New Approach to Marijuana Legalization Needed

[Bullet1987]

It's become clear that there needs to be a new approach to fighting against prohibition because the medical argument (the main argument used for Prop 19) isn't enough. Comparing it to alcohol, while great at showing the double-standard, should not be the major argument for its legalization because many people think alcohol use has gone overboard in this country anyway. The criminal justice argument should be front and center as it's the most blatantly indefensible. Legalization proponents now need to make the argument that marijuana use is a personal right. We have to take this battle directly to the government and challenge them on their prison infrastructure. It would also help if a documentary were made on a national level (not on Youtube) that got the truth out to more people. As good as a documentary like The Union is...how many people have even seen it much less even heard of it? We need to continue to hammer our message.

[d_b]

1. just try it in a place like vermont

[AllyCat]

2. And the expense of the criminal justice argument

It costs too much money. And while we're at it, lets go whole hog and legalize recreational marijuana. We need the money. talk to people about their pocket books. They will probably listen. Medical marijuana referendum passed in my county tonight by about 75%-25%. It would have passed by nearly that margin if recreational, I would bet.

[Bullet1987]

4. It's also important to talk about hemp and how that has also been lumped into the prohibition

I just think the argument could have been a little more blunt than talking about how marijuana will help all of these ailments when it's currently illegal in many cases to even medically study it. The criminal justice argument is irrefutable and comes along with its own numbers and facts. Why this angle wasn't pushed harder by the proponents of legalization is bizarre. Maybe they just felt the medical argument was the safest and easiest to make. It didn't help Prop 19 though.

[silverojo]

6. Marijuana should be used for medicinal purposes

It can be very beneficial to people with various medical conditions.

"Recreational" marijuana is an oxymoron, because it makes people slow, stupid, and boring. Being a crashing bore is not recreational.

You want to have fun? Take up a sport or a hobby, help needy people, do volunteer work, something that's rewarding.

[AllyCat]

12. Silver, I don't smoke the stuff. But I think it's stupid it is illegal.

We have to do something about the state of this mess because people have used drugs and alcohol for as long as anyone can remember/recorded history. Keep working to educate people about dangers, responsibilities, etc and legalize it so we stop putting pot smokers in jail. Costs too much money and does nothing to make society safer.

[HuckleB]

8. Medical MJ bills are going down in a lot of places, however.

I think it's time to cut and run from that back-door methodology, and go with your argument about the expense of criminal justice, as well as the benefits of taxing it.

[martymar64]

3. Jury Nullification

[silverojo]

5. There's a simple solution to the marijuana/crime/prisons issue

STOP SMOKING POT LIKE PATHETIC LOSERS!

The benefits?
No laws needed, pro or anti = saves tax $$
No market for drug cartels = reduces crime
No prison sentences for dealers or users = less $$ needed for prisons

Problem solved!

Life is such a precious gift, that it's disgusting how people numb themselves to the beauty of it by clouding their minds with drugs and alcohol. Quit being so damned boring, and enjoy life WITHOUT getting drunk or high.

[Bullet1987]

9. Allowing the system to stay as it is is NOT a solution by any means

Please go somewhere else with the moral argument...it's destroying this country.

[AllyCat]

10. Except that this is not realistic. It never has been. So what do we do about them?

Legalize it and be done with this madness.

[TheKentuckian]

11. Why not allow folks to live as they choose?

If you think they are boring than don't hang out with them, they likely think you suck Donkey Kong Ass as well and that takes care of it's self.

Your perceptions have no privileged frame of reference.

[MrScorpio]

7. More dope smoking voters

Free samples oughta do it.