How close is USA to legalization?

[Anus]

I would like too think I will see it in my lifetime. But I just have this really strong hunch it's probably never going too happen. If it ever does I will be so fucking surprised.

- Anus

 

[the black sun]

i think ited take abot a decade. barack obama has a lot mroe on his mind than really to legalize cannabis there are more intense political problems to sort like the resession and the ridense of nuclear weapon in the world which i bid good luck to with borack obama as he is such a legend to actually attempt to want to do that.

 

[safety]

I don't know if it's just me, but I don't see any more important political problem the imprisonment and punishment of marijuana smokers for putting a chemical in their body when they should have every right to do so. I see this issue as #1 top priority.

 

[beta1]

I don't know if it's just me, but I don't see any more important political problem the imprisonment and punishment of marijuana smokers for putting a chemical in their body when they should have every right to do so. I see this issue as #1 top priority.

It shouldn't be a #1 top priority in the US, but the War on Drugs is no doubt up there on the list of internal social issues we have.

 

[phactor]

i give it until Obama is at his last term to even concider it.

Ehh I'm sure he has considered it. Actually I know he has. I first saw Obama speak in 02 (I live in a city in Illinois about an 1 1/2 north) and he defiantly has seen the effects thats drug policy has had on places (especially our inner cities).

But I doubt he will look at the idea much during his first term. Frankly, I really want him to focus on other things first. I wouldn't want him sitting up there talking about Marijuana legalization right now. Everyone would have to admit that would look pretty silly right now considering the problems that we are currently in.

Fix the Economic crises, end the war in Iraq, and address poverty and our inner cities first. There are so many issues that are way more important to the American Public right now.

 

[Wave Jumper]

I personally think that it's very naïve to consider the possibilty that a country like the united states of America is gonna legalize pot. As if the no. 1 capitalistic country of the world, the country who symbolizes the free market in its purest form, will allow a drug that might inspire the ones who use it, to question the values of the system it promotes. Right on!

As long as profit is the only benchmark no country will consider legalization. In the current capitalistic system a drug like cannabis is not appreciated. To me it's more likely they'd legalize cocaine, because this is a drug that is used by ppl who have succes in this world (CEO's, lawyers, ...). On the other hand I realize that it's extremely unlikely that cocaine will be legalized, but I'm just bringing this up to point out how silly it is to think one might legalize a drug like cannabis.

USA would never take the lead in legalisation of cannabis. Besides I live in Europe and I can only say that it seems more likely that they will close down those Dutch coffeeshops one day (or restrict them to Dutch ppl only) then they would open up coffeeshops in other European countries. There is absolutely no noticeable tendency of a more tolerant approach towards cannabis, on the contrary!

 

[Shnargoff]

At this point it's not something I'm going to get worked up about , ya pot would be nice to see legalized , but there's so much anyway i literally forget it's even illegal(kids getting gunned down all over the country/families devastated/corrupt law enforcement selling drugs ) , Now i hope we don't legalize cocaine etc we'd just be putting people out of business/ ruin their chances of getting rich!

There's just too much money to be made with it being illegal its "corrupted"(an understatement) our government. To tell you the truth i wouldn't be surprised if Obama may be scared to make a move.......think about it .......he might get shot.......This isn't just the work of cartels.....

 

[Shnargoff]

Unfortunately money is the most powerful force in the world that doesn't mean we shouldn't fight for an end to this devastation though.

"Good morning. Good morning. In less than an hour, aircraft from here will join others from around the world, and you will be launching the largest aerial battle in the history of mankind. Mankind, that word should have new meaning for all of us today. We can't be consumed by our petty differences any more. We will be united in our common interest. Perhaps it's fate that today is the 4th of July, and you will once again be fighting for our freedom. Not from tyranny, oppression, or persecution, but from annihilation. We're fighting for our right to live, to exist�and should we win the day, the 4th of July will no longer be known as an American holiday, but as the day when the world declared in one voice, 'We will not go quietly into the night! We will not vanish without a fight! We're going to live on, we're going to survive.' Today we celebrate our independence day!"

 

[phactor]

I personally think that it's very naïve to consider the possibilty that a country like the united states of America is gonna legalize pot. As if the no. 1 capitalistic country of the world, the country who symbolizes the free market in its purest form, will allow a drug that might inspire the ones who use it, to question the values of the system it promotes. Right on!

As long as profit is the only benchmark no country will consider legalization. In the current capitalistic system a drug like cannabis is not appreciated. To me it's more likely they'd legalize cocaine, because this is a drug that is used by ppl who have succes in this world (CEO's, lawyers, ...). On the other hand I realize that it's extremely unlikely that cocaine will be legalized, but I'm just bringing this up to point out how silly it is to think one might legalize a drug like cannabis.

USA would never take the lead in legalisation of cannabis. Besides I live in Europe and I can only say that it seems more likely that they will close down those Dutch coffeeshops one day (or restrict them to Dutch ppl only) then they would open up coffeeshops in other European countries. There is absolutely no noticeable tendency of a more tolerant approach towards cannabis, on the contrary!

No offense but you do not really know what you are talking about. The fact that we are a "Capitalist" society (p.s. you live in one too). is not going to make it any less likely that we will not legalize marijuana, also it does not mean it is more likely we will legalize coke. Currently the idea of Marijuana legalization is more popular then many of the top Republican politicians.

Over 50 percent of the United States has tried cannabis. We are a Democracy. When enough people support something it eventually passes here. Hell, Weed is pretty easy to get in California after you get your medical card (which is supposedly really easy to get). Other states have decriminalized it or passed medical marijuana bills. Its not that "silly" to see whats on the horizon. Next week my state senate votes on a Medical Marijuana bill (which already passed our House). Illinois residents.... make sure to email your senators!

And the US is not a true "free market" economy (thankfully). There really isn't any in existence anymore. We just tend to have less government intervention in our economy but that is changing (again thankfully).

 

[Wave Jumper]

No offense but you do not really know what you are talking about.

Are you sure you are in the right position to judge me in such a way?

The fact that we are a "Capitalist" society (p.s. you live in one too).

This is a real eyeopener, I have to admit

Currently the idea of Marijuana legalization is more popular then many of the top Republican politicians.

Over 50 percent of the United States has tried cannabis. We are a Democracy. When enough people support something it eventually passes here. Hell, Weed is pretty easy to get in California after you get your medical card (which is supposedly really easy to get). Other states have decriminalized it or passed medical marijuana bills. Its not that "silly" to see whats on the horizon. Next week my state senate votes on a Medical Marijuana bill (which already passed our House). Illinois residents.... make sure to email your senators!

Medicinal use is something completely different that recreational use! There's nothing on the horizon, except some clouds, you apparently don't wanna see.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought there are currently still alot of ppl in American prisons because of a cannabis related incidents. Imagine you get caught one day in possession of let's say 250 gr sativa. What would happen? Have they suddenly become so tolerant on the other side of the Ocean? It's the first time I heard about this, please tell me more!

And the US is not a true "free market" economy (thankfully). There really isn't any in existence anymore. We just tend to have less government intervention in our economy but that is changing (again thankfully).

The fact that you actually believe it's changing proves your naivité. With government intervention you probably mean that the government is giving money to the companies who have fucked everything? Interesting intervention that is.

 

[stardust.hero]

Hopefully soon. Obama is the man. I never seem to have any good input sadly .

 

[Colmes]

Several decades I'd say.

 

[Colmes]

Hopefully soon. Obama is the man. I never seem to have any good input sadly .

I like Obama, but Obama being "the man" really doesnt mean shit about the legalization of MJ in his administration. Our country has a system of checks & balances.


Oh, and dont forget Joe Biden, HUGE anti drug policies.

 

[BiG StroOnZ]

^Obama is the man?

Barack Obama is George Bush wearing a suave black man costume. Wake up already. He isn't doing anything differently than the last administration...

 

[BiG StroOnZ]

^Agree

You cant suppress a good idea for long.

 

[lostsoul.On.E]

I wish it would be 2-5 years but in my eyes, i think it possibly could never be FULLY legalized.

 

[junglist15]

well he has feds staying out of the state's business now concerning medical cannabis, so that's a start I guess.

I was wondering the other day that now that these synthetic cannabinoids are getting popular, they may just say f* it, lets just legalize the real deal. And tax the shit out of it.

 

[crooked_letter]

Its going to be pretty much decriminalized everywhere in 10 or 20.. I could see it possibly being legalized around that time.

However, I'd think we would end up like England or Canada. where its downgraded legal wise and everyone looks the other way. This already happens in many places in the US, usually where its already decriminalized but not always.

For instance, in British Columbia, it's illegal, but on Cannabis Day (I'm not sure if that's what they call 4/20 or it's a different date) cops stand by and watch HUNDREDS of people toke all day long in the middle of town. They even block traffic for bands to play! It's just easier to look the other way for small offenses, and that's the next logical step for us.

crooked_letter.

 

[SpiralOut]

I think where Wave Jumper is confused is in his opinion that a capitalist society would somehow seek to keep down a drug that makes folks question that society.

Well, sure. That's part of the reason why psychedelics and whatnot are illegal. Can't have the bleating masses thinking for themselves too much. Still, marijuana was made illegal in America way back in the day because of racist policies and because of guys like William Randolph Hearst who saw it as competition to their lumber/paper industry.

So, capitalism did play a part in making marijuana illegal, but not because the government saw it as some mind-enhancing, eye-opening substance that would bring about the downfall of the country.

In fact, capitalism is what will eventually bring about the legalization of marijuana and other drugs. Marijuana is already widely accepted in America. Now it is starting to be seen as a legitimate product that can be used to bolster the economy, save money in the ridiculous "war" on drugs, etc.

Politicians don't care what they support, as long as they can get re-elected and continue being corrupt and making fat cash while in office. If the majority of Americans supported coming into work naked, I guarantee you that politicians would be showing up to Congress in their birthday suits and screaming and hollering about how they were the first to do so, etc. and so forth.

 

[MyDoorsAreOpen]

Capitalists don't like recreational drug use because it makes workers less interested in being productive, and less in need of consuming a wide variety of material things to make them happy. Thus less tax revenue, and less money pumped through the economy. Now why would any good capitalist want that?

The thug that extorts money from you regularly isn't going to take kindly to you doing anything that jeopardizes you making more money for him to squeeze you for.