Re: The argument against marijuana, and other drugs legalization

**CingularDuality** · 03-02-2010, 04:15 PM

Originally Posted by Ferris Bueller

One big reason it's going to get so nasty here is that the state is attempting to take on the federal government by the horns: they're granting permits for growers to do their business on state owned and controlled land. So the growers themselves are basically third party, the feds would have to go after the state if they want to arrest people for growing.

Although it is interesting that as quickly as the federal agencies have jumped on other states, nothing significant has happened here yet. It's going to be very very interesting when it does.

If a state wants to push this issue, now is the time to do it, as the executive branch is as friendly to this issue as we've ever seen...

**ScratchMonkey** · 03-09-2010, 11:14 PM

The latest evil drug, Spice:

http://blog.drugpolicy.org/2010/02/spice-wars.html

In most respects, it's a familiar story. The government bans one drug (marijuana), so people seek a legal alternative (Spice). Drug war proponents then employ scare tactics claiming the alternative drug is the next big threat, and the media plays into the hype. Lawmakers hoping to appear "tough on crime" seek to ban the new drug. And the cycle continues.

**El_Gringo_Grande** · 03-09-2010, 11:38 PM

We have found the drug that allows traveling in folded of space-time?

Sweet. Muad'Dib is close at hand and the fremen will destroy the evil House Harkonnen!

**Ferris Bueller** · 03-09-2010, 11:52 PM

The pot alternatives are nothing new. People have been doing that for years. Salvia, khash, etc.

I did read an interesting story the other day though. Apparently there was some major east coast/west coast drug bust a week or so ago in which the government siezed a crapload of pot, most of which they determined was ultimately headed for colleges in florida for consumption. With some digging and simple math, some clever college kid discovered that the government spent 1.7 million bucks on the operation, but if pot was legal and taxed, at 8% tax, the amount of pot they confiscated would have netted the federal government over 2.2 million bucks in tax revenue alone.

**snooggums** · 03-10-2010, 02:42 AM

Originally Posted by Ferris Bueller

The pot alternatives are nothing new. People have been doing that for years. Salvia, khash, etc.

I did read an interesting story the other day though. Apparently there was some major east coast/west coast drug bust a week or so ago in which the government siezed a crapload of pot, most of which they determined was ultimately headed for colleges in florida for consumption. With some digging and simple math, some clever college kid discovered that the government spent 1.7 million bucks on the operation, but if pot was legal and taxed, at 8% tax, the amount of pot they confiscated would have netted the federal government over 2.2 million bucks in tax revenue alone.

Sounds like it could even have added the income tax of the people employed to transport it, have a storefront, etc that would go on top of the sales tax that is a cash only business when it is illegal.

**Extinct** · 03-17-2010, 08:15 AM

Medical Marijuana Cancer Patient Fired from Walmart

This is one of the most ridiculous marijuana related topics I have heard of in a long time. That must be against one of your constitutions or something...(if I am wrong I apologize but I still think this situation really stinks)

**snooggums** · 03-17-2010, 10:50 AM

Originally Posted by Extinct

Medical Marijuana Cancer Patient Fired from Walmart

This is one of the most ridiculous marijuana related topics I have heard of in a long time. That must be against one of your constitutions or something...(if I am wrong I apologize but I still think this situation really stinks)

That is a company specific (WalMart) issue and has nothing to do with a constitution (state or national).

**mp40x** · 03-17-2010, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by Extinct

Medical Marijuana Cancer Patient Fired from Walmart

This is one of the most ridiculous marijuana related topics I have heard of in a long time. That must be against one of your constitutions or something...(if I am wrong I apologize but I still think this situation really stinks)

Walmart just gave legalization advocates and medical marijuana supporters everything they need, a Martyr. The guy has cancer for Christ's sake, could Walmart look anymore inhumane and insensitive. Walmart should follow the lead of Starbucks - they base their store policies on state law - who allows customers to carry guns in accordance with individual open-carry state gun laws. Walmart will probably say that the insurance company will not allow the employee to be covered if they test positive for marijuana, but Walmart has tremendous purchasing power. I'm sure the insurance company would cave in if they felt they would loose the Walmart account over refusal to cover the employee, who is using marijuana legally under state law anyway.

Here's a video about the story you posted:

**snooggums** · 03-17-2010, 12:46 PM

WalMart most likely did it to be consistent from state to state, although I disagree with their decision.

When an interstate company issues policies they generally do it nationally and don't allow for local exceptions because that means that someone would be able to say that they were unfairly treated compared to another employee. If someone in Kansas, where medicinal marijuana is not legal, also had cancer and used it the same way and was fired because state law doesn't allow it to be legally used for medicinal purposes they could sue and possibly win. Instead WalMart is saying they are being consistent and are technically supported by Federal drug laws. The best outcome of this would be for it to go to court and WalMart lose the case based on their interference with a medical treatment although I think that is unlikely.

**ScratchMonkey** · 03-18-2010, 01:22 AM

Originally Posted by mp40x

Walmart just gave legalization advocates and medical marijuana supporters everything they need, a Martyr.

Not that long ago, California was locking up cancer-ridden advocates and watching them die choking in their own vomit, without creating a martyr. I don't have a lot of hope that this will help the cause.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_M...ing_sentencing

**Hambergler** · 03-23-2010, 01:02 PM

**gunjunkie** · 03-26-2010, 03:11 AM

Originally Posted by CingularDuality

If a state wants to push this issue, now is the time to do it, as the executive branch is as friendly to this issue as we've ever seen...

Yep...

http://www.mercurynews.com/politics-...nt/ci_14761492

**Extinct** · 03-26-2010, 04:23 PM

Good stuff, I am glad more of the west coast is going green

.

now.... back to my hunt for a doctor in British Columbia that isn't an ignorant prick...

**Beinseth** · 03-28-2010, 12:43 PM

I am an NCO in the military and have a handful of soldiers that I have to keep an eye on. I also have about two decades worth of experience with alcoholics, drug addicts and my own personal experience with illict, mind altering substances. And from where I stand today, I can not and would not say its alright to allow MJ or any other drug legalized. Its hard enough with alcohol legal, to keep my soldiers alive and well in this day and age. We even recently had a Captian busted off post with a DUI. I drink, but on rare occasions. I have not done or partaken in illict substances in well over a decade. But I have first hand knowledge of what it does and what the repercussions of these substances.
Professionally speaking, I dont want my soldiers to be able to use illict drugs. I want clear level headed soldiers running my comms equipment. I dont want to worry about them being able make snap descisions because they are recovering. I dont need to worry if they are becoming addicted to any of it. Its hard enough trying to keep these guys level headed with just alcohol. Dont think for a second that they wouldnt end up using other drugs just as hard. I understand that alcohol can be just as damaging as some of the other drugs out there. The US has already tried to illegalize it. Why would we want another legalized way to kill ourselves. Its funny to me, the ones that use and seem to be able to function are the ones that are pushing for legalization. its the ones that have done that and than seen what happens down the road, that are fighting the hardest.

No, I dont have statistics. No, I never bottomed out on it. Yes, I did them and than walked away. I still dont want them in my military. I dont want them around my future children. And you parents out there shouldnt either.

For those of you that might try the "guns are just as Dangerous" I can teach children to be responsible with them. I have trained hundreds of soldiers to be safe and responsible with them. I have had one Negligent Discharge from a soldier I have trained in a decade. Weapons dont alter the mind. Drugs alter the mind and cause them to use weapons in an illegal manner.

**ScratchMonkey** · 03-28-2010, 08:47 PM

As bad as drugs are in your context, are they worse than all the side effects of criminalization, such as organized crime, smuggling, neighborhood violence, selling by children, corruption of law enforcement, tainting of supplies so users die from bad mixes, overdoses due to lack of labeling, and all the social problems of people hiding their using who can't safely ask for help for fear of prison?

Thread Tools

Display