WASHINGTON — The District of Columbia Council approved a measure on Tuesday that would allow people with certain chronic illnesses to obtain medical marijuana (http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/m/marijuana/index.html) from a handful of dispensaries regulated by the city.
Washington, D.C., Approves Medical Use of Marijuana - NYTimes.com (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/05/us/05marijuana.html)
mredskins
05-05-2010, 09:33 AM
Just make it legal and tax it. I don't use it but it is such a waste of resources and money trying to round these "criminals" up.
Rainy Parade
05-05-2010, 09:41 AM
Just make it legal and tax it. I don't use it but it is such a waste of resources and money trying to round these "criminals" up.
absolute concurrence.
i'd much rather take one little hit and be set for the night vs. the money/time wasted on drinking.
Chico23231
05-05-2010, 09:51 AM
Its just a matter of time now...the trend has hit the east coast. It should be decriminalized shortly
Schneed10
05-05-2010, 10:00 AM
Its just a matter of time now...the trend has hit the east coast. It should be decriminalized shortly
I think eventually it will go that way, but it will still take quite some time. There's still significant political opposition to the idea.
I hate marijuana and hate when people smoke it for recreation. It disgusts me. But I've come around to the idea of legalizing. Scientific studies have shown the negative effects aren't worse than tobacco products. And those are legal.
I used to really buy into the gateway drug argument too. But after considering some more, isn't weed just a gateway drug because it's obtained illegally, and a lot of the same guys you buy weed from also have connections to other drugs? Weed wouldn't be a gateway drug if it was available at 7-11.
mredskins
05-05-2010, 10:01 AM
Seriously it would eliminate drug dealers and we at least be able to receive some revenue from it.
Schneed10
05-05-2010, 10:04 AM
Seriously it would eliminate drug dealers and we at least be able to receive some revenue from it.
Yeah. Tax the ever living shit out of it. Take the tax revenue and put it into the healthcare system, help offset the long-term costs of living an unhealthy lifestyle. Just makes financial sense.
mredskins
05-05-2010, 10:06 AM
Yeah. Tax the ever living shit out of it. Take the tax revenue and put it into the healthcare system, help offset the long-term costs of living an unhealthy lifestyle. Just makes financial sense.
People are going to do if it is legal or not. I am pretty sure most people who really want to do it are doing it, they are not holding back because it is illegal.
Rainy Parade
05-05-2010, 10:08 AM
I think eventually it will go that way, but it will still take quite some time. There's still significant political opposition to the idea.
I hate marijuana and hate when people smoke it for recreation. It disgusts me. But I've come around to the idea of legalizing. Scientific studies have shown the negative effects aren't worse than tobacco products. And those are legal.
I used to really buy into the gateway drug argument too. But after considering some more, isn't weed just a gateway drug because it's obtained illegally, and a lot of the same guys you buy weed from also have connections to other drugs? Weed wouldn't be a gateway drug if it was available at 7-11.
well, while smoking anything isn't good for your lungs. MJ isn't just "not worse than tobacco" it doesn't contain nearly the amount of harmful chemicals, carcinogens and addictive ingredients. MJ has never killed anyone... how many thousands per day/week does cigs kill?
as for the gateway... what a myth. it's based on stuff like "what's the first drug you tried" answer is always MJ. of course. the fact that some cokehead or heroin junkie first tried "drugs" with MJ when they were 15 doesn't mean one led to the other.
how come ALCOHOL is never called a gateway drug? cuz really, most everyone starts their experimentation with inebriation by drinking. once you're out drinking/partying you are likely to end up in a position to start trying drugs. how many alcohol related deaths are there per year?
so yea, i dont smoke anymore... but i'm still a supporter.
I don't buy the whole gateway argument and I've never seen any meaningful research to support such a claim. THC is a drug that's practically as benign as caffeine, yet you don't see people worrying that drinking coffee is going to lead to someone snorting coke.
I do believe we'll see it legalized in our lifetime, support for it is higher than ever (lol) hopefully California will set the standard this fall and get this thing rolling (ha-ha).
Legalize it, tax the hell out of it, and let's start using our legal system and resources on more important things.