On the weekend I was smoking with my dealer, when an interesting debate came about. I started by saying that weed should be legal and assumed I was preaching to the converted. However everyone disagreed saying, that they prefer weed being illegal. Wait..what!

The argument was that once you grow your own and have a circle of smoking friends it was both better quality and more cost effective than government regulated weed which would incorporate tax levies, distribution costs and profit margins and labour costs. Reducing the economies of scale benefit that would exist if legalised and produced commercially. Considering regulation (Making sure the smokers are 18+) would be a big push on legalising it, expensive licences to grow and sell would be required.

It would also be very vulnerable to high taxes as it would be seen as easy money as the government who would no doubt want to actively discourage use. Even to more of an extent than tobacco and alcohol, because there is already a strong anti-marijuana bias in both government and people.

Threat of legal persecution for people who wish to grow and sell illegally wouldn't really change, considering it would be available legally much of the market who prefer take the legalised avenue. Many pot users currently face little in the way of legal persecution anyway often nothing more than confiscation provided it's obvious it's for personal use.

The assumptions to this argument:

• You grow your own and have some good connections.
• You don't live in an almost Nazi like anti-marijuana state/nation, where you face prison or large fines for small/personal amounts.
• You don't intend on producing it commercially if legalised.

Now, I don't necessarily agree. However I can see some merit in the thinking. I was hoping members here could provide input. This lead me to thinking that perhaps decriminalising the plant maybe a more effective means at keeping everyone happy.

Also just to note this argument only focuses on the end user. I'm not concerned with other perspectives such that legalising it would help the government budget or that currently you are supporting organised crime or what ever.

-Dev

this is complete bullshit. I've been arrested twice, once for paraphernalia, the other for less than a gram of pot.........

many pot smokers are in very real danger of persecution..... whoever tells you otherwise is not wise to whats going on. plus, everything is relevant to what your state laws are.

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my eyes always look like so if you dont like it! NOT GREED PEOPLE!

I agree, however that argument assumes you don't live in such a state/nation.

Such an assumption though would definitely be a big criticism since many smokers do live in such states. I'm not familiar with all the US State laws regarding it. However I do know that California, Canada parts of western Europe take a much more relaxed approach.

Thats fucking harsh mate.

-Dev

they would not be able to force people to acquire licenses to grow their own pot....

and no way to stop (since they can legally grow it for themselves) them from selling it to their close friends ( who probably wouldn't need it since they could grow their own)

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my eyes always look like so if you dont like it! NOT GREED PEOPLE!

yes they do..... but the majority of the U.S. is not like california..... this theory would be great but it does not take reality in consideration. in reality, people are most certainly persecuted for small amounts, the weed is not better (no way of finding out who grows cause it's too risky to tell anyone if you do grow), and overall would just not suite the majority of smokers.

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my eyes always look like so if you dont like it! NOT GREED PEOPLE!

your telling me it's harsh, i was 16 when i was arrested for less than a gram of pot... I was fucking pissed.

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my eyes always look like so if you dont like it! NOT GREED PEOPLE!

Even in a relatively tolerant state like Oregon, getting popped with a single plant carries a maximum penalty of 20 years time/$300,000 fine. Not that I think that max penalty would be applied in such circumstances, but still. You're assuming a lot.

mythic

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Let it roll, baby, roll.

of course your dealer does'nt want it legal he would have to work and would have competition but a lot of pot smokers are picky about they're smoke if it were legal and uncle sam could'nt give us good but at a reasonable price we would look elsewhere like a local dealer. so the job changes from just selling bud to a market that specializes in local quality bud. either way we will adapt as we have in the past.

besides i would rather they legalize so i can grow my whlole backyard full of bud.
and open my own 420 friendly coffee shop!

As long as people aren't getting thrown in prison for possession of/using a plant that isn't dangerous, I don't care what they do.

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"Let your gun therefore be the constant companion of your walks."
-Thomas Jefferson

i don't think you really mean that. i care very much about what they do.... even if it is legal. just like the guns issue, guns are legal, but they are trying to restrict them severely. which doesn't help stop violence.

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my eyes always look like so if you dont like it! NOT GREED PEOPLE!