POLL: Way OT Would you be in favor of legalizing Marijuana in SC sooner

[BAnksMcFadden]

rather than later?

As a casual smoker (once a monthish) I could care less about it on the social side of things. Its not like anyone has a problem getting it. But I think south carolina should be proactive in legalizing and beggining cultivation of marijuana and hemp. With the amount of farm land in the lower state that is already growing cotton and tobacco we could generate a huge cash crop for the state. It is pretty obvious that legalization is going to sweep the country within the next 20 years. At that time interstate transport will become legal and the state could become the first in the southeast, and centralize the growing and manufacturing of the market in the lower state. Not to mention the plethora of european countries that are teetering on the subject currently that would create a sizeable export market. Marijuana and Hemp cultivation could become a huge chunk of the state's job market and tax revenue.

This post was edited on 5/13 12:35 PM by BAnksMcFadden

 

[clempzenbill]

Absolutely, the sooner the better. It's enevitable anyway and we waste billions in this country combating something that isn't realistically going away.(just like we did with alcohol) The DEA estimates that 60% of the mexican drug cartels cash comes from exporting Mary Jane to this country. Time to tax it and make it a revenue stream rather than an unwinnable fight for law enforcement and tax payers.

It isn't addictive and it has legitimate medical uses for cancer patients,glaucoma patinets (like my wife) and others. Personally I don't use it because of my job. I don't really like it's effect (the high) but I would use it if I could before bed, as it would help me greatly with my insomnia. I've tried the prescription stuff and it causes too many side effects.

 

[Trading Tiger]

To say that weed isn't addictive is kind of like saying coffee or coca-cola isn't addictive. You only realize you're addicted when you try to stop, trust me, I know. Back when I smoked and later vaped every day, I told myself all the time I could quit whenever I wanted but it was far from that easy. People also joke about having to have their morning coffee or they'd die, and they never stop to think that that might be a sign of a problem or addiction. Now, it certainly isn't on the same level as heroin, alcohol, cigarettes, and other legal or illegal drugs, but marijuana is most certainly addictive. Withdrawal symptoms include irritability and difficulty sleeping among other things.

I would support legalization though. If alcohol and cigarettes are legal, no way in the world does it make sence for pot to not be.

 

[BAnksMcFadden]

I agree trading, in college I was a heavy user but was able to stop, It wasn't difficult for me but I have seen it be for others. I have always hear that it was mentally addictive, as in you like the feeling, but not physically addictive, as in the chemistry of you body changes to require it to function, like heroine, crack, coke, and others. I don't know the validity of that claim however.

 

[TigerNation2011]

Yes, and I don't smoke.

 

[bigcatfg3]

Originally posted by Trading Tiger:
To say that weed isn't addictive is kind of like saying coffee or coca-cola isn't addictive. You only realize you're addicted when you try to stop, trust me, I know. Back when I smoked and later vaped every day, I told myself all the time I could quit whenever I wanted but it was far from that easy. People also joke about having to have their morning coffee or they'd die, and they never stop to think that that might be a sign of a problem or addiction. Now, it certainly isn't on the same level as heroin, alcohol, cigarettes, and other legal or illegal drugs, but marijuana is most certainly addictive. Withdrawal symptoms include irritability and difficulty sleeping among other things.

I would support legalization though. If alcohol and cigarettes are legal, no way in the world does it make sence for pot to not be.

Psychological "dependence" exists at every level.
There are TI members who are "addicted" to this message board, not physically but psychologically.
Weed, while addictive, is no more so than any many other vices, including chocolate, porn, caffeine.

As far as being a cash cow for state coffers, the CO experiment has failed to produce the numbers that were originally projected, perhaps because all transactions must be cash only. I think the bigger benefit is reduction of prison overcrowding and reduced drug violence.

So yes, sooner than later.

 

[Clemblack]

Yes.

I've always wondered why some people want to tell other people what they can and can't do.

 

[rollcall2daball]

I'd say the number of folks who don't smoke weed bc it is currently illegal is small. The state might as well collect the taxes instead of illegal dealers profiting. Not to mention the saved cost of incarceration and law enforcement.

 

[firegiver]

Originally posted by Trading Tiger:
To say that weed isn't addictive is kind of like saying coffee or coca-cola isn't addictive. You only realize you're addicted when you try to stop, trust me, I know. Back when I smoked and later vaped every day, I told myself all the time I could quit whenever I wanted but it was far from that easy. People also joke about having to have their morning coffee or they'd die, and they never stop to think that that might be a sign of a problem or addiction. Now, it certainly isn't on the same level as heroin, alcohol, cigarettes, and other legal or illegal drugs, but marijuana is most certainly addictive. Withdrawal symptoms include irritability and difficulty sleeping among other things.

I would support legalization though. If alcohol and cigarettes are legal, no way in the world does it make sence for pot to not be.

heh... You do realize that psychological and physical addiction are two different things? You can form a physical addiction to caffeine, thats why people get headaches. I never formed a physical addiction to weed. I don't do it anymore and it wasn't difficult to stop. Quitting cigarettes however, deer lorde that took some time.

This post was edited on 5/13 1:38 PM by firegiver

 

[firegiver]

Decriminalize it. The war on drugs is a huge failure and just gives cops excuses to be gestapo like thugs. Only alcohol, tobacco and private prison system lobbyist want it to remain illegal.

 

[grilled124]

God lets it grow, we should reap it's benefits.

 

[FewTiger84]

with votes on the docket in Ga and NC this fall it will be impossible to keep massive amounts of pot from coming across the borders. Alot of small farmers would benefit greatly from legislation in SC.

 

[RUBDROC]

People say video poker was not bad for this state too. Ruined thousands of peoples lives. Pot will do the same. Sorry guys its the truth.
Posted from Rivals Mobile

 

[chassc]

Originally posted by Clemblack:

Yes.

I've always wondered why some people want to tell other people what they can and can't do.

Well, they're called laws. Whether the lawmakers get it right or wrong, the laws are generally passed for the betterment of the community. Sure, there is a lot of money and politics behind some laws; but telling other people what they can and can't do is part of a civilized, governed society.
That said, it's time for the pot laws to be looked at and reconsidered.

 

[steele-tiger]

Legalize.

Not worse that plenty of addictive vices like alcohol and cigarettes.

Now if Earle36 comes out in favor of legalization then I may have to rethink my position.

 

[jmh9713]

Originally posted by RUBDROC:
People say video poker was not bad for this state too. Ruined thousands of peoples lives. Pot will do the same. Sorry guys its the truth.
Posted from Rivals Mobile

Video poker didn't ruin my life. I never played. Pot never ruined my life. I don't smoke. It is the same as everything in this world. If you do something do it in moderation. If you drink ......don't be a drunk. If you gamble don't be a moron with your money. If you smoke pot don't puff away 24/7

Its really very simple. Has self control over yourself. Stop worrying about everyone else.

Allow it. Tax it. Then use the money for much needed programs (or heck throw some back to higher ed for once)

 

[PAWrocka]

Originally posted by firegiver:
Decriminalize it. The war on drugs is a huge failure and just gives cops excuses to be gestapo like thugs. Only alcohol, tobacco, Drug cartels, and private prison system lobbyist want it to remain illegal.

Fixed for you....

I wonder just how much cartel money is floating around DC and state capitals

 

[DrPeterVenkman]

Originally posted by firegiver:
Decriminalize it. The war on drugs is a huge failure and just gives cops excuses to be gestapo like thugs. Only alcohol, tobacco and private prison system lobbyist want it to remain illegal.

+1

 

[steele-tiger]

Originally posted by RUBDROC:
People say video poker was not bad for this state too. Ruined thousands of peoples lives. Pot will do the same. Sorry guys its the truth.
Posted from Rivals Mobile

No question pot will ruin a fraction of the people that use it lives. It already does in SC and it is illegal.

Perhaps is ruins more lives if it is legal that wouldn't have been ruined by other vices both legal and illegal, but at least if it is legal you can regulate and tax it on the front end and you are not paying millions a year on the back end policing it, putting people in jail, etc.

People are always going to make bad choices. Let people make those choices. You might even ruin less lives by not sentencing people to jail, causing lost jobs, and breaking up families by throwing people in a cage for smoking weed.

 

[PAWrocka]

Originally posted by steele-tiger:

Originally posted by RUBDROC:
People say video poker was not bad for this state too. Ruined thousands of peoples lives. Pot will do the same. Sorry guys its the truth.
Posted from Rivals Mobile

No question pot will ruin a fraction of the people that use it lives. It already does in SC and it is illegal.

Perhaps is ruins more lives if it is legal that wouldn't have been ruined by other vices both legal and illegal, but at least if it is legal you can regulate and tax it on the front end and you are not paying millions a year on the back end policing it, putting people in jail, etc.

People are always going to make bad choices. Let people make those choices. You might even ruin less lives by not sentencing people to jail, causing lost jobs, and breaking up families by throwing people in a cage for smoking weed.

+1

Spoken like a true Libertarian!

There is simply zero argument against it. Even the religious zealots ..... Genesis 1:12 "I have given you all the seed bearing plants and HERBS to use"

 

[firegiver]

Originally posted by CuWrX8314:

Originally posted by firegiver:
Decriminalize it. The war on drugs is a huge failure and just gives cops excuses to be gestapo like thugs. Only alcohol, tobacco, Drug cartels, and private prison system lobbyist want it to remain illegal.

Fixed for you....

I wonder just how much cartel money is floating around DC and state capitals

Good fix. Lets not forget Big Pharma who doesn't have a patent on it.

 

[Trading Tiger]

Originally posted by firegiver:

Originally posted by Trading Tiger:
To say that weed isn't addictive is kind of like saying coffee or coca-cola isn't addictive. You only realize you're addicted when you try to stop, trust me, I know. Back when I smoked and later vaped every day, I told myself all the time I could quit whenever I wanted but it was far from that easy. People also joke about having to have their morning coffee or they'd die, and they never stop to think that that might be a sign of a problem or addiction. Now, it certainly isn't on the same level as heroin, alcohol, cigarettes, and other legal or illegal drugs, but marijuana is most certainly addictive. Withdrawal symptoms include irritability and difficulty sleeping among other things.

I would support legalization though. If alcohol and cigarettes are legal, no way in the world does it make sence for pot to not be.

heh... You do realize that psychological and physical addiction are two different things? You can form a physical addiction to caffeine, thats why people get headaches. I never formed a physical addiction to weed. I don't do it anymore and it wasn't difficult to stop. Quitting cigarettes however, deer lorde that took some time.

This post was edited on 5/13 1:38 PM by firegiver

Whether or not physical addiction is a separate thing than psychological addiction is irrelevant. Here's the definition of addiction:

Main Entry: ad·dic·tion
Pronunciation: \ə-ˈdik-shən, a-\
Function: noun
Date: 1599
1 : the quality or state of being addicted 2 : compulsive need for and use of a habit-forming substance (as heroin, nicotine, or alcohol) characterized by tolerance and by well-defined physiological symptoms upon withdrawal ; broadly : persistent compulsive use of a substance known by the user to be harmful

Now tell me, how exactly do you think marijuana doesn't fit into that definition? Actually you know what, don't even bother. Nothing you can say will change my past experiences. I suffered physical effects of withdrawal. And again, I understand and realize that they weren't anywhere close to what a heroin addict or an alcoholic would experience, but neither is that of caffeine. A headache!?! Give me a break.

 

[bigcatfg3]

Originally posted by FewTiger84:

with votes on the docket in Ga and NC this fall it will be impossible to keep massive amounts of pot from coming across the borders. Alot of small farmers would benefit greatly from legislation in SC.

Fewtiger -is this legislation for medical mj, decriminalization or legalization?

 

[TAINT_PAINT]

 

[FewTiger84]

Originally posted by bigcatfg3:

Originally posted by FewTiger84:

with votes on the docket in Ga and NC this fall it will be impossible to keep massive amounts of pot from coming across the borders. Alot of small farmers would benefit greatly from legislation in SC.

Fewtiger -is this legislation for medical mj, decriminalization or legalization?

MedPot

 

[kgwillison]

Interesting thoughts but get realisitic: one of the states in the Union that will be LAST to legalize marijuana is South Carolina. Here's betting same-sex marriage is legal in SC before marijuana.

 

[cuandcofcfan]

they could start with lowering sentencing big-time

No sentences for anything under half a pound and no more than 5 years for more but I agree with legalizing it for 18 and older.

 

[blythewood tigers]

Any drug should be legal. Any drink should be legal. Any type of cloths should be legal. Any type of jewelry should be legal. Any tattoo should be legal. Any piercing should be legal. Any type of makeup should be legal.

I think you get the point.

Now where and when you can go with any of the aforementioned things is up to the discretion of your destination/host. THAT is the American way and it shouldn't be ANY other way. If you think or believe any differently then you are against Freedom and should rethink why you are against it because the country you are living in was NOT founded under your NEW principles.

 

[chassc]

Originally posted by blythewood tigers:

Any drug should be legal. Any drink should be legal. Any type of cloths should be legal. Any type of jewelry should be legal. Any tattoo should be legal. Any piercing should be legal. Any type of makeup should be legal.

I think you get the point.

Now where and when you can go with any of the aforementioned things is up to the discretion of your destination/host. THAT is the American way and it shouldn't be ANY other way. If you think or believe any differently then you are against Freedom and should rethink why you are against it because the country you are living in was NOT founded under your NEW principles.

Ridiculous. I'm not a "there ought to be a law" kind of guy, but there has to be some system in place to protect the public from various dangers. If I want to create a cocktail made of gasoline, rat poison, and paint thinner...I should not be free to package it, call it an energy drink, and sell it to the masses. Cloths, tats, jewelry, etc...who gives a fvck?

 

[blythewood tigers]

Who said anything about selling it to the "masses" besides you? You were supposed to interpret it for yourself so, no, not ridiculous after all now is it.