legalizing Marijuana? Read please!

I'm not surprised that this topic has sparked quite the debate.metallica_fan42

I think the argument 'weed is a gateway drug' is nonsense. Smoking weed doesn't suddenly make you want to use coke or whatever, the interest in it would also come if you'd not smoke pot. It's a matter of common sense that 98% of all weed smokers have aswell, you don't just start using heroin. It's dumb. Just take a look at robbers... at first they steal a deodorant stick at a supermarket... then when they get away with that they try to pickpocket someone, and finally, they rob a bank. The urge to steal was always in them however. Just because weed is the first step on the illegal drugs scale (well in the US anyways) doesn't mean that all users automatically start to want using other stuff aswell.

Weed in itself is harmless enough, and the Netherlands kinda prove this statement is right.

I think the argument 'weed is a gateway drug' is nonsense. Smoking weed doesn't suddenly make you want to use coke or whatever, the interest in it would also come if you'd not smoke pot. It's a matter of common sense that 98% of all weed smokers have aswell, you don't just start using heroin. It's dumb. Just take a look at robbers... at first they steal a deodorant stick at a supermarket... then when they get away with that they try to pickpocket someone, and finally, they rob a bank. The urge to steal was always in them however. Just because weed is the first step on the illegal drugs scale (well in the US anyways) doesn't mean that all users automatically start to want using other stuff aswell.

Weed in itself is harmless enough, and the Netherlands kinda prove this statement is right.

Apenoot

[QUOTE="metallica_fan42"]I'm not surprised that this topic has sparked quite the debate.andyxm

I think the argument 'weed is a gateway drug' is nonsense. Smoking weed doesn't suddenly make you want to use coke or whatever, the interest in it would also come if you'd not smoke pot. It's a matter of common sense that 98% of all weed smokers have aswell, you don't just start using heroin. It's dumb. Just take a look at robbers... at first they steal a deodorant stick at a supermarket... then when they get away with that they try to pickpocket someone, and finally, they rob a bank. The urge to steal was always in them however. Just because weed is the first step on the illegal drugs scale (well in the US anyways) doesn't mean that all users automatically start to want using other stuff aswell.

Weed in itself is harmless enough, and the Netherlands kinda prove this statement is right.

Apenoot

I agree with your statement that most pot smokers stick to pot, but the 98% is a bit high, i would put it more at around 85%andyxm

The problem is that most hard drug users (weed is not considered a hard drug here, dunno about the US?) also used or still use weed. That might give the indication that weed is the root AND blame for drugs abuse.

Let me ask you some questions then (out of curiousity, not trying to bash you or anything :) ):

1) When only under influence of weed, and not being broke or whatever from drug debts from other drugs... have you ever done something inappropriate that you wouldn't have done if you would be sober?

2) Do you really believe that coke and heroin users wouldn't have started using that if they wouldn't have used weed for a time first? (personally I think they'd try out other stuff like glue then)

3) Is weed really that physically unhealthy for you?

I believe that weed itself doesn't have that many negative effects. And since controling the weed market is way easier and cheaper than hunting dealers and planters, I think legalizing would be appropriate :)

[QUOTE="andyxm"][QUOTE="metallica_fan42"]I'm not surprised that this topic has sparked quite the debate.metallica_fan42

[QUOTE="andyxm"]I agree with your statement that most pot smokers stick to pot, but the 98% is a bit high, i would put it more at around 85%Apenoot

The problem is that most hard drug users (weed is not considered a hard drug here, dunno about the US?) also used or still use weed. That might give the indication that weed is the root AND blame for drugs abuse.

Let me ask you some questions then (out of curiousity, not trying to bash you or anything :) ):

1) When only under influence of weed, and not being broke or whatever from drug debts from other drugs... have you ever done something inappropriate that you wouldn't have done if you would be sober?

2) Do you really believe that coke and heroin users wouldn't have started using that if they wouldn't have used weed for a time first? (personally I think they'd try out other stuff like glue then)

3) Is weed really that physically unhealthy for you?

I believe that weed itself doesn't have that many negative effects. And since controling the weed market is way easier and cheaper than hunting dealers and planters, I think legalizing would be appropriate :)

It should stay illegal.dawgsfan1447

[QUOTE="dawgsfan1447"]It should stay illegal.Caffeine_Trip

No it should not be legalized because in turn that officially makes it acceptable by a society. Which I am not for, for many reasons. rimnet00

I couldn't have said it better myself!!! :)

Also, drug trafficing would increase as well as the violence that goes along with it.
nbtrap1212

[QUOTE="nbtrap1212"]Also, drug trafficing would increase as well as the violence that goes along with it.
sped_ed

[QUOTE="sped_ed"][QUOTE="nbtrap1212"]Also, drug trafficing would increase as well as the violence that goes along with it.
andyxm

marijuana should be legalized...and cigerates should be bannedOwned_Noob

[QUOTE="andyxm"][QUOTE="sped_ed"][QUOTE="nbtrap1212"]Also, drug trafficing would increase as well as the violence that goes along with it.
sped_ed

[QUOTE="sped_ed"][QUOTE="andyxm"][QUOTE="sped_ed"][QUOTE="nbtrap1212"]Also, drug trafficing would increase as well as the violence that goes along with it.
andyxm

[QUOTE="nbtrap1212"]Also, drug trafficing would increase as well as the violence that goes along with it.
sped_ed

Some people care about the international image of our country and would prefer not to be compared to Jamaica and Europe.nbtrap1212

I think Europe's global image is MUCH and MUCH better than the image of the US :D :D :D

EDIT: I also love how some see the NL's as some sort of criminal drug state :D ...we're one of the most decent countries in the world!

[QUOTE="nbtrap1212"]Some people care about the international image of our country and would prefer not to be compared to Jamaica and Europe.Apenoot

I think Europe's global image is MUCH and MUCH better than the image of the US :D :D :D

[QUOTE="Apenoot"]

[QUOTE="nbtrap1212"]Some people care about the international image of our country and would prefer not to be compared to Jamaica and Europe.nbtrap1212

I think Europe's global image is MUCH and MUCH better than the image of the US :D :D :D

[QUOTE="Apenoot"]

[QUOTE="nbtrap1212"]Some people care about the international image of our country and would prefer not to be compared to Jamaica and Europe.nbtrap1212

I think Europe's global image is MUCH and MUCH better than the image of the US :D :D :D

It really was a political statement actually :wink:

Anyways, each his own opinion I guess.

[QUOTE="Apenoot"]

[QUOTE="andyxm"]Drugs are horrible, they ruin lives. You said you've never see anyone addicted to weed? That either becasue you cant see the forest through the trees or your blind. andyxm

I think you're a little biased. Aside from the fact that I, a Dutchman, never saw ANY weed addict in my life, NOR a crime commited under influence of marijuana, study has indeed shown that weed is not physically addicting. And while it may become a habit to smoke it, it's also very easy to quit if you really want to. I NEVER EVER saw ANYONE get into trouble because they were stoned from weed.

[QUOTE="nbtrap1212"][QUOTE="Apenoot"]

[QUOTE="nbtrap1212"]Some people care about the international image of our country and would prefer not to be compared to Jamaica and Europe.sped_ed

I think Europe's global image is MUCH and MUCH better than the image of the US :D :D :D

You said it's not phisically addictive. But there have been plenty of studies that show that it is psycologically I have comited crimes while i was high, I had to go into rehab for a year to kick my addiction, although i was doing other drugs as well, I would always go back to smoking weed. Im speaking from personal expeirence, and I have seen alot of people comit alot of crimes in order to get some pot.Loonie

I agree. I got into a LOT of trouble because of alcohol abuse, but nothing ever happened if I was stoned. And just like you, I quit without any making any effort. I didnt smoke it everyday, but still on a regular basis. No harm done, haven't missed it for a second. 

[QUOTE="nbtrap1212"]Some people care about the international image of our country and would prefer not to be compared to Jamaica and Europe.Apenoot

I think Europe's global image is MUCH and MUCH better than the image of the US :D :D :D

EDIT: I also love how some see the NL's as some sort of criminal drug state :D ...we're one of the most decent countries in the world!

Neither do bums who smoke marijuanna and proud, hard working Americans.
nbtrap1212

They are not opposites... Practically all weed smokers I know work hard aswell. And no they don't come to work being stoned.

[QUOTE="nbtrap1212"]
Neither do bums who smoke marijuanna and proud, hard working Americans.
Apenoot

They are not opposites... Practically all weed smokers I know work hard aswell. And no they don't come to work being stoned.

I believe the Netherlands came top of a survey which asked what is the best country in the developed world to grow up in. America came 20th and the UK came 21st -.-Loonie

Yeah :D ...it was on Dutch TV. Seen it aswell. You wouldn't happen to be Dutch aswell, would ya? :D

Lekker argumenteren met mensen die niet eens weten waar ons land ligt maar ons wel kunnen vertellen dat we een klote drugsbeleid hebben :lol:

I disagree.  Bums who drop out of high-school smoke marijuanna, and I'm sure only a small portion of pot-heads are successful in life.
nbtrap1212

You confuse lazy ppl that start using pot with ppl who start using pot and become lazy. And why would legalizing be so bad if the Netherlands have amongst the lowest percentages of weed addicts of any (Western) country in the world?! It sure is legal there...

[QUOTE="sped_ed"][QUOTE="andyxm"]Drugs are horrible, they ruin lives. You said you've never see anyone addicted to weed? That either becasue you cant see the forest through the trees or your blind. andyxm

[QUOTE="nbtrap1212"]I disagree. Bums who drop out of high-school smoke marijuanna, and I'm sure only a small portion of pot-heads are successful in life.
Apenoot

You confuse lazy ppl that start using pot with ppl who start using pot and become lazy. And why would legalizing be so bad if the Netherlands have amongst the lowest percentages of weed addicts of any (Western) country in the world?! It sure is legal there...

[QUOTE="Apenoot"]

[QUOTE="nbtrap1212"]
Neither do bums who smoke marijuanna and proud, hard working Americans.
nbtrap1212

They are not opposites... Practically all weed smokers I know work hard aswell. And no they don't come to work being stoned.

[QUOTE="nbtrap1212"][QUOTE="Apenoot"]

[QUOTE="nbtrap1212"]
Neither do bums who smoke marijuanna and proud, hard working Americans.
sped_ed

They are not opposites... Practically all weed smokers I know work hard aswell. And no they don't come to work being stoned.

[QUOTE="Loonie"]I believe the Netherlands came top of a survey which asked what is the best country in the developed world to grow up in. America came 20th and the UK came 21st -.-Apenoot

Yeah :D ...it was on Dutch TV. Seen it aswell. You wouldn't happen to be Dutch aswell, would ya? :D

Lekker argumenteren met mensen die niet eens weten waar ons land ligt maar ons wel kunnen vertellen dat we een klote drugsbeleid hebben :lol:

Just because the Netherlands have few addicts doesn't mean it's because the drug is legal. 

And correct me if I'm wrong, but I would bet you're a pot-head yourself (I can't imaine a straight-edged person supporting its legalization).  So, I'm arguing with a pot-head...there's really no way out of this.
nbtrap1212

The Netherlands have few addicts because it's legal here which means you can just get it in coffeeshops and not off some shady street dealer who added all sorts of chemicals to his stuff. Amongst other reasons.

I used to smoke pot, yes, but I quit. Instantly. No effort required. That was 4 or 5 years ago. Once or twice a year I smoke one, just for fun. Otherwise I don't miss it at all.