Decriminalizing Marijuana- Lawmakers Prepare for Debate

Its looking like in the state of Vermont (Where I live), there is going to be a bill passed that will decriminalize weed..not legalize, but decriminalize.

http://www.wcax.com/global/story.asp?s=7760320
http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=7625553
http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=7630747

I can't seem to find said email address, but once I do, feel free to email your thoughts to them. The voting on the bill will happen tonight..what are your thoughts?

 

Sorry to be a nag, but what does "decriminalize" mean?

 

Not make it "legal", but make the punishment less. Basically you get fined, instead of going to prison.

 

Ah ok, Thanks Daily. Yes, I suppose that it is a good idea to lessen the punishment. I mean, some people aren't addicts, they just buy the drugs because it helps them with pain from an illness etc.

Yes, I think they should decriminalize it.

 

Yes as Mr james said

alot of people buy it for illnesses/or just for fun

but there are some bad effects

for me its a 50/50 choice

i think in one way should be decriminalize it and keep it criminalized

 

Lame. They need to make the leap and just legalize it. It's not harmful, not physically, at least.

By the way, I hereby designate this the official Marijuana thread, etc.

 

Maybe they will eventually legalize it but for the time being they probably feel it is enough to just have it decriminalized.

 

• The harmful effects of marijuana on the Brain and Central Nervous System
  
  1. Marijuana (THC) is an extremely powerful and pleasurable intoxicant. It affects, alters, and damages brain cells controlling thinking, emotion, pleasure, coordination, mood and memory. The pituitary gland is also damaged which regulates hunger, thirst, blood pressure, sexual behavior, and release of sex hormones.
     
  2. Clogged synapses, brain damage and addiction
     
  3. Marijuana accumulates in the microscopic spaces between nerve cells in the brain called "synapses." This clogging interferes by slowing and impairing transfer critical information.
     
  4. Long term use causes the brain to stop production of brain chemicals necessary to "feel good" - a negative feedback condition. And, the user becomes chemically addicted to marijuana.
  
  
• The harmful effects of marijuana on the Heart
  
  
  Speeds up heartbeat as much as 50%, increases blood pressure, and poses great risk to those with hypertension and heart disease.
  
  
• The harmful effects of marijuana on the Endocrine System
  
  1. Marijuana damages the network of glands, organs, and hormones involved in growth and development, energy levels, and reproduction.
     
  2. Organs and glands affected:
     • pituitary gland
     • thyroid gland
     • stomach
     • duodenum
     • pancreas
     • adrenal glands
     • testis
• The harmful effects of marijuana on the Reproductive System males and females
  
  1. Marijuana use can decrease and degenerate sperm, sperm count, movement, and cause lowered sex drive. Females can have egg damage, suppression of ovulation, disrupt menstrual cycles, and alteration of hormone levels.
     
  2. Regular use during pregnancy can lower birth weight and cause abnormalities similar to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (small head, irritability, poor growth and development.
     
  3. Can destroy the number of chromosomes, resulting in cell abnormalities and impaired function
• Other affects on the central nervous system
  
  1. distortions of perceptions, thinking and reality
  2. Difficulty in forming concepts and thoughts
  3. Poor concentration
  4. Mental confusion
  5. Loss of motivation
  6. Wide mood swings
  7. Aggression and hostility
  8. Depression, anxiety and paranoia
• The harmful effects of marijuana on the Eyes
  
  Sleep looking, blood-shot eyes with dilated pupils.
  
• The harmful effects of marijuana on the Throat
  
  Irritates membranes of the esophagus; increases chance of developing cancer of larynx and esophagus.
  
• The harmful effects of marijuana on the Lungs
  
  1. Significant damage and destruction of the air sacs of the lungs, reducing the lungs ability to bring oxygen and remove carbon dioxide - Emphysema.
     
  2. Causes bronchial tubes to be inflamed, thickened and to produce more mucus; resulting in narrowing of the air passages - Chronic Bronchitis.
     
  3. Marijuana smoke has twice as much "tar" as cigarette smoke and significantly increases chance of lung cancer, inflammation and infection.

 

The fact is weed in moderation will have minimal effects. I mean if you take a chain smoker and a pot head who do you think is gonna kill over first.

To me, a drug is something you can OD on. As far as I know people can't OD on pot. But go take 17 asprin and it'll be the last headache you ever have.

 

These sites are a bit better:

http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/evidence99/marijuana/Health_1.html
http://www.marijuana-detox.com/m-dangers.htm

Etc. A bit less biased, in my opinion.

By the way, think of marijuana as a drug somewhat like alcohol. To claim that people under the influence of marijuana are potentially unsafe to society is a true claim, although obvious. When you're drunk, you should not drive, study, have sex, do drugs, etc. Same thing with marijuana. Now, can you show that it's worse than alcohol?

 

Just posted the first thing I googled, looked adiquite


Marijuana is worse then alchohol, because of the violence/dealings associated with it.

Marijuana also causes lung damage, alcohol does not.

 

There wouldn't be any marijuana dealings if it was legalized.

Alcohol causes liver damage, marijuana does not.

 

Meh i'd rather drink then smoke in a live or die situation for the rest of my life lol.... i mean smoking is just horrible it makes you slow and stupid everything just seems funny to them.... in my perspectives i consider weed to be a friend of low lives if they are heave smokers (No offence to you heavy smokers out there) but if they smoke it socially then yeah i guess it's alright....

I just know from experience when people drink they drink to have fun and dance and all that, but friends of mine when they smoke they just loaf around smiling at everything. Where people that drink get this burst of energy and just plainly the situation becomes more fun. If you smoke socially it's just better to drink because you get no fun out of it (OF COURSE everyone is different) lol... well just my point of view, and some of those friends personally aren't my friends anymore cuz weed just takes over em lol no offense to people that smoke or anything.... i know some of you say you smoke to concentrate and this and that okay that might be you but from what i've experienced i havn't seen a good side to it and neither have i seen one to drinking im just saying i would choose to drink socially instead of smoking...

Well anyways back to the topic. I think Marijuana penalties should be kept the same or increased because now adays everyone carries it around not caring a bit....

 

And being in the state of alcohol intoxication doesn't make you slow and ignorant?

Many people drink for maudlin reasons such as depression or stress.

High school students to go to very out-of-way places around and out of campus to smoke together. Smoking marijuana can be pleasurable for the smoker, but many people view these smokers with scorn. Really, it's no different than going to a party and drinking and having fun.

When your friends are drunk, they don't act themselves, it's comparable with marijuana. If you can control the quantity you take and be a responsible user, I think it's fine.

Who smokes to concentrate? The only good side is that it gives some people a feeling of being 'cool' and is enjoyable.

I think it is fine if you are responsible while you are intoxicated and don't disturb others. Society tends to look down disdainfully on smokers, but as much on drunkards.

 

Liver cancer...the only reason why the violence is because since that it's illegal, that it's harder to get ahold of. If it was legal, people would just buy it...alchohol on the other hand, causes much more family issues and death-per-year.

 

Marijuana is illegal and alcohol is legal although both can cause serious damage, I'd rather drink a controlled amount and enjoy it, as you said smokers can control there substance as well and take responsibilty. Also i never drink to get drunk nor do my friends, as i may see where you're with this people don't smoke to just sit there and lay there, but they still sit there and lay there smiling ignorantly haha i just like making fun of pot heads
Point being is that bud is illegal and alcohol is legal nothing else to it...

 

Guys. Keep in mind the original posts talks about decriminalisation of SMALL AMOUNTS of pot.

So, if you grow the stuff (or are found with heaps of it), you'll probably still go to gaol.

And to all you 'there are more deaths from alcohol than marijuana each year' people, think about this. Most people don't drink to get smashed. They drink for fun. Most people (that I know, at least) hardly ever get drunk, but they drink alcohol fairly often.

Marijuana smokers ONLY do it for the high. The sole purpose is to get blazed. And while you're under the influence of weed, you do stupid things. Now think about what would happen if weed was legalised.

 

If it were legal, you wouldn't have that problem.

That's because you smoke it. Who cares? Aren't people free to abuse their own bodies as they see fit?

 

Sadly it probably won't matter whether or not it is "decriminalized", I live in Colorado and in Denver it is legal to carry upto 1 ounce of Marijuana freely. Although the citizen holding the drug can still be charge on federal charges and still go to jail...

Only thing this may accomplish is showing that this is a highly demanded drug,
Marijuana possesion is a victimless crime,
And citizens will continue to use with or with-out government support.

 

you asked

I answered that question.

People can do whatever they want to their own bodies, I don't really care. Its when they start effecting others is when I start to care.