I think the point of Booze vs. Weed is that, at least for the United States, we have one drug (Yes booze is a drug if you're going on the definition of "A substance that has a physiological effect when ingested or otherwise introduced into the body.") that causes several deaths, cases of domestic violence and major liver damage, not to mention drunk driving, and it's completely legal. This is opposed to Weed, which essentially just relaxes you and makes you feel a bit fuzzy, which is strictly banned. The argument of "Weed will do "x" and "y" horrible things to you and ruin your life and that is why we can't allow it!" becomes irrelevant in a society that allows other drugs that have far harsher effects.
Also, you shouldn't group Marijuana with most people's idea/list of "dangerous and illegal narcotics", which they commonly do. Comparing Weed to Cocaine is like comparing a plastic knife to an AK-47 at a murder scene. If you're just chilling out in your basement getting stoned, I see nothing wrong with that. I don't personally care for it, but what right should we or the government have to say that's illegal, especially when getting drunk isn't?
Blargh, I don't feel like arguing, I'm gonna go eat some doritos.

(07-27-2012 03:17 AM)Beardy Wrote:  

(07-27-2012 02:55 AM)BumblebeeCody Wrote:  @2 Its not so much that it's an argument point of it being safer than booze, it's that, how can a drug that's far more dangerous be legal and so widley available yet something as harmless as weed be illegal? As Cinna said as well, it's good for stress relief but also as an anti-depressant. The difference is that Anti-depressants cause deaths (if you take too many) whereas weed can be used in the same manner as weed yet it can't harm you. It doesn't affect you body like other drugs such as: killing brain cells or harming your liver.

Quote:Deaths per year from:
tobacco=340,000-395,000
Alcohol (not including accidents)=125,000+
Drug overdose (prescription)=14,000-27,000
Drug overdose (illegal)=3,800-5,200
Marijuana=0

Source

Even if they don't legalise weed as a "recreational" drug then they need to at least legalise medical marijuana.

Edit: Not to mention the amount of people that get arrested just for sitting at home smoking it. Why?

I guess it's just because it's a drug (not saying that's a valid reason). Booze has the force of historical acceptance behind it.

Your claims that it's thoroughly safe seem at odds with what Seriously was saying above. I don't know who's right, but just from a quick glance at that source you provided.... I don't trust it. Besides, it not leading directly to deaths doesn't mean it can't have profound psychological impacts.

I don't really know why I'm arguing with you here, to be honest. I reckon it should probably be legalised too, but I don't think comparing it to alcohol is a valid way to argue this. It should be decided on its own merits, not through comparison to the (probably highly flawed) approach the law takes to booze.

Good points. I don't consider myself right over SERIOUSLY THOUGH either (it's why I thanked him) because those are also great points to bring up. Pretty good stance on it.

Granted my sources aren't the best but they do represent the truth. My point really is government hypocrisy, claiming that weed is bad for you and living through some sort of "propaganda" rather than actually finding out what it does. It's what a lot of people I've seen say about it. Even then if they don't let you Average Joe have it they should still legalise medicinal weed. It's a great drug that helps with certain illnesses. No country would ever legalise Meth obviously but there's a reason why Holland allow it. I'm not trying to make into a debate but rather, stomp the unfair myths that surround it.

Edit: And we'd get a lot of people out of jail.

I say we legalize it just so we can shut up those ever so annoying people on social networking sites. "lol trust me guys I smoke it like EVERYDAY, it's not harmful to your body and makes you real chill and sh*t." As for a more intelligent reason to contribute to this conversation, I have none. I'm glad to say that I know nothing of this subject, and I probably will never know anything on the matter. As for banning stupidity, hell yes, I want to be the first to sign the documents.

(07-27-2012 05:30 AM)Arjahn Wrote:  I think the point of Booze vs. Weed is that, at least for the United States, we have one drug (Yes booze is a drug if you're going on the definition of "A substance that has a physiological effect when ingested or otherwise introduced into the body.") that causes several deaths, cases of domestic violence and major liver damage, not to mention drunk driving, and it's completely legal. This is opposed to Weed, which essentially just relaxes you and makes you feel a bit fuzzy, which is strictly banned. The argument of "Weed will do "x" and "y" horrible things to you and ruin your life and that is why we can't allow it!" becomes irrelevant in a society that allows other drugs that have far harsher effects.
Also, you shouldn't group Marijuana with most people's idea/list of "dangerous and illegal narcotics", which they commonly do. Comparing Weed to Cocaine is like comparing a plastic knife to an AK-47 at a murder scene. If you're just chilling out in your basement getting stoned, I see nothing wrong with that. I don't personally care for it, but what right should we or the government have to say that's illegal, especially when getting drunk isn't?
Blargh, I don't feel like arguing, I'm gonna go eat some doritos.

All I'm saying is that the booze vs weed thing really just highlights how poorly thought-out the legislation is regarding booze. It's only legal because it's been legal for ages and is socially widespread. I'm not saying that's a decent argument for alcohol to be legal, but that's just how it is. Comparing that situation to what the laws for weed should be just seems redundant.

I doubt any of us have really had a good look into the scientific facts of weed, like read multiple medical papers on the possible side-effects and stuff. I know I'm not informed enough to say whether it's harmless or not. How dangerous it is is debatable, but as it stands, it's still certainly an illegal narcotic.

All that being said, as I mentioned before, I'm (somewhat disinterestedly) in favour of legalisation. At least then it can be better regulated, taxed, and not sold to 15yr olds outside schools - plus the profits won't go towards financing crime.

(07-27-2012 06:03 AM)Mr.Holmes Wrote:  I say we legalize it just so we can shut up those ever so annoying people on social networking sites. "lol trust me guys I smoke it like EVERYDAY, it's not harmful to your body and makes you real chill and sh*t." As for a more intelligent reason to contribute to this conversation, I have none. I'm glad to say that I know nothing of this subject, and I probably will never know anything on the matter. As for banning stupidity, hell yes, I want to be the first to sign the documents.

(07-27-2012 07:53 AM)Arjahn Wrote:  

(07-27-2012 06:03 AM)Mr.Holmes Wrote:  I say we legalize it just so we can shut up those ever so annoying people on social networking sites. "lol trust me guys I smoke it like EVERYDAY, it's not harmful to your body and makes you real chill and sh*t." As for a more intelligent reason to contribute to this conversation, I have none. I'm glad to say that I know nothing of this subject, and I probably will never know anything on the matter. As for banning stupidity, hell yes, I want to be the first to sign the documents.

(07-27-2012 02:55 AM)BumblebeeCody Wrote:  Edit: Not to mention the amount of people that get arrested just for sitting at home smoking it. Why?

um because it's illegal lol