Legalization

[GotWake88]

What do you think are the main things slowing legalization down?

I think it's mainly economical. Certain industries(alcohol industry, tobacco industry, textile industry, oil indudtry, etc.) would suffer if cannabis were legalized(because cannabis is so damn useful!); so they lobby to the government to keep it illegal.

Another main factor is that, were the government to legalize cannabis, first they would have to admit that they were wrong in criminalizing it to begin with. And I'm sure you know that our government is slow to admit when it's wrong(look at how long it took for them to formally apologize for imprisoning japanese-americans during WWII).

Other than this and a few other factors, there's really no reason for any government not to legalize it. They would benefit immensely from the taxes it would bring in. And if it were licensed and sold like acohol is, it would effectively separate the markets for soft drugs and hard drugs(So instead of going to a drug dealer for cannabis, you would go to a Walgreens).

Any thoughts?

[LIP]

The government are lying, cheating, corrupt cunts.

They've force fed the public so much bullshit that if they legalised it, they'd have to admit they were lying. THEN people would question if they were lying about anything else.

People wouldnt vote.

The government is fucked.

One day, the younger generatioin will be in power, and maybe then they'll do the right thing.

[Immolation]

Weed has been effectively demonized.everyone pictures your stereotypical Stoner/couch potato and believes everyone who smokes will be exactly like that.They won't believe any Facts that are presented in favor of MJ.:mad:

[GotWake88]

The government are lying, cheating, corrupt cunts.

They've force fed the public so much bullshit that if they legalised it, they'd have to admit they were lying. THEN people would question if they were lying about anything else.

People wouldnt vote.

The government is fucked.

One day, the younger generatioin will be in power, and maybe then they'll do the right thing.

Exactly why I'm going into public service. To fix the whole shitstorm.

[Immolation]

That is Fantastic.We can use more Courageous people in Public Service.


:pimp: :pimp: :pimp: :pimp: :pimp:

[LIP]

My good friend is joining the police force. He's a smoker, and he's already decided he wont arrest anyone for possesing or smoking weed. He'll just ask them to keep it private and that's it. He wants to sort the country out. Our governments NEED to focus on REAL criminals, and not people smoking a plant. Smoking a plant harms NO one, not even the one smoking it.

[GotWake88]

Yea. I think it's only a matter of time. Especially with the internet: helping pro-legalization groups unify, and making it much easier to find reliable information. As soon as the fuckup generation steps down.

Early man walks away, as modern man takes control.

[Matt the Funk]

What do you think are the main things slowing legalization down?

I think it's mainly economical. Certain industries(alcohol industry, tobacco industry, textile industry, oil indudtry, etc.) would suffer if cannabis were legalized(because cannabis is so damn useful!); so they lobby to the government to keep it illegal.

Another main factor is that, were the government to legalize cannabis, first they would have to admit that they were wrong in criminalizing it to begin with. And I'm sure you know that our government is slow to admit when it's wrong(look at how long it took for them to formally apologize for imprisoning japanese-americans during WWII).

Other than this and a few other factors, there's really no reason for any government not to legalize it. They would benefit immensely from the taxes it would bring in. And if it were licensed and sold like acohol is, it would effectively separate the markets for soft drugs and hard drugs(So instead of going to a drug dealer for cannabis, you would go to a Walgreens).

Any thoughts?

Exactly, that and that so many people are in jail for it. Also tons of people are completely brainwashed. Also I agree with what LIP said. I sometimes think about going through a career path involving goverment work, but I feel I would probally end up becoming fucked up and corrupt like most other people in power.

[Psycho4Bud]

What do you think are the main things slowing legalization down?

I think it's mainly economical. Certain industries(alcohol industry, tobacco industry, textile industry, oil indudtry, etc.) would suffer if cannabis were legalized(because cannabis is so damn useful!); so they lobby to the government to keep it illegal.

Economical and VERY political. If weed were legal the countries in S. America would be thrilled.....along with the drug cartels down there. Now these are the same folk that we have been pissing off for years and all their money and resources would be "valid". With money comes power which means that they'd step up more in the political arena. THAT is down there.

Here in the U.S. there would be some of that element with their funds completely legit and once again....money brings power. The Kennedys, Kerrys, etc. do NOT want to be sitting down in their finer restaurants with "that sort of people". :twocents:

Have a good one!:jointsmile:

[microwavechips]

i think overall people arent ready for it, marijuana has been viewed as such a terrible thing throughout americas history it gets passed down through the generations and people just think what are things coming to, marijuana being legalized??? but drugs are bad.
it does seem more and more tho people are realizing hey this isnt evil

[timothylearyisdead]

Another reason it hasn't been legalized is the impact it would have on the big drug companies. If it were legal to grow weed, then there would be countless people growing their own medication, instead of forking over their hard earned money every week for unsafe pills from people who care more about making money off of your illness than your own well-being. Pretty much.

[delusionsofNORMALity]

the job of any government is to restrict the freedom of its citizens while expanding its own power. every day more and more of our freedoms are taken away, all behind the guise of protecting us from ourselves. of course they lied to us, that's what they do. MJ prohibition was never about protecting us, it was always about control and no government is going to give up any of its control.

free people are the natural enemy of any government. if you spend all your time working and consuming you are just what bureaucracy needs, a nation of zombies to do its bidding. if you have the freedom to do and think as you please then you are a danger to the status quo. wake up and smell the chains, folks.

in short, if you are expecting legalization any time soon, forget about it.

it's not a conspiracy, it's just the natural order of things.

[2600HERTZ]

Pardon my pardoning, but i see that South America could use a better political "scene."

However, it seems that you guys basically summed up the reasons I always supported. Good Game

[benagain]

Because everytime there's a slight chance of getting a step closer to legalization, no one remembers to go vote. The vote in NV was closer than ususal, but still wasn't enough. People aren't that stupid. Most everyone knows there's nothing wrong with it. Unfortunately most users are too young to vote and the ones that are old enough never do.

[Skrappie]

. The Kennedys, Kerrys, etc. do NOT want to be sitting down in their finer restaurants with "that sort of people Thats the money shot. P4b. I was talking about that the other day and my friends looked at me like i was crazy.

Also a lot of people still think that cannabis and may other substances make you crazy, or (insert any propaganda you have heard. We find them funny, 'they' find serious and scary).
If you are a productive person and the average joe non smoker finds out that you toke on a daily basis, they are often in shock for a bit, and im sure many of you have personal experince with that.
As more people find out that cannabis is really not that big of a deal, i think there will be more of a movement tword legaliation.

[benagain]

Thats the money shot. P4b. I was talking about that the other day and my friends looked at me like i was crazy.

Also a lot of people still think that cannabis and may other substances make you crazy, or (insert any propaganda you have heard. We find them funny, 'they' find serious and scary).
If you are a productive person and the average joe non smoker finds out that you toke on a daily basis, they are often in shock for a bit, and im sure many of you have personal experince with that.
As more people find out that cannabis is really not that big of a deal, i think there will be more of a movement tword legaliation.

I don't know...rich people can sniff out people without a lot of money. Doesn't matter if you dress nice and have a few grand in savings. Real rich people can detect money like drug dog detect cocaine. Rich people are stingy and sit on thier money. They wouldn't agree to smoking just because of spending the money. I know it sounds odd, but all of the actual rich people I've ever met (not some thug rapper), save money like we save roches. the kind of people who have to buy the best of everything, but only after the old one falls apart.

[delusionsofNORMALity]

As more people find out that cannabis is really not that big of a deal, i think there will be more of a movement toward legalization.

movements are all fine and dandy, but it takes a serious threat to the power structure to change prohibitions like this.

[liberiamom]

I think there are many reasons why it has been prohibited, and like any other movement- it involves education of the masses to remove the stigma, and strong people willing to risk incarceration to right the wrong. We have successsfully fought other injustices, so why do we resign ourselves?

One reason is that many of us are able to partake enough that the risk isn't worth breaking our annonymity to further the cause. I think fear of exposure is what keeps people who have a lot to lose (kids, careers, etc) from getting involved. I personally try to keep a fairly low profile, though I am concerned that by receiving alerts from the Marijuana Policy Project, and varies other listservs, I am exposing myself.
So I think it is imperative for the youth of the world to be courageous enough to take a stand and join organizations that are already working hard to change the laws. As a teacher, I strive to instill in my students the critical thinking skills they will need in order to avoid just being sucked into the status quo.

I'm the first to admit that I don't want to be a martyr to the marijuana cause- I don't want to lose the chance to adopt children, or lose my job as am educator. I use marijuana instead of Prozac, and as long as I can either obtain it or grow it, should I risk it all? So far the answer has been no, so I guess I am part the problem?
To be forced into that choice is what stops the revolution, I think.

[Skrappie]

I don't know...rich people can sniff out people without a lot of money. Doesn't matter if you dress nice and have a few grand in savings. Real rich people can detect money like drug dog detect cocaine. Rich people are stingy and sit on thier money. They wouldn't agree to smoking just because of spending the money. I know it sounds odd, but all of the actual rich people I've ever met (not some thug rapper), save money like we save roches. the kind of people who have to buy the best of everything, but only after the old one falls apart.

I'm not being a jerk so please don't misread but i don't understand your point, I'm assuming since you quoted me that you were indirectly replying to me and i dont get it, :confused:

[Skrappie]

movements are all fine and dandy, but it takes a serious threat to the power structure to change prohibitions like this.

I was not refering to an actual movement, but just a a lot of small steps that would eventually lead to legalization. I have no doubt that if the majority of the public knew that the herb wasn't so harmful, and we can use hemp for almost anything, (thanks again for that link mastacronic) that the tide would eventually turn.

Look how close we get to it everytime a state has a vote on the subject, the polls get more popular and popluar, i think its just a matter of time before the issue catches fire.
There need not to be any more martyrs in this war liberiamom. To quote one of my fav albums.

We have the facts and we are voteing yes.

Bans, regardless of the object or reason, never last forever.