Don Brash: "We should decriminalise marijuana"

[imdying]

It is a medically proven fact that smoking causes cancer

Well that's not true. Cigarettes are merely one of many factors that can increase the incidence of lung cancer. If you've never been exposed to cigarette smoke you can still get lung cancer. Even if you only look at the statistics for the heaviest of smokers, you're still only looking at less than 6% ever getting lung cancer.

[Clockwork]

It is a medically proven fact that smoking causes cancer, so to knowingly take up smoking in the face of this, what does that say about the person?

This may be so but.....



Not everyone who smokes gets cancer......


Not everyone who has cancer has smoked.....



Where does that leave us?

Well that's not true. Cigarettes are merely one of many factors that can increase the incidence of lung cancer. If you've never been exposed to cigarette smoke you can still get lung cancer. Even if you only look at the statistics for the heaviest of smokers, you're still only looking at less than 6% ever getting lung cancer.

Edit. Oops should read to the end before putting my oar in.

[Mad-V2]

It is a medically proven fact that smoking causes cancer, so to knowingly take up smoking in the face of this, what does that say about the person?

Carcinogens are all around us, they cause cancer. You know X-Rays can give you cancer and yet you have had them done, Grilling meat can create carcinogens similar those found in cigarettes, but I bet you will have a few Bar-B's this summer, and maybe you'll sink a beer or two aswell, beer can cause cancer.
Even the Sun will give you cancer, you know that it does and yet you go out under it every other day. What does that say about you?

[blackdog]

It is a medically proven fact that smoking causes cancer, so to knowingly take up smoking in the face of this, what does that say about the person?

You have conveniently forgotten my post regarding hydrators and cookies. Fuck I'm getting sick of this.

[mashman]

I was driving legally and safely with my vehicle up to standard and in fact better than standard. Th e SCU apportioned no blame to me or teh vehicle but concluded I slipped on oil that was invisible in the rain. As I said, life sucks at times.

But the argument here is about legalising Cannabis for personal use. If you want it legalised for personal use, lobby the lawmakers. But to claim there is nothing else that is a legal alternative is wrong and to deny the medical evidence flies in the face of reason and can do your cause no good at all.

One can rationalise almost any viewpoint, but stick to facts and honesty. It is your choice to use Cannabis because you want to and you can't seek to justify it against the factual evidence and expect people to support you.

All you can do is to simply say, "I choose cannabis to do what I want and that's the end of the argument."

It's still the most dangerous form of transport on the road and I shouldn't have to pay for you taking that risk. Are you denying the facts? Aye, it sucks more than you can possibly imagine. You've had it easy in comparison to a lot of people.


Not it's not, it's about decriminalisation. I would lobby the lawmakers, but as successive attempts have been swatted away based on the ignorance and 1 side of the science, I reckon I'd get the same result as the smacking bill... most of the votes, and ignored by govt irrespective. I didn't deny the medical evidence, but you seem to if it doesn't align with your research. Unless of course you read the pro-marijuana evidence also. In which case, why did you dismiss it?

Why would I search for something else, when I know that there is a substance available that grows naturally without additives, preservatives, e-numbers, and hasn't been synthesised by morons who believe that it's safer to synthesise a solution (by removign what is perceived as useless "components"), so long as you list the side-effects on the box. Every medication does, your health professional would also point this out to you. I know the affects of marijuana on my body, and it responds very well to my physical needs. I'm surprised that your first thought, about my "irritibility" went to straight to cigarettes and not to my sleeping issues... which no doubt you'll blame on cigarettes too. I have all of the evidence I need Ed, both good and bad... What more do I need to know?

That's all I should have to say. I know it works and would rather not run the gambit of the medical professions trial and error, potentially causing me more harm than good.

[Mad-V2]

Also I'd like to thank Don Brash for raising the issue and creating a well overdue nationwide disscusion on the subject.
Even though it will take a lot more than that to get my vote.
NICE ONE

[scumdog]

If decriminalised it immediately takes away the criminal element. No more gang involvement, no more guns to protect crops, no more money going back into the hands of those that are an actual danger to society.

.

Great, legalise pot and the gangs will almost die out cos they've no stuff to sell/protect/get an income from, life will be SO much safer eh!

I wonder who will take over selling 'P' and shit like that??

No! not the gangs surely???

[blackdog]

Great, legalise pot and the gangs will almost die out cos they've no stuff to sell/protect/get an income from, life will be SO much safer eh!

I wonder who will take over selling 'P' and shit like that??

No! not the gangs surely???

Of course the gangs control all the P already scummy I would have thought of all people you would realise that.

If you remove the cannabis arrow from their quiver surely that makes them weaker? It is the LARGEST source of income for gangs in NZ, by decriminalising mary jane you are inhibiting their income stream where it hurts the most. ie/- no pot money coming in equals no capital to spend on meth manufacture.

Cannibis becoming legal would by far be the biggest coup against organised crime in NZ since the implementation of fingerprinting.

[scumdog]

Of course the gangs control all the P already scummy I would have thought of all people you would realise that.

If you remove the cannabis arrow from their quiver surely that makes them weaker? It is the LARGEST source of income for gangs in NZ by decriminilising mary jane you are inhibiting their income stream where it hurts the most. ie/- no pot money coming in equals no capital to spend on meth manufacture.

Pfft..You would have to be Polly-fuckin'-Anna to believe THIS clap-trap.

I'm off to my little glass pipe where I might get more sense than THAT last post.e sense.

[Scuba_Steve]

Of course the gangs control all the P already scummy I would have thought of all people you would realise that.

If you remove the cannabis arrow from their quiver surely that makes them weaker? It is the LARGEST source of income for gangs in NZ by decriminilising mary jane you are inhibiting their income stream where it hurts the most. ie/- no pot money coming in equals no capital to spend on meth manufacture.

unfortunately weed is "pocket money" or "chump change" to them, they really have little interest in it at the end of the day, thats left for the low ranks to deal with.

[blackdog]

Pfft..You would have to be Polly-fuckin'-Anna to believe THIS clap-trap.

I'm off to my little glass pipe where I might get more sense than THAT last post.e sense.

You needn't be insulting about it. I am happy to be educated if I'm wrong. If not for the million lbs of weed they move each year what is their main source of income?

[Shadowjack]

Of course the gangs control all the P already scummy I would have thought of all people you would realise that.

If you remove the cannabis arrow from their quiver surely that makes them weaker? It is the LARGEST source of income for gangs in NZ by decriminilising mary jane you are inhibiting their income stream where it hurts the most. ie/- no pot money coming in equals no capital to spend on meth manufacture.

So, let me see:
It's (marijuana, that is) my largest income stream;
I have access (if not outright control of) to the manufacture and distribution streams;
It's currently illegal, but my customer base is agitating/lobbying to make it not illegal.
What could I possibly do to protect my business.....

There's already models in place to study how to do this, aren't there. That's right, that man deserves a DB!

Seriously, you expect the current distributors to get out of a major earner because it may become legal...

[blackdog]

unfortunately weed is "pocket money" or "chump change" to them, they really have little interest in it at the end of the day, thats left for the low ranks to deal with.

Citation needed.

[blackdog]

I'm off to my little glass pipe where I might get more sense than THAT last post.e sense.

Well back to the debate at hand, wouldn't removing any form of income be beneficial in the long run?

[imdying]

Cannibis becoming legal would by far be the biggest coup against organised crime in NZ since the implementation of fingerprinting.

Did legalising prostitution help reduce their revenue streams? Could be worth finding out. Although, that would require legalisation instead of decriminalisation?