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Decriminalising marijuana 'worth a try'

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Conscious21

Bluelighter
Joined
Mar 5, 2010
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65
Another one in the list of recent mainstream news articles saying prohibition doesn't work...

A GROUP of prominent former world leaders said the so-called war on drugs has "failed" and that decriminalising marijuana may help curb drug-related violence and social ills.

"The global war on drugs has failed, with devastating consequences for individuals and societies around the world," the members of the Global Commission on Drug Policy say in a report.

"Fifty years after the initiation of the UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, and 40 years after President (Richard) Nixon launched the US government's war on drugs, fundamental reforms in national and global drug control policies are urgently needed."

"Decriminalisation initiatives do not result in significant increases in drug use," the report said, citing policies in Australia, the Netherlands and Portugal.

It also said restrictions on marijuana should be loosened, and urged governments to "end the criminalisation, marginalisation and stigmatisation of people who use drugs but who do no harm to others".

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The commission includes former Brazilian president Fernando Cardoso, former Colombian president Cesar Gaviria, Mexico's former president Ernesto Zedillo and the ex-UN chief Kofi Annan.

It presents its report officially tomorrow in New York.

The group of prominent statesmen, many from countries on the frontline of the seemingly never-ending war on drugs, said purely punitive measures had in fact led to a situation where "the global scale of illegal drug markets - largely controlled by organised crime - has grown dramatically."

"Encourage experimentation by governments with models of legal regulation of drugs (especially cannabis) to undermine the power of organised crime and safeguard the health and security of their citizens," the report urged.

Another priority, the report said, is to work on treatment.

"Let's start by treating drug addiction as a health issue, reducing drug demand through proven educational initiatives and legally regulating rather than criminalising cannabis," Mr Cardoso said.
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http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/breaking-news/decriminalising-marijuana-worth-a-try/story-e6freonf-1226067862963
 
I'm amazed how much more serious discussion about ending the war of drugs has been taking place in mainstream media the last 12 months or so. Perhaps change is finally on the way.
 
These recent events are very encouraging. At the very least the topic is being brought up for serious discussion amongst people in positions of authority, and the public is becoming more aware of the failures of prohibition.
 
^^^ lol yay science.

This thread refers to the U.S though. I know we tend to follow in suit but I hate seeing that whilst the rest of the world seems to be on the brink of decriminilisation our sad nation continues to head in the opposite direction.

I do believe weed will become legal in the US in the future and Aus will eventually follow suit. But other "harder" drugs is a long and strenuous battle. Fight the good fight blue lighters.
 
Yeah, doesn't look like Australia will be blazing any trails in this regard :\

Seems like our best chance is to speed up the rest of the world changing so we can follow suit...
 
Divine Moments said:
Yeah, doesn't look like Australia will be blazing any trails in this regard :\

Seems like our best chance is to speed up the rest of the world changing so we can follow suit...
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It's inevitably going to have to be America who makes the first step towards ending prohibition. As far as drug policy goes, the world seems to follow in America's footsteps, nobody is going to even think about legalization until the US are willing to give it a try.

Sad, and kind of pathetic really, but that's just the way the world is. Personally I think we need to grow some balls and do what's best for our country, and fuck America if they don't like it, but none of our politicians have the balls to do that.
 
WA decriminalised amounts under an ounce a few years back, around 05 or 06 i think. Nothing really changed though as it was still illegal. You just couldn't get a record for it, instead it was a notice similar to a speeding fine and some counselling.

Then the government changed and the legislation was reversed.

In terms of penalties decriminalisation is a good thing, but if its still illegal then they will still take your weed.
 
I feel like the harbinger of doom pissing on the decrim parade, but nobody seems willing to acknowledge a few spoilers I've raised on BL before. And just for the record, I'm a long-time grower and user who shares the outrage against wowsers and do-gooders with their poxy anti-reform agendas. The likeliehood remains IMO that somewhere down the line there will be decriminalisation - with provisions. It might sound something like this:

"Go ahead, smoke your bud, eat your Anzacs, drink your Hi-Brew or bhang tea; but if you have THC in your system you'll never be employed in positions of responsibility or influence."

"Sure, I can sell you an insurance policy but you won't like the premiums."

"I'm sorry, but you can't sign this legal document unless you're clean."

"Driving... ? You're kidding me"

"I'm sure you won't mind a drug-test before collecting your welfare payment."

Sorry to sound so negative but these are issues we all have to consider and I'd love to hear what other poster think. Be kind, folks. This is not a personal attack on anyone.
 
losthippy said:
I feel like the harbinger of doom pissing on the decrim parade, but nobody seems willing to acknowledge a few spoilers I've raised on BL before. And just for the record, I'm a long-time grower and user who shares the outrage against wowsers and do-gooders with their poxy anti-reform agendas. The likeliehood remains IMO that somewhere down the line there will be decriminalisation - with provisions. It might sound something like this:

"Go ahead, smoke your bud, eat your Anzacs, drink your Hi-Brew or bhang tea; but if you have THC in your system you'll never be employed in positions of responsibility or influence."

"Sure, I can sell you an insurance policy but you won't like the premiums."

"I'm sorry, but you can't sign this legal document unless you're clean."

"Driving... ? You're kidding me"

"I'm sure you won't mind a drug-test before collecting your welfare payment."

Sorry to sound so negative but these are issues we all have to consider and I'd love to hear what other poster think. Be kind, folks. This is not a personal attack on anyone.
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Once people get over the remaining stigma, I don't see any reason it would be treated differently to alcohol. I don't remember the last time I was breath tested before signing a legal document or applying for insurance. I can see it being an issue in certain professions (medicine, anything that involves the use of heavy machinery, etc), but it already 'is' an issue in most of those professions, so it's not like anything would change.
 
Its a can of worms, I know, but surely there are bosses, legal beagles, insurers, teachers, truckers, miners, even cops reading this thread who could respond with their POV. How many legal/bureaucractic obstacles are getting in the way of de-criminalisating cannabis? What aren't reformers taking into account? I get the sense that many users haven't thought much beyond short-term relief should reforms happen.
^ With respect to Crankinit, we've been living with alcohol controls for 3 or more decades now and its always been legal and available to the public here. Cannabis, on the other hand, is tarred with the same brush as meth, heroin, eccy etc. and the public is encouraged to view it similarly; illegal, addictive, dangerous, blah blah blah. That's stigma with a capital 'S'.
 
Which is all well and good, but even if what you say is true, we're still better with it legal than illegal.
 
Crankinit said:
As far as drug policy goes, the world seems to follow in America's footsteps, nobody is going to even think about legalization until the US are willing to give it a try.
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Come again? Besides the UK and Mexico and perhaps France, I can not name any countries following the retarded example of the US 'war on drugs'. In fact, most European governments (and citizens, for that matter) view the American example as the direct opposite of how it should be done.
 
i wonder if there would be a bunch of stoners like there are a bunch of fat people... north america kinda over indulges... over half are overweight i think... imagine the next generation.. weed is a little too easy to incorporate, not like alcohol. you wouldnt drink and go to work, well most. but people smoke bud all day and get away with it. no one cares.. i used to go to class smelling like weed heavy everyday and never got in trouble..
 
I think just like alcohol, it should have its limits.

Driving while blazed....no (but hard to quantify, eg cant really breatho, its either yes or no, and blood test) until it can be say breatho'd too much grey area.

Work, insurance etc. same with alcohol, u dont turn up to work drunk, so dont turn up blazed. Insurance is tricky, if your drunk, motor insurance doesnt cover u, thc should be same?. Health, I think alcohol related is covered, why cant thc?

Legal docs? I think there are plenty of legal docs signed while ppl are drunk, I dont see why thc should be any different, person should be liable. If your stupid enough to do business drunk or blazed suffer the conquences.

Plain and simple if you keep your recreation seperate fm work its all good. But theres always some idiot who ruins it for everyone.

Theres plenty of people I know and myself who are in fairly important/nice positions who have used or still do use illegal substances, and are fully able to seperate work and play
 
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yeah

grugz said:
I think just like alcohol, it should have its limits.

Driving while blazed....no (but hard to quantify, eg cant really breatho, its either yes or no, and blood test) until it can be say breatho'd too much grey area.

Work, insurance etc. same with alcohol, u dont turn up to work drunk, so dont turn up blazed. Insurance is tricky, if your drunk, motor insurance doesnt cover u, thc should be same?. Health, I think alcohol related is covered, why cant thc?

Legal docs? I think there are plenty of legal docs signed while ppl are drunk, I dont see why thc should be any different, person should be liable. If your stupid enough to do business drunk or blazed suffer the conquences.

Plain and simple if you keep your recreation seperate fm work its all good. But theres always some idiot who ruins it for everyone.
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in canada they have a roadside swab test, never had it in my mouth but im pretty sure its here or coming.. did amsterdam stop selling herb? i heard that..
the difference with alcohol is you cant really use it like weed.. i can smoke non stop and never get too high.. some people drink all day but you can usually tell, and it has more of a stigma.. try showing up somewhere in the a.m smelling like booze, im pretty sure you would get some funny looks.. open container in a car.. someones 911 your license plate.. wake and bake and drive around smokin... everyting is ire..
 
Well thats my 2cents.

Yeh swab is here, but its apositive or negative result. Not like a breatho of alcohol, where under a certain limit ur ok. Im sure under a certain limit thc does bugger all.

U can kinda tell a person is baked, bloodshot eyes, attention span, usually reek like bud etc

These are my reasons why it should be allowed not be banned
 
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