I have been thinking about the prohibition of cannabis lately. Here are just some thoughts… The debate can go off on a number of tangents; I want to focus this debate down to the core as much as possible. First step is realizing we live in societies. There are positive and negatives to living in a society. I would assume anyone reading this agrees that we have decided that living in a society is more positive than negative. Otherwise I would hide in the woods somewhere, but we see the benefit of a structured society. Now, speaking in the context of prominent western nations, specifically America, we like to say we place a premium on personal freedom, liberty, and justice (please don’t get too hung up on debating this). Overall I would say that those attributes are met in America, particularly when contrasted with a number of truly totalitarian countries.
Prohibition of cannabis relates to this in that selective prohibition plays into the greater good of society. The powers that be have to measure what is worth rejecting the idea of freedom for. You have to disregard all the bullshit that clouds the debate of cannabis legalization. Surely there are other reasons that cannabis is illegal (political lobbyists, special interest groups, activists, etc). But the core of the issue should really be that we need to ask, is it truly for the benefit of society? Absolute libertarianism is not the way our society works. Negative externalities play a big part in deciding what is acceptable. That is why I think you will never see harder drugs legalized… it’s by the measure of their impact on society. I would hope that people can see that serious addicts are degenerate to the goals of a society.
Today, I believe that the only merit the debate against cannabis has is in regards to the societal impact cannabis could make (negative externality). However, if one is to be logical you would honestly compare and contrast the good and bad of the substance. Obviously we have done this measure with many other substances (prescription drugs, alcohol, tobacco, etc). I think if the government actually looked at the situation objectively you would see cannabis legalized.
There are positive and negative aspects of cannabis, I just think that any of the negative aspects that weigh into the decision are outweighed by the good. Cannabis is popular in America. Because of a large number of citizens demand cannabis; this means it will never go away. I think the government needs to, and probably will eventually see that it’s a war they cannot win. How long will it take for them to not be so stubborn? Perhaps it is merely dependent on the powers that be seeing the incentive of legalization to their own personal political success. Otherwise they are just dumb, or selfish; well probably both.
Obviously I have just hit on many aspects of this big debate, I just wanted to remind that when debating this you really need to think about it from all perspectives (even the states!) and then go from there.
Finally, let’s look at what Justice means. Justice is defined as; the quality of being just; fairness. I think the word fairness is key, I think the policy makers need to remember they are representing their citizens. A number of which are asking for fairness in regards to what they put into their bodies. I think it’s a fair compromise to allow people to use cannabis if they so please. Fair between citizen and state, fair meaning contrast the goals of a society and the individual.
Can you really say that cannabis users are that degenerate to society? Did we really learn anything from prohibition in the early 20th century??? I think the people that point out a lot of the negative externalities of cannabis aren't realizing those are the attributes of a black market that has formed around a solid and unwavering demand within the population! Perhaps the greater good for society would be understanding that the positives of cannabis can actual outweigh the few negatives. Regulating the cannabis market could have a number of good effects for the state. Besides, do people really believe whether or not cannabis is legal means little jonny will have access to a joint if he wants to or not? No it just means that if he gets caught he could go to jail. Perhaps parents concerned about the legal status of cannabis need to be better parents. Besides, obviously cannabis would be treated akin to substances like alcohol if it were legalized.
Anyway... if you really do think that cannabis is so harmful to society, please put your “money where your mouth is” and fight like you do for the prohibition of cannabis for the prohibition of all other comparable substances (alcohol, tobacco, etc). Until you do that I don’t really respect you one bit, because I would measure you by the virtues of justice and fairness. And I can't see throwing good citizens in jail over cannabis as fair or just. End rant!
I know you can pick apart some of this, I know I left some holes and some stuff not elaborated fully. Throw in your .02 if you please.
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funding information services, education, and healthcare >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> giving money to the mexicans, 50 cent wana be's, ass holes with guns, child abusers / irresponsible parrents, and worst of all the police (DARE, DEA, various 'drug task forces'.)
you said :
"Finally, let’s look at what Justice means. Justice is defined as; the quality of being just; fairness. I think the word fairness is key, I think the policy makers need to remember they are representing their citizens. A number of which are asking for fairness in regards to what they put into their bodies. I think it’s a fair compromise to allow people to use cannabis if they so please. Fair between citizen and state, fair meaning contrast the goals of a society and the individual." -=-=-=-
Yes, a goal of society is a just society, justice is emplimented by police (nessisary thing.) While they have never helped me when i NEEDED it, i like know that my mom can call them if theres somthing wrong, they can get there before me. Police forces are a polictical issue, underfunding of police causes alot of noise in communities so the government made drugs evil and turned it into a cash cow that made the problem of police funding go away. That makes little sence at first glance, but consider the mechanisms. Arrests = $, sezures = $$$, high profile busts = hitting the lottery for a local department.
Would it have been easier to legalize it in the 60's or 70's no, no one would pay the kind of taxes they would now on it. They would continue to get it on there own. Now who the hell knows what your getting, and its hella expensive to by amounts that wont put you in jail for "intent to deliver" "conspiracy" "dealing" etc... Its a situation for the now.
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