Observer-Reporter forum

Cylinsier · Master Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 13229 Location: Oh shi-

I think the disconnect is those that think it should be legal don't view an argument based on the ill affects of pot to be valid. If substances or activities were to have their legality based on their health value, we wouldn't be able to do a lot of things that we can do. It is furthermore seemingly hypocritical for anyone to argue against legalizing pot on those grounds if they are also an admitted drinker or smoker. The lack of open-mindedness in my opinion is the opposition's refusal to aknowledge these glaring inconsistencies and reformulate their argument to address them.

And of course we all know that it is illegal now and using is breaking the law. That's the entire inspiration for the thread in the first place.
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freethinker · Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 11:37 am Post subject:

sorry Cy, if I've stepped out of line, but i don't
believe the parameters of debate are decided by God
or a single individual...
Forgive me for thinking that the thread had changed
from legality to addiction...
Anyway, I have no dog in this fight, so, have a good day !
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Cylinsier · Master Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 13229 Location: Oh shi-

The argument was on legality. That's what the pro side has been arguing from the start. The against side got onto addiction and I simply pointed out that addiction shouldn't have anything to do with legality and explained why. If you want to argue addiction, be my guest. I was not trying to tell you you were doing anything wrong, just continuing my argument in favor of legalization. But it seems to be common that I be made the bad guy for sharing my opinion now. I guess the only way for me to be not arrogant is to nod my head and smile at everything.
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Brant · Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 12:33 pm Post subject:

SSSS, I agree with you that there are ill effects from marijuana smoking. There's no doubt about that. But there's also very little doubt that marijuana is not physically addictive in the way that crack and heroin are. We can talk about shades of gray, but in black and white, marijuana is not an addiction-creating drug, nor a gateway to harder drugs, any more than beer is a gateway to scotch. It just isn't. If we're going to say that anything that brings us pleasure is addictive, that's casting a pretty wide net. I like chocolate chip cookies, and I have one occasionally. That doesn't mean I'm addicted to them. If the store didn't have chocolate chip cookies one day, I would'nt tear apart the store looking for some. I'd just have a snickerdoodle.
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dazes · Professional Joined: 08 May 2009 Posts: 1422

SSSS · Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 4:48 pm Post subject:

I am just not convinced we should legalize something just because a percentage of the population wants it. If a vast majority wants it, that is how our system works. But I feel pretty confidant saying that the vast majority of americans would vote against the legalization of pot.
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ellipses · Mod Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 9218 Location: WashPa!

I just don't understand why, though... I don't care one way or the other... therefore, I lean towards legalization...

only 25% of the population smokes, but you'll never see tobacco made illegal
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dazes · Professional Joined: 08 May 2009 Posts: 1422

Maybe part of the reason of the American people being against such legislation is no one really wants to see it done in front of them. Imagine going out for a family dinner with grandma and your children and seeing the table next to you light up a bong and pass it around. As far as the analogy between cookies and addiction to sweets, no one ever just takes a hit from a joint and stops, not really, moderation is the key to every thing, a glass of wine , one piece of chocolate cake, one hit??

OndinitaAKALibchit · Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 6:29 pm Post subject:

In Amsterdam, one can only use marijuana in special coffee shops, hotel rooms or private residences, not in the streets, restaurants, etc...I'm pretty sure the rules would be the same here...
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Cylinsier · Master Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 13229 Location: Oh shi-

Do we have any substantial proof that the majority of Americans are against legalization or are we just talking hypothetically? The most recent poll results I could find were from 2005 and showed the a 60 to 36 vote against legalization, both the highest in favor and lowest against that Gallup has recorded in the history of that issue (dating back to 1969). General extrapolation of the results suggests that if current trends continue, a majority of the population will favor legalization by 2015, assuming there hasn't been a spike or slump in the last 4 years.
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OndinitaAKALibchit · Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 7:19 pm Post subject:

According to polls conducted by ABC News/Washington Post/Time and CNN, as of April of this year, 46% of Americans favored legalization...
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Cylinsier · Master Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 13229 Location: Oh shi-

Its probably pretty tight then as there's always 3-5% that don't know what they want.
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ellipses · Mod Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 9218 Location: WashPa!

Is that 46% in favor or 46% "not opposed?"

If it's 46% "in favor..." there is probably at least a double digit "don't care either way" which puts the "against" in the minority...

I don't see why it can't be treated as a combination alcohol/tobacco... as far as where and how much, etc...
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OndinitaAKALibchit · Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 8:50 pm Post subject:

It was 46% in favor, 52% against, 2% undecided with a +-3% error...But the favorable percentage is rapidly increasing every year...So in the next 5 years or so, those in favor will most likely be the majority...
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blackballed · Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2009 8:53 am Post subject:

OH BOY CANT WAIT, THEN WE CAN SMOKE DRUGS LEGALLY. not.BB