Quote Originally Posted by TheMetal1
My main problem with all this is that, while I respect a persons right to change their personal opinion on anything based on info or circumstance... we are not electing leaders so that they can make decisions for us. While someone is offered the right to feel a certain way on a topic, that is not grounds to force that ideal on the rest of the country. We elect leaders to represent the people. We need them to enact policies that will make our country better AS A WHOLE. Whether she believes in same sex marriage or abortion should not be involved in her decision making process. It is her responsibility to teach her children about EVERY negative aspect of life. Things like poor eating habits, stress management, substance abuse, non-violence... etc. People need to realize that YES, you can have your beliefs... but if you are in a position of power to make decisions that could ruin the lives of good people, that should not be a factor.
That is true, but please point out 1 politician who is not making decisions for us? Whether you acknowledge it or not there are always going to be people on both sides of the fence of an issue.

You can please some of the people some of the time but you can't please all of the people all of the time.

So what makes her wrong... because you don't believe in it? It's unfortunate but it's the majority that matters, not specifically you. I believe the majority of America still views marijuana negatively. If it did not we would not have pre-employment drug testing or the stereo types that are looming around today.

Politicians will never please all of the people therefore a sect will always feel as if they have been wronged.

We are still in the minority here.


YES, she may have come to dislike the way Cannabis affected her and wants to set a good example for her children. FINE! She should spend quality time teaching her children that ANY substance abuse (alcohol, tobacco, fatty food, diet pills, Cannabis, etc) will possibly play a negative role in their development. There is a major difference between teaching your children appropriate, healthy, productive behavior.... and supporting a Federal law that puts thousands of good people in jail for possession. We do not elect officials to make decisions FOR us. We elect them to support OUR decisions. An overwhelming majority of CITIZENS (not politicians) believe Cannabis should be Federally decriminalized. To ignore that because you fear that your child may make poor decisions in the future is despicable... no matter who you are.
I totally agree with you, but in her mind she believes she is doing what is best not only for her children but citizens. It is what she believes, stands by and is not the only one to do so. At the democratic presidential debates on October 30th they were all asked to raise their hands if they opposed decriminalizing marijuana... everyone raised their hand including current Democrat Presidential nominee Barack Obama.

All politicians are making decisions for the people.

And I don't know where you're getting "overwhelming majority".. you're wrong. As of Oct. 2005 36% of Americans said it should be legal and 60% of Americans said it should remain illegal.

Who Supports Marijuana Legalization?

You shouldn't post your own personal beliefs as fact for the remainder of the population.

To me, this IS a very serious issue. It's not only because I have found something that subsides symptoms I have been dealing with for over 10 years... saving me tens of thousands of dollars in future medical treatments or lost time at work, school, and my personal life. It is also because, at a young age, I was facing over 15 years in a State facility for possession of what I needed for personal use. Since there was obviously zero tolerance for anything, and I required a lot for personal use, I surpassed the limit for a felony. I was not able to receive financial aid for college until the age of 25 and was fully searched during even minor traffic stops by the State Police. I have never used Cannabis as a money making tool... I do not encourage young people to use it... I respect others privacy and do not smoke around anyone that feels uncomfortable with it... I do not operate a vehicle or heavy machinery while under the influence... and I do not use illegal activities to fund my supply of personal Cannabis. I also volunteer and hold a 4.0 GPA and love my mother.
We are all in the same boat. We all use cannabis whether it's to help with illness, diseases, symptoms, anxiety, relaxation or recreation... no matter the reason we are all in the same boat. Fact of the matter is that WE are aware it is illegal so WE bare the burden of responsibility.

If we want reform we need to show responsibility.. we need to show that marijuana use is not a problem.

I feel for you, I truely do, I almost got pinched in a similar situation but my bulldog lawyer saved my ass. Point is that we know we're breaking the law and accept the consequence that comes along with that.

Where I live more than 2oz is a felony, so if I ever drive and I'm carrying, I always make sure I'm well below that amount and ideally try to ride with less than 2grams since that is just a class c misdemeanor here.

The fact that a person wants to put me in prison for what I have listed above makes me sick. I don't care WHO the politician is. It is a basic argument. The primitive thinking that is involved in believing that Cannabis prohibition is a benefit to society makes me question ANYONE that chooses to support it. Not only does it show a complete lack of knowledge on substance abuse, medical studies and proven application, and the economic strain the "War on Cannabis" is putting on society... but it makes me question their ability to make other decisions that are supposed to make this world better for YOU and ME.
It's not just politicians. It's 60% of the United states. Like I said Marijuana has a huge image problem that we need to change. I know that we are very intelligent thinkers and I personally try to change that image as much as possible through donations to activist groups, writing my local and state politicians, and having in depth conversation with people who I know are against Marijuana legalization. Usually they're set in their views but I've pulled a few over onto our side in the process.

I do want to make the world better for you and me, I just want to do it the fastest way possible and the fastest way is by changing the stigma that hangs over us marijuana smokers.