California marijuana debate

[Kohan]

It's still true.

Quoting myself (and others) to combat statements like these sure makes things easier. So, let's get started!

And if you do actually want to make a difference (and learn more about marijuana in general):

Marijuana Law Reform - NORML

MPP Homepage

As for BG's own thorough discussion of the advantages of legalization in the past:

http://www.bluegartr.com/forum/68075...-public-2.html

Starts at about post #60ish.

Then to add some more to that:

Why is Marijuana Illegal?

YouTube - Noam Chomsky on Marijuana

Video sharpens focus on raid | Philadelphia Daily News | 03/30/2009

The war on drugs has corrupted the police force. Things like "no knock" warrants that get people killed and the ability to arrest you simply for having money on you is all thanks to the war on drugs.

Legalize drugs and remove all the powers the police force gained in order to fight the war on drugs and you will have a safer and less corrupt police force more willing to protect and serve.

Also:

Even if it becomes legal, can u still get a job with it?

Considering that people can get jobs even if they're addicted to myriad perscription drugs, tobacco, or are alcoholics, yes. A tremendous part of the reason it should be legalized is to prevent legitimately legal smokers from being penalized, but the links provided enough argue plenty about that.

[Kiro]

Taxed weed? Stupid. It's gonna be nice at first, but then the quality will go to shit, the amount you get for the price you pay won't be worth it, and.. well, that's it. Overpriced, shitty quality, etc.

Legalizing it period would be awesome though. Buy from your usual dealer and just take a stroll smoking a joint. That'd make life so much more fun.

[Kerberoz]

I really doubt that, even with taxes, the prices would higher than getting it illegally. Think about how cheap it'd be to mass-produce without the markup from legal risk and multiple levels of dealers all taking a cut. The stuff is easy to grow; most of the current cost is due to the risk involved.

If it was treated like alcohol where you just need to obtain a license and pay taxes, you'd have multiple brands competing for market share. The quality would still remain high, maybe even improve due to using science to increase yields. Think about genetically modified pot that produces 3x the THC.

[grantlogan]

lol my 'It's still true' statement had nothing to do with the marijuana debate.

[Dimmauk]

lol my 'It's still true' statement had nothing to do with the marijuana debate.

You were high weren't you? LOL

[Day]

It's ok, nobody cares.

Kiro, I don't think it would become shitty if taxed. I mean alchohol still has the same effects. Even if it does, nothing to stop you from growing it really, except getting caught but that exists now.

Anything is better than the current state of affairs imo.

[Kohan]

lol my 'It's still true' statement had nothing to do with the marijuana debate.

Your previous statement did, didn't it? To be honest, I wasn't sure whether you were being sarcastic or sincere, but considering your reluctance to elaborate, I provided the more informative response.

That aside, I'm not sure why people are under the impression that government-regulated weed would be terrible. You must not have ever actually had any. Dispensaries can sell some fantastic stuff, and being absolutely certain as to whether you're getting a sativa or indica strain is an undeniable necessity, particularly where patients are the largest concern.

Additionally, legalization and taxation on prepared product does not equal making it illegal to grow.

Beyond that, if you enjoy smoking marijuana but are honestly opposed to the legalization of it, I have to say that I'm disappointed in you, being such an advocate myself. It's a selfish stance, no better than the mindset of people who ignore facts and demand that weed is forever demonized.

[grantlogan]

Really? I was talking about how California is overflowing with people and doesn't need more. And accusing me of being slefish about legalizing pot is just hilarious since I havn't said a godman thing directly about the debate.

[Day]

She wasn't talking to you about that bro.

Do you have anything at all related to the topic to add or do you just want to talk about how California is full of people?

[grantlogan]

Ah sorry then, carry on.

[Katlan]

I'll believe all this the day I actually see it legalized. Because it's always been a never ending debate for legalization and I don't see this being any diff from the 1,000+ other attempts over the same thing.

I'd go visit California immediately if they took care of this.

You've never been to CA? That's like somebody saying they have never been to NY!

[Chicomagiko]

I've never been to NY. What are the odds?

[archibaldcrane]

I have no reason to believe the "quality will go down". The medical stuff they have here is in all shapes and sizes, and all of it is insane. I'm a weed lightweight and don't smoke often at all, but one hit of any medical that I've had here and I'm high as a fucking kite.

However, the manner in which medical marijuana has been implemented has been retarded, and weed might as well be legal. You can go to any 2-bit crackpot doctor and get a script for marijuana - they have docs with pot leaves on their billboards. It's complete unfettered prescription fraud and takes no effort.

Might as well remove the ridiculous unfounded idea that it is still "illegal without prescription" because it's a farce and make some revenue. It's nice that Arnold is at least somewhat considering it.

[Day]

I was watching um.. that movie Super High Me, and he was showing the places there where you can buy weed, but he didn't go into a lot of detail about getting the prescription, at least if he did I wasn't paying attention.

I was pretty curious how that works, I mean obviously your more traditional doctors wont prescribe marijuana, so you just seek out a weed doc and tell him you're feeling down or ?? I mean it has to be clear as day what you are after. Can you go into any more detail on how all that works?

[archibaldcrane]

I was watching um.. that movie Super High Me, and he was showing the places there where you can buy weed, but he didn't go into a lot of detail about getting the prescription, at least if he did I wasn't paying attention.

I was pretty curious how that works, I mean obviously your more traditional doctors wont prescribe marijuana, so you just seek out a weed doc and tell him you're feeling down or ?? I mean it has to be clear as day what you are after. Can you go into any more detail on how all that works?

I haven't done it, and supposedly the more traditional docs will eventually prescribe it for the people for whom it's intended (chemo patients for appetite, glaucoma, shit like that) but for the weed docs you basically go in, tell them you have anxiety or something to that effect - they know why you're there.

Just don't tell them you have legionnaire's disease and they'll give you a card.

[Day]

Sounds amazing.

[Jer]

Anxiety, or having trouble eating/sleeping, etc.

[Day]

Does that medical marijuana get taxed at all?

[Kohan]

Sounds amazing.

It's true that it really isn't that difficult. However, you normally do need to prove something. As someone living in the state with several legal friends, I can go into a little more detail on that.

Ordinarily, would-be card carriers first schedule an appointment with a reasonably well-known doctor. Finding one with a positive reputation isn't too difficult, and can be done easily enough on the internet. Once that's accomplished, they obtain their own medical records noting whatever they have a history of problems with (e.g., scoliosis). This information is provided to the card-giver, usually satisfies their needs, and then, one becomes legal.

It is true that there are places which just "give away" cards, but it is better to rely on those who follow the above (which isn't terribly demanding, anyway). If you don't have any existing/current medical records, you will need to schedule an appointment at a clinic, with a psychiatrist, etc., and get some.

[Olo401]

Rhode Island's current model is similar to California's, except the medical conditions to legally obtain a medical use license are set by the state Department of Health and (due to the pure stupidity of the state legislature) distribution of any kind is still illegal so technically the card is only a get-out-of-jail-free card for possession or use. There is a bill in the works that would allow for state-operated dispensaries only.

As for full legalization, I'm completely for it but I'd be perfectly happy with restrictions set on use like age (over 18 or 21), can't drive or work w/ machinery under the influence, even restrictions in public similar to smoking bans (unless using a vaporizer). And of course it should be taxed.