Marijuana Legalization Bill

[Keystone Phil]

Exactly, it's like saying that just because we can't ever hope to stop rape, and prosecuting rapists is just costing us so damn much money, we should just legalize it, tax it, and be done with it.

An incredibly fallacious argument. Rape is, by definition, harmful to others.

And the effects of marijuana aren't harmful?

[Keystone Phil]

Exactly, it's like saying that just because we can't ever hope to stop rape, and prosecuting rapists is just costing us so damn much money, we should just legalize it, tax it, and be done with it.

An incredibly fallacious argument. Rape is, by definition, harmful to others.

And the effects of marijuana aren't harmful?

Not to those not using it.

Exactly. I believe the long term effects of marijuana on the user is a point of some debate in the scientific/medical world. Also, I'd like to point out that marijuana is frequently shown to be less addictive than nicotine, caffeine, and alcohol.

How can you say that marijuana is not harmful to those not using it? When someone is under the influence of marijuana, they can pose great harm to others around them. Now I know some will say "Well why not outlaw beer? If someone is drunk they can harm someone." While that is true, there is a responsible way to drink alcohol. I don't think we can say the same for marijuana. I ask that the Senate rejects this bill.

[Keystone Phil]

How can you say that marijuana is not harmful to those not using it? When someone is under the influence of marijuana, they can pose great harm to others around them. Now I know some will say "Well why not outlaw beer? If someone is drunk they can harm someone." While that is true, there is a responsible way to drink alcohol. I don't think we can say the same for marijuana. I ask that the Senate rejects this bill.

Just as there's a resbonsible way to drink alcohol, take cough syrup, use perscription medication etc. there's a responsible way to use marijuana.

I think the effects of this drug are too harmful to society. Legalizing marijuana would be like lowering the drinking age. NJ lowered the drinking age to 18 and it was an absolute failure. Legalizing this drug would be even more of a disaster. We cannot allow this to happen.

[Keystone Phil]

I think the effects of this drug are too harmful to society. Legalizing marijuana would be like lowering the drinking age. NJ lowered the drinking age to 18 and it was an absolute failure. Legalizing this drug would be even more of a disaster. We cannot allow this to happen.

Legalizing it would be more akin to raising the drinking age. The only way for people to get marijuana now is from street dealers who will sell to anyone, regardless of age. If legalised, street dealership would drop off (how often have you heard of people selling bathtub gin and smuggled cigarettes in allyways?), and the in most places, the only way to get marijuana would be from stores - stores which would only sell to those that are of age.

Do you know how many kids get cigarettes in stores? And I'm supposed to believe stores will sell marijuana only to people that "are of age?"

It a dangerous step that we won't take.