Basically, opiates. Marijuana is not a narcotic, and its so-called addictive or habit-forming properties can in no way be compared to those of narcotics, or even tobacco, in terms of severity, duration or recidivism rate.
Is this just about legal marijuana?
It should be. Other 'drugs', legal and illegal, need to be debated on their own terms, imo.
Do you favor legal heroin, crack, methedrine etc.?
Take it easy, this is not about turning Main Street into a shooting gallery. It's about whether the known properties (both dangers and benefits) of marijuana justify its continued demonization and persecution. Will legalization result in more or less crime, make law enforcement easier or more difficult? I don't buy blanket pro-drug legalization arguments (Libertarian-style), but on practical grounds, marijuana ought to be treated more like aspirin and less like heroin. Everyday, kids in America are faced with a thousand temptations more serious than legalized marijuana would pose.
What are narcotics?
Basically, opiates. Marijuana is not a narcotic, and its so-called addictive or habit-forming properties can in no way be compared to those of narcotics, or even tobacco, in terms of severity, duration or recidivism rate.
ME:
Yes, marijuana is a soft drug that makes your brain soft. It's a bad idea to legalize it. It and hashish are worse than alcohol, the traditional intoxicant for Europeans
Is this just about legal marijuana?
It should be. Other 'drugs', legal and illegal, need to be debated on their own terms, imo.
ME:
That's what YOU say. Hard core libertarians here such as Leroy and tpaine want all drugs legal. Obviously including crack, meth and heroin
Do you favor legal heroin, crack, methedrine etc.?
Take it easy, this is not about turning Main Street into a shooting gallery.
ME:
Oh yes it is. You cannot deny that some want to legalize all drugs and that if marijuana becomes legal than so will all drugs a few years down the road. BTW> How does Holland treat heroin use these days? Do you know that Netherlands is a major drug distribution center these days?
It's about whether the known properties (both dangers and benefits) of marijuana justify its continued demonization and persecution.
ME:
Marijuana does not exist alone. Legalize it and other drugs will become legal. Maybe it's just me but I couldn't stand living next to door to some degenerate heroin, coke or meth user. Bad for your children too.
Will legalization result in more or less crime, make law enforcement easier or more difficult?
ME:
Nope. You will exchange one set of social problems for another. You really want to live in a nation where people puff joints and pull on their hash pipes as they stroll down main street or 5th Avenue? You can do this in some 3rd world nations.
I don't buy blanket pro-drug legalization arguments (Libertarian-style), but on practical grounds, marijuana ought to be treated more like aspirin and less like heroin. Everyday, kids in America are faced with a thousand temptations more serious than legalized marijuana would pose.
ME:
You really feel comfortable seeing your teenager with crowds of teenagers lighting up joints and hashish pipes as they leave high school for the day?