Thread: 5 pro-marijuana arguments that aren't helping

5 Pro-Marijuana Arguments That Aren't Helping | Cracked.com

Cracked tells it like it is in a very satirical way. Which is often the best way to reach people. There's a lot of profanity, so I won't post it here, you'll have to click on the link to read it. Funny stuff, though, and shockingly persuasive.

What's with Cracked being referenced so much on this site recently. Been reading that site for a few years now and never once seen it mentioned, but I think this is the third time in a week or so it's been brought up, haha.

The author does make some good points and I agree on some of them. On others he sort of sets up a straw man to knock down. But he did touch upon one thing I've always kinda said, the best reason for legalizing pot is the most straight forward one...I want pot to be legal so I can smoke it without fear of getting arrested. That right there should be reasonable enough, but man, it's as if people don't feel that's reason enough and begin to add all these other sort of ridiculous reasons.

Originally Posted by Speakeasy

What's with Cracked being referenced so much on this site recently. Been reading that site for a few years now and never once seen it mentioned, but I think this is the third time in a week or so it's been brought up, haha.

The author does make some good points and I agree on some of them. On others he sort of sets up a straw man to knock down. But he did touch upon one thing I've always kinda said, the best reason for legalizing pot is the most straight forward one...I want pot to be legal so I can smoke it without fear of getting arrested. That right there should be reasonable enough, but man, it's as if people don't feel that's reason enough and begin to add all these other sort of ridiculous reasons.

oh speakeasy you so smawt

Originally Posted by bg85

oh speakeasy you so smawt

Yea, that's what my mom tells me, too.

Originally Posted by Speakeasy

What's with Cracked being referenced so much on this site recently. Been reading that site for a few years now and never once seen it mentioned, but I think this is the third time in a week or so it's been brought up, haha.

The author does make some good points and I agree on some of them. On others he sort of sets up a straw man to knock down. But he did touch upon one thing I've always kinda said, the best reason for legalizing pot is the most straight forward one...I want pot to be legal so I can smoke it without fear of getting arrested. That right there should be reasonable enough, but man, it's as if people don't feel that's reason enough and begin to add all these other sort of ridiculous reasons.

Funny thing is, he actually linked to those strawmen. They actually exist and I've heard those arguments myself.

For me, it's a pure liberty argument. Marijuana should be legal because it's not the government's job to keep people from harming themselves. The governments' job is to keep other people from harming you, a job it already does too poorly to be messing around protecting people from themselves.

Originally Posted by adaher

Funny thing is, he actually linked to those strawmen. They actually exist and I've heard those arguments myself.

For me, it's a pure liberty argument. Marijuana should be legal because it's not the government's job to keep people from harming themselves. The governments' job is to keep other people from harming you, a job it already does too poorly to be messing around protecting people from themselves.

Well, I mean, he blows some of the arguments out of proportion. For example, you'll rarely find a pothead who seriously will argue that legalizing marijuana will save the economy. Sure, I've heard this brought up before once in a blue moon, but it's hardly a talking point for legalization.

And besides, while it won't do anything to 'save' the economy, it would certainly spur job creation and bring in some sort of revenue for the government, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Each little bit helps.

Originally Posted by Speakeasy

Well, I mean, he blows some of the arguments out of proportion. For example, you'll rarely find a pothead who seriously will argue that legalizing marijuana will save the economy. Sure, I've heard this brought up before once in a blue moon, but it's hardly a talking point for legalization.

And besides, while it won't do anything to 'save' the economy, it would certainly spur job creation and bring in some sort of revenue for the government, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Each little bit helps.

Yeah most of those arguments he's just pointing out what some crazies say. I mean there are crazies on every side of every issue. This is no different.

Pot won't "save " the economy, but it CAN help create jobs, tax revenue, AND help cut spending a bit. Legalizing ALL drugs would go even farther in those brackets.

Anyone who tells you smoking weed cures cancer is stupid. But THC DOES have that property when administered properly, so when antis say "pot has no redeeming qualities" you can say "what about that cancer treatment?".

The medical thing: I can't see why pot can't be used for anti anxiety when we throw xanax and other "mother's little helpers" at folks like it's going out of style. What's the difference? More importantly, who gives a fuck?

The alcohol tobacco thing: It's basic logic. We allow two of the most dangerous and addictive drugs we no of to be sold over the counter to anyone of age. What logical justification can you use to allow those two and not something as mostly harmless as pot? That's right, you can't. And for those that want to go back to prohibition days, I point you to the movie "the untouchables" and a basic history of the "roaring 20's".

Addiction: Pot IS psychologically addictive. So is eating chocolate. So is masturbating to porn. So is overeating etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc ad nausem. Quitting pot is not hard, and I'm speaking from experience. You just do it. Simple as that. And again I'll bring up the disparity of allowing two drugs (alcohol and caffeine) that ARE PHYSICALLY AND PSYCHOLOGICALLY addictive to be sold over the counter (one of which is in practically everything we consume these days).

Legalizing pot would create jobs, but there's an ideological conflict within the movement that would prevent that from happening. Pot advocates want legalization, but on the other hand they are mostly lefty types who hate the idea of big corporations making big profits off of it. There's also the small matter of accountability for the health effects. I bet that 30 years after legalization, the same folks who wanted it will be eager to sue the pot companies for marketing an unhealthy product and we go through the same thing we went through with the tobacco companies. So legalization would have to come with immunity from lawsuits, provided the product is otherwise safe and not contaminated.

But job creation would depend on letting companies grow it, turn it into product, market it, and sell it. If you only legalize private growing, you don't create any jobs and good luck collecting taxes on it.

There's also the legal issues surrounding what employers may tolerate and where marijuana can be smoked. I favor letting employers continue to refuse to hire potheads, and pot should only be legal in the home.

Originally Posted by adaher

5 Pro-Marijuana Arguments That Aren't Helping | Cracked.com

Cracked tells it like it is in a very satirical way. Which is often the best way to reach people. There's a lot of profanity, so I won't post it here, you'll have to click on the link to read it. Funny stuff, though, and shockingly persuasive.

If its not worth your time to capture the essense sans the profanity its not worth my time either.

There is only one valid pro-drug argument: kill organized crime. That is an undeniable benefit to the community (any community) in terms of safety and in terms of monetary cost. Give it away free and you still slash your costs and give the gangs etc no fall back. If a life of crime is no longer an option themn maybe just maybe kids will decide they need to learn somethign in school to boot.

That is a good point, but only with full legalization. Decriminalization doesn't help, because it still makes selling the product a crime. And believe me, it's worth your time if you like humor. It's not some boring policy paper.