If legalized, would the amount of users soar?

[BathingApes]

I've been trying to argue the benefits of marijuana legalisation with my friends, but they always seem to want to use the "there will be more car accidents!" argument against me.

Their arguments rely heavily on the assumption that legalization would incur a large increase in users - I'm just wondering if there are any studies to show/refute that claim?

I've tried Google Scholar, no luck so far.

Thanks in advance..

BathingApes Reviewed by BathingApes on 08-01-2008. If legalized, would the amount of users soar? I've been trying to argue the benefits of marijuana legalisation with my friends, but they always seem to want to use the "there will be more car accidents!" argument against me. Their arguments rely heavily on the assumption that legalization would incur a large increase in users - I'm just wondering if there are any studies to show/refute that claim? I've tried Google Scholar, no luck so far. Thanks in advance.. Rating: 5

[Breukelen advocaat]

It's legal in Holland, and they have less users per capita than some other countries.

[BathingApes]

It's legal in Holland and they have less users than some countries where it is not legal.

I've said that to them, but they say "Oh, but people there are already extremely liberal in regards to drug law, and illegality of marijuana would probably not deter them at all."

[TheMetal1]

I don't think the amount of people smoking would skyrocket... but the amount of people that you would eventually find out smoked would probably soar like a bald eagle.

I think one of the reasons many people are so against toleration/legalization is because so many people keep quiet about their choice to smoke cannabis... making it difficult for the average non-smoker to visualize the millions of faces that are smoking on a daily basis.

I think in 2006 there was almost 15 million Americans that had smoked cannabis in the month prior to the survey, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. That is just the people that were either 1) Honest 2) Busted for smoking 3) Too high to care that anyone knows :stoned: Many people were probably sketched out or didn't bother to respond to the survey.

I've been in coffeeshops overseas where you will see a 70+ year old woman stroll in to pick out her daily dank. At this point in time, with readily accessible information at our fingertips... if anyone STILL has the audacity to oppose another persons right to EFFECTIVE natural medication, they are either:
1) Too ignorant and oblivious to seek out information/personal testimony of the benefits that safe and legal access to cannabis can bring to our country.
2) Too arrogant to admit that they have been wrong this whole time.

Also, don't forget to bring up the billions of dollars in legal systems costs to arrest/prosecute/jail minor "marijuana offenders."

Yeeesh... some people, right? :jointsmile:
Go get 'em! :hippy:

[GrinKyle]

Your friends are idiots.

[cygnustaxt]

Your friends are idiots.

well i guess thats putting it one way...lol, nah you're friends arguments are dumb though for real.

[BathingApes]

Your friends are idiots.

When it comes to weed.

Its a good thing I never paid attention in school I guess.

The stigma has got to them. I mean, after being told weed is bad all your life, you can see why the general public would kinda be skeptical. It's the governments fault. Here in the UK, the government asked a board of scientific experts to review whether the cannabis laws needed UPGRADING (I know, what the fuck) and the board said no - YET, the government is still doing it. Makes no sense.

It's like they want all the bullshit they believe to be true so bad, that by making all these ridiculous laws they start to believe it themselves. Its a shame that the general public don't ever get balanced information.

When was the last time you heard on the news "Man on marijuana becomes inspired, feels harmony with the rest of the human race and feels a greater sense of compassion for others" - NEVER. If a station even did that, the goddam overreacting public would say they were "advertising drug use" and label them as some sort of demonic force.

Fuck the consensus, that's all I can say. Don't give up hope though. All it takes is time.

[jimmy8778]

the government is just too wrong to be able to admit it now, like metal said, they have spent billions going into this, and if they admit they are wrong then they could be held liable for many many things, such as social security or something else, where the funds have been nothing but drained, and to fund what, a war which didnt get us anywhere.

in modern times war is not really an effective means to fight anything.

[TurnyBright]

Why is it illegal in the first place, you might want to ask your friends. If they say it's because people will get high and crash their cars, then make the obvious response... make it illegal to DRIVE while intoxicated.

If they say it's because people will get high and hurt others... make the obvious response... make it illegal to HURT OTHER PEOPLE.

Just making the "state of mind" illegal is jumping the gun, comparable to making it illegal to wear boots, because you might kick someone.

[texas grass]

in all reality it would go down. kids, trouble makers, and rebels wouldnt do it as much because it wouldnt be as exiting. they wouldnt be breaking the law.

if anyone brings up anything bad about driving or operating stuff while blazed, i always bring up the drunk/alcohol card. well that suff is legal and its a proven fact there are more deaths, fights, arguments, accidents, operator failures, physical mental and emotional problems with drinking and its legal.