Just saw this interview on CNN. I'm too lazy to post my whole argument, but take a look at this video, and post your opinions below.

There are some very compelling arguments in legalizing drugs.

Here's the link:

http://us.cnn.com/video/?/video/bestoft ... speaks.cnn

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Wheelhouse

Vote Libertarian

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Hold my beer and watch this...

Oh believe me I have been.

EDIT: For the record, it's not just for the drug issues. In fact, that's a minor reason why I've taken an interest in the Libertarian party. I love their stance on gun control, social security, crime, environmental issues, and much more.

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Wheelhouse

legalize caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, and ibuprofin!!!!!

if cannabis was this wonder drug that stoners insist it is, it would have been legalized long ago.

wanna smoke? sweet, do it. but enough of this hippy, dr feelgood, peace love dope agenda.

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Ha.

Do some reading Irony. It's not about legalizing cannabis.

It's about changing the perception of drug use in society from being badass because you're breaking the law, into making people realize the sad reality of addiction and helping them through rehab programs instead of locking them up in jail, which serves absolutely no purpose for the abuser, and also raises taxes and forces people to pay for the deterioration of other citizens.

But no, you're right. It's just hippy feel good shit.

The reality of the situation is, the countries who don't have substance laws in place are the ones that see the fewest substance problems in terms of crime, addiction, and experimentation among teenagers.

Yes, I like smoking pot. But that's completely different from anything mentioned in this video.

So before you open your mouth and say something that just screams ignorance, why don't you investigate and formulate an opinion that doesn't contain down talking?

Thanks.


EDIT: And by the way, there are a ton of reasons why Cannabis hasn't been legalized despite the fact that it does 10 times the amount of good than it does harm.

This issue above is contrary to my opinion on cannabis, as I acknowledge that addictive drugs such as coke, meth, and heroin do no good for anybody hooked on them, as do almost all of the advocates for legalizing them.

That said, lets please keep this topic off of Cannabis, because that's not what this thread is about.

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Wheelhouse

This is why it is illegal http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/the-unio ... ting-high/
(scroll down from googlevideo movie)

It's a couple hour movie so I doubt anyone will watch this, but it displays why this plant is illegal, how we can all benefit from decriminalization, how it is working out in Canada, dispells lies and bad stigmas, and shows the helpful effects of marijuana for the ill.

"If prohibition is here to protect us, well the question is, Is it working?"
Probably not since it opens a full black market up that doesn't need to be there, takes medicine away from people who could benefit, and takes away a multi-billion dollar hemp industry from our government (even though all G20(well technically G19) countries have hemp as one of there largest textile industries. This would mean lessened deforestation by the United States around the world, and a great alternative to biofuel.)

I could go on and on about this. I'm not meaning to ruffle any feathers by the way, I just feel very strongly that this plant should not be illegal.

and to the original post:
That is a great, great video. I have been arguing those facts for years. Thanks for posting this!
Libertarian is the way to go!

you said legalize drugs, therefore, its a valid argument. its also an argument thats raged on for years, with little advancement towards its legalization outside of a few medicinal overturns.

it isnt going to happen. its an argument ive heard too many times. ive read all the crap.

heres whats funny to me. most pro-legalize it people throw away negative reports about it, saying its biased and not true, then use pro reports and arguments about it from pro-legalization publications....

i dont think it hurts anyone, i dont care if you do it. but arguing about it on a message board isnt going to change it.

just look at the old, cranky, set in their ways politicians who control these issues, and ask yourself if their stance on the plant is going to change in the next 20-50 years. the answer is a resounding "no"

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Peace out Dudes

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PSA: I am an overly sarcastic person. If you take me at my word, then i will most likely anger and offend you.

so, should we legalize it? probably. will it happen. no.

but its also interesting that most people pushing for its legalization are simply those who use the drug recreationally, and in no way will benefit from the drugs legalization outside of not being put in a jail cell if its found on you. and thats where my annoyance on the subject comes in.

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It's people stuck in this "Its never gonna change, Shut up" mentallity that continually sets the argument back. Strides are already being made medically in many states and Canada. I just don't get why people don't want them legal. By having them illegal your allowing a fucking huge black market and paying a shit ton more in taxes for jails. Legalization would help everyone in the long run, as government could regulate it.

Since I've been 16 it's been easier for me to get marijuana and hard drugs, than it has been to get alcohol. That is because a government doesn't regulate a black market.

I've had crazy anxiety and anger problems in my life. Years of counseling didn't help at all. It was affecting college, work, relationships and daily life. When I found marijuana (after educating myself about it through having to write a college report about it's medical effects) it automatically helped me. Anxiety attacks aren't a problem anymore, as they are either extremelly lessened or not even there. I went from being a brooding, angry person, to being a happy kid with a renewed since of life. It saved my relationship with my girlfriend (she wouldn't have kept putting up with my bullshit). Oh, and my gpa has gone up by .5 since I started smoking: 3.3 to a 3.8.

How have I not benefitted medically, mentally, and emotionally from this plant?

The ironic thing about this statement is that all throughout history, there have been grassroots movements for reform that people always thought would never happen.

And yet they did.

Here's what I'd like you to do if you think we throw out negative reports.

Find me some evidence that legalizing drugs and establishing programs to educate the public on their effects, in conjunction with establishing rehabilitation centers would actually increase drug addictions and drug related crimes.

I challenge you to prove that.

While concrete evidence exists on large scales that the aforementioned steps are effective, you still deny it.

Also, this discussion hasn't been raging for as long as you think. The war on drugs was initiated just 40 years ago.

And your argument is not valid, because my topic is about harmful and addictive drugs. What you mentioned was off topic, and offensive.

However, if you think that there is no medical benefit to Cannabis, you must have missed some very intriguing federal paperwork.

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Wheelhouse

im going to share a story with you about my times at western michigan univeristy.

i had three roommates, one huge pot head. kid was a great student, worked hard. i will not say pot did him anything negative. BUT one of our room mates was younger. he was on the western club hockey team. good player. he began smoking regularily, and we all noticed his behaviour became very shady. it got to the point that he was dealing on a small scale, and even stealing from my other roommates to sell stuff on ebay for money. this behaviour never began untill he started smoking. well, in december, a western varsity goalie got injuried, and my roommate got called up. he was a division 1 hockey player! within a week, he was notified he was kicked out of western for failing grades and such, that he never had a big problem with till then.

so, do i think its a bad drug? no. but can it have a very negative impact on a person? very much so, yes.

and thats why i dont buy into all that pro crap all the time.

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Who the hell cares anyways. Everyone who doesn't do it will not do it if it is legalized. Hell, my neighbors do it and everyone knows it. I'm sure the police know it too, as they were stopped by cops

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"Counting all the assholes in the room, I'm definitely not alone!" ~ Michael Poulsen, Volbeat, Still Standing.

So the drug isn't bad but it ruins lives?

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"Counting all the assholes in the room, I'm definitely not alone!" ~ Michael Poulsen, Volbeat, Still Standing.

That's because those who stay away from drugs FEAR every single thing about them. They've been raised with the beliefs that there is nothing good about drugs at all.

In most cases, they'd be correct.

But those who have used recreational drugs such as Cannabis are deterred much less by fear and are more open to learning about the benefits.

Even the lady interviewing the man in the video posted above had assumed that legalization would cause more problems, and she had no idea what to say after he ripped off 10 reasons why legalization would lead to just the opposite.

Irony, the legalization of Marijuana stands no benefit to me. I have no problem getting my hands on it and smoking it, even in public, so that's not a valid argument.

It's about making this country more efficient, about giving those who are addicted help, about changing the perception of dangerous drugs to discourage their use, and most importantly, about opening up avenues for more scientific research about medical benefits that have largely been suppressed due to prohibition.

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Wheelhouse

he ruined his own life. its a fine line. im not against pot, persay, but im not all for it either. he did it to himself, but the constant pot smoking didnt help.

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My room mate at Siena bought world of warcraft for his computer.

He became addicted and skipped classes all of second semester two years ago.

He flunked out and now lives at home with his parents delivering pizza.

I have another friend who plays world of warcraft between classes and after his homework assignments are completed.

I am also friends with a self made millionaire who smokes pot on a regular basis.

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Wheelhouse