Marijuana: beyond the social biases

Yea, doesn't making plants that grow in nature against the law strike you as a bit.... unnatural?

We should decriminalize pot because its basically uncontrollable.

There would probably be an intitial surge in use were it to be decriminalized, but I think it would eventually fall to the levels that we see now.

And because it's pot I smoke I can see that it's necessary too.

By Paul Andrew Bourne, MSc. (candidate); BSc. (Hons); Dip. Edu.

As an individual who believes in freedom of expression within the construct of not infringing on someone's rights, the Bible gives the impression that killing is justifiable. On the other hand, many moralists argue that the taking of someone's life is a "sin". Because I am not aware of the "realness' of sin, when is the taking of life justifiable?

Instigate wrote:

We should decriminalize pot because its basically uncontrollable.

So is murder.

Instigate wrote:

There would probably be an intitial surge in use were it to be decriminalized, but I think it would eventually fall to the levels that we see now.

Upon what evidence do you base this prediction?

With this base, let us refocus our mind on the discourse.

joefromchicago wrote:

Instigate wrote:

We should decriminalize pot because its basically uncontrollable.

So is murder.

The only parallels between murder and marijuana is that they are both uncontrollable and they are both illegal. The similarities end there. Marijuana use harms only the user, it is a victimless crime.

I am not advocating legalization, only the decriminalization(no punishment, only seizure of contraband)) of small amounts for personal use, 1 to 2 ounces or a plant or two. Laws addressing the smuggling of cannabis and possesion with intent to distribute(the supply side) should remain as they are.

Its based primarily upon the theory, as I have observed it, that the illegality of marijuana possesion is a poor deterent to its use. People who want to smoke pot are going to smoke it. The punishment for possesion of marijuana is merely a nuisance to most people who are caught. Some probabtion, a little community service, fines etc. Every person I know that has been arrested for possesion has gone back to smoking the stuff after they have fulfilled the terms of their punishment. The laws dont work very well, they just cost money.

Instigate wrote:

joefromchicago wrote:

Instigate wrote:

We should decriminalize pot because its basically uncontrollable.

So is murder.

The only parallels between murder and marijuana is that they are both uncontrollable and they are both illegal. The similarities end there. Marijuana use harms only the user, it is a victimless crime.

Then you don't contend that marijuana should be decriminalized because it is uncontrollable, right?

Instigate wrote:

I am not advocating legalization, only the decriminalization(no punishment, only seizure of contraband)) of small amounts for personal use, 1 to 2 ounces or a plant or two. Laws addressing the smuggling of cannabis and possesion with intent to distribute(the supply side) should remain as they are.

I don't understand your position. Are you suggesting that marijuana is more harmful than some other legal substances, such as tobacco and alcohol, and thus merits additional restrictions on its use?

Instigate wrote:

Its based primarily upon the theory, as I have observed it, that the illegality of marijuana possesion is a poor deterent to its use. People who want to smoke pot are going to smoke it. The punishment for possesion of marijuana is merely a nuisance to most people who are caught. Some probabtion, a little community service, fines etc. Every person I know that has been arrested for possesion has gone back to smoking the stuff after they have fulfilled the terms of their punishment. The laws dont work very well, they just cost money.

Or, in other words, it's based on a hunch.

Would your position change if you thought that marijuana usage would increase once it had been decriminalized?

Wrong. I'm not sure how you came to that conclusion. There is no conflict between my statements. The "victimless" claim was merely an addendum to establish the primary difference between murder and marijuana.

I have mentioned neither alcohol or tobacco in any of my posts on this thread. I have no clue what prompted your question nor do I find my statements to be particularly obscure or confusing.

If you consider personal observations to be a hunch than I suppose thats what it is; however, I have located evidence that corroborates my statements. You may take issue with the location of this evidence but please take note of its various sources. Marijuana Decriminalization and its Impact on use

I suppose your question is now moot.

jesus wept joe