Is the Prohibition of 'Pot' coming to an end in the US? ‎

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edgarshade

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Telegraph

By Peter Foster
7:46PM BST 11 Jun 2012

With reader comments

The momentum to legalise marijuana in America is growing – as is the number of smokers. Could the US’s drug war soon be over.
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That may all change after November 6 – general election day – when voters in Washington state will decide not just on whether to give Barack Obama a second term, but also whether to legalise marijuana for recreational use. If the referendum – known as Initiative 502 – is passed by a simple majority, everyone over the age of 21 in the state would, in theory, be able to go to a government-run shop and buy up to 1oz of marijuana or equivalent in edible products without fear of being arrested or harassed.
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More...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/9324428/Is-the-Prohibition-of-Pot-coming-to-an-end-in-the-US.html
 
It is definitely coming to an end. The huge majority of people 40 and under approve of it or use it. When we are living in a world governed by this generation, the laws will reflect our values. It is only the entrenched political influence of the older generation that keeps cannabis illegal. Well that and other drugs too. The younger generation realizes what a waste the drug war is and how harmful it is to our own people. If they don't they are much more open to being convinced. There is a huge shift in consciousness going on that will be evident when a new generation steps up to become the government, that or the dissolution of government after a major revolution will give way to a common-sensical country where personal freedom is held as the highest expression of liberty. Just wait until the supreme court justices are all ex-ravers and cannabis smokers. Can you imagine how things will change?
 
it's not just about personal freedom and cultural shifts. There are solid economic reasons to not continue with marijuana prohibition. It is the most popular illegal drug in the nation, and by criminalizing its use the government is continually swelling the ranks of unemployed and unemployable. This is one of the reasons our economic recovery is so sluggish: a huge percentage of our population fear criminal record checks when applying for jobs. These then, finding themselves unable to generate honest income, turn to crime. This whole process takes a humongous bite out of our economy.
 
Yes, but you have to remember how many cannabis users are incarcerated in for - profit prisons. The amount of money being made on that alone is a solid reason why TPTB would want to keep cannabis illegal as long as they can.
 
I'd imagine the overall profit and savings made from ending prohibition will outweigh the current yield from allowing it to continue, the problem is the special interest groups, police unions, alcohol & tobacco lobby's, etc, who specifically benefit from the status quo. They're the ones who stand to lose the most and so will fight it all the way.
 
i see cannabis being alot more acceptable now than when it was when i was growing up throughout my childhood and before then, it is becoming closer to full legalization but itll still take some time and effort imo. also people like my parents and people who were told a bunch of bullshit about cannabis is actually just now figuring out it isnt what they were told in school. so alot of more people that were sheltered from cannabis there whole life is just now realizing its useful and it wont kill you instantly and make you a no body. that steps closer to legalization imo %)
 
23536 said:
it's not just about personal freedom and cultural shifts. There are solid economic reasons to not continue with marijuana prohibition. It is the most popular illegal drug in the nation, and by criminalizing its use the government is continually swelling the ranks of unemployed and unemployable. This is one of the reasons our economic recovery is so sluggish: a huge percentage of our population fear criminal record checks when applying for jobs. These then, finding themselves unable to generate honest income, turn to crime. This whole process takes a humongous bite out of our economy.
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Totally man...I met people in jail for drugs who literally had no future job possibilities when they got out except to go back to selling drugs. I mean, if they can do no better than minimum wage for the rest of their lives, what are they supposed to do? If they have little money, starting a business is no option and getting financial help with a drug charge isn't going to happen either.
 
Ah its about time! Too many lives have been ruined due to the prohibition laws. The economy could benefit big time. Cannibus used to be the USA's #1 crop back in the times of George Washington. Hemp is a natural product that can be made into many things. Cannibus being legalized may even lower the risk of serious drug use, since people won't have to go to dealers or get involved with any type of crime to obtain it. Plus, how many kids were told cannibus was a drug, tried it, then since nothing bad happened thought they could try a harder real drug. Cannibus prohibition is based off ignorance and racism (research it!). Its still not even completely legally medically, aside from a few face (but they still face certain laws and penalities) so I feel that toal legalization will take a bit more time but will happen in our lifetimes if everyone VOTES and EDUCATES THE PUBLIC on the truth about marijuana.

Vote for Obama! He's admitted to smoking weed before too
 
no do not vote for obama! he has shown us that he is not willing to put the MMJ debate on the table and is even willing to raid medical facilities in order to enforce the law. so NO, mr obama will do nothing useful, just like his first term.
 
zekethemusicman said:
no do not vote for obama! he has shown us that he is not willing to put the MMJ debate on the table and is even willing to raid medical facilities in order to enforce the law. so NO, mr obama will do nothing useful, just like his first term.
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Really? So you think Romney will be better? You're fucking joking right?

Anybody who wants to see any progress made at all in fighting prohibition should do everything in their power to make sure the Republicans lose the upcoming election.
 
Sadly, unless "something big" happens in which our ruling federal conservative government is implicated, we will have to wait until 2015 for a chance to vote another (preferrably one with much more liberal views) politician as Canada's PM.
 
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