I wasn't certain where you lived, Oscar. I know it is still technically illegal throughout most of Europe, but I don't exactly follow everywhere it is legal as I have no interest in it anyhow except for what the tax on it could do for our country.

Here's my take, which holds little value like everyone else. Why even bother democracy when everyone elected is the same? But anyways,
I used to think weed was bad. It should never be legal, and everyone who touches it should be jailed.
Well, I grew up. It should be legal but taxed heavily. HEAVILY. Or at least a steady increase. I don't think its right for the gov to tell people what they can consume. Just let people make dumb decisions on their own time. So legalize pot, and let nature take those who make the decision.
I have never drank or smoked. And don't plan on it. I don't need that to calm myself. And I cannot understand why people need that stuff.

@Orka - Drinking and smoking isn't always about "calming oneself". I'm an active pipe and cigar smoker. I enjoy the experience of a pipe or cigar. I also drink the occasional single-malt scotch, single-barrel bourbon, vodka martini, sea breeze, or Mexican beer depending on what I'm eating and the environment I am in. It can be an act of socialization, an enhancement in flavor to an eaten food, or, in the case of scotch and bourbon, simply enjoying a great tasting drink and cigar together while watching the sunset and reading a good book. If they could make cigars without the nicotine and other nasty shit and vodka, scotch or bourbon without the alcohol (and still make all of them taste the same), I'd smoke and drink them. But neither has a substitute and, if non-alcoholic beer is any example, any substitutes just wouldn't taste the same. But I do drink sparkling grape juice and apple cider in place of champagne on new years eve. I don't need to be getting drunk and trying to drive home, so I choose not to drink more than one drink if I'm going to be out and not spending the night at the establishment in question.

This is all police unions' fault. sigh

" Do you believe that anything that can fuck you up should be illegal? Even if many people use it without being fucked up? Why doesn't the same reasoning apply to alcohol, tobacco and french fries?"

Hey Oscar, if you're going to bitch about me complaining about stupid analogies, don't use stupid analogies.

But it appears that's all the legalizers have to go with.

Legalizers have a funny definition of 'harmless'. Evidently 375,000 ER visits a year and causing 1 in 9 fatal traffic accidents = 'harmless'.

It's illegal pretty much everywhere except Portugal, I believe, though prosecutions for weed are almost non-existent. As an addendum, the Portuguese approach to drugs is a model well worth looking into.

That's pretty lame Putin, making up the supposed arguments of those that disagree with you and then arguing against those made up arguments as though that proves you right. I would have expected better of you.

And sure, using pot can be harmful (although in most cases it isn't). But that don't mean criminalizing its usage is gonna solve anything. If your argument is that people use it less because it is illegal then answer me this questions: how come so many people are in jail for using it? Obviously they weren't put off of it by its illegality.

In fact, tell me, what are these great results that the war on drugs have brought in reducing harm caused by pot smoking? You cry about the harmfulness of pot but you aren't even willing to consider what policies would actually be effective in reducing the harm it causes. You know what that tells me about you? That you don't care shit about people being harmed by pot addiction. So don't act as though you are concerned about them. You obviously are not.

Can we also dispose of the malarky that marijuana makes people calm or non-aggressive?

http://www.upi.com/Business_News/2006/02/01/Study-Link-between-marijuana-aggression/UPI-28721138819619/#ixzz1vBESUXf0

totally incorrect, putin has clearly never used before along with whoever made that study

I'm pretty sure that, like any other narcotic, weed can have different effects on different people. Might it make the majority of people lax or peaceful? Yes. Could it make some people aggressive? Sure.

" making up the supposed arguments of those that disagree with you and then arguing against those made up arguments as though that proves you right. I would have expected better of you."

I didn't make up anything. I was responding to the litany of posts made prior to that post in which people used the same silly analogies that you used. Try reading.

"But that don't mean criminalizing its usage is gonna solve anything."

Laws decrease demand. So if you accept that marijuana is harmful, then *yes the prohibition does something*.

"how come so many people are in jail for using it?"

They aren't. That's a widely distributed myth from the marijuana lobby.

http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/lists/top-10-marijuana-myths-and-facts-20120822/myth-prisons-are-full-of-people-in-for-marijuana-possession-19691231

"Obviously they weren't put off of it by its illegality."

Why is demand shooting up in places where it is now decriminalized and/or legal then?

Or are you one of those people that believes that if anybody continues to use an illegal product, that's obvious evidence that prohibition didn't work?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/10561837/Colorado-suffers-cannabis-shortage-week-after-legalisation.html

"You cry about the harmfulness of pot but you aren't even willing to consider what policies would actually be effective in reducing the harm it causes. "

What harm? The prohibition on marijuana has led to fewer consumers of marijuana than otherwise, fewer traffic fatalities, lower healthcare costs, and a greater likelihood that people will get treatment due to community supervision.

You've displayed that you do not care if marijuana is harmful. Those harms are worth it so long as easier access to weed is procurred.

"totally incorrect, putin has clearly never used before along with whoever made that study"

Are the pot legalizers trying to invoke petty stereotypes while simultaneously decrying the use of stereotypes?

Putin makes up arguments all the time guys...

It appears that honest debate is the only substance that legalizers oppose.

'"how come so many people are in jail for using it?"

They aren't. That's a widely distributed myth from the marijuana lobby.'

Funny how you link an article that says 40,000 people are currently locked up over their marijuana use and then say it's not that many. Well, given your lack of regards for human rights, I'm not surprised that you would consider locking up 40,000 people a small matter.

Less than half were in for marijuana offenses alone (mostly distribution) and 1% are in for possession alone. Nice of you to skip over the details and launch into your typical ad hominem attack. Funny because you whined about me supposedly calling people 'idiots' (which I never did) before any debate was had.

Putin you're full of shit.

Hit a bowl and maybe you wouldn't be so grumpy all the time.

if weed makes you nonviolent how come trayvon martin attacked george zimmerman

checkmate libertardians

Cheer up PE ..... you're too miserable !!

I don't know if you were serious but that's a good point, PE.

Oh sorry, Putin. My bad. I overestimated you. I should have said locking up 400 people is a small matter to you. Wow, that changes everything dude. I mean, yeah, locking up 40,000 people, that's surely bad. Locking up 400 of them though, now that's just completely reasonable.

Seriously though, what does it matter that most of those 40000 are convicted for other stuff than just marijuana as well? They're still serving extra time just for the marijuana issue. Given your fondness of locking people up though, I'm sure you don't mind.

Glad to see the pot legalizers will feign outrage no matter what the data show.

Putin, you and PE are too highly strung, you both need to chill out man .... irie

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/t1/s403x403/1794641_525188597596539_790327670_n.jpg

http://www.upi.com/Business_News/2006/02/01/Study-Link-between-marijuana-aggression/UPI-28721138819619/#ixzz1vBESUXf0---

this is a study about teenagers....WTF do teenagers know and who is advocating use by teenagers.......uh.....................nobody....

https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/t1/s403x403/71666_521569501291782_839504577_n.jpg

http://imgur.com/9 0B0.jpg

http://static.fjcdn.com/pictures/Trailer+park+boys.+OC_e59b20_3363008.jpeg