Comments on: High Stakes: A Call to Legalize Marijuana

California Desperately Needs Tax Revenue, Prompting Some to See Green in Making Grass Legal

[realism86]

LEGALIZE AND TAX! The drug war has been an utter failure... There have been over 100 million who have used it and know that it isn't worth all of the bloodshed (6,000 lives lost in Mexico this year already). You know why prohibition of alcohol did not work? Because people who had drank it knew that it was not harmful in moderation and was their right to consume, feeding a violent black market for the illegal intoxicant. THE SAME EXACT GOES FOR MARIJUANA!!! It is even impossible to overdose on!!! Not so for alcohol or any pain killer that you can buy over the counter! This war against marijuana makes absolutely no sense!

[StevenEmory]

Here is what I gather from my intelligence:

A Controlled Substance in the United States of America: Completely the opposite. Not controlled at all, therefore the black market controls the substance. Alcohol prohibition was overturned for this fact alone, the alcohol being produced by the black market was highly poisonous compared to what we REGULATE and TAX presently.

It's black and white. Very simple to understand without all of the propaganda.

I was 10 years old and in the D.A.R.E. program when I first experienced CANNABIS. (not marijuana as the government likes to call it)

Why was I able to do this? Because it is the complete polar opposite of being CONTROLLED by the government.

Everything the Federal Government "controls"... is utterly lacking the control that is so desperately needed. Sounds like a complete failure of democracy in the simplest of terms.

Age 22, can't get a job to save my life because the economy is completely ruined. (It's made up in the first place) Federal Reserve Notes? Sounds more like an I.O.U. to me. Where is the value of the dollar? Long gone.

[AndreaEH]

I am writing to show others that the stereo-typical marijuana user is not unintelligent, forgetful, irresponsible, rude, unsuccessful, et cetera and does not possess any other undesirable traits simply because they use marijuana.

I am a senior in college studying photojournalism with a 4.0 grade average. I am also 18 years old. I have three jobs--all of which are professional and pay quite well. I struggled with anorexia and bulemia for several years. I am the oldest of six children. I live on my own, pay all of my bills (on time) each month and I regularly attend work and class. In the eyes of society I am deemed sucessful. Yet, I smoke marijuana on a daily basis. I use marijuana to help control my eating disorders and to help destress from everyday life. I do not have a medical marijuana perscription because it is not available in the state in which I reside. Thus, I am forced to purchase marijuana at exorbent prices from people that can best be described as 'sketchy'.

I speak for myself and many friends, acquaintances and family members when I say that marijuana should be legalized and then regulated. I know most regular users of marijuana would hapily pay a reasonable tax so that they could purchase marijuana legally without fear of fines, jailtime, or criminal records. Most regular users would also hapily pay reasonable taxes to ensure they had access to a quality product.

Marijuana has not made me unintelligent, forgetful, irresponsible, rude, or unsuccessful. In fact, it has helped me to become a more balanced person. I am able to regulate my weight. I can destress after a twelve hour work day. I can treat migrains without spending a fortune; and I can ease an upset stomach within five minute.

Yes, marijuana can be overused, just as any other drug (caffine, nicotine, alcohol, et cetera), but it is up to each individual person to regulate their use of such drugs--not the government. Tell your legislators to legalize marijuana and in doing so, give American's back their freedom of choice, help the economy, help those suffering physically and mentally, and stop funding 'sketchy' people.

[wslady]

My husband had daily migraines for almost 3 years. When shots of phenergen didn't keep him from vomiting weed did. Say what you want it works. I have a son with serious anger problems it's called intermittent explosive disorder, and he stays calmer smoking weed than taking the legal drugs the dr. gives him.Drinking alcohol causes more problems than weed and I know I've lived with both.My first husband was an alcoholic and domestic violence was the issue.I would rather live with a "pothead" any day over an alcoholic. How often do you hear of crimes being committed by people who are high on weed? They are usually setting home chillin on the couch eating a bag of chips.

[wslady]

My husband had daily migraines for almost 3 years. When shots of phenergen didn't keep him from vomiting weed did. Say what you want it works. I have a son with serious anger problems it's called intermittent explosive disorder, and he stays calmer smoking weed than taking the legal drugs the dr. gives him.Drinking alcohol causes more problems than weed and I know I've lived with both.My first husband was an alcoholic and domestic violence was the issue.I would rather live with a "pothead" any day over an alcoholic. How often do you hear of crimes being committed by people who are high on weed? They are usually setting home chillin on the couch eating a bag of chips.

[gunnarjm]

@Turbidite
"From reading the desperate pro-pot comments I get the distinct impression that marijuana must indeed be quite addictive."

If the government made ice cream illegal I am sure that there would be many people making pro-ice cream comments. Does this mean that ice cream is addicting? No. It means that people should have the right to enjoy ice cream if they choose to. Simply being passionate about an issue does not mean that addiction is a motive.

[Turbidite]

From reading the desperate pro-pot comments I get the distinct impression that marijuana must indeed be quite addictive.

[boone1964]

Nothing is wrong with weed. It is not a gateway drug. It has no harmful effects, if anything it has positive effects.I will boost the economy more that we could imagine. I would be willing to pay a tax on weed alot sooner than I would on anything else, federal or state tax.

[calirep35]

I disagree that that should be retracted. In my opinion, alot of un- marijuana educated people believe that everyone who consumes marijuana is a druggie. By immediately following that comment with "no, they aren't druggies", hopefully those people will realize that just because you use marijuana, doesn't mean you are a druggie.

Like I said, just my opinion.

[calirep35]

jvally,
The point you are trying to make has already been covered numerous times on this page. I went ahead and took the liberty of finding a comment which explains perfectly why you are wrong. Enjoy.

by antoniof123 July 12, 2009 11:06 AM EDT
This is a typical idiot the cost is infalted that is why you would buy it with a tax. The real cost of growing pot is pennies it is a weed it grows by itself like any other weed would.

The fact is you by going out and buying it (I just think you ar one of those right wing nuts that says what they are told) you keep driving the price up. The dealer is doing something against the law (do you get it) so the risk is hight so the price must equal the risk (that is what the right nuts say but the don't understand it they just spew right wing nonsense).

Because it is a black market selling weed you pay a much hight price. Just like anythig else.

Now go back to fox noise and listen to some more talking points so you can keep looking like an idiot.

Yes We Canabis!