Hello:

The ACLU of Washington has producted a 30 minute infomercial on pot legalization. Rick Steves, the travel guru who has a show on PBS is the host. It's only available here so far, but I'll bet it shows up on YouTube in short order.

Marijuana | It's time for a conversation » Home (http://www.marijuanaconversation.org/)

Is this a good thing?

excon

I don't smoke but I find it cool that Rick Steeves is the host/moderator. I've watched his travel shows quite a bit... who knew?

BTW it won't be long before this is on youtube/GoogleVideo/Bittorrent. The viral aspect of this will probably take off.

I find it cool that Rick Steeves is the host/moderator. I've watched his travel shows quite a bit....who knew?Hello NK:

I knew. He's appeared at the Seattle Hemp Fest and has been a long time supporter of legal marijahoochie. Here is a video of him being interviewed by an excop at a Norml conference.

YouTube - Rick Steves Smokes Pot (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Y2gHGOVsfA)

excon

Yes, make it and maybe a few other things legal, tax it and fund perhaps health care or some other program. That would allow the drug agents to zoom in on the serious and dangerous drugs.

Despite the fact that I grew up listening to The Grateful Dead, The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, Rush, etc. once upon a time, I'd say, "Not just no, but HE!! no!"

Now though, I'm not so sure. These days I can look back with a bit more perspective. After the USSR fell and after we whipped Saddam back to Iraq, the good ol' US of A was looking for ways to justify the staffing levels that existed in units like mine. They ended up turning us loose on the dopers in Central America, and some in California. Yeah, I know you can't use troops for law enforcement, but they found a way around it. Anyway, I got to work with a lot of DEA guys, most of whom were OK. Some were real P's of S, but you find that almost everywhere. Anyway, to make a long story short, we busted far more marijuana haulers than anything else, and they were pretty easy folks to get along with. When we did bust a coke runner or kill a meth lab, that was nasty, nasty stuff.

I'm not going to sit around here and say that pot isn't harmful. I will say, however, that the risks it carries are comparable (different, but comparable) to alcohol use and tobacco use, both of which are completely legal--and taxed EXTREMELY heavily.

So I got to agree with the Padre--go ahead and legalize marijuana, tax it, and put the money somewhere good. Being a teacher, I say bolster public education, as that's where we're sorely lacking in this country. There's probably a lot of other things that could benefit from that money. Shoot, throw it back into law enforcement to help the cops bust the guys that are making the REALLY bad stuff.

I don't necessarily like marijuana, but truth be told the only reason I haven't tried it is because it is illegal. Legalize it, and I'll most likely have a go at it, just to see what the big deal is.

I feel that my personal preferences will not change, though: I still love a good Irish beer and Italian and French wines. At least they won't make me cough...

Make pot legal but then decide how much is legal and how much is not legal? Two plants? That ought to hold the average person for awhile. Ten plants? Twenty plants? Then ask if the home grower is just growing for their personal use, medicinal use, or to sell to underage people.

I am not against legalizing pot but I can see a kettle of trouble. AS with anything!

Ex,

If they legalize it you'll just have to deal with the anti-smoking tyrants :D

It seems we've had this conversation before somewhere. Personally I don't see the weed as that big of an issue, I see no reason why you shouldn't be able to legally sit on your deck and have at it. Some of our DPS troopers around here will have to find a new specialty if they legalize it, they seem to have a knack for sniffing it out along I-40 - 486 pounds a few days ago if I recall.

Steve

"How is the latest Beaujolais season? I haven't gotten around to giving it a go."

They're off to a good start. Harvesting began early this year (in August in some fields), and September was kind enough to be rather warm.

Their official site gives more detail, but essentially promises this year's stock will be quite good, indeed.

Beaujolais wine: French wine, tourism in Beaujolais wines (http://www.beaujolais.com/eng/page.htm)

Legalize them all even crack and heroin, tax them like tobacco and alcohol but make sure to undercut the black market. That way you decrease the funding to many terrorist and organised crime outfits. You would have to redirect police activity from drugs into the areas of arms and people trafficking as these organisations will still want to make money and I believe these will be the main replacements.

With government control over the quality of recreational drugs there will be less deaths and less strain on healthcare systems. There are a lot of drugs which are stupidly dangerous because they are often dog worming tablets or other rubbish instead.

I think the hardest moral part is deciding who gets to distribute the drugs. Is it against a doctor's Hippocratic oath to sell heroin to an individual when they know it will harm them? Is it for doctors at all? Would you need government drug dealers or would they be available without prescription? Would a person's health insurance premiums be higher depending on their drugs of choice?

Perhaps cannabis is a good starting drug to test these situations.

I've been listening to the “Chatter” of the possibility of legalizing Pot for 40 years and more…I've felt hope after hope smashed to pieces…I'll believe it when I see it.

The Dutch tried it and it backfired on them .Consumption tripled . There has since been a backlash and now 73% of Dutch towns have banned those famous cannabis cafes.


Professor Hamid Ghodse, president of the INCB, said: "There has been a crucial and significant change in the Dutch cannabis policy. They now say for the first time that cannabis is not harmless and that coffee shops are not blameless."

Among the measures being introduced is a pilot scheme in the province of Limburg which bans foreigners from buying drugs in coffee shops, to kill the trade in tourists coming over the nearby borders with Germany and Belgium. A study is being made of strong forms of cannabis, which is likely to lead to a ban of these varieties. In addition the police are targeting people who grow cannabis at home.

AMSTERDAM FALLS OUT OF LOVE WITH COFFEE SHOPS AS LIBERAL STANCE ON DRUGS BEGINS TO CRUMBLE (http://www.mapinc.org/newscfdp/v05/n375/a05.html)

The Canadians have also been trying decriminalization. The drug's use had been steadily dropping there but now usage levels are back up to where they were in the 1970s... doubling since 1994 . Experts say that the kids got mixed messages about the dangers of the drug at the same time it was being decriminalized. Clearly the "education " factor will not work unless you have a consistent message behind it. This has coincided with an increase in the use of illegal injectable drugs in the country making one think that the gateway argument is a little more than a myth. The increase in taxes would not mitigate the great risks involved in going down the path of legalization .

The Canadians have also been trying decriminalization. The drug's use had been steadily dropping there but now usage levels are back up to where they were in the 1970s .....doubling since 1994 . Experts say that the kids got mixed messages about the dangers of the drug at the same time it was being decriminalized. I think it may be more to do with *smoking* as such. As an ex-smoker I've noticed the decline in numbers of smokers in general. Maybe the heavy taxation, the ban on indoor smoking in commercial areas and the general trend towards healthy living may be the bigger contributing factors.

Maybe it should be legalized, but what about the children of pot smokers? Have you ever seen a potsmoker try to take care of a child while high? Also, who's to help those kids? Have you ever heard of a contact high? If their parents are smoking pot, they are more than likely in the room also... where do you draw the line... I don't know if I am for or against legalization

mirandycc

What about alcohol ….I think you are mixing issues. Irresponsible parentage is a different issue.

You are right... I just always think of children before everything else, and the consequences it would put on them

No it is not irrelevant . She makes a very valid point about 2nd hand smoke.

I feel most things in life come hand in hand. U can not have one thing without it affecting another area. Maybe not affecting u but maybe someone else. I was just saying, if it were legalized... what about the children... just like a lot of people say if it were legal... more focus on heavier drugs... what is the difference? Please explain:) :confused:

Careful with the assumptions Tom, it does not follow that with the legalization of Pot parents will smoke in the presence of their children.

I feel most things in life come hand in hand. U can not have one thing without it affecting another area. maybe not affecting u but maybe someone else. I was just saying, if it were legalized... what about the children...just like a lot of people say if it were legal.... more focus on heavier drugs.... what is the difference? please explain:) :confused:
I think most people miss the point, some people enjoy the effects of pot and others don’t. Pot has been used by millions and millions of people and is still today. They will continue, where there is demand there will be supply. The issue is the criminalization of pot and why it is so. What is the reasons for criminalization, what purpose does it serve and what are the consequences? Those are the questions that people should be asking. The idea that it leads to the use of dangerous drugs is preposterous.

[ The idea that it leads to the use of dangerous drugs is preposterous.[/QUOTE]
The part where I said more focus on heavier drugs was meant to be, the law enforcement looking for the heavier drugs instead of marijuana

[ The idea that it leads to the use of dangerous drugs is preposterous.
The part where I said more focus on heavier drugs was meant to be, the law enforcement looking for the heavier drugs instead of marijuana[/QUOTE]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

The thing I find amusing but pitiful is that there was more money spent by anti-smoking advocates last year than there was on anti-drug campains…shows how stupid some people are.

The idea that it follows that with the legalization of Pot parents will smoke in the presence of their children is an example of your lack of logic.

I don't think it is a gateway drug. I've smoked pot but I never tried herion, coke, meth, LSD, XTC, or any other drug. And I grew up around all those drugs but Never wanted to try them. I like pot it's a lot better then drinking. I might cough from smoke but I never threw up, passed out, woke up wondering how did I get here and who is this girl next to me like I did a few times with alcohol.

And what about what I asked originally... if pot is legalized... where do u draw the line... should parents be able to smoke around their children?inpublic? All day non stop? At work? I am kind of curious as to what everyone feels on this... please reply, and let me know how u feel personally.:) :o :p

Why do people have to smoke it at all? There are other ways to take this drug. I would maintain the anti smoking campaigns and public smoking bans and extend that to cannibis smoking if it were legalised.

Mirandycc everyone is expected to be sober at work already (with the exception of rock stars perhaps) why would legalising a new drug result in people taking it at work? When was the last time you saw somebody drinking at work? People do smoke and drink coffee in office hours but they are not particularly psycotropic which is probably why they are tolerated.

Mirandycc everyone is expected to be sober at work already (with the exception of rock stars perhaps) why would legalising a new drug result in people taking it at work? When was the last time you saw somebody drinking at work? People do smoke and drink coffee in office hours but they are not particularly psycotropic which is probably why they are tolerated.[/QUOTE]


Some people feel as if marijuana does not impair their ability to function on a regular basis, just like everyone else does... :confused: :confused: :confused:

and what about what i asked originally... if pot is legalized... where do u draw the line... should parents be able to smoke around their children?inpublic? all day non stop? at work? I am kind of curious as to what everyone feels on this...please reply, and let me know how u feel personally.:) :o :p

It should be just like alcohol you can't drink in public you can't drink at work (well maybe if you are a bartender you drink at work) you should not be able to smoke and drive either. As far as doing it all day that's a personal choice. I wouldn't drink or smoke all day long. As far as kids being around again personal choice. Parents drink in front of their kids is that right or wrong. I mean I have been to family functions where everyone is drinking and there are kids there is that wrong? Personal choice some will say no nothing wrong with it others will see a big problem with it.

and what about what i asked originally... if pot is legalized... where do u draw the line... should parents be able to smoke around their children?inpublic? all day non stop? at work? I am kind of curious as to what everyone feels on this...please reply, and let me know how u feel personally.:) :o :p
I’m afraid your concept of pot smoking is based on cigarette use by chain smokers… one after another all their awake hours. (For constant users) If the quality of the pot is high a couple of drags in the morning, a couple at noon and a couple in the evening are all they use.

I’m afraid your concept of pot smoking is based on cigarette use by chain smokers… one after another all their awake hours. (For constant users) If the quality of the pot is high a couple of drags in the morning, a couple at noon and a couple in the evening are all they use.


My husband is a pot smoker, and he smokes all day every day.

Alcohol doesn't impair my ability to function on a regular basis (with the exception of a few hangover now and again.) This still doesn't mean I will drink at work even though it is legal. I would be very surprised if people decided to consume cannibis during office hours and more so if it were tolerated just because it was made legal.

it should be just like alcohol you can't drink in public you can't drink at work (well maybe if you are a bartender you drink at work) you should not be able to smoke and drive either. As far as doing it all day that's a personal choice. I wouldn't drink or smoke all day long. As far as kids being around again personal choice. Parents drink in front of their kids is that right or wrong. I mean I have been to family functions where everyone is drinking and there are kids there is that wrong? personal choice some will say no nothing wrong with it others will see a big problem with it.


I do not feel drinking around children is as bad as smoking pot around children because the alcohol being drank does not affect the child, however, pot around the child could get the child high... I also feel if there is a responsible adult not under any influence around to take care of the child while the parent is drunk, high... then it isn't a problem

my husband is a pot smoker, and he smokes all day every day.Hello mirandy:

Does he work? Does he pay the bills? Take care of the children? If yes, what's the problem? If no, why don't you leave him?

excon

Ahh you have raised a different issue, if someone takes a drug constantly there will be problems. You can get severe problems even with caffiene overdoses.

Here is a personal question- you don't have to answer if you don't want to-
Do you feel your husband would suffer if cannabis were legalised or would there be no change?

I do not think it would change anything... but it might because it would be more readily available... I do not know though...

No he doesn't pay the bills because he buys pot... sometimes he helps with our son, when he isn't high

Geez!! I don't have any kids and I smoke everyday (potent stuff too) but I pay all the bills and split the rent with my GF. He must be buying it by the pound not to have money to help out!! I would say in your case it would hurt him if it was legal.

I do not think it would change anything...but it might because it would be more readily available...I do not know though...

No he doesnt pay the bills because he buys pot...sometimes he helps with our son, when he isnt high
Sorry mirandycc your husband has a problem and it’s bigger than his pot smoking. You might want to visit the relationship board.

Best of luck to you

Hello:

The ACLU of Washington has producted a 30 minute infomercial on pot legalization. Rick Steves, the travel guru who has a show on PBS is the host. It's only available here so far, but I'll bet it shows up on youtube in short order.

Marijuana | It’s time for a conversation » Home (http://www.marijuanaconversation.org/)

Is this a good thing?

excon
Dang it, excon, you come on here with something like this; don't you know George Bush and his secret police read all this stuff? And they are just looking for some flimsy excuse to examine your bank and medical records. And you go and give it to 'em. Dang!

and what about what I asked originally... if pot is legalized... where do you draw the line... should parents be able to smoke around their children?inpublic? All day non stop? At work? I am kind of curious as to what everyone feels on this... please reply, and let me know how you feel personally.:) :o :p

Comments on this posttomder55 (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/members/tomder55.html) agrees: you are making a lot of sense. As DK said ;the fact that it is illegal has been a deterent to many people. It is a gateway drug and making it illegal will increase the occurrences where the user acts irresponsibly



Edit

Should read making it LEGAL will increase occurrences where the users act irresponsibly.

Tom…I have found that there are only rare cases in which a particular accurately validates a generality. I too have had first hand knowledge of people who smoked pot and then went on to exchange it for synthetic drugs, but I just don't believe it necessarily follows. Most pot users I have met over the course of 45 years simply don't mix in the same circles as hard drug users, especially if it is any form of speed. Have you ever been around someone on speed, they can't shut their mouth and they don't engage in normal conversation?

Does pot have harmful effects, yes- does pot have useful effects yes- but adult individuals should be afforded the liberty to balance the two.

It's just another case of the government infringing on the rights of its citizenry because it believes it knows better what is right for the people than they do.

DC why not allow all drugs legal and generally available ? Even a recreational drug like Viagra is restricted .

Even a recreational drug like Viagra is restricted .

It is assumed, and has been made law, that the consumer is too stupid to learn or know how much of anything to take, which protects doctors, pharmacists, and to some extent the consumer. I don't recall if anyone has written about the fiasco Prohibition years, but it is difficult to stamp out undesirable behavior when folks indulge in that behavior for recreational purposes.

I think we should abolish anger and closed-mindedness.

I don't recall if anyone has written about the fiasco Prohibition years, Hello George:

I love your new picha. The emperor doesn't wear any clothes, does he? That's the name of the best pot legalization book ever written. You can buy it here. Welcome to Jack Herer's Home on the Web (http://www.jackherer.com/index.html)

You bring up another good point about prohibition. I don't know why the gubment thinks drug prohibition will work when liquor prohibition didn't. I have an opinion, though. I think because white people liked to drink, and darker skinned people liked to get high, the white people's drug became legal.

I don't think it had anything to do with the realization that prohibition single handedly created organized crime, just as it does today. I thought that's why they stopped it. But, nooooo. It was because whitey wanted his liquor.

So, why does the gubment do that?? It clearly doesn't work, and won't ever work. Of course, there are those blind folks who say, "if we only cracked down....." Bwa, ha ha ha ha. But, you and I know they've been cracking down harder and harder for 50 years now and it ain't stopped yet. It ain't even slowed down.

excon

If I agreed with you, some might think we were working together. I actually don't agree with your conclusion about whitey wanting licker and darkie wanting weed; I mean, I think weed was made illegal long after Prohibition was ended. We have 'police' all around us: police that want school kids in uniform; 'police' who say we can't use certain words or speech; 'police' that say we can't deal fairly with a terrorist. Other that that, I got your back. Bwe he he he.

Legalize it, regulate it [ like spitvenom mentioned: no t while driving, flying aircraft, at work] and tax it.

Reason being, alcohol is legal and has a heck of a lot more health, social, criminal, and psychiatric consequences.

Only problem is :
- what age can use [21 and uo ?]
- you can't blame the drug for your misfortune and sue - personal choice and responsibility
- who manufactures it? Standards of purity? How do you guard against someone lacing it with cocaine?
- would there be job discrimination? Do you want your surgeon or airline pilot or over the road truck driver using thc "recreationally?"


Some people will always make poor choices and abuse whatever they can get their hands on - legal, illegal, controlled, prescription, over the counter, fumes etc... - let them be responsible for theeir choice, so that when things go wrong they can't get blame someone and sue.