Legalise the herb

[avgas]

All they`ve got to do is make it law that fags should be pink with daisies printed on them and suddenly they`re not so cool and macho.Same reasoning petty criminals should get the choice of a jail sentence or freedom.......with compulsory wearing of a pink tracksuit with "moron" printed across it for a defined period,cut out the macho image of something and it`ll lose a lot of it`s appeal,especially to the young.

Good point on the cigs (i like your style - but would girls smoke more then?), but the moron comment wouldnt work - as most of the crims you see these days allready look like morons, esp the patch lovers.
Dope smokers allready have this sentence too, hehehe

[onearmedbandit]

Well. it would appear as though I'm a victim of my own weakness, probably wont hold down a full time job for much longer, blah blah blah.

Really couldn't give a fark, I'm happy, the people in my life are happy, I'm successful in what I do so life goes on, still in a cloud of smoke.

I realise there will always be differing opinions on a subject like this one, but don't judge me until you know me. (I'm not suggesting anyone here is judging me personally, in fact I noticed no-one replied to my previous post - maybe I'm on everyones 'ignore list', but there is a lot of blind judging going on here.)

[inlinefour]

Well. it would appear as though I'm a victim of my own weakness, probably wont hold down a full time job for much longer, blah blah blah.

Really couldn't give a fark, I'm happy, the people in my life are happy, I'm successful in what I do so life goes on, still in a cloud of smoke.

I realise there will always be differing opinions on a subject like this one, but don't judge me until you know me. (I'm not suggesting anyone here is judging me personally, in fact I noticed no-one replied to my previous post - maybe I'm on everyones 'ignore list', but there is a lot of blind judging going on here.)

I don't think anyone should judge others, not their right to do so. I;'m more interested in educating others and much like my job, give them the ability to make an informed decision.

[Blakamin]

Really couldn't give a fark, I'm happy, the people in my life are happy, I'm successful in what I do so life goes on, still in a cloud of smoke.

I, for one, am happy for ya, seriously... if you can find something you enjoy that doesn't hurt your family and you can afford it... go for it... I hope nothing in your situation changes and it becomes a problem...
I was just referring to the situations I have seen change... like my cousin... shit, he's been smoking for 15 years and even grew his own but his situation changed... he got sicker with his kidneys failing, moved back to his parents and then lost his leg... his smoking was never a problem for anyone (ok, his parents dont like it) but now it is... now it has affected my relationship with him... he didnt mean it to, but it has... shit, the guy has probably only got a couple of years to live and now that he wont talk to me, that's time wasted... I never said I wouldn't score for him.. I cant... I dont know anybody and, really, I just dont have the time or inclination to be around that scene again (dealers, waiting, credit, undersize etc..)... he can't see it that way... so his smoking is affect people who care without him realising... I think it sux, but de-criminalising it wont change that fact... and as for becoming legal and buying it in shops... aint gunna happen in my lifetime! too much shit involved

[El Dopa]

Personally I'm not angel either and have not touched the stuff for over a decade now. I tell you that if I knew half of what I know now, then I would have never touched the stuff. The facts are:
If an individual has the genetic link of any type of thought disorder, then using cannabis is only going to make it worse (the more used the worse it'll get). If someone who does not have the genetic link and somes enough of it, they can become psychotic also. There are more health disadvantages by far than any percieved or actual health benefits from using cannabis.
Now at the risk of getting in more hot water (and you cannot bad rep me at present) I think that only an ignorant individual would want to legalise or decrimalise cannabis. Only a person who is thinking of their own wants would be that low and arrogant. Personally I think that the penalties should be increased (as in any unlawfull act) as to make it undesirable to repeat the action. I would go as far as to say that the Police, in my opinion should continue with their spraying program that NORML is getting so upset with. In that way a deterrant can continue and if your dumb enough to get sick, so be it.
Now, as far as the concept of pain relief and medical use. I don't have a problem with that. However once agin suspect that there will be plenty of individuals that wish to abuse this right, thus making it pointless to persue the option. IF, it was to happen, it would not be the "smoking" kind, but actually in capsule form to swallow. Many of users I suspect would be unimpressed with that and want to smake the contents of the capsule, thus ruining it for all others.
Now for the Netherlands, who have allowed cannabis use with rather loose laws covering the subject. They are and do admit that the whole concept has been less than successfull, with a major hard drug problem as a result. I have even heard of the government wanting to take a reversal in policy and again outlaw the use of cannabis. However so far, they have been unsuccessfull with that attempt, but are still trying.
The problem with this debate that there is much information regarding cannabis, unfortunately alot is not credible as those who what cannabis create their own research to reinforce their opinion. Drug companies have been doing this for along time and the concept is not new. The actual health benefits are there, but the actual amount of cannabis needed is very small per day and would be far less that satisfactory to a regular user along with being the wrong method (i.e. swallowing Vs smoking). It becomes a unhealthy act, using cannabis in larger proportions. I suspect that if I was given one dollar for every service user who has become unwell and presented to the Mental Health Services on each occasion stating that they have been using cannabis (yes there is other factors for their relapse) I would not have long before I could go and pick up a new 2005 CBR1000RR and not that long before I could start buying them for others.
Everyone who does want cannabis legalised or decriminalised, ask yourself why. is it just for your own wants or is it for the better of society. If you choose the latter then please explain why it would be.

I don't see why anyone would want to bad rep you for stating an opinion. I'm actually bloody pleased that this thread has seen a high level of intelligent, well-thought out arguments for and against. It must be the calming effects of the subject matter......

To address two of your points:

1) OK, there is maybe a small element of selfishness in my desire to see a more logical approach to the global drug problem (and, yes, it is a problem). If, totally hypothetically speaking, I get caught at a party with a joint in my hand, I don't want it to effect the rest of my life, lose me my job etc etc etc. Similarly, if I wished to purchase a small amount in any form (eat or smoke), so I can chill out on a Saturday night, I'd like to be able to do so without 1) giving money to organised crime, 2) possibly buying something that is shit and has been sprayed with toxic weedkiller, 3) I don't want it to effect the rest of my life, lose me my job etc etc. And what is wrong with wanting any of those? I'm hurting no-one but myself (assuming it were legal), and probably doing myself less long-term damage than if I was drinking heavily on a Saturday.

2) Prohibition demonstably doesn't work. It created more long term problems than it solved in the US in the '20's with booze, and the 'war on drugs' continues to be a complete failure. You make a good point about the Dutch experience, but I'd suggest that they might not have so much of a problem if they weren't within easy reach of the rest of Europe, wit porous border, and weren't the only country with such liberal laws.

I'd suggest, crudely speaking, that a much better apprach would be for governments to gain revenue from it, to regulate it, and to use that money to fund education, research, rehabilitation, enforcement etc etc. Rather than spending taxpayers monet tryigng to turn back an unstoppable tide. The only reason there is a supply is because the demand is HUGE. Prohibition is about as effective in dealing with that as it is trying to tell people not to have a sex drive.

[El Dopa]

I'm not suggesting anyone here is judging me personally, in fact I noticed no-one replied to my previous post - maybe I'm on everyones 'ignore list', but there is a lot of blind judging going on here.

I think everyone incorporated their replies into more general posts. I doubt you're on anyone's ignore list.

[avgas]

I don't think anyone should judge others, not their right to do so. I;'m more interested in educating others and much like my job, give them the ability to make an informed decision.

Yeh too right, sorry if people thought i was judgeing them - cos im not that way.
I believe its up to one'self to judge themselves. I did, found my life to be shit, and turned it around. Anyone else here reckon adrenillin rushes are the best drug? I decided that if i were gonna die, i wasnt going to be slowly for a boring addiction. Out with a bang i say.

[avgas]

just reflected on all the post's here and came across a good point in my head.
If motorcycling became illegal:
a) how many of you would stop riding?
b) how dangerous would riding become?
c) how much would you all risk for riding?
I know this sounds rediculous, but it places you into the shoes of a dope smoker
and for them it is illegal and real.

[Blakamin]

just reflected on all the post's here and came across a good point in my head.
If motorcycling became illegal:
a) how many of you would stop riding?
b) how dangerous would riding become?
c) how much would you all risk for riding?
I know this sounds rediculous, but it places you into the shoes of a dope smoker
and for them it is illegal and real.

a bit different as it was legal in the first place...
if it was never legal, I dont think that many would be doing it without being caught

so from those views it is toatally impossibe to relate the 2... most people cant ride a motorcycle in their own home... or in their cage... or at a concert......


do I have to write "piss take"?

[spudchucka]

What was the thread about again?

Has your short term memory gone to pot??

[spudchucka]

My nephew is a bi-polar paranoid shcitzoprhenic with and addiction to dope... not long ago he tried to kill my sister... only takes dope, dont drink, dont touch "P"... he wasnt diagnosed until after smoking for about 4 years....

my brother dealt weed for 10 years.. only job he had.. in 1993 he "discovered" heroin.... he's been a addict ever since.... I tried to help him by giving him a roof when he got out of jail... they only released him coz I owned my house... that little experiment cost me my house, my job, my friends and a fair bit of my sanity for a while....

My cousin is addicted to weed too... as he has one leg he cant go score himself and his connection has changed islands... he went nuts at me last week coz I wont score for him...

I've never been an angel... I've had my problems too and weirdly, dope wasnt one of them... (puts me to sleep)

I dont think it should be decriminalised... nothing changes...
it still causes violence (between dealers, customers and couples)
it causes accidents (best mates brother in Aus got stoned, fell asleep and killed someone)
and it stresses out families that cant afford it....

btw, have also seen heroin and coke addicts hold down high paying jobs (owning BMW's etc in melbourne). It wont last forever tho....

The voice of experience always speaks the wisest words. Its funny how our experiences shape our attitudes.

[Drunken Monkey]

a bit different as it was legal in the first place...[/SIZE]

avgas' example was extreme, but his point is valid. Smoking/posession of marijuana (and opium) were _not_ always illegal, although they have been for quite some time. Marijuana was made illegal across the USA in 1937 (www.marijuana.com et al) . I can't find the data for GB, but I recall Marijuana and Opium were both still legal drugs during Victorian times.

As for making it medicinal, thats bullshit - yes it does work, but the addictive content makes it not worth it. If you really want your body natural, you would build your own tollerance to pain, and take less addictive forms of natural pain killers (yes they do exist - im on them now, and they fucken work). Ive seen too many ACC benificeries using their pain as an excuse to smoke dope - this is bullshit, they are addicted. Come on guys, have some pride in yourself and work towards something, pain is only the way the world tells you that your goal is great, without it you will never succceed.

Well I can assure you that humans are much more physiologically at risk of developing addictions to Morphine and Codeine than they are to THC (www.pharmacy.umaryland.edu et al), but that doesn't stop doctors prescribing either of these day to day.

Well. it would appear as though I'm a victim of my own weakness, probably wont hold down a full time job for much longer, blah blah blah.

Some anti-drugs people are as much a victim of 'peer pressure' as some drug takers. They're just as incapable of seeing a moderate middle ground. I even get attacked and labelled as a druggie/stoner just because I show some academic support for legalisation, despite the fact the number of times I've been stoned can be counted on both hands. Just mention in passing you've smoked weed, and the image you've described will pop into people's heads because that is what has been drilled into them.

[Drunken Monkey]

...Same reasoning petty criminals should get the choice of a jail sentence or freedom.......with compulsory wearing of a pink tracksuit with "moron" printed across it for a defined period,cut out the macho image of something and it`ll lose a lot of it`s appeal,especially to the young.

It would be a funny sight, indeed. That might work work for a little while, then one day all the kiddies will see the bad-ass criminals wearing their pink frocks and moron name tags and want to be like them. Then it will become fashion. Ugh, scary stuff...

[Sniper]

It would be a funny sight, indeed. That might work work for a little while, then one day all the kiddies will see the bad-ass criminals wearing their pink frocks and moron name tags and want to be like them. Then it will become fashion. Ugh, scary stuff...

You just had to go and say something like that.

Now I wont be able to sleep for a week for fear of the evil leprechauns in pink frocks and fashion trend setters will sodomize me in my sleep

[Biff]

As a Jonny foreigner far be it for me to tell you what and would not be legal here. But I'm going tell you what I think, know and have observed anyway, even though most have already been covered:

1. Cannabis is harmful. Smoking it is bad for your lungs. Ingesting it by any means numbs your brain, causes short term memory loss and lethargy. This can be very bad, particularly for youg uns as they can lose the will to get off their arses and make a life for themselves. However, if an adult choses to smoke cannabis then I think it's ridiculous to do so makes them a criminal. (I have and I enjoyed it). Everything in moderation.

2. Decriminalising the consumption of cannabis makes far more sense to me than legalising it. The laws of the land have many functions, one of those functions is to reflect what the majority of the population find socially acceptable. Groups of kids stoned out of their tree's, sitting at home and playing their X-Boxes all day is not socially acceptable. Get them out, get them a job, then when they've grown up they can have a little toke at the weekends or maybe instead of a beer when they get home at night if they so desire.

3. My UK cop buddies love patrolling the areas surrounding those nightclubs/pubs associated with drug taking. Because there is very rarely any fights and everybody is either "loved up" on E's or too stoned to be arsed to do anything remotely energetic.

3. Cannabis does not push you on to harder drugs, unless you count tobacco. Socialising and coming into contact with the more unsavoury members of society that sell cannabis might.

4. Where can I buy some?