washingtonpost.com — The shift is widely described as generational. A Gallup poll in October found 44% of Americans favor full legalization of marijuana -- a rise of 13 points since 2000. Gallup said that if public support continues growing at a rate of 1 to 2% per year, "the majority of Americans could favor legalization of the drug in as little as four years."
Nov 23, 2009 View in Crawl 4
lindenwoldNov 24, 2009
@ Joe & Steamboat.My main problem with the argument goes back to what I have said before - the real REASONS for legalization don't seem to be prevalent in the discussion - all I hear are attacks on why it is illegal.To have a coherent argument for a bill to gain steam - you have to identify some existing problems in key areas:-Economy-Foreign Policy-Social Issues (this is where the gateway argument would fit in.)-Healthcare-SecurityWhat are some existing, prevalent problems in these areas of our country, and how (specifically) can legalization help?And what other secondary problems may legalization bring, and how can those effects be eased?This is what I am looking for in the legalization debate - and I am yet to see it from the "pro" side.Various drugs were a huge part of my life for about 8 years - so I have some knowledge on the subject. I know how some drugs can rip a family apart and cause tragedy that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. However, the same can be said for other vices such as alcohol and gambling - and they're legal.But that deference alone is not enough to make the argument.You need to tell people what specifically legalization can make better - not just that it won't make things worse.
aalmeida259Nov 24, 2009
This comment was a mistake. It was meant as a reply to CopsSayLegalize's comment but I f**ked it up. I like to think it was a little funnier that way.
Closed AccountNov 24, 2009
alright, look, this is how it is. -marijuana was made illegal through false government propoganda, but advocates for legalization cannot use that as an argument for legalization. -on the other side, prohibitionists cannot use the law itself as an argument to keep marijuana illegal.whether we like it or not, marijuana is illegal, and it has been for over 70 years. the burden of proof does in fact lie with the advocates. this is not an issue though; advocates know they have to prove it should be legal and theyve been trying to for many, Many years. so again, here are just a few facts for why i, an advocate, think it should be legal.1. marijuana kills NO ONE!!-you cannot overdose on marijuana-marijuana does not cause lung cancer(resources: none; its a widely known fact. call a hospital and ask if they ever saw an overdose of marijuana or lung cancer directly caused by smoking weed)2. marijuana has health benefits-reduced tumor size<a class="user" href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/04/070417193338.htm%29" rel="nofollow">http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/04/07041 ...</a>-relieves effects of chemotherapy<a class="user" href="http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Support/marijuana%29" rel="nofollow">http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Suppo ...</a>3. marijuana would bring in a storm of tax revenue-oakland has already implemented taxation of dispensaries, and expects a combined revenue of around $400,000 in 2010....that is taxing only 4 dispensaries in one city!<a class="user" href="http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=7851%29" rel="nofollow">http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=7851%29</a>-the california tax board estimates a $1.4 billion yearly yield if marijuana was regulated. they also expect a decline in tobacco and alcohol consumption<a class="user" href="http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=7930%29" rel="nofollow">http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=7930%29</a>4. legalization would result in an increased efficiency of police forces, court system, and prison system. this would save taxpayers up to $10 billion annually that they would be spending on arresting and prosecuting individuals.<a class="user" href="http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=3381%29" rel="nofollow">http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=3381%29</a>Now, its the prohibitionists turn to either prove my facts wrong or give their own reason for why it should remain illegal. THIS, is where trouble starts. advocates give their logical reasons for legalization. to prove marijuana should remain illegal, prohibitionists use age old propaganda which advocates quickly disprove. examples include:1. the gateway effect. We already discussed this; there is a gateway effect as a result of the blending of soft and hard drugs in a black market, as a result of prohibition.2. kids and more adults will start to smoke it. ok..? so first off, tell me whats wrong with smoking an herb; people smoke cigarettes all the time. as for kids, it will be much, MUCH harder to get. dealers dont ask for an ID! dispensaries do. and its not like there is some huge undecided majority of adults that have been waiting for 70 years for legalization so they can finally smoke a joint; whoever wants to smoke it is already smoking it now!3. its more potent now than ever! ok, so i need to smoke less of it to get the same high...right?the only legitimate argument ive heard prohibitionists mention is driving while high. how do you measure someones intoxication level and does being high have an adverse effect on driving? i invite anyone to share facts favoring prohibition, not their opinion. its depressing that marijuana has remained illegal for an entire 70 years; prohibition is ingrained in our lifestyle. the most uplifting news is that public opinion is strongly shifting towards legalization. we have been stuck in a bubble for decades, but we are finally going to pop it!
sprucecabooseNov 24, 2009
Can't deal with the world is not the same as wants to use a chemical to relax the mind/body. I can completely deal with the world. Been doing it for ages. I would just rather deal with it while happy and hungry. Live and let live, eh?
progheadNov 25, 2009
actually, aren't you implying "then you are as bad as an (alcohol) prohibitionist"?
atarioNov 25, 2009
You should become an official member of the Communist Party just to make tea-birthers' heads explode.Or, hell, just tell them you are. What, are they gonna check?
theptsNov 28, 2009
"The 60s and 70s taught a lot of people the truth about Cannabis."And also taught a lot of people some blatantly ridicoulus, expensive and dangerous lies about it.
jjamminjonNov 29, 2009
This account has been closed by the user
hidefresultsDec 1, 2009
Wow what a great amount of information about this topic. See I agree that there are much worse drugs out there and thats where the time should be spent. I mean have you ever heard someone killed for weed. I haven't. I do not agree that it is a gateway drug because people who just want to relax and find clarity in their life dont just go from marijuana to crack and meth. I think its a great thing and another step in the right direction.
cool555breezeDec 5, 2009
Marijuana prohibition is one of the largest suppliers of warm bodies to the private prison "machine" system. It's all about the money! And of course the sentencing is ludicrous - Smoke a joint, get 5 years. Rape a child, get 8 years. WTF?? Legalize it, tax it, make $$ that way and leave plenty of room in our prisons for the A holes that need to STAY in prison!
kiddgrayDec 11, 2009
I was like aww man.. an hour and 40 mins. I watched it anyways. Damn near the best hour and a half ive spent in the past month. Discovery or History needs to show this, people would demand legalization of marijuana.