these forms of "entertainment" are still legal. What matters here is that we have a choice. We live in a free society and as adults, should have the right to make a choice for ourselves how we choose to entertain ourselves and/or damage our own bodies. I agree, however, that they should reconsider the legal age of 16. Should be like booze, 18 or 19. Alcohol and tobacco are way more detrimental to society than pot could ever be. Stoned people do not drive erratically, do not get aggressive, loud or boisterous and won't knock off the corner store to get more. I've often found that people who put up the strongest objection to making pot legal are usually those that are the most clueless. They have bought into the media telling them about how pot is bad for them, will make them stupid, slow, is a gateway drug, etc. These are usually the same people who have never tried pot but are the first ones to put it down. I say to them, try a joint, relax, and live and let live. Why should someone smoking a joint make another person get bent out of shape? I don't go nuts when I see someone making an ass of themselves by drinking themselves silly... LEGALIZE ALREADY - IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME COMING!

I would agree with your "personal choice" argument as long as you are willing to sign a waiver that releases the public from having to pay for your medical debts IF it turns out that the stuff is harmful, and that if it is proven to cause birth defects, you would agree not to have children.

To be fair, this should also apply to tobacco and excessive quantities of alcohol.

If you did that... I'd have little problem with marijuana. I wouldn't say smoke ANY joint, because some are obviously more harmful than marijuana.

Regarding driving erratically, I would hope they would not drive at all.

I promise you, I will never try crack but I will put it down regardless. I will never smoke a cigarette, but I will continue to think negatively of them. I will take sense's word for it that if I run in front of a car, it will hit me.