Legalisation Cannabis Protest May (Dublin 7th - Cork 9th)

donutface

yawha wrote: »

I never know whether to be amused or frustrated when someone proclaims that the majority of weed smokers don't work or pay tax.

Yes its absolutely retarded, even infants indirectly pay VAT for their diapers! Of course the govt isnt any interested in putting VAT on cannabis though.


And its incredibly short sighted to think that those protests will directly affect government, it mainly raises awareness on the issue of cannabis and gets people talking exactly like what we are doing now. The more people that talk about it, the more likely it is that the government will take notice.

All those OAP protests that frequently happen doesnt have much affect on government on their own either. All it does is gets people talking.

Ming is one of those politicians that has managed to get awareness and support from outside of his constituency as he's got a niche. A lot of people might laugh at him, but practically everyone knows him. It wont be long before other politicians see this and cash in on similar niches

Duffy the Vampire Slayer

Dudess wrote: »

Those attending the Cork march were mostly college students - is going to college not a positive, beneficial thing?

Of course it is, but not if you ask a lot of people in AH.

Snowc

Chairman Meow wrote: »

Good news stoners! After the overwhelming turnout of unemployed, unwashed dirty hippy students yesterday, the government has caved in and LEGALISED WEED!!! Its in the newspapers and everything!


Haha, just kidding, itll never happen! You think the government gives 2 ****s what a bunch of hippies who probably dont vote or pay tax actually want? ****ing lol

Ha ha this is coming from a man who spends his day sitting on the couch playing video games and drinking coke and eating pizzas.

MagicSean

Bwasiz wrote: »

Yes I am a recreational smoker but have never been out of a job since graduating from uni 10 years ago. I enjoy a smoke every now and again to relax from a hard days work considering it a bit of me-time after having done my share for my boss and society. I never been in a fight or in trouble with the law. I don't think I have a problem and regard it as an insult when someone tells me I do. I am open-minded to people from all walks of life and would only judge people if they harm others. I do think legalization would create healthy entrepreneurship which, I think, Ireland is in dire need off.
I do believe legalization would increase tax-income countering negative bail-out effects.
I do believe legalization of cannabis would free up time for the law-enforcement to go after, what I consider, real problems.
I don't believe it should be sold in centra or spar or to underaged people.

Am I happier in life then others? I really don't know. Life is as hard for me as for anybody else. How I walk it is my choice.

Such as driving under the influence?

DepecheHead101

Chairman Meow wrote: »

Good news stoners! After the overwhelming turnout of unemployed, unwashed dirty hippy students yesterday, the government has caved in and LEGALISED WEED!!! Its in the newspapers and everything!


Haha, just kidding, itll never happen! You think the government gives 2 ****s what a bunch of hippies who probably dont vote or pay tax actually want? ****ing lol

Of course it will happen. This just goes to show how little you know about the subject you are carelessly belittling for your own personal amusement.

Ireland might be one of the last dominos to fall but it will eventually be decriminalized at the least. I'll even call it to happen within this decade. The winds are changing and fast.

Only four or five years ago the 'will it ever happen?' question actually had legitimacy. It no longer has that, in my eyes.

Hookah

FlutterinBantam wrote: »

I certainly do Herbert, however the adverse fallout would more than wipe out that.

Tell me this Herbert.

If it was such a whizz idea why hasn't ever country in the world brought it in?

Uruguay legalised it last week, the first country in the world to do so.

What with the EU leaching all our tax eurons, I expect it won't be all that long before we start taxing it here.

John Q should be pleased.

jive

superelliptic wrote: »

Ok, but how often do you hear of the guards kicking their way into someones living room and arresting them over a joint? We'v all seen people roll up in the smoking areas of pubs, and no one calls the guards- and thats in a public place.

I've known and heard of plenty of people who have been charged with posession as well as someone who had his house searched - he didn't have anything in his house but I can't imagine his parents were impressed.

The risk is always there, if it was legal there would be no risk. I don't care either way but it shows a severe lack of knowledge on your part just asking that question.

johnmcdnl

jive wrote: »

I've known and heard of plenty of people who have been charged with posession as well as someone who had his house searched - he didn't have anything in his house but I can't imagine his parents were impressed.

The risk is always there, if it was legal there would be no risk. I don't care either way but it shows a severe lack of knowledge on your part just asking that question.

no - it just shows that where he lives and goes out that no one cares/does anything about it

Laisurg

Chairman Meow wrote: »

Good news stoners! After the overwhelming turnout of unemployed, unwashed dirty hippy students yesterday, the government has caved in and LEGALISED WEED!!! Its in the newspapers and everything!


Haha, just kidding, itll never happen! You think the government gives 2 ****s what a bunch of hippies who probably dont vote or pay tax actually want? ****ing lol

What a clever individual you are

jive

johnmcdnl wrote: »

no - it just shows that where he lives and goes out that no one cares/does anything about it

No because there are arseholes everywhere and somebody somewhere will be thinking of the children and will snitch

Dudess

Duffy the Vampire Slayer wrote: »

Of course it is, but not if you ask a lot of people in AH.

It is when it suits them.

Chairman Meow

Snowc wrote: »

Ha ha this is coming from a man who spends his day sitting on the couch playing video games and drinking coke and eating pizzas.

Umm nope, thats the actions of a stoner hippy loser im afraid. I think youll find i actually have a job and a life and all that other **** stoners are too busy addling their brains with weed to notice

yawha

Chairman Meow wrote: »

I think youll find i actually have a job and a life and all that other ****

Hahahahaha, sure.

You play games? What age are you? No mature grown up person plays games. It's pathetic.

So you have a job? Big fúcking deal. I doubt you have much of a life if all you do is sit around playing games and numbing your brain.

Chairman Meow

yawha wrote: »

Hahahahaha, sure.

You play games? What age are you? No mature grown up person plays games. It's pathetic.

So you have a job? Big fúcking deal. I doubt you have much of a life if all you do is sit around playing games and numbing your brain.

Oh wow, a stoner waste of space trying to make out playing games numbs your brain. Thats either the worst attempt at trolling ive come across, or you are genuinely mentally deficient. Actually, it could be both.

Show Time

Lazy smelly good for nothing stoners.

Fulton Crown

Dudess wrote: »

Do you have anything of value to contribute? Or is Boards just an outlet for your bitterness?

Those attending the Cork march were mostly college students - is going to college not a positive, beneficial thing?

Fcukin drones an a waste o space most of them......I'm a Senior in the Logistics and Distribution area and the amount of stale brained stoners who show up for job interviews and depend on their 3rd level to see them through is pathetic.

I would love to tell the cnunts to get real but political correctness does not give me that choice.

have no problem with the ganga smokers ...just don't go loking for a real job with my company...plenty of Fas courses.....

CalmDown...

haha stoners having a protest, i can't wait to see how many turn up! :rolleyes:

Snowc

Chairman Meow wrote: »

Oh wow, a stoner waste of space trying to make out playing games numbs your brain. Thats either the worst attempt at trolling ive come across, or you are genuinely mentally deficient. Actually, it could be both.

So your saying you play videos games but you don't eat pizza,drink coke and sit on the couch all day...................mmmmm I think its you who is trolling

donutface

Fulton Crown wrote: »

Fcukin drones an a waste o space most of them......I'm a Senior in the Logistics and Distribution area and the amount of stale brained stoners who show up for job interviews and depend on their 3rd level to see them through is pathetic.

I would love to tell the cnunts to get real but political correctness does not give me that choice.

have no problem with the ganga smokers ...just don't go loking for a real job with my company...plenty of Fas courses.....

22% of the Irish adult population (27% of males, 16.6% of females) admit to having tried weed. Odds are youre working with a good few stoners already, you just won't know about it as you're that uptight. Those lazy people you've got applying for jobs would find a way to turn their brain to mush with or without weed.

I'm a regular smoker, I've never felt the need to turn up to work high. Weed has never had any influence on my work. For the last year I've been employed with one of the worlds largest software companies, they've liked me enough to fly me to their headquarters in the U.S. to work here for the summer. (I have to return to University to finish up my final year, but I'm pretty much guaranteed a job back here if I wanted).

The next time you buy a PC you'll have *gasp* code written by a stoner preinstalled on it. If you prefer a Mac, Steve Jobs and Wozniak meddled with many drugs in their time. Many of the musicians you listen to smoke weed, along with movie stars and book authors. You've probably used a Virgin product at some point - Richard Branson smokes the occasional spliff.

The positions I've listed above aren't easy to get into and be successful. Not everyone can do it, but the people who are lazy will always find a way to waste their time.

http://www.friendsofcannabis.com/directory/index.php?option=com_alphacontent&Itemid=58

Rented Mule

FlutterinBantam wrote: »

The tax payer is not a fool lads.:cool:

Apparently, you haven't heard of NAMA yet ? :P

JupiterKid

donutface wrote: »

22% of the Irish adult population (27% of males, 16.6% of females) admit to having tried weed. Odds are youre working with a good few stoners already, you just won't know about it as you're that uptight. Those lazy people you've got applying for jobs would find a way to turn their brain to mush with or without weed.

I'm a regular smoker, I've never felt the need to turn up to work high. Weed has never had any influence on my work. For the last year I've been employed with one of the worlds largest software companies, they've liked me enough to fly me to their headquarters in the U.S. to work here for the summer. (I have to return to University to finish up my final year, but I'm pretty much guaranteed a job back here if I wanted).

The next time you buy a PC you'll have *gasp* code written by a stoner preinstalled on it. If you prefer a Mac, Steve Jobs and Wozniak meddled with many drugs in their time. Many of the musicians you listen to smoke weed, along with movie stars and book authors. You've probably used a Virgin product at some point - Richard Branson smokes the occasional spliff.

The positions I've listed above aren't easy to get into and be successful. Not everyone can do it, but the people who are lazy will always find a way to waste their time.

http://www.friendsofcannabis.com/directory/index.php?option=com_alphacontent&Itemid=58

Hear hear.

I'm sick of the ranting of ignorant idiots who categorise and generalise about people solely on their personal lives - i.e. all those who smoke cannabis are "good for nothing stoners" or all immigrants are "spongers and fraudsters", or gay men are "predatory perverts" etc. It's getting old at this stage.:rolleyes:

Fulton Crown

donutface wrote: »

22% of the Irish adult population (27% of males, 16.6% of females) admit to having tried weed. Odds are youre working with a good few stoners already, you just won't know about it as you're that uptight. Those lazy people you've got applying for jobs would find a way to turn their brain to mush with or without weed.

I'm a regular smoker, I've never felt the need to turn up to work high. Weed has never had any influence on my work. For the last year I've been employed with one of the worlds largest software companies, they've liked me enough to fly me to their headquarters in the U.S. to work here for the summer. (I have to return to University to finish up my final year, but I'm pretty much guaranteed a job back here if I wanted).

The next time you buy a PC you'll have *gasp* code written by a stoner preinstalled on it. If you prefer a Mac, Steve Jobs and Wozniak meddled with many drugs in their time. Many of the musicians you listen to smoke weed, along with movie stars and book authors. You've probably used a Virgin product at some point - Richard Branson smokes the occasional spliff.

The positions I've listed above aren't easy to get into and be successful. Not everyone can do it, but the people who are lazy will always find a way to waste their time.

http://www.friendsofcannabis.com/directory/index.php?option=com_alphacontent&Itemid=58

Look pal ...less of the personals....I'm far from "uptight" as you put it and just putting my point of view.

Just because Jobs and Branson do it dosn't make it right for every scobie and hashhead start smokin weed.

My experience is that these tokers .....regularly absent themselves for work on Monday mornings...and if they do come in ...they can be innefective ...not to mention smelly and unkempt.

My company fired three guys recently for such activity....and each of them had the brass neck to ask fer references.!

No pal.....lets face it The Irish can barely handle alcohol.....legalise the weed would lead to a fcukin explosion in the hophead population.

Nah ! Dosn't wash with me pal................:cool:

MagicSean

donutface wrote: »

22% of the Irish adult population (27% of males, 16.6% of females) admit to having tried weed. Odds are youre working with a good few stoners already, you just won't know about it as you're that uptight. Those lazy people you've got applying for jobs would find a way to turn their brain to mush with or without weed.

I'm a regular smoker, I've never felt the need to turn up to work high. Weed has never had any influence on my work. For the last year I've been employed with one of the worlds largest software companies, they've liked me enough to fly me to their headquarters in the U.S. to work here for the summer. (I have to return to University to finish up my final year, but I'm pretty much guaranteed a job back here if I wanted).

The next time you buy a PC you'll have *gasp* code written by a stoner preinstalled on it. If you prefer a Mac, Steve Jobs and Wozniak meddled with many drugs in their time. Many of the musicians you listen to smoke weed, along with movie stars and book authors. You've probably used a Virgin product at some point - Richard Branson smokes the occasional spliff.

The positions I've listed above aren't easy to get into and be successful. Not everyone can do it, but the people who are lazy will always find a way to waste their time.

http://www.friendsofcannabis.com/directory/index.php?option=com_alphacontent&Itemid=58

Interesting. Roman Polanski allegedly meddled with paedophilia and had some talent when it came to movies. Gary glitter also had some musical talent. Doesn't mean paedophilia should be legalised.

Mr Benevolent

k_mac wrote: »

Interesting. Roman Polanski allegedly meddled with paedophilia and had some talent when it came to movies. Gary glitter also had some musical talent. Doesn't mean paedophilia should be legalised.

Comparing marijuana to paedophilia? Very sensible.

humanji

yawha wrote: »

Hahahahaha, sure.

You play games? What age are you? No mature grown up person plays games. It's pathetic.

So you have a job? Big fúcking deal. I doubt you have much of a life if all you do is sit around playing games and numbing your brain.

That's possibly the dumbest thing anyone has ever posted on Boards. And that's saying something.


On a side note, and maybe I'm just not down with you hip kids and your lingo, but I was under the impression a "stoner" was someone who lounged about all day getting stoned? And someone who actually functions as a member of society and smokes a casual joint isn't a stoner?

FlutterinBantam

Dudess wrote: »

Do you have anything of value to contribute? Or is Boards just an outlet for your bitterness?

Those attending the Cork march were mostly college students - is going to college not a positive, beneficial thing?

Perfectly beneficial, however hookin' up the bong to a cargo of fresh nuggs is not ,I would opine.

Like I said, college students, not one of them paying substantial taxes if at all and they want to legalise and decriminalise the kush!!

That's not bitter, lady, just sensible.

PeakOutput

FlutterinBantam wrote: »

Perfectly beneficial, however hookin' up the bong to a cargo of fresh nuggs is not ,I would opine.

If you can't see the benefits of thc by now you are blind, just the other day science showed that not only does thc relieve pain and suffering in cancer patients, it actively stops the growth of the tumor and causes them to shrink

Like I said, college students, not one of them paying substantial taxes if at all and they want to legalise and decriminalise the kush!!

You are right of course, there is no tax on alcohol, food, petrol, books, tv, internet, phone, gas,electricity or my income

Substantial is also subjective, unless you are in the top 10% of earners in this country you yourself are paying an insignificant amount of tax into the economy so by your reasoning (out of date as it may be) you do not deserve a say in how the country is run

That's not bitter, lady, just sensible.

It isn't bitter or sensible I am sure you legitimately believe what you say its just a pity its based on ignorance not fact

frag420

RichieC wrote: »

I'm making a comedy show and require a writer, you up for it, Snow Monkey?

I am.........

yawha

Chairman Meow wrote: »

Oh wow, a stoner waste of space trying to make out playing games numbs your brain. Thats either the worst attempt at trolling ive come across, or you are genuinely mentally deficient. Actually, it could be both.

No dude. I'm merely applying the same level of ridiculous generalisation and hyperbole to an activity which you like.

See I have a life and a (very good) job too. I'm not a hippy, I pay tax, I vote, I don't do nothing but lie around smoking in a council house getting social welfare, like you seem to think anyone who smokes weed does.

I do, however, smoke weed sometimes.

humanji wrote: »

That's possibly the dumbest thing anyone has ever posted on Boards. And that's saying something.

I imagine you haven't been reading the thread, or don't understand the use of hyperbole to make a point.

humanji wrote: »

On a side note, and maybe I'm just not down with you hip kids and your lingo, but I was under the impression a "stoner" was someone who lounged about all day getting stoned? And someone who actually functions as a member of society and smokes a casual joint isn't a stoner?

Yup, but a lot those who are anti-legalisation don't seem to think that anyone can smoke weed and not be a stoner. The mind boggles...

humanji

yawha wrote: »

I imagine you haven't been reading the thread, or don't understand the use of hyperbole to make a point

Ah right, I apologise. It didn't really come across in your post. Sorry.

sensibleken

i very much dount the numbers on a facebook page would actually show

PeakOutput

This was meant to happen last saturday right? so does anyone know how many showed?

PeakOutput

Fulton Crown wrote: »

Look pal ...less of the personals....I'm far from "uptight" as you put it and just putting my point of view.

Just because Jobs and Branson do it dosn't make it right for every scobie and hashhead start smokin weed.

My experience is that these tokers .....regularly absent themselves for work on Monday mornings...and if they do come in ...they can be innefective ...not to mention smelly and unkempt.

My company fired three guys recently for such activity....and each of them had the brass neck to ask fer references.!

No pal.....lets face it The Irish can barely handle alcohol.....legalise the weed would lead to a fcukin explosion in the hophead population.

Nah ! Dosn't wash with me pal................:cool:

you really dont see the point that you will have no idea who the normal joe who smokes is and the only ones that you are seeing are the ones who would be idiots with or without weed. just because you supercharge a little 1 litre micra dosn't mean you end up with a ferrari you are still left with the slow as **** micra same goes for brains

the idiots will still be idiots and the smart people will still be smart people the only difference is the smart people know how to hide it from people they deem to be uptight or old fashioned or uninformed. in other words they are smart enough to hide it from you

mikom

FlutterinBantam wrote: »

:eek:


Flanagan copped the fcuk on fairly sharpish when he saw a serious wedge from

JQ heading his way for a good while .

Saw which side his bread was buttered on in fairness.;)

Ring, ring........... ring, ring.
I have two days ago waiting on the line for you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAJ0ti7zy0E

meditraitor

PeakOutput wrote: »

This was meant to happen last saturday right? so does anyone know how many showed?

tens of people,

FlutterinBantam

mikom wrote: »

Ring, ring........... ring, ring.
I have two days ago waiting on the line for you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAJ0ti7zy0E

Don't know what your point was buddy, but all I saw was a party political broadcast on behalf of Luke Flanagan.

Didn't hear any references to his current cannabis use.

None of the auld left wing bravado of old there I noticed.


Any independant could stand up and say anything, safe in the knowledge that they will never have to implement and pay for the fallout.

mikom

FlutterinBantam wrote: »

but all I saw

Pal.

donutface

Fulton Crown wrote: »

Look pal ...less of the personals....I'm far from "uptight" as you put it and just putting my point of view.

Just because Jobs and Branson do it dosn't make it right for every scobie and hashhead start smokin weed.

My experience is that these tokers .....regularly absent themselves for work on Monday mornings...and if they do come in ...they can be innefective ...not to mention smelly and unkempt.

My company fired three guys recently for such activity....and each of them had the brass neck to ask fer references.!

No pal.....lets face it The Irish can barely handle alcohol.....legalise the weed would lead to a fcukin explosion in the hophead population.

Nah ! Dosn't wash with me pal................:cool:

My apologies - I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions regarding being uptight.

Now I'd like you to sit back for a second and look at the characters of the 3 guys you fired (which I agree with - plenty of people who are unemployed and actually looking to work in this country). If it wasn't for weed, do you see honestly those 3 individuals being hard working productive members to society?

Is it possible that they would have been coming to work drunk instead, or simply not coming to work at all?

Without knowing the answer to your question I'd just like to add that this is a very big misconception with cannabis. Heroin has this property of people that would otherwise be productive/successful get hooked on heroin and suddenly nothing matters other than getting your next fix. This is followed up by victims getting robbed on streets and houses broken into.

Cannabis doesn't have the property of physical addiction, its nothing but psychological. You can take somebody who has smoked cannabis every day for his entire life and take his weed away and at most he's going to be upset. If you do it with alcohol you risk killing the person. Without physical addiction it becomes a lot more clear that the type of character your talking about would probably have turned out no different without it and just substituted it for something else.

With cannabis being class A, I can see our lovely politicians who wrote the misuse of drugs act thinking that cannabis use is similar to heroin. Why should we be following laws that are based on nothing more than the imagination?

Chocablock

FlutterinBantam wrote: »

Don't know what your point was buddy, but all I saw was a party political broadcast on behalf of Luke Flanagan.

Didn't hear any references to his current cannabis use.

None of the auld left wing bravado of old there I noticed.


Any independant could stand up and say anything, safe in the knowledge that they will never have to implement and pay for the fallout.

Party political broadcast? In Cork Which isnt in his constituency....Well done. Take a bow :rolleyes:

_Cato_

My two cents; I was at the march with the missus - not out of frustration at the outlawing of the plant but because of the principle of human freedom and choice. That was the key for me. Unfortunately, I was severely disappointed. Firstly, loads of kids and teenagers used it as an opportunity for a day out. None of them looked like they had anything to contribute, apart from their ignorance, to the debate.

I managed to get through the crowd hoping to meet and discuss the matter with a guy handing out leaflets. To my surprise, he was recruiting for the ULA and praised Joe Higgins and Co. I tried to explain to him that human freedom and socialism are totally incomparable and he genuinely looked bewildered and wondered off without answering some honest questions. Some kids were waving communist flags too, which I was worried by - none of them appeared to have completed sixth class.

All else having failed, I thought I'd move up a bit to the front where the older people were. There was some people for L.C.I (Legalise Cannabis Ireland) holding banners ect. Here, I initiated a conversation with some of them. Now, I don't regard myself as any kind of specialist on the subject but I have had the motivation to pick up several books over the years out of interest. But to be honest, none of these guys looked like they had any interest whatsoever in engaging in intellectual thought and instead rambled on about the broken record excuses of why such a substance should be legal - all of them, we've been hearing before. It was exhausting. I asked if cannabis should be legalised, then why not other drugs? They looked at me in utter bemusement. In fact, these people at the march were complete just the same as anyone else. They want it taxed and regulated - that's not freedom. But the sad thing was, they were completely oblivious to it.

If a particular issue or substance suits them, then they were all for it - but isn't that just it? They are as bad as everyone else. They want to pick and choose what should be legal and illegal. They are trying to infringe their values on everyone else. I was expecting some kind of intellectual conglomerate of enlightened people in attendance, indeed - it's why i bothered leaving my home on the day. It was my first cannabis protest and it will be my last - none of these people represented anything remotely free - just bureaucrats like everyone else in Dail Eireann.

Better luck next time, guys. If this is the folk fore-running the legalisation front, then I'll wait until some intelligence and reason are brought to the debate.

Duffy the Vampire Slayer

FlutterinBantam wrote: »

Perfectly beneficial, however hookin' up the bong to a cargo of fresh nuggs is not ,I would opine.

Like I said, college students, not one of them paying substantial taxes if at all and they want to legalise and decriminalise the kush!!

That's not bitter, lady, just sensible.

You continually argue that you have some divine right to infringe on the freedom of others because you're a taxpayer. I really can't find any logic in your posts at all.

donutface

Bureaucracy the game you have to play to make change happen unfortunately. Daíl Eireann would hear even less of it unless they got something out of it.

Sorry to hear that you were disappointed on the matter though. That being said don't lose hope with the current crowd, anything they manage to achieve is a step in the right direction. Nothing is ever set in stone

Chairman Meow

_Cato_ wrote: »

My two cents; I was at the march with the missus - not out of frustration at the outlawing of the plant but because of the principle of human freedom and choice. That was the key for me. Unfortunately, I was severely disappointed. Firstly, loads of kids and teenagers used it as an opportunity for a day out. None of them looked like they had anything to contribute, apart from their ignorance, to the debate.

Some kids were waving communist flags too, which I was worried by - none of them appeared to have completed sixth class.
.

And this is why ill never be able to take anybody protesting for legalising cannabis seriously. Or cannabis users seriously. Its mostly either kids who think theyre raging against the machine and are on the forefront of some kind of counter culture, or its people like this

http://photos3.media.pix.ie/4A/3E/4A3EC8C01ACA4E52A1A874C9487D2CA1-0000316428-0002307738-00800L-805EDF9FEB564B8490B0BFBE61557A05.jpg

I mean, really? This man wants me to take his cause seriously? Yeah, cause i always have time to listen to what some unshaven knacker in a tracksuit, baseball cap and joint hanging out of his mouth has to say. Its like having someone with a beer in each hand, slurred speech and bloodshot eyes being hired for a drink aware campaign.

RussellTuring

_Cato_ wrote: »

My two cents; I was at the march with the missus - not out of frustration at the outlawing of the plant but because of the principle of human freedom and choice. That was the key for me. Unfortunately, I was severely disappointed. Firstly, loads of kids and teenagers used it as an opportunity for a day out. None of them looked like they had anything to contribute, apart from their ignorance, to the debate.

I was also at the march and personal choice was my main issue. There are often people at protests who go just for something to do. This might not be good for the image of the given cause but I don't think you should get so disheartened by it. Having listened to talks by people mentioning everything but personal choice, I jumped up at the chance to speak when the microphone was offered to anyone who wanted to. I didn't complain that nobody else had bothered to talk about my issue: I got up and did it myself.

I managed to get through the crowd hoping to meet and discuss the matter with a guy handing out leaflets. To my surprise, he was recruiting for the ULA and praised Joe Higgins and Co. I tried to explain to him that human freedom and socialism are totally incomparable and he genuinely looked bewildered and wondered off without answering some honest questions. Some kids were waving communist flags too, which I was worried by - none of them appeared to have completed sixth class.

A march like this is no place for the likes of the ULA. They hijack these protests because they know there will be a lot of young people there and these are a target audience. If you mean that socialism and human freedom are incompatible then that's a different topic but if you said they are incomparable, perhaps you shouldn't be so surprised by his puzzlement.

All else having failed, I thought I'd move up a bit to the front where the older people were. There was some people for L.C.I (Legalise Cannabis Ireland) holding banners ect. Here, I initiated a conversation with some of them. Now, I don't regard myself as any kind of specialist on the subject but I have had the motivation to pick up several books over the years out of interest. But to be honest, none of these guys looked like they had any interest whatsoever in engaging in intellectual thought and instead rambled on about the broken record excuses of why such a substance should be legal - all of them, we've been hearing before. It was exhausting. I asked if cannabis should be legalised, then why not other drugs? They looked at me in utter bemusement. In fact, these people at the march were complete just the same as anyone else. They want it taxed and regulated - that's not freedom. But the sad thing was, they were completely oblivious to it.

I also agree that all drugs should be decriminalised at least as the current situation does nothing but punish either people who are exercising the right to do what they want with their own bodies or punish addicts who need treatment. I'm starting to get the impression, however, that you are surprised by anyone whose political opinions differ from yours. If we all thought the same, the world would be a very boring place so maybe you should stop being so shocked and accept that others disagree with you. The best you can do is state your case and try to change their minds.

If a particular issue or substance suits them, then they were all for it - but isn't that just it? They are as bad as everyone else. They want to pick and choose what should be legal and illegal. They are trying to infringe their values on everyone else. I was expecting some kind of intellectual conglomerate of enlightened people in attendance, indeed - it's why i bothered leaving my home on the day. It was my first cannabis protest and it will be my last - none of these people represented anything remotely free - just bureaucrats like everyone else in Dail Eireann.

I believe it's hypocritical to support the decriminalisation of cannabis alone. The only illegal drug I use is cannabis but others should be treated similarly. If you mean they are trying to impose their values on everyone else, can you explain how? Merely holding an opinion does not mean you are trying to coerce someone else.

Better luck next time, guys. If this is the folk fore-running the legalisation front, then I'll wait until some intelligence and reason are brought to the debate.

Better yet you could bring some to the debate yourself by setting up your own front instead of complaining about the others who are currently doing it. If you are going to sit around and wait for someone else to take up your issues in your behalf, then you could be waiting a very long time indeed.

Chairman Meow wrote: »

And this is why ill never be able to take anybody protesting for legalising cannabis seriously. Or cannabis users seriously. Its mostly either kids who think theyre raging against the machine and are on the forefront of some kind of counter culture, or its people like this

http://photos3.media.pix.ie/4A/3E/4A3EC8C01ACA4E52A1A874C9487D2CA1-0000316428-0002307738-00800L-805EDF9FEB564B8490B0BFBE61557A05.jpg


I mean, really? This man wants me to take his cause seriously? Yeah, cause i always have time to listen to what some unshaven knacker in a tracksuit, baseball cap and joint hanging out of his mouth has to say. Its like having someone with a beer in each hand, slurred speech and bloodshot eyes being hired for a drink aware campaign.

So you can't take the issue seriously because someone who is against prohibition smokes cannabis, in addition to having a poor dress sense. Fashion concerns aside, is it really that surprising that a person who opposes prohibition uses the drug himself? Maybe everyone who advocates living a Christian life should be atheists and all TDs anarchists.

Also, your comparison is way off. Fashion sense and physiological symptoms of alcohol use are very different things. One is subjective and subject to personal bias, the other is an indication that someone is intoxicated. They are quite different. Anyway, since this march was obviously for advocates of legal cannabis use and Drink Aware is against the abuse of alcohol, then it is way off yet again and indeed images of such people should and indeed regularly are used in Drink Aware campaigns, as would be obvious to anyone who had seen one.

haydar

Chairman Meow wrote: »

And this is why ill never be able to take anybody protesting for legalising cannabis seriously. Or cannabis users seriously. Its mostly either kids who think theyre raging against the machine and are on the forefront of some kind of counter culture, or its people like this

http://photos3.media.pix.ie/4A/3E/4A3EC8C01ACA4E52A1A874C9487D2CA1-0000316428-0002307738-00800L-805EDF9FEB564B8490B0BFBE61557A05.jpg

I mean, really? This man wants me to take his cause seriously? Yeah, cause i always have time to listen to what some unshaven knacker in a tracksuit, baseball cap and joint hanging out of his mouth has to say. Its like having someone with a beer in each hand, slurred speech and bloodshot eyes being hired for a drink aware campaign.

What a shallow and narrow-minded outlook!

mikom

Chairman Meow wrote: »

And this is why ill never be able to take anybody protesting for legalising cannabis seriously. Or cannabis users seriously. Its mostly either kids who think theyre raging against the machine and are on the forefront of some kind of counter culture, or its people like this

http://photos3.media.pix.ie/4A/3E/4A3EC8C01ACA4E52A1A874C9487D2CA1-0000316428-0002307738-00800L-805EDF9FEB564B8490B0BFBE61557A05.jpg

I mean, really? This man wants me to take his cause seriously?

Here is the broad brush view of the typical gamer.......... http://www.destructoid.com/elephant//ul/28544-gamers.jpg

Stereotypes are great aren't they.
They save us having to think for ourselves or be aware.

FlutterinBantam

Duffy the Vampire Slayer wrote: »

You continually argue that you have some divine right to infringe on the freedom of others because you're a taxpayer. I really can't find any logic in your posts at all.

No, that's not my point at all.

I have no issue with people smoking and drugging themselves with illegal substances.

What I have an issue with is expecting me to pay for the fallout.

ScumLord

FlutterinBantam wrote: »

No, that's not my point at all.

I have no issue with people smoking and drugging themselves with illegal substances.

What I have an issue with is expecting me to pay for the fallout.

You're already paying for any supposed fallout in the current system. Legalising and regulating through controlled outlets you'll only be saving money.

RussellTuring

FlutterinBantam wrote: »

No, that's not my point at all.

I have no issue with people smoking and drugging themselves with illegal substances.

What I have an issue with is expecting me to pay for the fallout.

Well why aren't you advocating the abolition of state healthcare and the dissolution of the very expensive drug task forces (assuming this is what you mean)? You are arguing against people making their own choices and this being borne by you but the people who were at the march on Saturday aren't the ones squandering your tax money.

mccabecc

I don't think that will change anything but still LEGALIZE IT!!! ;d