War on Drugs: Officially a Failure.

[the chi]

So why is the govt so against marijuana? It seems as if they put too much emphasis on it, while things like Meth, Heroine and Coke are so much worse...

[goof2]

Originally Posted by dubbs

Whose to say that weed was what did it? Could it have been alcohol or nicotine?

Out of people that i know, the ones that do the hard drugs don't smoke weed. Sure, they did it when they were younger.. but they also smoked cigs (still do) and all of them drink (heavily). But they don't smoke weed at all. The people that I know that smoke weed.. only do that.. Some smoke cigs, some don't.. Not all drink either. So I don't really think there is a direct relation.

I think it just has to do with their personality. If weed wasn't there it would go - Cigs -> Beer -> then coke -> pills -> or whatever.

The people I know well who occasionally use hard drugs (4) all smoke weed multiple times a day. They also drink and take prescription drugs when they can get them. What is funny is one of them doesn't smoke and he criticizes smokers for their disgusting habit. I don't hang out with them too much because they are collectively a train wreck.

[Kaneman]

Originally Posted by The Chi

I wasnt talking about you getting that part of it goober, I was talking about the Capt. Hook part.

Im not going to argue with you dude, Im trying to have a civil and interesting conversation, not get into a debate on whys or why someone else is wrong.

You are still however talking about LEGAL items, regardless of their content, they are still legal.

Civil? How have I been anything other than civil with you? I'm having a conversation, same as any. In fact, you have called numerous names, which doesn't bother me at all, but there it is. You jumped into this thread and posted opposing viewpoints, which is awesome because that's what a forum is for. But please don't feel negative feelings because someone chose to engage you on those opinions.

I will never understand what people think "legal" has to do with anything, as if the laws are always correct and absolute. It would be similiar to saying that Harriet Tubman should've served her time in prison because what she did was illegal. Or that Britain should've executed Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, etc. The laws are irrelevant for the purpose of this conversation when used as an absolute illustration, because that is in fact what we're debating.

Remember, my post is regarding the War on Drugs being a failure with a focus on how the laws themselves have failed us.

Originally Posted by The Chi

So why is the govt so against marijuana? It seems as if they put too much emphasis on it, while things like Meth, Heroine and Coke are so much worse...

Read up on it, or watch "Grass" with Woody Harrellson. There is an amazing and disgusting back story to all this.

[dubbs]

Originally Posted by The Chi

So why is the govt so against marijuana? It seems as if they put too much emphasis on it, while things like Meth, Heroine and Coke are so much worse...

Your guess is as good as mine..

[Kaneman]

Originally Posted by dubbs

Your guess is as good as mine..

There's no need to guess, it is all very well documented.

[the chi]

I am not that interested. I was hoping you'd give us the short version since you are apparently so well versed on the matter.

You want to argue about vewipoints but not the actaul discussion material...

[dubbs]

Originally Posted by Kaneman

There's no need to guess, it is all very well documented.

True.. I meant as far as how dangerous it is to people..

not the economic and political reasons..

[dubbs]

I didn't know about Marc Emery.. that's so fucked up.. How the hell will that hold up in court? Isn't Canada supposed to be the one charging him?

[the chi]

I havent read the case file, but it will probably hold up the same way the case against those Seals was(cuz the murdering terrorist got a fat lip). Ridiculously and erroneously.

[anthonyk]

Originally Posted by The Chi

I think the gateway drug debate is an interesting one tho. I honestly think it depends on the personality involved. I have an acquaintance who was very seriously hooked on cocaine at one point and she very much swears that it was weed that led her to it and got her into the life. She has a very addictive personality and will admit to it.

Im the same way. Part of my decision to never use drugs and rarely drink is because I have such an addictive personality I know if I were to try it or use it constantly I might become hooked. Kinda like the track. I start itching anytime Im near one.

I think one could make a pretty compelling argument that the (il)legal status of marijuana is the real gateway. If you have to interface with the illegal drug world just to get pot, you're likely to get exposed to other, harder drugs.

I'd like to see numbers that show that medicinal marijuana users are also subject to the same gateway effect. I doubt that's the case.