interesting piece, sort of a libertarian approach emphasizing state law over federal. does anyone know how many states have already legalized marijuana as medicine?

Legalizing Marijuana the Federalist Way
May, 2009
by Ross Raffin

Many advocates of legalizing or decriminalizing marijuana feel Obama has abandoned them. White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel is a consistent warrior against decriminalization. Attorney General Eric Holder has a history of opposing drug policy reforms and considers the adult use of marijuana equivalent to public nuisance. Even Joe Biden, when asked about pain management and medical cannabis, responded that “there's got to be a better answer than marijuana.” But the reality is that the Obama administration has turned the tides in favor of legalization and decriminalization in a much stronger and subtler way than open rhetorical endorsements. ... Stanford Progressive

Never going to happen, but you can keep dreaming.

people said the same thing about female governors, black governors, and black presidents...

Some people still think 'those people' shouldn't be able to run.

some people think those people that think that shouldn't be allowed to vote

bring on the pot!!!






sorry. have i said too much??

Well now you're just taking things out of context.

Big difference between legalizing an addictive substance and what you're talking about.

Alcohol is legal.
Cigarettes are legal.

Yes, they are. Cocaine is illegal, Pot is illegal, Crack is illegal, and I could go on and on and on.

Yes, and we have apready established that in the correct contexts, these are not addictive.

Keep up, kneedlenose!

Um so can I.

Caffine is legal. Cough Syrup is legal. Tylenol is legal.

surprisingly...i agree with BF

probably for different reasons...but i agree

Thank you Robert Shapiro.

Are the same people that rail for pot to stay illegal also railing against butts and booze?

no...they aren't

thus, the hypocrisy with this topic

As someone who has seen the tradegy that can happen from drug use that started with 'just a little pot'.........I hope it doesn't happen.

I'm all for banning tobacco use, or at least taxing the h@ll out of it. Look at what tobacco use costs our health care industry - and in turn, us - every year

I am sorry, was that really necessary? If you can't make a comment without resorting to name calling, please refrain from posting. He made a true statement. Meaning, it could happen.

Now, do I think it will happen, you know with way people think and vote today. I would say anything is possible. Society is becoming such a "Do what is right in your own eyes, as long as it doesn't hurt me" mentality I could see it happening. The governments are so hungry for money, I think they see the taxing benefits and may just be lured to enough to allow it.

You know, honestly, I am torn on this issue.

On one hand, alky is legal and it does a huge amount of damage to society when it's abused, but the vast majority don't abuse it. I can also see the benefits of control of it and taxing of it and bringing the billions spent into the public realm and the benefits that could be derived (substantially more funding for drug abuse prevention programs, more detox centers, etc.), but would it possibly become a self-fulfilling prophecy situation?

I have only tried pot one time when I was younger, and I have seen the deleterious effects on some friends of mine who have become "addicted" to pot and have let their lives just fall apart. It does appear to lead people past pot and into stronger and worse drugs, and the people who deal pot seem to be the same ones who deal those worse drugs as well.

It's such a slippery slope that I just don't know what we should do.

what's wrong with this mentality?

or i guess my question is...who gets to determine what is "right" for me?

or maybe my question is...why am i even going here? do i REALLY enjoy beating that dead horse?

Well, I think some people are 'addicted' to pot (although I beleive it's one of the only drugs which the body does not physically become addicted to), think of how many people have smoked pot, even multiple times, and are not addicted.

Doesn't it actually come down to -

Do what is right in your own eyes, as long as it doesn't hurt me--OR anyone else?

You can do whatever you want to yourself - but just don't let it put a burden on anyone else or society.

exactly

exactly

EXACTLY

In theory, yes.

But then people wouldn't be allowed to do anything.

I can't open the link, but does this mention the Central and South American former presidents who are pushing for marijuana's legalization to combat the drug problems in the respective countries? While I don't like other governments trying to push their policies on us, I have to wonder if legalizing it would take a bite out of some of the drug crime.

And isn't tobacco already taxed highly? I quit smoking a year ago and haven't been paying too much attention, but friends are saying a pack can cost over $6.