Cannabis - should its personal use be criminalized?

[Aldgarkalaughskel]

The personal use of cannabis is decriminalized in many countries, including some states of the USA (although it's criminalized on a federal level).

There have been over eight million cannabis arrests in the United States since 1993, including 786,545 arrests in 2005. Cannabis users have been arrested at the rate of 1 every 40 seconds. About 88% of all marijuana arrests are for possession - not manufacture or distribution. (FBI Uniform Crimes Report)

Although large-scale marijuana growing operations are frequently targeted by police in raids to attack the supply side and discourage the spread and marketing of the drug, the great majority of those arrested for cannabis are there for possession alone. However, in 1997, the vast majority of inmates in state prisons for marijuana related convictions were convicted of offenses other than simple possession.

Marijuana arrests for the year 2007 was recorded at 872,721. This tops 2006's record high by five percent

Source

Please read this article before posting.

Be aware of the ToS rule, that prohibits the promotion of illegal activites, f.e. possessing, distributing, or using drugs in a way that would be illegal in most jurisdictions (e.g., owning marijuana).

Note that this thread isn't about the legality/illegality of marijuana, it is about whether it should be a criminal offense to grow or possess it.

[LegionnaireX]

I don't 100% support legalization, but I don't believe offenders should be in the same prison as those who have murdered, robbed or raped. A simple fine and confiscation of the substance should suffice.

[bthizle1]

I don't 100% support legalization, but I don't believe offenders should be in the same prison as those who have murdered, robbed or raped. A simple fine and confiscation of the substance should suffice.

Where's the justice in fining someone for the personal possession of a plant though? Think about it.

[LegionnaireX]

Where's the justice in fining someone for the personal possession of a plant though? Think about it.

It is about principle. It is being insubordinate to the powers that be. It is an illegal substance. If you have possession of it you are breaking the law and have most likely financed criminal activities when you purchased the product.

If you break the law then you should get arrested. If you want take get all civil rightsy and play the civil disobedience game then go ahead. See how far that takes you.

[Dead*Man*Wilson]

Sigh...first the gateway drug theory, and now the 'if you buy drugs, the terrorists win' crap.


Draconian marajuana laws are absurd. If anything, fine the guy. Don't put these people in the same category as rapists and murderers.

[Beanbee]

Sigh...first the gateway drug theory, and now the 'if you buy drugs, the terrorists win' crap.


Draconian marajuana laws are absurd. If anything, fine the guy. Don't put these people in the same category as rapists and murderers.

Indeed, if you really want to 'beat the terrorist' when it comes to drugs, legalise. They can't profit then now can they.

[bthizle1]

It is about principle. It is being insubordinate to the powers that be. It is an illegal substance. If you have possession of it you are breaking the law and have most likely financed criminal activities when you purchased the product.

If you break the law then you should get arrested. If you want take get all civil rightsy and play the civil disobedience game then go ahead. See how far that takes you.

Wow, that is quite possibly the worst defense of why it's wrong to be in possession of marijuana I've ever heard. (seriously)

That's blind patriotism at it's finest....you seriously think that a law is immediately just, regardless of what it actually is? Do you always take things at face value, or is this a rarity?

[LegionnaireX]

Wow, that is quite possibly the worst defense of why it's wrong to be in possession of marijuana I've ever heard. (seriously)

That's blind patriotism at it's finest....you seriously think that a law is immediately just, regardless of what it actually is? Do you always take things at face value, or is this a rarity?

I've already stated that prison sentences are too harsh a punishment. But the fact is that if you buy or sell marijuana, carry marijuana and use marijuana, you are doing so with full knowledge of the consequences. If you were to be caught, it is the right of law enforcement to arrest you.

It may or may not be a just law. Quite frankly I don't see the greater good in allowing everbody to get blazed without consequence. It is not a law I would break or especially get caught breaking, though. If you break the law you pay the penalty. That is the way it works in any justice system.

And most laws are justified. It is not your right to break the law based on your own set of opinions. That is the whole point of a legal system.

[Oswald von Wolkenstein]

x

[Lucifer Sam]

i voted now, i think it would be better regulated than an outright ban.


but if its going to be illegal, the public must be appropriately informed, and with a uniform measure of punishment and prosecution - not just a caution sometimes, prison others, and some just let off.

[Enemy of the State]

We already have a drug thread where cannabis is discussed too. No, it should not be a criminal offence to grow and possess. Cannabis should be legal, regulated and taxed by the government.

[Aldgarkalaughskel]

We already have a drug thread where cannabis is discussed too.

If you are referring to this thread, you're wrong / didn't read the OP, as that thread is about the legal status of drugs in general. This thread is about criminalization/decriminalization of the personal use of cannabis. Note the difference please.

[razor-]

imo yes, if it were legalized usage would greatly increase I think, and it would only be another burden for society. Smoking myself once in a while I know that a little dosn't hurt, but I have seen too many people ing up their life with it to say that its better than alcohol. So I say keep it illegal to prevent full-scale usage, those who really wants to smoke can easily do it as it is now anyway and punishments (if even given) are very light most places.

[Baron Vlad Felix]

I don't support legalization!......of canabis is switching to hard drugs!

[Enemy of the State]

I don't support legalization!......of canabis is switching to hard drugs!

The Gateway drug theory is utter and even the anti-cannabis people have started realizing people are not buying this lie.

[Aldgarkalaughskel]

The Gateway drug theory is utter

Why? It has been proven a million times, that the consumption of light drugs could lead to hard drugs in many cases. Not to mention that dealers mix hard drugs to light drugs to get people addicted to it. So the negation of Gateway drug theory is utter .

[Acco]

So the negation of Gateway drug theory is utter .

I actually support the criminalization of cannabis, however even I know that the Gateway drug theory is very inaccurate, scientists have always had their doubts about it. To cite a few sources, the American Psychiatric Association executed a 12-year test of the Gateway drug theory on 200 boys between age 12 and age 14, their results were that adolescents who used cannabis prior to other drugs were no more likely to develop a substance abuse disorder than those who didn't use cannabis prior to using other drugs. In addition, Research And Development Corporation commenced a study on whether cannabis use results in the subsequent use of cocaine and other drugs, their results: "We've shown that the marijuana gateway effect is not the best explanation for the link between marijuana use and the use of harder drugs ... An alternative, simpler and more compelling explanation accounts for the pattern of drug use you see in this country, without resort to any gateway effects. While the gateway theory has enjoyed popular acceptance, scientists have always had their doubts. Our study shows that these doubts are justified." Also, a report by the Division of Neuroscience and Behavioral Health stated that there was no link between cannabis use and the abuse of other illicit drugs. Besides, PowerWizard, there are stronger arguments for the criminalization and illegality of cannabis.

[God]

Why? It has been proven a million times, that the consumption of light drugs could lead to hard drugs in many cases.

No it hasn't.

[Yaga Shu Ra]

Not to mention that dealers mix hard drugs to light drugs to get people addicted to it.

All the more reason to move this business out of illegality, away from shady dealers and into the hands of professionals; trained coffeeshop employees.

[Enemy of the State]

Why? It has been proven a million times, that the consumption of light drugs could lead to hard drugs in many cases. Not to mention that dealers mix hard drugs to light drugs to get people addicted to it. So the negation of Gateway drug theory is utter .

http://www.jointogether.org/news/res...n-gateway.html
http://www.scienceblog.com/cms/study...rug-12116.html
http://www.drugwarfacts.org/cms/?q=node/43


I have never felt any urge to try meth, heroin or any of that .