I went through yesterday's blogs. You have a C if you only wrote for yourself, a B if you did one response and an A if you did two. You can finish those up today to get full credit. thank you.
Marijuana No Longer Criminal in Colorado Ski Town
by Kurt A. Gardinier
The new year brought new, sensible marijuana laws to the vibrant ski town of Breckenridge, Colorado. In November, citizens voted by nearly a 3 to 1 margin to remove criminal and civil penalties for adults over 21 carrying up to an ounce of marijuana and smoking paraphernalia. The law takes effect today, January 1, 2010.
“There is no sense in criminalizing a substance that is far less toxic, less addictive, and less problematic than alcohol,” said Brian Vicente, executive director of Sensible Colorado. “This is a huge step toward more a more sensible policy, in which adults are no longer punished for making the rational, safer choice to use marijuana instead of alcohol.”
The new law doesn’t change laws prohibiting use by minors, smoking in public, or driving under the influence. It also doesn’t allow for the possession or use of marijuana while skiing. While conflicts with state and federal law remain, this first and necessary step toward ending marijuana prohibition sends a strong message to lawmakers in Colorado and around the country.
I would have to say that I agree and dont agree only because there are many pros and cons to this specific situation. I agree with it because there are alot of people that do use marijuana, not saying that it is right but i truly dont think that it is that neccasary for it to be illegal. I do believe that it may take a little toll on the body but it is not as bad as a person using or abusing alcohol. If alcohol is legal for adults of the age of 21 and older than marijuana should be too i guess. This action in colorado might make other states and cities think about the same thing. It may change the rate of people going into jail for the possesion of marijuana, which may be very helpful.
ReplyDeleteMaybe nate and justin should move here! i think the government should focus on other things then marijuana. Even though i think they shouldnt let people drive under the influence I dont think they should spend so much time trying to catch people smoking.
ReplyDeleteI think that this law sounds very reasonable. They make a very good point that alcohol is far more abusive than marijuana. I think it is fair that the law prohibits minors, smoking in public and driving under the influence. This law should lead to other causes to possibly prohibit smoking cigarettes, which have a far worse effect on people, and alcohol. As long as people do not abuse this new law I believe that marijuana should be legal but to an extent.
ReplyDeleteMarijuana is legal to carry under one once. I really don’t know how to feel there are many mixed thoughts in my head right now. I am happy they kept it illegal for minors to carry, but I think this ski area might regret this decision after a boom in business on the ski slopes because of the major boom of marijuana in the town.
ReplyDeleteFor a while, marijuana has only been legal when used for medicinal purposes. It seems wrong to me that cigarettes, which have very serious side effects, are legal while marijuana is not. Also, even though marijuana is illegal, many people still smoke it and ignore the law. No matter what laws are made, people will still smoke it and therefore, I believe it should be made legal, to an extent.
ReplyDelete--Caroline
Stephanie
ReplyDeleteI understand that marijuana is less addictive and contains fewer chemicals than cigarettes and alcohol but the only reason those are legal today is because they have been around for hundreds or thousands of years with wide popularity. If they were discovered today they would most likely be illegal. And if marijuana had wide popularity (as it is used now) when our country was being founded it to would most likely be legal in our country, like a few countries in Europe. So I really not know if I think it a good thing or not.
I actually think that this is a pretty smart law. I don't smoke or drink, but I think that if alcohal is legal, then marajuana should be legal. So many people get arrested every year for something that isn't really that big of a deal - if marajuana was legalized, there would be a lot less problems with it. This
ReplyDeletelaw has boundaries, much like the legalization of alcohal, to make sure that marajuana is used responsibly - and as long as it is, I see no problem with it.
I think this is smart. because it is no less healthy for you than smoking cigarettes, which is widely promoted and accepted, so smoking weed shouldnt be a health issue. and it is true that alcohol is more addictive and just as intoxicating and altering as weed and it is totally legal.
ReplyDeleteIn response to caroline:I agree with you 100%, people are going to smoke it if its legal or illegal, so therfore it should just be made legal because it isnt as harmful as other drugs and alcohol.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Brian Vicente's statement. Marijuana is nothing compared to other drugs or alcohol. Marijuana does have its side effects on people but it is clearly not as damaging. I kinda disagree that the consequences for anyone ages 21 and up of carrying marijuana should be removed because if this happens , it is likely for anyone ages 20 and below will have a higher demand for marijuana charges to be removed amongst themselves. Then again people are going to use marijuana regardless of their age and minors will do what they please. Its natural for a teenager to do what they want and to act amongst their wants, so I kinda agree at the same time. Its not really going to matter if this takes effect because minors have wanted charges to be dropped even before. I know that the population of minors will be in favor of this due to the amount of years left they will have before this law becomes permanent. Teens should have an ease in life, Especially SOTA highschoolers. We work our butts off, so I guess I could say with no remorse that it would be alright if this law took place because for the highschool this would pertain to, they deserve it!!!
ReplyDeleteThis new made law is not right. It's contributing drugs to the society. It shouldn't be used in the first place because it's drugs, it just makes the society worse than it already is. It's wrong when it stated that Marijuana is far less toxic and addictive, becuase it's still toxic and addictive it doesn't make a difference to other drugs like cigarettes and alcohol. what also wrong that it's more intimidating for minors to take marijuana becuase they would be thinking it's much more healthier taking this than drinking. Another thing about this new law is that sounds pretty stupid is that Marijuana is legal in Colorado how does skiing with the possesion would be illegal when having the drug is already legal. what difference does it make.
ReplyDeleteThis new law passed should be seen as the beginning steps in the fight to decriminalize marijuana. the ridiculous amouont of money spent every year could be used for other more useful things than putting people in jail for posession of a harmless substance.
ReplyDeleteI don’t agree with this law because I think marijuana is harmful to your health and making it legal makes people think that it’s ok to use. I think it will have a negative impact on future generations.
ReplyDeleteKurt A. Gardiner is now my new hero. He made a very good Argument because the affects of alcohol are very similar and it seems like everyday you here of another alcohol related death. So i think that either both should be legal or both should be illegal, but if the government would make alcohol it would bring back the past and would be twice as worse then the prohibition of alcohol that happened in the 1920's. And i believe that the reason that it would be twice as worse is because now a days everyone smokes marijuana and alot of people drink. Another good point that this guy made is that it isnt addicting like other drugs.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what is being said and I feel this an decently well written article. People should have the choice when they reach the age to partake in smoking marijuana. People who don't want to take part in it still won't and with possession under an ounce legal dealers can still be charged. I personally won't/don't take part in it but people who do should have the right. Things so minor like marijuana should be a choice at the discretion of the user and done sparingly with little no effect on several aspects of life. I think the idea to keep it in the comfort of ones house is also a good idea as to not disturb others. Marijuana should be handled like alcohol because in my opinion alcohol is a much larger threat, easier to attain, and in some cases may yield fatal results.
ReplyDeletein response to jonathon: i also agree with you, there will be less problems if weed was legalized. I think it is a law that will make progress as times go by
ReplyDeletelyla is definatly right because cigarettes are just the same in health terms and it is less dangerous and no where near intoxicating verses other popular drugs and booze
ReplyDeletekaty rebholz, don't lie to us. you know you like your hard liquor and pot.
ReplyDeletebut yea i agree that it can be a good thing to have restrictions on a drug law, just like how you cant drink and then drive.
I Believe... that this law will contribute to a large increase in the population of Beckenridge... Zthoeri has spoken...
ReplyDeleteKaty I agree because they are able to focus on more important things and put more attention towards what’s needed which is a plus but also it’s good that they kept some of the rules in place. But really it’s kind of sad it was on the top of their new year to do list
ReplyDeleteIn response to poohbearmct:::::567 i strongly agree to what poohbear wrote and The harm that it causes to the body is minimal and actually has good uses
ReplyDeleteIn response to Felisa, I agree that the governement has bigger things to worry about than catching people smoking marijuana. And nate and justin should definitely move there!
ReplyDeletemirajauana legal..hey no biggy to me people going to smoke it regulars if its egal or not so whats the celebration on disapproval of it..ciggerates are legal
ReplyDeleteIn response to AmandaJ:
ReplyDeletePlacing an illegality on something as minor as marijuana creates more problems than making it legal. Being illegal people seek out illegal dealers, fill up jail cells, Pay higher fines ruining our economy, and use something else like alcohol which is more harmful.
In Response to Stephanie
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, I think if we knew then what we know now about cigarettes, they would probably be banned because they are so harmful to peoples' health.
I agree with lyla, i feel that katy is def a pot head.I also agree that smoking tobacco is very unheathy and excepted in our culture.
ReplyDeleteHonestly I could really care less about this new law, but I guess it has merit. What I don't understand is why cigarettes and tobacco aren't illegal when the side effects are far more worst than marijuana. But then again I really don't care.
ReplyDeleteIn response to zthoeri: your comment is the greatest, most refreshing thing i have read in my entire law. I dont know if the population will increase, maybe a little bit. Im moving there
ReplyDeleteNoah makes sense...Zthoeri speaks again!!!
ReplyDeleteAmanda - I do agree with you that the use of marajuana shouldn't be encouraged, but I think it's hypocritical of the government to have alcohol and cigarettes (which are also harmful substances) be legal, and not have marajuana be legal. Plus, people who want to smoke are going to smoke it anyway, and lots of people who wouldn't commit any other crimes or cause violence are going to jail for something that won't harm other people - if they want to harm themselves, that's their own decision and they should be free to make it. People should only go to jail for harming others.
ReplyDeleteI happen to agree with what Mr.Gardinier is saying. When comparing marijuana to alcohol, there are much more deaths relating to alocohol than marijuana, yet marijuana is illegal. It is a big step for this city in Colorado to do this, but it is not something I see happening across the whole country. When it comes to drinking and smoking, i WOULD choose to smoke, but because it is illegal i try to stay away from that decision. It is not harmful and much less dangerous than alocohol. One problem that I see with this is that the country is also dealing with a obesity issue and with the legalization of marijuana in Breckenridge the smokers of that town will increase, and are going to partake in the activity more making a lot of people more lazy and eating more and just staying at home, making the country, more obese. Which might be a bigger problem than marijuana.
ReplyDeleteStephanie
ReplyDeleteIn response to Lyla- I agree it does just as much to you health just with the absent of the addiction. And if it was legal it could be regulated.
Jala thinks its great! Maybe they will do it in new york state! I mean people are going to smoke either way so why not make it easier on people and make it llegal? theres no diffrance between getting wasted or getting GEEKED UP.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what Felisa said. The government should not spend so much time and money on preventing marijuana. Although I do not know too much about it, it seems like it is not that big of a problem. If it was legal, the government would have ways to keep it in check, and people would not have to hide it. Legalizing marijuana would not only stop the government from wasting money, but could also create profit for the government if it was sold in stores and taxed.
ReplyDelete--Caroline
What would think if you say it in stores though is it heading towards that?
ReplyDeleteJohnathan also makes sense!!!!!
ReplyDeleteJohn- I think that the money made each year will be able to go to better things also and i agree with the fact that it is unharmful
ReplyDeletein response to Lyla:
ReplyDeleteI don't agree that smoking weed shouldn't be a health issue becuase it just as harmful to the human body. However I do agree that alcohol is more addictive and intoxicating.
This law now hurts Colorado in the long run because now everyone is going to want weed and not other products that are produce on a daily bases. now more money is doing to drug dealers and not store owners or the government. this just shows that america is now going down in the economic crises even more.
ReplyDeleteI have no idea what zthoeri said but i wish i did.
ReplyDeleteooooo and just for the record im 18 today. :)
ReplyDeleteI think that passing this law really didnt change much because your going to smoke it with or without the gov't permission. People underagae drink and their not suppose to. But i feel like poeple are going to go too far with this new law and carry way more than the law allows!
ReplyDeleteIn response to Katy, I agree with her. It is definitely true that if alcohol is legal so should marijuana. Many people are punished for smoking marijuana when there are far more people in the community being hurt by the effects of alcohol. I also agree with the limitations within this law and that as long as it is safe it is a fair law.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Lin:
ReplyDeleteTo make such a intense statement like that you need to have scientific proof. Marijuana is much less addictive and much less harmful than cigarettes and Alcohol. Drugs such as Advil should also be taken off of the market with a statement like that. Minor "drugs" such as marijuana, cigarettes, and alcohol should be left at the discretion of the user(its their body.) Again I don't use marijuana but I'm surrounded by many people that do and I can tell from a first hand account I am much more worried about that smoking cigarettes, and drinking alcohol then smoking weed.
smoking weed is great and i love it...:)
ReplyDeleteNOT ONE PERSON DISAGREES! interesing... in response to Tyler, if it were in stores it wouldn't be weird. It would be something sold behind counters just like cigarettes, but less harmful and dangerous.
ReplyDeletenastalsia said...
ReplyDeleteWell people were going to smoke either way but I believe that because they mad it legal more people will actually stop smoking Marijuana because the scare factor is gone. Not sayign that people dont smoke because they like to but i believe its the possiblity of caught and getting away with it is fun.
In response to Jonathan, yes you make a point that could be challenged but it is a good point in which I favor. Big plans could come out of this, whether good or bad. It is just wrong that the payment of the crime is made to be so highly because the economy today isnt where it should be and with that being said who really wants to pay a heavy price for what is considered like a crime....Nobody does!!!! The money could contribute to something else, not particularly marijuana but more towards big ideas and plans for our future. I know that if Im gunna pay money I am paying for something that will benefit me generally instead of paying money to benefit me to get me out of crime.
ReplyDeleteIn response to nisha:
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that even if it's banned or not people will still smoke it, but the thing is, is that it contributes more people to smoke it.
Stephanie
ReplyDeleteIn response to Katy- government does have more important thing they should worry about over marijuana.
zthoeri I agree. I think they are going to have a population boom but I am wondering if that was part of the reason they did this because of ski season, using it as just a way to have a better season
ReplyDeleteI agree with JALA theres no difference between getting wasted, or "GEEKED UP". and for one to be illegal doesn't make sense, and for Breckenridge to do this is a dangerous move for the city because the people that do disagree with this will make it seen that they do and Breckenridge will get a lot of criticism for it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with tyler because your going to see way more people affected by marijuana. it can start affecting peoples working lifes and why is the gov't focused in marijuana anyways. Arent there more important issures going on!!
ReplyDeleteWow seriously.. less harmful then alcohol... ooooookay... First off how does this pertain to skiing? I mean if it's illegal to ski with, isn't that contradicting the fact that its legal to possess... Why would they care if you have it on you when you ski...They claim it's 'not' THE worse thing to hold possession of so what difference would it make. This whole thing is rather ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what noah said in that if marijuana were legal, there would be more open jail cells. The legal system wastes its time on convicting those selling and using marijuana, when the offense is not that bad. If they were to make it legal, they would save time and money. It may even result in less jails which would leave extra taxpayer money to be used for something more useful.
ReplyDelete--Caroline
I agree with Noah - I think that as long as the proper restrictions are placed, such as not limiting smoking to being in one's own home so as not to disturb others, there should be no problem with the legalization of marajuana. I think that similar restrictions should be placed on cigarettes as well (as some already have been) because I know that I don't like being around people who are smoking, but if they want to, that's their decision, and they should have the right to do so.
ReplyDeletei disagree with amandaj because as long as you use it with some sort of restraint(as in not endangering others by your behavior), its really up to you what you put in your body and what you do with your health. yes it is a state altering drug, but how far are we going to go in defining what is wrong to use?? i mean, it is legal to smoke, to drink, and there is no scorn cast upon many other unhealthy practices like eating fast food and destroying your health by becoming morbidly obese like much of americas population, so what about weed is really that much different?? and because there are age resstraints on the law, if you are old enough to smoke the weed, then you are old enough to take responsibility for your actions and consciously take charge of what you want to do for your health. who has the right to deem whether that is acceptable or not, but you the individual to whom it pertains??
ReplyDeletePS Thanks Lyla and Felisa for giving my cover away...
ReplyDeleteIn response to noah who reponded:
ReplyDeleteTrue, that people do use drug for medication, but you have to know the fact that the law makes people are smoking it freely and not using it for health wise.
i agree with lyla,why is weed such a big deal? they show people on music videos and commercials promoting alchol and its way more harmful and addictive.
ReplyDeleteOwow.. in response to Jala HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! LMAO
ReplyDeleteI agree with Rasheed SUPRISINGLY he sounds like he has a point with one exception. IF the gov't starts selling marijuana then the money will go to the gov't and not to drug dealers and it could possible help the economy
ReplyDeleteAlthough marijuana is a drug it is definitely the least harmful in comparison to cigarettes, alcohol and other hard drugs. its health risks are not nearly as bad. its addictive properties are really non existent. Minors will in pretty much any case have access to alcohol and cigarettes and if they want to will do any drug they want to. Saying that it is worse for society is just plain dumb because it is not nearly as harmful as alcohol. the top government employed marijuana scientist stated that in the 30 something years of marijuana research he can not find a reason for marijuana to be illegal.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Suzette
ReplyDeleteI think it is against the law to possess marijauna while skiing because it is a public place and the new law states that marijuana is only legal for private use.
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ReplyDeleteIn response to everyone disagreeing:
ReplyDeleteAnnual "drug related deaths" in the USA
Tobacco 435,000
Alcohol 85,000
Marijuana 0
Source:http://drugwarfacts.org/cms/?q=node/30
in response to michelle, many people have said that smoking weed makes them work better soo idk...haha
ReplyDeleteI also agree with Felisa because I would hope that there are more important issues that Colorado should focus on other than making weed legal...but then again I don't care.
ReplyDeleteim not quite sure where i stand on this article because its easy to see both sides of the story. on one hand being able to carry under an ounce is still enough to charge deelers with possion if there caught. but it also opens the door for people that use marijuna to treat medical conditions. it sure makes it alot easier for them. but on the other hand smoking marijuna is bad for you and you can still become addicted to it.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Lin:
ReplyDeleteI understand that I am talking about medicinal and recreational uses. People don't use alcohol and tobacco for medicine.
I would have to agree with Justin in the fact that you do hear more battles, accidents, and deaths pertaining to alcohol. However I still don't agree it should be legal.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Suzette, Amy and Amanda-
ReplyDeleteAlcohol is a way worse substance because it ruins all of your internal organs and many other thingfs in your body marijuana only hurts your lungs (like cigarettes but not as bad) and your brain but only if u smoke every single day a lot evry day so i think that you back row that all disagreed should go and look up some facts before you just say stuff that isnt true so tomorrow i want you guys to have a better understanding of marijuana
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ReplyDeleteumm...i dont know how i feel about people being able to carry around any drug...i dont think age matters it shouldnt be legal at all...
ReplyDeleteIn response to Felisa i agree that Colorado should focus more on other issues then the usage and possesion of marijuana. If people are using it and not driving or doing any actions that are endangering others then what's the big deal?
ReplyDeletei have to say i agree word for word with suzette...i think all around this law is stupid
ReplyDeletethis is a good thing. There will be a lot less fight and sneking to go get weed. Colorado will see alot more people moving up there. This will problem make other states do the same thing to maintain population
ReplyDeleteI agree with many of my fellow classmates in the sense that the author of this blog has a point when saying that alcohol is way more addictive and endangering then marijuana. but i also agree with some of the others ( i think alanna or stalsia said it) that this new law will actually lead to less people using marijuana because there's somewhat little risk of smoking it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Alanna. Weed is causes a lot less problems then alcohol. There could be a decrease in alcohol related deaths
ReplyDeletemy cousin smokes weed to self medicate his schizophrenia...he gets messed up, threatens my grandmother, and then I have to haul him back to the psychological clinic for treatment.
ReplyDeleteBOO SCHIZOPHRENIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think that this law is very reasonable in the sense that it doesnt protect those who are driving under the influence or smoking in public, so in a way it's somewhat illegal to smoke the substance but if you are caught only possesing it then it isn't against the law so I dont really see a problem with this law and perhaps it could do more good for society then people would think or expect.
ReplyDeleteI feel this change in the law is a very important starting point for legalization of marijuana. i personally feel that marijuana should be legalized. i don't understand how the government can allow cancer causing cigarettes and liver destroying alcohol but act as if weed is the most deadly thing in the world. I'm mot saying smoking marijuana is good for you but its far less worse than cigarettes or even eating mcdonalds everyday.
ReplyDeletehey im jamaican, soooo I vote in favor of marijuana being lgalized. Although i dont smoke it, i still feel as if it should not be prohibited. People are allowed to smoke cigarrettes, and they are walking cancer sticks. And when it comes to health, they are far less abusive than alcohol.There also would be less arrest rates due to possesion of drugs too. So i really dont care about this law and stuff, but yeah legalize it, i guess.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Felisa, there are a lot of other things that can be fixed then making weed legal
ReplyDeleteCLASS OF 2010!!!!!!
ReplyDeletewhoever rebma is, i agree with you yo.!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Devonte's agreement with Alanna, the aspects of mary jane is waaay less than alcohol. Less deaths would be a good thing.
ReplyDeleteword chandy candy.! that's what i was saying.! and yes i did have to put the ethnicity tab out there.! ha ha.!
ReplyDeleteI think that this new law makes sence because less people will be trying to hide that they smoke it and less people will use it as a bragging right. As long as cigarettes are legal I believe that marijuana should be. Yes, marijuana gives you a high and causes you to want to experience that over and over and may lead you to worse drugs but cigaretets are also addictive because of nicotine. No matter if it is cigarettes, alchohol, or marijuana you have the choice to do it or not so if you get addicted it is your fault.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Amanda, yea weed isn't great for your health but you think its okay for future generations to watch beer ads every other commercial or see people smoking on the street? The fact is that the majority of kids will try weed and if its legalized and regulated smoking would be safer than alcohol.
ReplyDeleteI dont believe that smokin maurajuana in that bad. As long as you do not become to addictive to it. I believe it is less harmful then alcohol or any other toxics. I rather be high then drunk.
ReplyDeleteI agree with chandelly!!!!!! 2010
ReplyDeleteI understand the argument that marijuana causes less deaths that alchohol or cigarettes. I agree somewhat with this point of view, but here's an interesting scenario for us to thing about. My understanding is that marijuana is more of a mind altering drug that tobacco (or alchohol in small amounts). So, consider this:
ReplyDeleteOne morning you walk into the 7/11, and behind the cashier is the same wall of cigarette options. Only this time, they're marijuana cigarettes. Would everyone around us be constantly high? Would certain people start smoking marijuana as often as they smoke tobacco or drink alchohol? What if our world leaders started smoking pot on a regular basis? I'm just not convinced it's better for our society to add another drug into the mix. Yes there are more harmful products out there. So does it really make sense to keep adding to the problem? I have to read other responses, because I can't get my head around this one.
i agree with brittany!!! people who smoke cigaretts are walking cancer sticks!!!!!! It is more harmful then marajuana
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIn response to myself, i'm not actually sure about legalization. Like it is so easy to get weed and if its legalized the government will want control in order to make money. They will probably over price it and just make it annoying to buy and then people will still buy and sell it illegally and still get penalized. So i'm torn...
ReplyDeleteIn response to Chandel,
ReplyDeleteTotal agreement.
i agree with you jonathan!!!!! i just believe marajuna is the less harmful!
ReplyDeletevenessa simpson
ReplyDeleteI agree with this law mostly because alcohol, although it has much more health risks, is legal. My only thought is that the law is a little contradictory being as selling weed is still illegal.... where do they think people are going to get it? its going to cause unexpected crime.
This article is very shocking I never thought smoking weed would be legal. I personally don't smoke but hey I don't knock it. It helps up tight people to loosen up, angry people to calm down and laugh, an quiet people to come out of their shells a bit. I've never had a bad encounter with anyone who was high other than the fact that they were stank as hell. But I think it's cool that they've legalized it I bet their skying experience is enhanced and they're having a lot more fun. I think it's cool.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the fact that its not as addictive as alcohol and other substances so its not that big of a deal to me. I personally believe that weed isn't legal just because the government can't tax it.
ReplyDeleteme and tyler are on the same page this thing is really stupid
ReplyDeleteIn response to Chandel....wow lol I TOTALLY AGREE!
ReplyDeleteIn response to Brittany lol that's cute
ReplyDelete!!!Yea i agree its all about 2010 Chandycandy!!!
ReplyDeleteI am somewhat torn between sides. I myself wouldn't touch drugs even if hell froze over. But, some of my friends use it and while I don't necessarily support that decision, I DO support my friends and don't want them to get into trouble. Plus, my cousin is a schizoid and he self medicates with weed. So as you can tell I am torn between these two opposite worlds.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Yanni, I think your post is well articulated and make a great amount of since.
ReplyDeletein responce to noah's facts about the number of deaths in the united states from alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana. those numbers speak for themselfs. on the fact that marijuana may be less dangerous to your body than other drugs and alcohol but it can still be as addictive as any of the others.
ReplyDeletebut think about this. marijuana is legal in many parts of California but at the same time by it being legal its adding to the drug war the government is trying to fight with mexico. Even though colarado doesnt border mexico the weeds gotta come from somewhere so by allowing marijuana in colorado is it going to add to the drug problem that the government is trying to fight?
in response to yanni
ReplyDeleteI really like how you ended that. I agree completely. Now matter what's legalized its the own person's choice so whatever happens because of it is their responsibility.
I agree that Marajauna should be legalized and that removing some of the legal restrcitions on the drug was smart but I STRONGLY DISAGREE with the statement that its 'safer and more rational to use than alcohol." I have almost gotten in car accidents with people that have been high off of marajuana and I know the effects that drug usage have in the home even if its labeled as a 'trivial' drug. So I did not appreciate that statement it was pure feculence. I don't know what the implactions of such a decision will have on the prevalent drug culture we have in the U.S. Will it force many who make an illegal living to come up with a more potent drug than marajuana? It will be interesting to see the cultural and political results from such a decision.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Harriett
ReplyDeleteI never thought of it in that way and that is mostly why I cannot completely decide weather or not this new law is good. But I think that people are better educated now than they were in previous years. And with this law I also think that if it ever became more widely legalized government would start to regulate it anyways.
I supposes it's ok for marijuana to be legalized since it doesn't kill the people who use it and it doesn't have nearly as many negative effects on the people around as alcohol does. Personally, I disagree with the use of any drugs because I think that it's immature and selfish for people to cover their problems by using substances. However, this law is agreeable because it's illegal for minors to use or posses it, and it's illegal for anyone to use it in public. Since the drug won't really hurt anyone but the person who's using it, it's not a problem. Adults should have the option of making decisions for themselves about using it, as they do about using alcohol.
ReplyDeleteAlso, so many people are being punished for something that really is'nt harming the public.
keeping people in jail for an "offense" like that probably costs more on taxpayers. Punishment for using marijuana is unjust because they really don't need to be in jail, while people are paying for them to be there.
In response to Amber,
ReplyDeleteI'm not claiming to know a lot on the subject, but we're definitely in agreement about the problem of government selling and taxing marijuana. We're just too focused on the fact that alcohol and tobacco are legal and not realizing some of the side effects of actually legalizing marijuana.
I think it's perfectly acceptable for weed to be legalized under those circumstances, but I don't think that it should be prioritized. I feel like while they were making these laws, they could have been dealing with other stuff. Unless this little ski town is so small that this is their biggest concern.
ReplyDeleteWhat Brian Vicente said about alcohol and cigarettes being more addictive and bad for you makes sense and is perfectly valid, but I don't think that should be the sole reason that it's legal. That's a good way to back in up, but it shouldn't be the main reason.
zoe christopher
I agree with Michael. I'm curious to see what will happen if this new law actually gets more widespread. Its hard to imagine what will happen, and its hard to say whether we will harm or help ourselves by legalizing marijuana.
ReplyDeletei think im going to have to also agree with candice, i really dont care about this topic and just like my comments about tyler's responds this topic is just stupid to even talk about
ReplyDeleteI agree with Johnathan weed is not as bad as alcohol
ReplyDeleteIn response to Rebma,
ReplyDeleteI agree to an extent. Yes it should be legalized but I don't appreciate how our culture downplays the effects of marijuana. Cigarettes are bad and alcohol is bad and even though Marijuana doesn't present immediate harmful effects, in the eyes of most people, there are long term effects that wear away at a persons most vital part of themselves, their mental health. Over time it effects a person thinking, logic, emotional capacity. It can distort and create an unhealthy person.
in response to everyone
ReplyDeletei think everyone should just calm down! whatever way you look at it this issue has pros and cons lets all just calm down and see what happens
in response to harriett/michael, I agree that it will be interesting to see what will happen as this law might become more nationally recognized. There's always going to be a problem with some sort of illegal substance no matter what. Completely taking away the illegalness (not a word...) of marijuana will just drive people to other illegal acts. but it's not to say that I'm not against it's legalization over people over 21.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Ian
ReplyDeleteCould there be a connection between his schizophrenic outbursts and the hallucinogenic, mind altering effects of marijuana???
Just a logical evaluation.
I feel that making marijuana legal is not something that should be made a priority on the basis that it is better for someone than alcohol. I feel that if it was not illegal in the first place people would not get as into it. The initial thrill of not only altering your body, but using an illegal substance is what gets a lot of people into marijuana. Making it legal will not do too much of a difference as it is ridiculously easy to procure weed already.
ReplyDeleteI think it would cause more problems for smokers than it is worth. Now instead of going to whoever they normally would go to get marijuana, they would have to go to pharmacies or wherever this legal, government regulated weed was distributed.
With the legalizing of weed in this Colorado town, i do like that there is a limit to the amount people can have (to weed out drug dealers, etc) and that DWIs are still illegal.
I believe that this law is good. People over the age of 21 should be able to make mature decisions on their use of marajuana use. The fact that our government has spent so much money on chasing down this drug is absurb. Obviously there are repercussions still in place but that just makes it better. It makes people have to think before they do things with this drug. It's so much LESS harmful than alcohol and cigarrettes. I think this should have been legalized a long time ago.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Michael P:
ReplyDeletethere are more times that people are getting hurt from alcohol then getting high off of Marajuana. Also alcohol has a long term effect on your body whereas marajuana is not nearly as lethal.
In response to pbr:
ReplyDeleteI never thought of it that way. In a way I think that you're right (in the sense that it might not make that big of a difference) but I think it's good that the government money tracking down sellers and distributors is hopefully going to something more worth while.
in response to zoe :)'s first post:
ReplyDeleteThats correct. I don't feel that there is much wrong with legalizing marijuana, but there is no reason for anyone to make it their priority. There are many more pertinent issues that should be approached rather than pulling for weed to be legalized.
in response to venessa's response to everyone:
Venessa, that is not the way to solve anything at all. Maybe this issue is not something that is huge with you, but not taking any actions at all is only going to do a whole lot of nothing.
In response to this AGAIN, I feel as though after viewing some people's comments... They are blowing this way out of proportion. Myself included.
ReplyDeleteThis drug is used for various medical purposes and it is in most medicines...pain killerz... etc. It is not worse than alcohol. My grandfather has bone and blood cancer and the medications he's given have this drug in it and it's helping to keep him.
Im not i smoker and never will be but its good that its illegal for minors its also good that an once is legal because some people cant function without and regradless of the law is people still going to do it so they mite ass well just make it legal
ReplyDeletei agree with suzette its really not that serious as people would make it to be
ReplyDeleteI think that it is good this could cause a drop in drug dealing. besides marijuana is less dangerous than alcohol and bouth cant even compare to cigarettes.
ReplyDeleteThis is a huge step in the legalization of marijuana even if its in one remote area. Marijuana has far these affects on the human body than alcohol and tobacco. I feel as if the government spends too much time trying to keep it under control. I like the fact that the law says its fine to smoke in private but out in public is totally understandable why it would be illegal. I would rather smoke than drink. But because it is illegal to smoke it is very risky and I'm trying to avoid anything happening.
ReplyDeleteAlanna puts an emphasis on how it is illegal for minors to still smoke which would be a great thing to do if it were legalized. The governemnt could regulate it almost as if it were tobacco products by taxing it and have certain age where you can legally use it.
ReplyDeleteFelisa is right in that the goverment spends to much time and effort and money trying to control this. The governemnt could be using that money for alot better reasons.
ReplyDeleteI have a different outlook on this subject as many people my age. Yes, marijuana is a natural substance that does not harm the body to a strong degree, but do people consider the medical benefits? At 17, I have multiple undiagnosed medical problems that doctors have not been able to pin point for two years. Without a proper doagnosis, doctors are not able to give me proper prescriptions to help my situation heal. Doctors do however prescribe me things to help the pain I endure everyday, but sometimes these medications cause other problems and begin to backfire. Now picture yourself in this situation, and at the young vulnerible age of 15, discovering something that takes all the pain away and clears and functioning problems I posses. Now imagine being told you cannot use this drug because it is illegal in the state you live in. It hurts in multiple ways. Marijuana is used for many types of treatment and doesn't cause more problems for people like most drugs do.
ReplyDeleteNow besides this point, I can also mention that cigarettes kill 2,000 people a day. What about the fact that marijuana has not been linked to any recorded death in the world. That's in the entire planet earth. Not one. I personally think it scares the human race to think of things as "just ok". Nothing to worry about, soothing thoughts, and minimal pain mentally and physically. Being calm is illegal in my eyes. Now Colorado is allowing leglization of marijuana, but not for minors. Yes, weed can be abused. I agree whole heartedly. However anyone that is smoking weed for medicinal, recreational, or any other purpose that does not have discipline, is just as guilty as any other drug abuser. Marijuana is a natural thing and I believe the circulation of it should be much more simple than this.
Nate talks about the government trying to keep marijuana out of circulation. The government spends about 14 billion dollars in the prevention of weed being circulated in America. This is 14 billion dollars that this country could REALLY use...
In response to lvs, making marijauana illegal for minors is still making it out to be something its not, which is a harsh drug. This article just highlights the oxymoron of the act. Theres a huge difference between legalizing marijuana, and legalizing it for a certain age group.
I ask that when reading my orginal response, people put into account that this is real for me and something I deal with on a daily basis.
i disagree with the decision to change the law because if people are smoking marijuana than there most likely drinking as well and then the probability of people using them at the same time is high, and thats how people die.
ReplyDeleteI believe the law is a smart decision. I think that weed is far less toxic and addicting then drugs such as alcohol and even cigarettes. As long as the government puts the same restrictions on weed as they do as alchol then the its non-legal use is fine. However i can see the opposing side, and if they plan to keep weed an illegal substance then alcohol as well should be a illegal substance. However that would never happen because the amount of money the government can make off of alchol. They should do the same with weed.
ReplyDeletei disagree with amanda, the impact of other drugs such as alchol and cigarettes is just the same to that of weed. If you are to illegalize one then you should illegalize the others.
ReplyDeleteI agree with nate, the legalization of weed would probably lead to a whole set of regulations, that will help to prevent the negative consequences many people arer discussing.
ReplyDelete