Why Is Marijuana Illegal?

dlofnep

I picked neither. There are alternative answers to "Yes - It Has Numerous Benefits".

You should have left it at Yes & No, than interjecting. I do support making it legal.

DepecheHead101

Looks like people are still missing the point as ever. Thanks for popping along to contribute the ways we already already know dope can be harmful. But it doesn't matter. It's still safer legal than illegal. In numerous, numerous ways many people have pointed out countless times before. Get it, now?

Nobody is saying it's a miracle plant with no downsides whatsoever.

ScumLord

DepecheHead101 wrote: »

Nobody is saying it's a miracle plant with no downsides whatsoever.

Well to be fair some people are. Or they seem like they are.

Your right though it's painfully obvious legality of cannabis causes more problems than cannabis itself could ever do.

I_AmThe_Walrus

O rly?

kleefarr

DepecheHead101 wrote: »

Nobody is saying it's a miracle plant with no downsides whatsoever.

These people may disagree with that.

Watch all parts. Quite interesting..

EDIT:

Full version here... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0psJhQHk_GI&feature=related

g5fd6ow0hseima

I've yet to hear an intelligent person disagree with decriminalisation / regulation

daithijjj

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-4690997-why-cannabis-doesnt-kill.do

Cheeky_gal

I_AmThe_Walrus wrote: »

1) It is not in any way, shape or form, addictive, mentally or physically.

Are you joking???

My ex boyfriend began taking hash daily a few weeks after we broke up and I can tell you he became even dumber!... lost all motivation, lacked in energy, and generally just became stupid and lifeless so you're defo wrong there..:rolleyes:

kleefarr

Cheeky_gal wrote: »

Are you joking???

My ex boyfriend began taking hash daily a few weeks after we broke up and I can tell you he became even dumber!... lost all motivation, lacked in energy, and generally just became stupid and lifeless so you're defo wrong there..:rolleyes:

Have you not noticed? Over use of anything is not very good for you, so why single out Mary Jane?

I would say alcohol is far more destructive personally. But that's just my opinion.

Cheeky_gal

Cheeky_gal wrote: »

Are you joking???

My ex boyfriend began taking hash daily a few weeks after we broke up and I can tell you he became even dumber!... lost all motivation, lacked in energy, and generally just became stupid and lifeless so you're defo wrong there..:rolleyes:

He said addictive. Abusing it night and day doesnt make it addictive. It just means the user is a gobshíte and knows nothing about self-restraint and personal responsibility. Your ex seems to fall into this category.

Cheeky_gal

Deleted User wrote: »

He said addictive. Abusing it night and day doesnt make it addictive. It just means the user is a gobshíte and knows nothing about self-restraint and personal responsibility. Your ex seems to fall into this category.

Ok well I smoke numerous cigarettes every day. Are you saying I'm not addicted? Bullsh*t, cuz I am. You can't tell me I'm not, it's different for every person.

King Felix

Cheeky_gal wrote: »

Ok well I smoke numerous cigarettes every day. Are you saying I'm not addicted? Bullsh*t, cuz I am. You can't tell me I'm not, it's different for every person.

You're physically addicted to nicotine.

Cannabis is a psychological addiction, the same as shopping or gambling. That's the difference.

reprazant

King Felix wrote: »

You're physically addicted to nicotine.

Cannabis is a psychological addiction, the same as shopping or gambling. That's the difference.

Interesting comparison, because I would put gambling addiction nearly on par with alcohol and drug addiction as an addiction which destroys many lives, those of the addicted and those of the innocent loved ones who are forced to suffer the consequences of that addiction.

King Felix

reprazant wrote: »

Interesting comparison, because I would put gambling addiction nearly on par with alcohol and drug addiction as an addiction which destroys many lives, those of the addicted and those of the innocent loved ones who are forced to suffer the consequences of that addiction.

Perhaps the effects are the same in some cases but the nature of the addiction is not.

Nobody is physically addicted to gambling. I was just drawing a distinction for Cheeky_Gal.

Gurgle

Cheeky_gal wrote: »

My ex boyfriend began taking hash daily a few weeks after we broke up and I can tell you he became even dumber!... lost all motivation, lacked in energy, and generally just became stupid and lifeless

You're describing the classic symptoms of depression.

I'm sure immersion in MJ didn't help, but it seems likely that either the breakup led to depression or even depression led to the breakup.

How is he now?

Cheeky_gal

Gurgle wrote: »

You're describing the classic symptoms of depression.

I'm sure immersion in MJ didn't help, but it seems likely that either the breakup led to depression or even depression led to the breakup.

How is he now?

Well I actually started a thread about him a few months back called "So... just found out my boyf was in prison".

He's not good at all. Passed his house a few weeks ago at around 2am on a Tues morning where he was completely out of it, he walked to a bin, placed something under it, then walked back towards his house..

Clearly leaving drugs for someone to collect considering he has a bin in his own house!

Anyways I don't want to "hack" or "troll" this thread. But to answer your question that's how he's doing, not very well, slippery path

K_user

I’m against it being legalized.

Just going back to the OP:

1) It is not in any way, shape or form, addictive, mentally or physically.

Yes it is.

2) It has unlimited and legitimate medical uses.

Unlimited?
There are reasons that medicines are called medicines and drugs are called drugs.

3) It is not a "gateway" drug.

Yes it is. But in saying that, so is an alco-pop.

4) If it was legal, organised crime would fall.

B*ll*x

5) Government can tax it and give tourism a boost.

So we are looking to increase the number of people on the road who are stoned/drunk and increase the pressure on our Hospitals?


I have known/know people who have used/do use Marijuana and it has many side effects. Once they started they found it hard to stop, it is addictive, its always “the last time, I swear”. It does impair the mind - lifes wisest decisions are rarely made while under the influence of any intoxicating substance.

Legalization effects lives. The number of users will increase, therefore the number of causalities will increase. Its basic maths.

As for the Taxing idea and crime thing - excuse me, but again, b*ll*x. Taxation leads to higher prices, businesses will open up based purely on the sale of Marijuana, who also will be looking to get a cut. This will lead to the price shooting through the roof. Crime won’t be effected because there will always be a market for those who are looking for a cheaper deal, or who just can’t afford to purchase the legal stuff. And since the drug is legal, policing the illegal sellers will become more difficult. Not to mention that Ireland will become the stopping ground for every drug lord looking to off load their stock to mainland Europe - which will lead to even more unsavory characters landing on our shores.

The Irish police and Health Board are barely able to deal with the current problems brought by Alcohol and Tobacco. What makes anyone think that adding to that mix is a good idea?

robby^5

Cheeky_gal wrote: »

Well I actually started a thread about him a few months back called "So... just found out my boyf was in prison".

Don't mean to be harsh here, but cannabis doesn't turn you into a criminal. It sounds like your ex is just a scumbag.

Anyway as someone already pointed out, there is no physical addiction with cannabis (the same as say gambling, shopping or porn) whereas with cigarettes the nicotine is a physically addictive substance.

Cheeky_gal

Cheeky_gal wrote: »

Ok well I smoke numerous cigarettes every day. Are you saying I'm not addicted? Bullsh*t, cuz I am. You can't tell me I'm not, it's different for every person.

Do you understand the notion of a physical dependency where you experience withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking the substance? Cannabis doesn't fall into that category. Cigarettes do. You are comparing apples and oranges.

copeyhagen

relax win-ston

Cheeky_gal

Deleted User wrote: »

Do you understand the notion of a physical dependency where you experience withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking the substance? Cannabis doesn't fall into that category. Cigarettes do. You are comparing apples and oranges.

Listen, I'm not arguing or debating that with you. You're probably right. I'm merely voicing my opinion that I don't think it should be legalised and I'm glad it's not. Apart from medical use, what benefits does it have apart from relaxing you?

A mate of mine stupidly drove home on one occasion when she had been smoking the stuff for hours previous and drove home with the handbrake up! Extremely stupid and irresponsible I know, but there's a prime reason as to why it shouldn't be legalised, she could have killed someone in that state.

ScumLord

Cheeky_gal wrote: »

Are you joking???

My ex boyfriend began taking hash daily a few weeks after we broke up and I can tell you he became even dumber!... lost all motivation, lacked in energy, and generally just became stupid and lifeless so you're defo wrong there..:rolleyes:

Your hardly going to judge all people who smoke by your ex. Many people who smoke don't become lazy, it gives people focus. If people choose to use that focus sitting in front of their TV that's their own problem.

K_user wrote: »

As for the Taxing idea and crime thing - excuse me, but again, b*ll*x. Taxation leads to higher prices, businesses will open up based purely on the sale of Marijuana, who also will be looking to get a cut. This will lead to the price shooting through the roof. Crime won’t be effected because there will always be a market for those who are looking for a cheaper deal, or who just can’t afford to purchase the legal stuff. And since the drug is legal, policing the illegal sellers will become more difficult. Not to mention that Ireland will become the stopping ground for every drug lord looking to off load their stock to mainland Europe - which will lead to even more unsavory characters landing on our shores.

The Irish police and Health Board are barely able to deal with the current problems brought by Alcohol and Tobacco. What makes anyone think that adding to that mix is a good idea?

Cannabis is currently way over priced by the criminals there's plenty of room to sell the stuff legally (which would reduce the cost of production greatly) and tax it and it will still work out cheaper than the street price of weed now. If it was sold legally here we could enforce a supplier chain, only cannabis grown in Ireland can be sold in Ireland. Legalising cannabis would create a huge job market overnight, even just for the production of industrial hemp. It can be a very cheap plant to grow.

And again your comparing chalk and cheese comparing alcohol with cannabis, it cannot make the problems that alcohol cause every weekend worse, smoking cannabis is not like having another drink so that's just pure unadulterated nonsense.

Cheeky_gal

ScumLord wrote: »

Your hardly going to judge all people who smoke by your ex.

Never judged all people. Gave an example of two people. My ex and my friend.

ScumLord wrote: »

Many people who smoke don't become lazy, it gives people focus. If people choose to use that focus sitting in front of their TV that's their own problem.

Absolute bull imo. Imagine half the country going around stoned all day?? Jesus I couldn't think of anything worse. It'll never happen! :rolleyes:

ScumLord

ScumLord wrote: »

even just for the production of industrial hemp. It can be a very cheap plant to grow.

As an aside, is it illegal to grow hemp considering there is no THC in it? Or am I talking nonsense?

Cheeky_gal

Cheeky_gal wrote: »

A mate of mine stupidly drove home on one occasion when she had been smoking the stuff for hours previous and drove home with the handbrake up! Extremely stupid and irresponsible I know, but there's a prime reason as to why it shouldn't be legalised, she could have killed someone in that state.

Well all I can say is that I've smoked it myself in past, enjoyed it and have never put myself in a position whereby I put anyone in danger. Its the same as someone over the limit driving home from the pub. Using this logic, booze should be outlawed, and I'm sure we both think thats crazy.
I'd also like to think I'm not a waster and that in fact I lead a (relatively) active lifestyle.

I've said it before; it comes down to personal responsibility. People like your ex-boyfriend and your friend will always feature, that does not mean they're actions should dictate public policy or the legality of a relatively harmless substance.

ScumLord

Cheeky_gal wrote: »

Absolute bull imo. Imagine half the country going around stoned all day?? Jesus I couldn't think of anything worse. It'll never happen! :rolleyes:

Rolleyes all you want but in your own words you only know two people who smoke, I know plenty. It's a creative drug, people have written albums, poems and films under the influence. I'll often have a spliff before I do a workout because it helps

Deleted User wrote: »

As an aside, is it illegal to grow hemp considering there is no THC in it? Or am I talking nonsense?

You can grow hemp under a license, there's no possibility of getting stonned off it.

Elle Collins

I_AmThe_Walrus wrote: »

1) It is not in any way, shape or form, addictive, mentally or physically.

It's well known to be psychologically addictive.

K_user

ScumLord wrote: »

Cannabis is currently way over priced by the criminals there's plenty of room to sell the stuff legally (which would reduce the cost of production greatly) and tax it and it will still work out cheaper than the street price of weed now. If it was sold legally here we could enforce a supplier chain, only cannabis grown in Ireland can be sold in Ireland. Legalising cannabis would create a huge job market overnight, even just for the production of industrial hemp. It can be a very cheap plant to grow.

The price for any product is based purely on the ability/willingness of the public to pay. That is to say, people pay what the market will bear.

There are huge debates going on about the right way to price professional, technical, trade, and creative services. And whether charging as much as we can get, wringing every last Euro out of customers, is the way to go. But more often that not, greed wins out.

There is no way to tell how much Marijuana would go for in the Irish market if it were made legal. And it is illegal, by European law, to curtail the import/export market. Thats to say we, as a country, wouldn't be allowed to only buy and sell Irish grown cannabis.

And what would be the result of Irish farmers finding out that the cattle industry pays them sqat, but weed is profitable? Over night the farmers would change what they are growing. General increase in the price of food anyone?

Swings and roundabouts. Worst case scenario the cost of weed drops by half, but the price of bread and milk doubles.

And what would be the increase in the job market? There would be a few extra jobs here and there, that would be it.

ScumLord wrote: »

And again your comparing chalk and cheese comparing alcohol with cannabis, it cannot make the problems that alcohol cause every weekend worse, smoking cannabis is not like having another drink so that's just pure unadulterated nonsense.

Nonsense?

People, as a group, are stupid. Give them a car and they will speed up. Give them alcohol and they will drive. Give them a plug socket and they will stick five plugs into it and say that "it'll be grand". Danger always happens to other people.

Cannabis intoxicates, pure and simple. That is why people use it. Basically it messed with your head, as does alcohol. The effects may be different, the length of time under the influence maybe variable. But it does intoxicate. Increase the number of people being intoxicated and the maths tell us that more people will be hurt. Its that simple.

The other side of this is that the long term effects of marijuana have not been fully studied. Cigarettes were legalized long before the damage that they can do was understood, but once they had a legal grip there was no going back.

Gurgle

Elle Collins wrote: »

It's well known to be psychologically addictive.

The addiction is purely psychological.
Thats another way of saying the addiction doesn't exist, you just think it does.

Unlike nicotine, alcohol, caffene, cocaine, various opiates and plenty of other legal and illegal substances which are physiologically addictive.

Cheeky_gal wrote:

Imagine half the country going around stoned all day?? Jesus I couldn't think of anything worse.

Really? I can think of lots of worse things. Half the country going around drunk all day would be one of them.

Herbal Deity

K_user wrote: »

Cannabis intoxicates, pure and simple. That is why people use it. Basically it messed with your head, as does alcohol. The effects may be different, the length of time under the influence maybe variable. But it does intoxicate. Increase the number of people being intoxicated and the maths tell us that more people will be hurt. Its that simple.

Why would more people be intoxicated just because another drug is legal?

For that to be true, there'd have to be a significant group of people who don't drink or do any drugs, but would smoke weed if it were legal.

And people being intoxicated doesn't necessarily lead to people getting hurt. The nature of the intoxication matters hugely. Lots of people get caffeine intoxication, but they don't exactly get hurt as a result.