The legalization debate in the US

While in the Netherlands certain moralistic politicians want to close the coffeeshops and turn cannabis into an illegal drug, more and more Americans are in favor of legalizing the herb. Although the debate over decriminalizing marijuana has been going on for decades, only with the recent financial crisis have politicians started to reconsider the issue. Because let's face it: the war on cannabis is extremely costly, while regulating and taxing the good herb would generate an enormous amount of money that could significantly benefit the economy.

Two recent polls show that more and more American citizens are in favor of decriminalizing marijuana. According to a Washington Post / ABC News poll 46 percent of all respondents said they supported legalizing "possession of small amounts for personal use." While 52 percent remain opposed, that's down from 75 percent in the late 1990s and 78 percent in 1986.

The more recent Zogby poll showed a decisive majority of 52 percent in favor with 37 percent opposed and 11 percent not sure.

Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, stated: "All those ideas of creating extra revenues, I'm always for an open debate on it." And certainly a lot of debating is going on. Every day news stations like CNBC, CNN and even Fox are inviting experts to discuss the issue.

Will cannabis, 72 years after the ban, become decriminalized again?

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Kommentare

Michi - 2009-05-12 16:31:51

Cannabis sollte auch in österreich legalisiert werden,dann hätte die polizei auch weniger arbeit :d

Danskersvin - 2009-05-12 17:24:51

The trend is the same in Denmark, where recent gang-shootouts in Copenhagen has caused the population to take an overwhelming turn to the idea of complete or partial legalization in order to prevent the criminal elements of society from generating revenue of illegal sale of cannabis products. Now over 2/3 of the countrys total population support the idea. Just thought you might find it interesting.

Naj - 2009-05-12 19:24:30

Cannot believe. a step into the right direction, hope germany will go the same way.

ElTigno - 2009-05-13 16:21:59

it would be a dream.

FirenzeOfMunich - 2009-05-13 20:32:22

Hey friends,

legalization has so many positive aspects,
sure cannabis also has some negative features...
it is a drug.
but it does good benefit to the society,
and it is time to leave decisions like that to the individual

Peace to you all (in all possible varieties :D)

Minnesota Meatman - 2009-05-14 10:16:22

I am a Vietnam vet. The US government turned me on to Marijuana. Later they told me it is illegal. For me it has extreme medicinal value. I would rather pay taxes on pot then pharmaceutical drugs. I would even pay taxes to grow if they would let me grow. There we go, more revenue.

FirenzeOfMunich - 2009-05-14 13:29:35

Hey everyone,
Its me again, Firenze from Germany :)
I can only recommend you to watch this video on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTJCMgenP9M
I cannot understand why it is just not possible to decriminalize the use of this herb
It does help people!
So what the fuck?

zpriapos - 2009-05-15 01:45:27

I watched it in youtube and I can say that it is very impressing. Especially the woman who can not talk and can not control her mussels begin to talk normally after smoking cannabis

Michi - 2009-05-15 09:53:01

IN my oppinion it's just stupide to let it be illegal in nearly all states. It will defenetly reduce criminality and drug cartells a lot! And so the Polize would be able to conzentrate on hard drugs and stop punishing smallcriminals like weed smokers.
I mean 200years ago people smoked it as well and it didn't have any horrible influece on society. Imagine tennagers not drunk and agressive in front of the pubs, but chilled and relaxed in coffeeshops!

sweedzerland - 2009-05-15 15:53:49

I got ADHD and doctors made me use pharmaceutical medicine but it stopped any creative thoughts. Since I have a job that is 80% about creating, I had to stop working. With cannabis I get "slowed down" enough to be able to focus and am now able to work! Too bad that makes me a criminal...

shroomsy - 2009-05-15 19:17:49

-1

Legalise the mighty green god good for ocd tourettes depression glucoma aids stress pmt ms and loads of other stuff overgrow the goverments peace be with you.

vlad - 2009-05-16 06:23:31

if america goes for it. the rest of the world, will sure adpt same political ideas. i mean, thats the point, i guess. and, its kinda of stupid still being criminalized and threated like a serious drug.. for exemple now the movie industry use lot of jokes cannabis related wich helped people looking at it, like alcool party thing. goooooooooooood, but still need to change papers and laws and some peoples minds. MOVE IT DAM!!

Miguel - 2009-05-17 15:04:55

The problem is the lack of temperance of the people, thats what happen in the netherlands, and that should be seen as an example. People should be counscious about the use of drugs, and use them as a resort only, or sporadically. unfortunetly, everyone drinks and smoke too much, and no one cares. I dont think it will be the same with cannabis.
Regards.

JayDmt - 2009-05-18 19:09:40

Wirtschaftskriese läßt sich nur noch mit der Legalisierung von Cannabis reglen !!! ^^ !!!!

zorro - 2009-05-22 00:50:00

-1

The irony is that the thing is illegal and everyone is discussing why it should be made legal...
THIS IS AN INFINITE LOOP! WAKE UP!!
INSTEAD:

let politicians argue for why it should be kept ILLEGAL!

and remember, any legalization of this thing would force politicians to answer to the question of why it has been made illegal in the first place!

there are many dead bodies in the closet!

FUEL, MEDICINE, PLASTIC industries are probably all against this, and they have power..

and another philosophical topic is about involving MJ with MONEY.. which could be a problem in itself.. if you dont understand.. smoke and think about it some more...

zorro - 2009-05-22 00:57:33

By the way people...

I think selling SMOKE is not illegal.....

bag the smoke and sell the smoke!

commandante Che' - 2009-05-22 03:52:11

U.S. Supreme Court voted to affirm Calif State
sovereignty right to 215 Medical Marijuana law,
so, we're very close to full blown end of Prohibition. maybe one more year,maybe less.

WHEAT - 2009-07-16 15:45:07

Fresh off DEA website, 7-15-09 international pressure on permissive Dutch pot policy and domestic complaints over the spread of coffee shops, the GOV. of the NETHERLANDS has reconsidered its legalization!!!!! BULLSHIT the DEA is full of it.

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