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JonUK · (This post was last modified: 12-18-2008 07:37 PM by JonUK.)

Just to put in my two cents -

Medical use aside, I would certainly look to legalise MJ, not only is it far less dangerous than Alcohol and Tabacco, but it would also generate huge levels of Taxation for the government and at the same time reduce casual violence and the cost of policing city centres - Stoners rarely bottle (UK Colloq. v. To strike another with a bottle with the intent to cause harm) people for spilling their spliff (not sure if this is a UK or global term. n. A joint or MJ cigarette)!

hidden · 06-18-2008, 07:20 AM

I suppose it should be legal. The income from tax on this drug would be great. And for being a drug it is not a very dangerous one compared to others.

tsmaster · 07-05-2008, 04:08 AM

Absolute rubbish.

Cannabis can lead to use of other drugs, which may be far more dangerous (such as heroin). Most heroine/crack/etc drug users all started off with alcohol, smoking, cannabis and things that may have not seemed bad to them.

I doubt the taxes would be anything compared to the strain on health services from the increase in drug abuse.

Niki L · (This post was last modified: 07-27-2008 12:41 PM by Niki L.)

You are absolutely right, tsmaster. Like you say, cannabis can work as a gateway drug for some people. I have read about some reported cases where cannabis has been the first drug used by a teenager, and after a few months, heroine or cocaine has been introduced to the teenager who hasn't been aware of the dangers of the new, "heavenly" drug he/she was given by the negligent drug dealers.

sunken · (This post was last modified: 07-28-2008 04:34 PM by sunken.)

I certainly agree that it should be made available as a medical drug, just as heroine and oxycontin are. There is no reason why people should suffer needlessly if there is something that can help them, or be forced to buy it illegally where it is potentially more dangerous.

I don't know if I agree with the gateway drug theory. Those people who get into heroine or crack would get into it regardless of whether they started with alcohol or marijuana. These are people looking for these types of self-medication and it would be just as easy for them to step on the second step first, as it is to start on the first step.

NikiL Wrote:You are absolutely right, tsmaster. Like you say, cannabis can work as a gateway drug for some people. I have read about some reported cases where cannabis has been the first drug used by a teenager, and after a few months, heroine or cocaine has been introduced to the teenager who hasn't been aware of the dangers of the new, "heavenly" drug he/she was given by the negligent drug dealers.

But then on the other hand, if it was legal, then there wouldn't be negligent drug dealers. The drug would be regulated for stores and such just as alcohol and tobacco is and manufactured by regular companies, rather than by a guy with a grow house.

I do think though that people who are looking to self-medicate, which often teenagers are trying to escape their angst, through drugs would wind up taking heroine or cocaine regardless of whether they took marijuana or not initially. They are usually introduced to a multitude of drugs in their lives and would say no, if not so inclined toward that need.

IdioEspalon · (This post was last modified: 09-06-2008 05:13 PM by Jed K.)

Personally, I don't agree with any kind of drugs.

However, if there's a low casualty rate then I don't see why it can't be legalised - alcohol and cigarettes account for most deaths throughout the world, yet they are both legal and very much accessible. It might also rid of the shady drug dealers and back alley dealings which could potentially decrease the risk of being stabbed or robbed.

JonUK · (This post was last modified: 12-18-2008 07:56 PM by JonUK.)

(07-05-2008 04:08 AM)tsmaster Wrote: Cannabis can lead to use of other drugs, which may be far more dangerous (such as heroin). Most heroine/crack/etc drug users all started off with alcohol, smoking, cannabis and things that may have not seemed bad to them.

So by your argument, tabacco and alcohol should be illegal too, correct?

Quote:It might also rid of the shady drug dealers and back alley dealings which could potentially decrease the risk of being stabbed or robbed.

In my experience most cannabis dealers, at least at the end-user level, (the final distributors if you will) are completely ordinary people with day jobs and responsibilities and never deal anything else. Now obviously further up the food chain other drugs will be involved, and smugglers and other enterprises responsible for supply will be also be responsible for other crimes.

But I submit Howard Marks as an example of a drug dealer (and smoker and smuggler) who was the largest smuggler of cannabis into the UK for a considerable period of time, whose career never involved any other drugs (at least not dealing them) and as far as anyone knows never involved any stabbings either.