Thanks Disco. Do you agree with those 10 points? I was more interested in Lamby's personal opinions for his stance.
I don't place much weight in the reasons given
1-1. Marijuana users are determined to stand up to the injustice of marijuana probation and accomplish legalization, no matter how long or what it takes to succeed.
........
Marijuana will be legalized because marijuana users will continue to fight for it until they succeed.
What kind of reason is that for it to be legalised? It would be a sad world if all protesters and activists got their way simply for putting up a fight.
2. Marijuana use has positive attributes, such as its medical value and use as a recreational drug with relatively mild side effects. Many people use marijuana because they have made an informed decision that it is good for them
........
Most marijuana users develop tolerance to many of marijuana's side effects, and those who do not, choose to stop using the drug.
There are down sides as well. It's known to contain more carcinogens than tobacco. Can cause paranoia, social withdrawal, impaired ability to function physically, increased risk of heart attack, agitation etc.
Some may stop using the drug if they develop a tolerance to it's side effects but there are also those who progress to different, and possibly more damaging, drugs. Can lead to addiction and/or death due to dodgy batches and overdosing.
3. Marijuana is too expensive for our justice system and should instead be taxed to support beneficial government programs. Law enforcement has more important responsibilities than arresting 750,000 individuals a year for marijuana possession, especially given the additional justice costs of disposing of each of these cases.
Why should Yankee statistics mean we should legalise dope in Australia? No evidence given whatsoever to support the costs to the justice system compared to the taxes legalising could bring in.
4. Marijuana is not a lethal drug and is safer than alcohol. It is established scientific fact that marijuana is not toxic to humans
Yet again no evidence to support the claims. How can something that contains carcinogens be guaranteed non-toxic to humans?
5. Prohibition is based on lies and disinformation.
That sounds like personal opinion to suit an agenda when the article fails to support their claims with too much evidence or fact.
6. Marijuana's legalization would simplify the development of hemp as a valuable and diverse agricultural crop in the United States, including its development as a new bio-fuel to reduce carbon emissions.
I suppose they are referring to industrial hemp which is used throughout the world?
7. Legalized marijuana would reduce the flow of money from the American economy to international criminal gangs.
Not a lot reason to legalise it in Australia.
8. A regulated, legal market in marijuana would reduce marijuana sales and use among teenagers, as well as reduce their exposure to other drugs in the illegal market.
No evidence whatsoever given to support that. In fact I'd dispute the opinion. The easier it is to get, and the more acceptable it's made to society by legalising it, could also make it more likely kids use it simply because it's accessible and deemed acceptable.
9. Arrests for marijuana possession disproportionately affect blacks and Hispanics and reinforce the perception that law enforcement is biased and prejudiced against minorities.
I see no reason in that for cannibas to be legalised in Australia.
10. Prohibition has failed to control the use and domestic production of marijuana.
There is little control over the production and use of any drugs, hardly a reason to legalise them though.
If the tobacco industry is used as a precedent legalising marijuana could lead to criminal activity and a black market too. Again no evidence to support that as a reason to legalise.