Decriminisation of personal use of illegal drugs.

Beta Ray Bill

Wanderer78 wrote: »

Do you really think this is possible, as I believe this has been one of the main aims of tackling the drug trade for decades now, and supply has actually increased? This is an unwinnable war, some humans just want to consume, and probably will always want to, and there will always be suppliers, for obvious reasons, it's time to change tactics, as all we re doing is wasting time, money and resources by our current approaches.

I never said it was winnable
And you are correct in your assumption that the problem is so big now that it can never be tackled in terms of stopping drug dealers.
There are more drug dealers than Garda, top guys are better equipped and I wouldn't at all be surprised if they had a good few Garda in their pockets.

Also if you legalised heavy drugs like E, Meth, Coke you'd have an even bigger problem in that eyebrows would be raised in the EU and the US.

As I've said already this country has enough problems with drugs.
Opening the flood gates and telling people that they can do what ever they want is a bad idea. Because 50% people are thick as bricks.

grahambo

grahambo wrote: »

I never said it was winnable
And you are correct in your assumption that the problem is so big now that it can never be tackled in terms of stopping drug dealers.
There are more drug dealers than Garda, top guys are better equipped and I wouldn't at all be surprised if they had a good few Garda in their pockets.

Also if you legalised heavy drugs like E, Meth, Coke you'd have an even bigger problem in that eyebrows would be raised in the EU and the US.

As I've said already this country has enough problems with drugs.
Opening the flood gates and telling people that they can do what ever they want is a bad idea. Because 50% people are thick as bricks.

Decriminalising small amounts isn't the same as legalising.
I know drug dealers and the Gardai know them well. I don't buy the lack of resources thing overall, they're happy to keep a balance rather than all hell breaking loose.

Captcha

Larbre34 wrote: »

You do know those tens of thousands of small deals for "personal use" come directly or indirectly from the most dangerous of criminals and underpin every aspect of organised crime in Ireland and Europe?

Boll0x to decriminalisation. Possession should be a 3 strike custodial scale. Boll0x to soft-touch and boll0x to rehabilitation. The easiest way to destroy a weed is by the roots.

I use "weed" to keep me grounded. Without it I would not have made it to 6 figures without a leaving cert @ 32 years old.

MadYaker

But drugs are so widely available now that anyone who wants to get them can do so easily. The Royal Mail in the UK are moving more drugs than most criminal organizations these days. The whole thing is a joke. At least if they were taxed and regulated the government could make some cash from it and they wouldn’t be wasting billions every year locking up people for drug possession.

Arrival

grahambo wrote: »

Completely agreed, however the issue we have now is that they are more and more concentrated to get a bigger high. And that's all fine until some gets so baked they don't even know what they are doing. The big problem is that most illegal drugs don't effect hand eye co-ordination or motor function.
This means someone who's tripping could easily do something violent or dangerous.



Again we need to attack demand, Why do people feel the need to get this "high"?
And the BIGGEST problem with drugs is that eventually the high from Ketamine isn't enough anymore. So people move onto something else. Coke/Heroin use is at the end of that road.
And there is no way you can argue that a load of coke heads or junkies is good for Ireland
No one starts off doing Ketamine or E or Coke or Heroin.
Everyone starts out doing hash/blow or whatever it's called these days

I've smoked blow once before about 18 years ago, did nothing for me. Mates I had at the time used to do it and only do blow when we were in our late teens. A lot of them are waster coke heads now with some or heroin too.

The problem is light drugs, it's where they lead to.
So my idea to nip it in the bud as actually brilliant!

You really are clueless. I'm certain you haven't even considered the fact that cannabis being illegal and only available from criminal drug dealers means that people that buy cannabis have easier access to such hard drugs since most dealers would have a supply of hard drugs to offer any possible curious cannabis customers. You're also putting cocaine next to heroin which says a lot about your experience and education on drugs.

Really, if this thread was indicative of the level of logic and critical thinking skills amongst the general Irish population I would be depressed. But I know many of you are just old and hold outdated ideas and views of what drugs are when you never even tried some of them. No worries, the upcoming young population are far more reasonable and open minded and this will all balance itself out as you and your antiquated, ignorant views die out

ohnonotgmail

grahambo wrote: »

I never said it was winnable
And you are correct in your assumption that the problem is so big now that it can never be tackled in terms of stopping drug dealers.
There are more drug dealers than Garda, top guys are better equipped and I wouldn't at all be surprised if they had a good few Garda in their pockets.

Also if you legalised heavy drugs like E, Meth, Coke you'd have an even bigger problem in that eyebrows would be raised in the EU and the US.

As I've said already this country has enough problems with drugs.
Opening the flood gates and telling people that they can do what ever they want is a bad idea. Because 50% people are thick as bricks.

decriminalise not legalise. If the gardai didnt waste their time prosecuting users with an ounce of weed they would have more time to catch the major dealers.

Rory28

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

decriminalise not legalise. If the gardai didnt waste their time prosecuting users with an ounce of weed they would have more time to catch the major dealers.

Or just legalise and make the drug dealers obsolete. A lot of people will want all drugs legalised but I could give a **** about the hard drugs. Opiates are bad m'kay.

jiltloop

grahambo wrote: »

Completely agreed, however the issue we have now is that they are more and more concentrated to get a bigger high. And that's all fine until some gets so baked they don't even know what they are doing. The big problem is that most illegal drugs don't effect hand eye co-ordination or motor function.
This means someone who's tripping could easily do something violent or dangerous.



Again we need to attack demand, Why do people feel the need to get this "high"?
And the BIGGEST problem with drugs is that eventually the high from Ketamine isn't enough anymore. So people move onto something else. Coke/Heroin use is at the end of that road.
And there is no way you can argue that a load of coke heads or junkies is good for Ireland
No one starts off doing Ketamine or E or Coke or Heroin.
Everyone starts out doing hash/blow or whatever it's called these days

I've smoked blow once before about 18 years ago, did nothing for me. Mates I had at the time used to do it and only do blow when we were in our late teens. A lot of them are waster coke heads now with some or heroin too.

The problem is light drugs, it's where they lead to.
So my idea to nip it in the bud as actually brilliant!

Your knowledge on this subject is laughable. Full of incorrect clichés.

ohnonotgmail

Rory28 wrote: »

Or just legalise and make the drug dealers obsolete. A lot of people will want all drugs legalised but I could give a **** about the hard drugs. Opiates are bad m'kay.

One step at a time. Though i do think legalising weed is the right thing to do. Put drug dealers out of business, reduction in garda resources used and revenue to the state. Its a win win win.

weldoninhio

Arrival wrote: »

Drugs are too great for your stupid idea here to work. Humans are always going to engage in recreational drug use, and why do you think that is? Because, you probably do not realise this, some of them are legitimately amazing and certain drugs are actually beneficial to a human when consumed correctly. For example, look at Ketamine. I'm sure just reading the name has you triggered, thinking it's a hard drug that only 'wasters' would use. The reality is, that drug has literally stopped suicidal people from killing themselves as it helped them with their depression. And it's beginning to be used clinically for this same reason. Reconsider your approach using logic and reasoning, thanks.

Its also been used amazingly successfully to help stop other addictions such as alcoholism.

The Bishop Basher

Rory28 wrote: »

Weed will eventually be legalised but I feel like Ireland will be one of the last to do so in Europe. Will be a great day when it happens.

It's amazing how we can be so forward thinking on things such as the smoking ban and gay marriage yet we remain so utterly backward on this.

Whatever about the case for harder drugs, bearing in mind that alcohol is one of the most harmful, the discussion on cannabis is a no brainer. It's done and dusted.

Even the US, where this "war on drugs" began has given up on that one..

It's a ****in plant with a flower for ****s sake..

You can't ban a plant.

The Bishop Basher

jiltloop wrote: »

Your knowledge on this subject is laughable. Full of incorrect clichés.

His posts read like a really bad tabloid article from the 80's.

Just say no :rolleyes:

Swanner

Swanner wrote: »

It's amazing how we can be so forward thinking on things such as the smoking ban and gay marriage yet we remain so utterly backward on this.

Whatever about the case for harder drugs, bearing in mind that alcohol is one of the most harmful, the discussion on cannabis is a no brainer. It's done and dusted.

Even the US, where this "war on drugs" began has given up on that one..

It's a ****in plant with a flower for ****s sake..

You can't ban a plant.

I'm in favour of decriminalising and possibly legalising but there needs to be plenty of warnings with it. Some people find it helpful but it can do a lot of damage to people as well. Not scare stories or whatever but I've seen with different people that for some it helps them plenty but I've seen it go the other way as well.

Beta Ray Bill

Arrival wrote: »

You really are clueless. I'm certain you haven't even considered the fact that cannabis being illegal and only available from criminal drug dealers means that people that buy cannabis have easier access to such hard drugs since most dealers would have a supply of hard drugs to offer any possible curious cannabis customers. You're also putting cocaine next to heroin which says a lot about your experience and education on drugs.

Really, if this thread was indicative of the level of logic and critical thinking skills amongst the general Irish population I would be depressed. But I know many of you are just old and hold outdated ideas and views of what drugs are when you never even tried some of them. No worries, the upcoming young population are far more reasonable and open minded and this will all balance itself out as you and your antiquated, ignorant views die out

I'm 34 buddy! :P
You might be a responsible person, you clearly know more about drugs than I do.
But that's not to say everyone would be responsible.
When people can do what they want, chaos ensues. People are thick man. LIKE PROPERLY STUPID!
I know it wasn't drug related, but look at what happened in Tallaght during the snow. That's what happens when people feel they can do what they want, that's how thick humans are!

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

decriminalise not legalise. If the gardai didnt waste their time prosecuting users with an ounce of weed they would have more time to catch the major dealers.

Deleted User wrote: »

Decriminalising small amounts isn't the same as legalising.
I know drug dealers and the Gardai know them well. I don't buy the lack of resources thing overall, they're happy to keep a balance rather than all hell breaking loose.

RE: the decriminalise -vs- not legalise
I'm a very black and white person, IE it's allowed or it's not. With the punishment being proportional to the volume of it you posses.

Maybe I'm thick for not knowing the difference..... :pac::o

grahambo

grahambo wrote: »

RE: the decriminalise -vs- not legalise
I'm a very black and white person, IE it's allowed or it's not. With the punishment being proportional to the volume of it you posses.

Maybe I'm thick for not knowing the difference..... :pac::o

Glad you're not in charge so!

Rory28

grahambo wrote: »

RE: the decriminalise -vs- not legalise
I'm a very black and white person, IE it's allowed or it's not. With the punishment being proportional to the volume of it you posses.

Maybe I'm thick for not knowing the difference..... :pac::o

Would the week or two in jail you propose come with a conviction? If an 18 year old gets caught with a joint and is sent down for the week or two will he have to explain that in a job interview when he is 40?

weldoninhio

grahambo wrote: »

Most of the people I know, will have a drink but won't do drugs.
So I'll disagree with you on that one.

When do you think most people will take their first blow of a joint/line of coke/pill?

A. When sober

or

B. When inhibitions are lowered due to the alcohol

JohnnyFlash

The current weed that people are buying is absolutely destroying the lives of regular smokers. Listened to the Professor of Psychiatry in TCD (also the top man in St’ Partick’s hospital), and he was saying it’s a real tragedy. Young lads barely out of their teens presenting with symptoms of psychosis and schizophrenia. The idea that weed is a harmless recreational drug is a complete myth perpetrated by stoners and potheads.

JohnnyFlash

JohnnyFlash wrote: »

The current weed that people are buying is absolutely destroying the lives of regular smokers. Listened to the Professor of Psychiatry in TCD (also the top man in St’ Partick’s hospital), and he was saying it’s a real tragedy. Young lads barely out of their teens presenting with symptoms of psychosis and schizophrenia. The idea that weed is a harmless recreational drug is a complete myth perpetrated by stoners and potheads.

Some of them. Again the fact that it's illegal muddies things so much. Have open discussions, warnings and the rest.

Captcha

JohnnyFlash wrote: »

The current weed that people are buying is absolutely destroying the lives of regular smokers. Listened to the Professor of Psychiatry in TCD (also the top man in St’ Partick’s hospital), and he was saying it’s a real tragedy. Young lads barely out of their teens presenting with symptoms of psychosis and schizophrenia. The idea that weed is a harmless recreational drug is a complete myth perpetrated by stoners and potheads.

Its legal in some form or another in most US States now.

Opoid dependency is dropping off a cliff... Opoids which are prescribed heroin. Pharma have lost billions. Who has a motive?

Deaths from road accidents dropped too as less people use the toxic alcohol and replaced with Cannabis.

No reports of people going crazy in places where Cannabis has been legal for a long time.

The Psychosis thing came from reefer madness and all those clowns who renamed it marijuana to make it sound more "Mexican" and they hated the mexicans in the great old US!

Wanderer78

very interesting discussion on the matter:

https://www.rt.com/shows/renegade-inc/395129-war-on-drugs-confiscation/

Captcha

Captcha wrote: »

Its legal in some form or another in most US States now.

Opoid dependency is dropping off a cliff... Opoids which are prescribed heroin. Pharma have lost billions. Who has a motive?

Deaths from road accidents dropped too as less people use the toxic alcohol and replaced with Cannabis.

No reports of people going crazy in places where Cannabis has been legal for a long time.

The Psychosis thing came from reefer madness and all those clowns who renamed it marijuana to make it sound more "Mexican" and they hated the mexicans in the great old US!

I know a few people who have had to stop smoking due to the issues it was creating. The "it's totally harmless" crowd are as annoying as the "it'll make you jump out the window" crowd.

JohnnyFlash

Captcha wrote: »

Its legal in some form or another in most US States now.

Opoid dependency is dropping off a cliff... Opoids which are prescribed heroin. Pharma have lost billions. Who has a motive?

Deaths from road accidents dropped too as less people use the toxic alcohol and replaced with Cannabis.

No reports of people going crazy in places where Cannabis has been legal for a long time.

The Psychosis thing came from reefer madness and all those clowns who renamed it marijuana to make it sound more "Mexican" and they hated the mexicans in the great old US!

No, the psychosis thing came from Professor Jim Lucey telling Pat Kenny about the explosion in people (mostly men in the their 20’s) presenting to front line mental health services with severe (sometimes life changing) paranoia, delusion and psychosis as a result of smoking weed on a semi-regular or regular basis. That’s the reality, not some ‘pipe dream’ about it being some neferaious plot by ‘big pharma’ or the ‘man’ to drag the name of this natural wonder drug through the mud.

There’s a debate to be had about the decriminalisation of drugs. One of the realities of that debate is removing this silly idea that being a stoner is a perfectly healthy lifestyle choice. It isn’t. It’s a depressing, dirty, and unhealthy addiction to a drug that makes its users lazy, paranoid, and sickly looking.

Rory28

JohnnyFlash wrote: »

One of the realities of that debate is removing this silly idea that being a stoner is a perfectly healthy lifestyle choice. It isn’t. It’s a depressing, dirty, and unhealthy addiction to a drug that makes its users lazy, paranoid, and sickly looking.

Thats not a reality its an opinion. Have a look at the NBA or NFL. Do they look lazy or sickly? How about Joe Rogan? I think you are using people you know personally and tarring everyone with the same brush. Is everyone that drinks beer a wino that sits outside centra?

Captcha

JohnnyFlash wrote: »

No, the psychosis thing came from Professor Jim Lucey telling Pat Kenny about the explosion in people (mostly men in the their 20’s) presenting to front line mental health services with severe (sometimes life changing) paranoia, delusion and psychosis as a result of smoking weed on a semi-regular or regular basis. That’s the reality, not some ‘pipe dream’ about it being some neferaious plot by ‘big pharma’ or the ‘man’ to drag the name of this natural wonder drug through the mud.

There’s a debate to be had about the decriminalisation of drugs. One of the realities of that debate is removing this silly idea that being a stoner is a perfectly healthy lifestyle choice. It isn’t. It’s a depressing, dirty, and unhealthy addiction to a drug that makes its users lazy, paranoid, and sickly looking.

Alcohol is a depressant, Cannabis is not.
Alcohol makes you dirty and sweaty Cannabis does not
Smoking Cannabis is shown to lower risk of lung cancer than non smokers
Alcohol makes you look worse

JohnnyFlash

Rory28 wrote: »

Thats not a reality its an opinion. Have a look at the NBA or NFL. Do they look lazy or sickly? How about Joe Rogan? I think you are using people you know personally and tarring everyone with the same brush. Is everyone that drinks beer a wino that sits outside centra?

I’ve never met a stoner who wasn’t negatively impacted by their drug addiction. It’s the nature of addiction. The same applies to heavy drinkers, or coke fiends. Weed appears to the only addiction though where some of its users will continue to defend its usage even as their life continues to be one dominated by the substance. That’s one of the reasons it’s so nefarious. The drug appears to trick them into thinking that laziness, lethargy, paranoia, and delusion are somehow normal parts of the human condition. In some cases the delusion is so strong, that the chronic user will try and preach that this horrible lifestyle is somehow optimal, or a source of mental clarity that ‘normies’ cannot obtain. :rolleyes:

Rory28

JohnnyFlash wrote: »

I’ve never met a stoner who wasn’t negatively impacted by their drug addiction. It’s the nature of addiction. The same applies to heavy drinkers, or coke fiends. Weed appears to the only addiction though where some of its users will continue to defend its usage even as their life continues to be one dominated by the substance. That’s one of the reasons it’s so nefarious. The drug appears to trick them into thinking that laziness, lethargy, paranoia, and delusion are somehow normal parts of the human condition. In some cases the delusion is so strong, that the chronic user will try and preach that this horrible lifestyle is somehow optimal, or a source of mental clarity that ‘normies’ cannot obtain. :rolleyes:

I'd see a stoner as someone who smokes every day. Now I'm under no illusions there are fair few like this but the majority of people who smoke pot are like the majority that drink.

Moderation is the key but we shouldn't have to punish the majority because the few will become dependant.

weldoninhio

JohnnyFlash wrote: »

I’ve never met a stoner who wasn’t negatively impacted by their drug addiction. It’s the nature of addiction. The same applies to heavy drinkers, or coke fiends. Weed appears to the only addiction though where some of its users will continue to defend its usage even as their life continues to be one dominated by the substance. That’s one of the reasons it’s so nefarious. The drug appears to trick them into thinking that laziness, lethargy, paranoia, and delusion are somehow normal parts of the human condition. In some cases the delusion is so strong, that the chronic user will try and preach that this horrible lifestyle is somehow optimal, or a source of mental clarity that ‘normies’ cannot obtain. :rolleyes:

NEWSFLASH!!!! Cannabis is not addictive and has no addictive properties.

MadYaker

JohnnyFlash wrote: »

The current weed that people are buying is absolutely destroying the lives of regular smokers. Listened to the Professor of Psychiatry in TCD (also the top man in St’ Partick’s hospital), and he was saying it’s a real tragedy. Young lads barely out of their teens presenting with symptoms of psychosis and schizophrenia. The idea that weed is a harmless recreational drug is a complete myth perpetrated by stoners and potheads.

Alcohol destroys the lives of thousands of people every year in this country, it costs the health service billions and is directly responsible for numerous deaths and yet it’s legal. How many people have died because they smoked too much weed?

JohnnyFlash

weldoninhio wrote: »

NEWSFLASH!!!! Cannabis is not addictive and has no addictive properties.

The World Health Organisation disagree with you, as they have included it in the statistical and diagnostic manual of mental disorders under a condition titled Cannabis Use Disorder.

Cannabis addiction is often due to prolonged and increasing use of the drug. Increasing the strength of the cannabis taken and an increasing use of more effective methods of delivery often increase the progression of cannabis dependency. It can also be caused by being prone to becoming addicted to substances, which can either be genetically or environmentally acquired.[10] The use of cannabis at a young age such as the teenage years, can have serious impacts on depression and anxiety in youth and later in life.[11]

Cannabis is one of the most widely used drugs in the world. In the United States, 49% of people have used cannabis.[2] an estimated 9% of those who use cannabis develop dependence.[3] In the US, as of 2013, cannabis is the most commonly identified illicit substance used by people admitted to treatment facilities.[4] Demand for treatment for cannabis use disorder increased internationally between 1995 and 2002.[5]

Cannabis use is associated with comorbid mental health problems, such as mood and anxiety disorders, and discontinuing cannabis use is difficult for some users.[7] Psychiatric comorbidities are often present in dependent cannabis users including a range of personality disorders.[9]

JohnnyFlash

MadYaker wrote: »

Alcohol destroys the lives of thousands of people every year in this country, it costs the health service billions and is directly responsible for numerous deaths and yet it’s legal. How many people have died because they smoked too much weed?

Logical fallacy. The availability and social acceptance of alcohol in society is not a valid argument for/against the legalisation of smoking weed. I’m pro decrimilisation by the way. It’s just that stoners always come up with such terrible arguments for why their drug of choice is worthy of legalisation. They’re the strongest argument against it to be honest.

Rory28

JohnnyFlash wrote: »

In the US, as of 2013, cannabis is the most commonly identified illicit substance used by people admitted to treatment facilities.[4] Demand for treatment for cannabis use disorder increased internationally between 1995 and 2002.[5][/I]

This is because when you are arrested for possession of a small amount the first time you are given the option of rehab or jail. what would you pick?

The Bishop Basher

JohnnyFlash wrote: »

The drug appears to trick them into thinking that laziness, lethargy, paranoia, and delusion are somehow normal parts of the human condition. In some cases the delusion is so strong, that the chronic user will try and preach that this horrible lifestyle is somehow optimal, or a source of mental clarity that ‘normies’ cannot obtain. :rolleyes:

Honestly where are you reading this stuff

Are they even your own words or did you copy and paste from somewhere ?

weldoninhio

weldoninhio wrote: »

NEWSFLASH!!!! Cannabis is not addictive and has no addictive properties.

From experience and people around me I don't buy that at all. I can stop drinking far easier than people I know who try to stop smoking weed. I know people who quit tobacco but couldn't finish weed.

The black and white stuff is all so annoying. It has addictive/dependent aspects to it. Some people find it good as a way to self-medicate without pharmaceuticals, some abuse it for the same purpose. Or the classic that it's not bad for you, I doubt there's many other things you can apparently inhale the smoke from with zero side-effects. :rolleyes:

I'm in favour of legalising weed and decriminalising the rest but I'm not going to let on that it's harmless. I've had good and bad times, and the majority of people I know who smoked it left it behind. However I know plenty who didn't and who have an on-going issue with it.

MadYaker

JohnnyFlash wrote: »

I’ve never met a stoner who wasn’t negatively impacted by their drug addiction. It’s the nature of addiction. The same applies to heavy drinkers, or coke fiends. Weed appears to the only addiction though where some of its users will continue to defend its usage even as their life continues to be one dominated by the substance. That’s one of the reasons it’s so nefarious. The drug appears to trick them into thinking that laziness, lethargy, paranoia, and delusion are somehow normal parts of the human condition. In some cases the delusion is so strong, that the chronic user will try and preach that this horrible lifestyle is somehow optimal, or a source of mental clarity that ‘normies’ cannot obtain. :rolleyes:

Circumstantial evidence like this is totally meaningless. “I know a guy who smokes and he’s a waster therefore weed turns people into wasters” Absolute nonsense. It’s the same as alcohol. Some choose to abuse it, some choose to use it in moderation. People like me who choose to use cannibis moderately shouldn’t be living in fear of getting tangled up in the criminal justice system and ruining our careers as a result.

Arrival

JohnnyFlash wrote: »

The current weed that people are buying is absolutely destroying the lives of regular smokers. Listened to the Professor of Psychiatry in TCD (also the top man in St’ Partick’s hospital), and he was saying it’s a real tragedy. Young lads barely out of their teens presenting with symptoms of psychosis and schizophrenia. The idea that weed is a harmless recreational drug is a complete myth perpetrated by stoners and potheads.

You are aware that there are hundreds of different strains of cannabis, right? And prohibition and a lack of regulation has actually resulted in ridiculously potent strains being the most easily available ones? Teenagers wouldn't have such easy access to such high THC strains with legalisation, it's even been found that use amongst teenagers has decreased in legal states in the US. I feel bad for people who have only ever tried high THC strains that just make you feel like a potato

ghostdancer

grahambo wrote: »

I'm 34 buddy! :P
You might be a responsible person, you clearly know more about drugs than I do.
But that's not to say everyone would be responsible.
When people can do what they want, chaos ensues. People are thick man. LIKE PROPERLY STUPID!
I know it wasn't drug related, but look at what happened in Tallaght during the snow. That's what happens when people feel they can do what they want, that's how thick humans are!





RE: the decriminalise -vs- not legalise
I'm a very black and white person, IE it's allowed or it's not. With the punishment being proportional to the volume of it you posses.

Maybe I'm thick for not knowing the difference..... :pac::o

maybe stop embarrassing yourself when you clearly don't have a clue what you're talking about so.

and use that time to educate yourself.

Arrival

Rory28 wrote: »

Thats not a reality its an opinion. Have a look at the NBA or NFL. Do they look lazy or sickly? How about Joe Rogan? I think you are using people you know personally and tarring everyone with the same brush. Is everyone that drinks beer a wino that sits outside centra?

Look at Michael Phelps, he's a 'stoner' and has only won 7 Olympic gold medals. If only he didn't smoke cannabis maybe he would've made something of himself!

Also, anyone who uses the argument "smoking cannabis everyday can result in 'x side effect' is instantly setting themselves up to stand out as an idiot because any person with common sense would realise that consuming any mind altering substance on a regular basis will have adverse effects. You can't use this as an argument to prevent legalisation for the majority of people who are capable of enjoying things in moderation. Look at alcohol, the majority of people will drink once or twice a week on the weekends.

DEFTLEFTHAND

Captcha wrote: »

Alcohol is a depressant, Cannabis is not.
Alcohol makes you dirty and sweaty Cannabis does not
Smoking Cannabis is shown to lower risk of lung cancer than non smokers
Alcohol makes you look worse

It doesn't lower the risk of lung cancer, it increases it.

Take a look at the US or British Lung Foundations websites.

Potential-Monke

So in my ten years of being a Garda, I can easily say 70% of people I arrested had alcohol taken. Up that to 90% for alcohol being a factor at some point. In those 10 years, I never arrested someone for being too stoned, or committing a crime because they were stoned. Why? Because the stoners don't cause hassle. They know that the idiots can go into town and get messed up drunk every night if they want. The stoners are at a friends house, playing games (electronic, board, RPG), listening to music, watching tv/movies.

I'll be honest, I didn't do much with the drugs investigations where I was based, because there's a drugs unit for that, but even they will say that it's the most harmless (read: least harmful) intoxicant out there imo. Although, one sergeant did tell me that cannabis was worse than heroin, so I never listened to a word he said from that day forth, but there's idiots in every line of work.

It was supposed to have been decriminalised a couple of years back, but nothing has happened. There seems to be renewed ideas that it will be decriminalised early next year, along with coke, and heroin. They're opening injection centres in Dublin, and other cities to follow apparently. Once that happens, the door to allowing recreational cannabis use will be easier to open. And I welcome it.

I can hand on heart say that if cannabis was legalised, I would never drink again. It's poison, it's detrimental to your health, and causes numerous health and public expenditure problems. If cannabis was legalised, you'll have the usual idiots over indulging, but the will only last the honeymoon period, until the majority of people are able to treat it properly. You'll still have the idiots that overindulge, just like with alcohol, but the 'war on drugs' won't work. Legalising cannabis will decimate the income of large gangs, and free up Garda time to investigate the heavier drug dealers, even suppliers.

Cannabis is not 100% safe for 100% of people, just like alcohol, coffee, nuts, dairy... Everyone can't have everything, but this country seems to think they know what's best for me.

BurnUp78

Arrival wrote: »

You are aware that there are hundreds of different strains of cannabis, right? And prohibition and a lack of regulation has actually resulted in ridiculously potent strains being the most easily available ones? Teenagers wouldn't have such easy access to such high THC strains with legalisation, it's even been found that use amongst teenagers has decreased in legal states in the US. I feel bad for people who have only ever tried high THC strains that just make you feel like a potato

At around the age of 18 i began to suffer severe adverse affects from smoking weed such as extreme anxiety, panic attacks and general negative thoughts. why can't stoners just accept that some people's brain chemistry leaves them much more vulnerable to marijuana's adverse affects?

weldoninhio

https://youtu.be/FxF4vE67g40

Arrival

BurnUp78 wrote: »

At around the age of 18 i began to suffer severe adverse affects from smoking weed such as extreme anxiety, panic attacks and general negative thoughts. why can't stoners just accept that some people's brain chemistry leaves them much more vulnerable to marijuana's adverse affects?

I can't speak for stoners as I am not one, so go ask one. It is a fact that some people are not suited to consuming cannabis as it can, for example, induce latent mental health issues (STRONG emphasis on the word latent as some people confuse this with it causing mental health issues)

By the way, you were smoking at too young of an age. Teenagers should not be smoking, this is known to be dangerous for developing minds. And I would put money on you smoking any old cannabis you could get your hands on and not discussing with the dealer which strain it was, whether it was an indica or sativa, what its THC content would be like etc. so you more than likely smoke strong cannabis which exacerbates any potential negative effects

Captcha

Potential-Monke wrote: »

So in my ten years of being a Garda, I can easily say 70% of people I arrested had alcohol taken. Up that to 90% for alcohol being a factor at some point. In those 10 years, I never arrested someone for being too stoned, or committing a crime because they were stoned. Why? Because the stoners don't cause hassle. They know that the idiots can go into town and get messed up drunk every night if they want. The stoners are at a friends house, playing games (electronic, board, RPG), listening to music, watching tv/movies.

I'll be honest, I didn't do much with the drugs investigations where I was based, because there's a drugs unit for that, but even they will say that it's the most harmless (read: least harmful) intoxicant out there imo. Although, one sergeant did tell me that cannabis was worse than heroin, so I never listened to a word he said from that day forth, but there's idiots in every line of work.

It was supposed to have been decriminalised a couple of years back, but nothing has happened. There seems to be renewed ideas that it will be decriminalised early next year, along with coke, and heroin. They're opening injection centres in Dublin, and other cities to follow apparently. Once that happens, the door to allowing recreational cannabis use will be easier to open. And I welcome it.

I can hand on heart say that if cannabis was legalised, I would never drink again. It's poison, it's detrimental to your health, and causes numerous health and public expenditure problems. If cannabis was legalised, you'll have the usual idiots over indulging, but the will only last the honeymoon period, until the majority of people are able to treat it properly. You'll still have the idiots that overindulge, just like with alcohol, but the 'war on drugs' won't work. Legalising cannabis will decimate the income of large gangs, and free up Garda time to investigate the heavier drug dealers, even suppliers.

Cannabis is not 100% safe for 100% of people, just like alcohol, coffee, nuts, dairy... Everyone can't have everything, but this country seems to think they know what's best for me.

If you were still a Garda then the force would be better for it!

Rory28

Captcha wrote: »

If you were still a Garda then the force would be better for it!

But I doubt Monke would. By all accounts its a stressful and thankless job.

Frankincense

Indeed! It must be stressful to be busting people for doing things you know aren't wrong...

Tigger

Larbre34 wrote: »

When they burgle my elderly aunts house and mug my young male cousin with a blade to feed their habits, it makes it my "fockin" business. And i dont give a shyte what drug it was they were trying to get from those robberies, hash featured somewhere on their CV

As did ethanol

Tigger

Rory28 wrote: »

But I doubt Monke would. By all accounts its a stressful and thankless job.

Couple of spliffs , be grand

Muzzymor

Decriminalise all crimes. Instantly solve all crime.

Drug dealers and their minions will immediately go on the straight and narrow and get respectable office jobs.
Cokeheads will no longer become violent and agressive.
Junkies will no longer resort to theft and mugging to support their now legal heroin addiction.
Nobody will seek to undercut the prices of the now legal and safe drugs. If they do we can give the drugs away for free.

When we remove the social stigma, being a drugged up waste of space will no longer be cool and rebellious, so the drug abuse figures will go right down.

If addicts still commit muggings and robbery to buy their legal drugs, legalise theft and mugging too . The laws are just criminalising the poor chaps and we still have muggings and theft anyway.
We need a good dose of legalisation and sympathy for the hard luck story of every criminal.
Every criminal is one of God's children and we as a society created them and are therefore responsible for their actions, not the individual criminal.

What's that you say?
We could enforce the laws?
There was a guy who believed in "enforcing" "laws".
Hitler was his name.

Donald Trump

Potential-Monke wrote: »

So in my ten years of being a Garda, I can easily say 70% of people I arrested had alcohol taken. Up that to 90% for alcohol being a factor at some point.  In those 10 years, I never arrested someone for being too stoned, or committing a crime because they were stoned. Why? Because the stoners don't cause hassle. They know that the idiots can go into town and get messed up drunk every night if they want. The stoners are at a friends house, playing games (electronic, board, RPG), listening to music, watching tv/movies.  

I'll be honest, I didn't do much with the drugs investigations where I was based, because there's a drugs unit for that, but even they will say that it's the most harmless (read: least harmful) intoxicant out there imo.  Although, one sergeant did tell me that cannabis was worse than heroin, so I never listened to a word he said from that day forth, but there's idiots in every line of work.  

It was supposed to have been decriminalised a couple of years back, but nothing has happened.  There seems to be renewed ideas that it will be decriminalised early next year, along with coke, and heroin.  They're opening injection centres in Dublin, and other cities to follow apparently.  Once that happens, the door to allowing recreational cannabis use will be easier to open.  And I welcome it.  

I can hand on heart say that if cannabis was legalised, I would never drink again.  It's poison, it's detrimental to your health, and causes numerous health and public expenditure problems.  If cannabis was legalised, you'll have the usual idiots over indulging, but the will only last the honeymoon period, until the majority of people are able to treat it properly.  You'll still have the idiots that overindulge, just like with alcohol, but the 'war on drugs' won't work. Legalising cannabis will decimate the income of large gangs, and free up Garda time to investigate the heavier drug dealers, even suppliers.  

Cannabis is not 100% safe for 100% of people, just like alcohol, coffee, nuts, dairy...  Everyone can't have everything, but this country seems to think they know what's best for me.

If 90% of the people you arrested had something to do with alcohol then there might be two explanations:

1) 90% of crime in the country is caused or related to alcohol
2) You weren't really doing a very good job - rather just lazily picking the low-hanging fruit
:pac: