Why is Marijuana Illegal?

[Racoon]

I seriously doubt reasons for continued Illegalization of Cannibis Sativa.

As a natural plant with many uses, I think the laws need to be reformed.
Alcohol is worse. Causes more violence, criminal behavior.
Cigarettes are worse. Causes more sickness and health problems.



Some of the reasons I have heard, include the tale of Du-Pont and Nylon invention!
Hemp is natural and easy to grow, so it was a economic-competition issue, as opposed to a morality issue. (I've heard that from a couple reputable people)

I can see why Crank, Heroin, LSD, Ecstacy and those types of drugs are illegal.
I can't really see why Pot, or Hemp, is illegal.

If legalized, it could be taxed, and police officers and Border Patrol could focus more on the Bigger Issues.

It is not a gateway drug. It hasn't been conclusively proven.
And yes, underage use is also a negative - like cigs and booze...

Why not make it legal??
I think it would clear prison and jail space. Increase taxable revenue, break-up Black-Market operations, and perhaps even lower usage!

Why is it illegal? because Government knows whats best for you?
I don't completely buy the argument it makes you lazy or dumb. Although it might, but that is more a reflection of the users personality and work ethic.

I really think its ridiculous...Its a Plant. an Herb. and should be used and respected like any other natural evolution of raw Organic materials.

here are a couple links, That show opposing view points.
Rational discussion and debate is encouraged.

http://blogs.salon.com/0002762/stori...naIllegal.html
&
http://www.usdoj.gov/ndic/pubs3/3593/index.htm

[orbsycli]

I have no idea why it's illegal.
All I know is I'm drawn to it,
I seek nonordinary reality.
I seek...herbs,
not for christs sake
But Mine.
And mine alone.

[Rincewind]

I can't see why any drugs are illegal. Drug abuse is a medical problem, not a legal one.

Keeping drugs illegal forces the supply into the black market, which means they can't be controlled by medical authorities (who should be controlling them), nor by law enforcement authorities, because the very nature of the black market engenders corruption amongst authorities.

Legalising drugs will not increase usage, because who amongst those who use illegal drugs was deterred by their legal status, and who amongst those who don't use them said to themselves, "I'm not having any of that because it's illegal" rather than because it's dangerous, or I don't want to do that to my perceptions and/or body?

[TheBigDog]

I can't see why it ever became a federal issue. This should be a state or local issue. The only thing the feds should have to say about it should surround importation and interstate commerce. Use should be a locally enforced thing, as well as distribution.

The leap that is needed for legalization is around public safety. If you cannot test the influence on a person at a given moment then it is difficult to enforce sobriety laws for operating equipment. If you want to work toward teh legalization, invent the machine that test for influence on a person and is portable and accurate for roadside use by cops.

Why hemp is an illegal crop is another mystery. It just doesn't make sense.

Bill

[Racoon]

Originally Posted by TheBigDog

I can't see why it ever became a federal issue. This should be a state or local issue. The only thing the feds should have to say about it should surround importation and interstate commerce. Use should be a locally enforced thing, as well as distribution.

The leap that is needed for legalization is around public safety. If you cannot test the influence on a person at a given moment then it is difficult to enforce sobriety laws for operating equipment. If you want to work toward teh legalization, invent the machine that test for influence on a person and is portable and accurate for roadside use by cops.

Why hemp is an illegal crop is another mystery. It just doesn't make sense.

Bill

You make a great point BigDog, about work and safety!
I do think employers should have the right to Drug Test their employees.
and refuse hiring or continued employment if those issues are ignored.

Smoking while driving should be considered the same as drinking while driving.
Because not everyone has the sense and sensibilities that others may have.
But I could almost say that Drunk driving is probably worse...

There should also be an age limit.
I think if Marijuana was that bad, but legal, people (especially young people) wouldn't see it as such a rebellious opportunity.
There are plenty far worse things they could do.
Like huff Glue.

Decriminalization would free up resources, space in jails, and time of Police to persue more serious crimes.
And Add Tax revenues while decreasing Illegal Trade!
I wonder what Niviene thinks? or any other police officer or official.

It should happen.
To borrow a sentiment from InfiniteNow:
"What Century are we living in again???"

[CraigD]

Originally Posted by TheBigDog

Why hemp is an illegal crop is another mystery. It just doesn't make sense.

The only sense I can make of the US prohibition of the cultivation of fiber hemp – which, with its very low concentration of THC, has almost no psychotropic properties, is that it’s a reflection of the culture prevalent within the US DEA. This attitude appears to be very old, predating the 1970 founding of the DEA. It may have its origins in the law enforcement community around the time of Prohibition (1919), and/or the federal government during the cold war following WWII.

Just how illegal fibre hemp is in the US is difficult to determine. I personally know merchants who have been told by credentialed DEA agents that the sale of hemp fiber clothing and accessories – a multi-million dollar business in the US alone - is illegal and subject to criminal prosecution. The legal reality appears to be that this is an exaggeration of a 2001 regulatory interpretation of law pertaining to hemp-derived food products, which remains stayed by a US Court of Appeals. The practical reality is that it’s not a lot of fun debating law with DEA agents. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemp#THC_in_hemp has a very brief summary of some of these ideas and issues.

[Racoon]

George Washington and Tom Jefferson; Hemp Growers!

If they didn't know any better, then I am certain George Bush Sr.'s War on Drugs is not going to work if they view Marijuana as an Illegal Substance!

[Racoon]

Originally Posted by CraigD

The only sense I can make of the US prohibition of the cultivation of fiber hemp – which, with its very low concentration of THC, has almost no psychotropic properties

Just how illegal fibre hemp is in the US is difficult to determine. The practical reality is that it’s not a lot of fun debating law with DEA agents. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemp#THC_in_hemp has a very brief summary of some of these ideas and issues.

You make good, logical statements here as well CraigD.
Hemp could be used for Bio-fuel as well!

Didn't the Ford Company use hemp to make parts and Fuel back in the day ???
Before 1937??

Which is why DEA laws should be changed!!

These Hemp Rules are ridiculous!

[Cedars]

Originally Posted by TheBigDog

If you want to work toward teh legalization, invent the machine that test for influence on a person and is portable and accurate for roadside use by cops.

Bill

Yes, part of the reason is the 'under the influence' technology. I agree with you that this machine would be very helpful for society in general, particularly in the workplace. The testing for marijuana and pulling a positive, under the methods used today, have no relation to whether or not a person is under the influence currently. A positive test for marijuana use only indicates that someone had partaken in the activity anywhere between 1 hour (estimate) and several months ago. I know several companies who have stopped using a positive marijuana test as a rejection for hire because they couldnt find enough workers who didnt pull a positive for marijuana, and in their experience, marijuana testing did not reflect whether the new employee would increase accident/injury or prove any other negative for their work environment.

I have had police tell me they prefered to deal with a pot head, rather than a drunk. There was virtually no chance of violence. I was also told by police that they could always tell when a carload of youth (youth being anyone under 24) were stoners. They were almost always driving much slower than the speed limit. And on the occasion that some stoner had to be transported to the station, they tended to be very cooperative compared to an alcohol user.

[Cedars]

Originally Posted by CraigD

The only sense I can make of the US prohibition of the cultivation of fiber hemp – which, with its very low concentration of THC, has almost no psychotropic properties, is that it’s a reflection of the culture prevalent within the US DEA. This attitude appears to be very old, predating the 1970 founding of the DEA. It may have its origins in the law enforcement community around the time of Prohibition (1919), and/or the federal government during the cold war following WWII.

Going from memory alone, I remember being told (or reading) the reason for this going on after the prohibition on cultivating hemp (there was much outcry from agriculture who didnt realize cannibis was the same crop they called hemp) and after the temporary removal of the cultivation restriction during ww2 , was because law enforcement couldnt tell the difference between a legitimate hemp crop and the cultivation of cannibis for smoking. But I cannot remember where I gleened this information from.

I remember when twine made from hemp finally ran out in my area. This was in the early 70s. Some farming company was bought out and the last of their hemp twine hit the local markets. The change over to nylon caused the death of some cattle, horses, and swine due to the numbers of them that ate the hemp twine. Hemp twine did not tangle up their intestines like nylon twine did. We all had to be very careful to make sure we got the rope and took it out of the feeding areas when we busted open bales. One family in my very small elementary school lost a horse their children all loved and rode. If you have never owned a pleasure horse, your attachment to them is equal to an attachment to a dog or cat.

The change over involved some work on older hay balers. Some farmers had to create new tying devices to accomodate the difference between the ropes. Others had to mess around with settings and adjustments. The effect on the farmers who had to create new tying devices was devestating for that hay/oat cycle. There is a limited window of opportunity to harvest these crops. As people figured out the settings and problems, they would spread the information to their neighbors and lessen impact as knowledge grew.

Up to a few years ago (and possibly still), there was an employee of my state whos job was to find old plantings of hemp. They interviewed him on the news... maybe 10 years ago... anyways he was talking about how many plants he finds that are left overs from the old hemp fields, how this old stuff is growing along the edges of fields. He does find cultivation in some places and was asked how he can tell the difference. He also finds spots where users throw seeds out (there are some in the smoking crowd who save seeds and toss them along freeways, in civic spots such as government center gardens, and a host of other public places as a protest to the laws.) * if there are any who are thinking of tossing seeds, this is illegal and could result in serious charges.