Debate

answer this question

Debate Question

Do you think cannabis should be legalised (if it isn't already legal where you live) ?

Personally I think cannabis should be legalised simply because with the large amount of people that use it for religious and/or recreational purposes, what negative difference will it make if it is legal.

For those who use cannabis for religious and faith purposes, legalising it would allow them to have an easier time getting without the risk of being charged/persecuted for having possession of it.
For those who use cannabis recreationally, most only use it because of the fact that it is an illegal drug. It's human nature; we want things that we can't have.
Also it has been noted to have some medical properties being used for things like analgesia and glaucoma. It's healthier than smoking a cigarette and has a relatively lower need for dependence on it; yet cigarettes are perfectly legal. The only difference between the two is that one gives you a "high".
When I say cannabis I mean the purer forms that aren't mixed. So no cheese, haze, skunk etc. I don't agree with that shit.

What would happen if it was legal ? Less criminal problems maybe or a decreased amount of drug traffickers ?
Who knows, you can only try.

(I don't use cannabis but I don't have a problem with people who do as many of my friends use it)
Do you think cannabis should be legalised (if it isn't already legal where you live) ?
 Ryuuikari posted over a year ago
next question »

Debate Answers

Cinders said:
Let's see... I've spoken on this point link, link, link and even link.

But to summarize -

Marijuana enforcement costs US taxpayers $7.5 BILLION a YEAR. And that statistic is directly from the Office of National Drug Control Policy. AND marijuana is our country's number one cash crop (Gettman 2006) - that's more money than alcohol and tobacco combined just sitting there, doing nothing (personal opinion, not statistic).

Additionally: Annual deaths attributed to marijuana:

Alcohol: 438,000
Cigarettes: 21,000
Marijuana: 0

(That's from the Department of Health and Human Services)

So with all the money we're spending on prohibition, and with all the money we're losing by not taxing this valuable cash crop, is prohibition really WORTH it???

"The great myth of prohibition is that prohibition doesn't control drugs, it gives up the right to control drugs."-- Sanho Tree, Institute for Policy Studies

Also, there's link, the full 30-minute Rick Steves argument, the first third of which may be viewed below.
 select as best answer
posted over a year ago 
dreamfields said:
Legalising it could have some benefits. If it was, I think it should be available through licensed providers. The government could regulate quality and safety. They could tax it for revenue. I think they would have to determine guidelines such as a legal limit for blood cannabis limit. There would some that would abuse it, while others would be responsible. (Just like alcohol.) I am not, and will not be a user. I think before putting forth legislation, studies of where it is legalised would have to be done. It's one of those things that once you make legal, it would be very hard to change back to the way things were.
 select as best answer
posted over a year ago 
*
I agree with you. I think if legalised, it would become something along the lines of alchohol
Ryuuikari posted over a year ago
Xeginy said:
I think it should be legalized. There's no good reason why it isn't, and it can potentially provide the government with a steady revenue stream (like the tax on cigarettes and liquor.) Plus, if we start growing it in big enough batches, then the hemp itself could also potentially be used for useful products like paper, rope and cloth.

I've heard that the timber industry is against marijuana being legalized, because hemp can be used for many products that the timber industry has got a monopoly on right now. I've never heard this verified, though; I suspect it might just be another one of those conspiracy theories with no root. Has anyone else heard about it?
 select as best answer
posted over a year ago 
Animeanimal said:
I think it should be but carefully regulated. Of course if you had it under lock and key only for those who needed it, then there would sure to be some daredevil people trying to get it illegaly again.....so just legalize it and the 'thrill' for the dealers may go down.
select as best answer
posted over a year ago 
ecpjll said:
Yes...because I smoke it all the time. But no too-because the minute it's legalized the government will be regulating it-and will raise the price. It's expensive enough as is. So no-keep it illegal. I have no problem breaking such a minor law.
 select as best answer
posted over a year ago 
next question »
Cookies help us bring you Fanpop. By using Fanpop, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn More Got It!