My concern with legalization is the effect it could have on those that want nothing to do with it. If I'm sitting in a bar, I don't have to worry that I will become intoxicated by the beer being consumed by the guy next to me. Not the same story if I'm sitting in a room with a pot smokers. I do think if someone is smoking it in their own home they should be left alone and not thrown in jail.

Aqua---They could have smoking&non-smoking areas,like they
do with tobacco now.Or better yet,it won't bother you if you don't
go into establishments with alcohol.One thing that I learned when
quitting alcohol,is that altho,most people don't want to admit it"
Alcohol is a drug!Ask me,I had a withdrawl,when my bodie was
deprived of something,that it had had for years.The 15th was 11yrs,3mo since I stopped! Irish

In my town you can't smoke in any public place. Not even a bar Irish.

Lilith---The Radio sta. that has MOST of the Talk Shows that I
listen to,is in Mass.Some of the towns there,are the same way.
I was listening to a show,the other day.A Resturant owner was
complaining about that.He has establishments in adjoining towns.
One town made it illegal to smoke anywhere.He said that his business,has dropped by 35% in that town,but has increased by
20%,in the adjoining town.He was complaining that the state should make it uniform! Irish

Legal yes...tax it...

The tobacco smoking laws are stupid too, if its that bad for ya ban it, dont screw around making smokers evil.

Marijuana should be legal to use,sell and grow and not just for medicinal purposes. It is long over due.Not only that,but the other drugs,(none of which I have ever used) should be decriminalized.The use of other drugs like heroin and cocaine should be treated as a medical problem with every oppertuntity to stop the use and detox,not as a criminal activity.This would go far to reduce the prison population.

What the Govt. never seems to realise,is that there wouldn't
be anyone selling or bringing things into the country,if there
wasn't a demand(market)!I agree pretty much,with STO on
making things illegal,except that I often wonder:Who is the
Govt. to decide what you should have,and what not.As I told
a Dr. once.I would rather do the things that I enjoyed then
what they tell me&just exist.If my life is shortened by 5yrs,so
what?Who wants to exist& be miserable?! Irish

I think they should leagalize it - definately. I guarantee legalaztion would cut down on the number of smokers and the number of drug crimes. In addition - it would make it easier for myself and my fellow pot heads!

The alcohol does not bother me. It does not affect ME to have people drink around me. People smoking around me does affect me. If I want to go out to a pub and throw darts are shoot pool, I should be allowed to enjoy that freedom without having to worry about getting high from the people at the table next to me. That is the point I was making.

Aqua, I agree with you on this, I am one of the anti-smoking Nazi's, have just never understood it. I just hate the two sides the gov takes on it...1st its bad horrid stuff and kills and stinks and second hand smoke does all these nasty things...but wait....we can TAX it and make money...and the farmers are hurting so lets give them a stipend per plant and on and on....

Ban it or legalize no half ass in between.

Yes I think it should be legalised. Most of my friends have at some time used it. Some as a form of self medication (MS) and others because it "takes the pain away" without having to use prescribed anti depressent drugs which have adverse effects on them. Like any substance or set of circumstances, the variable is in how the individual reacts ~~~~~~~psychologically or physically.
I have nursed people who have been screwed up by hash~~~~~~~paranoia, deterioration of mental state (underlying mental health issues) and also have seen how the use of hash has improved the quality of life for people in sever pain.
People will continue to miss use and abuse all sorts of things whatever the "legal status"
So~~~~~~unless there is a ban on all things that may cause harm (alchohol,guns, plastic syringes!!!!!), I feel that it should be legalised~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~and as for stronger drugs~~~~~~well thats a whole other story!!!!!

Honestly, I can see both sides of this question. I tend to come down on the side of legalization...but I honestly don't think it's the most important issue facing mankind.

What do aggrivate me are half assed, noncommital policies that suggest that use should be legal but selling shouldn't. Hypocracy pisses me off. Do it. Don't do it. Whatever. Don't faff about trying to please everyone.

Oh, AND, if you keep it illegal....make the punishment fit the harmless crime. Don't put people in jail because they've got a joint in their pocket.

(Ginge wanders off grumbling about the silly people in charge of the world, wonders when she gets her chance to run the place at long last ;) )

The driving aspect has me thinking . . . I know lots of people who drive after a joint and they're fine. I don't think the Ontario police are worried about someone driving after smoking a jay.

Some of the law enforcement people could advise me otherwise . . .

No....
 

I find nothing desirous about legalizing pot. I have no desire to see the legalized "stoning" of America....our kids would run to it in a heartbeat.

I know it is legal in other countries. I just don't think it would be good for the US culture.

No thanks....


rabbit

I think it definately should be legal. I mean it's a fucking plant for god's sake. No one has ever ODed on it before and it really doesn't have any major risks. It would also reduce the crime rate if it were legal. And it's much safer than alcohol.