Should the U.S make weed leagl?

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nohandtohold

The assumption is always that weed is legal in the Netherlands. However, this is not entirely true. A person is allowed to have a certain amount (I believe it is 3 grams) of weed with them, when you have more on you, you will receive a fine. Coffee shops are allowed to legally sell the drugs (again in certain set amounts) but growing the weed is illegal. So even though the coffee shops can legally sell weed, there is no legal way for them to get the drugs.

Another thing is that a person is allowed to grow cannabis plants in their own home when it is for their own consumption but, again, there are rules about how many plants you are allowed to grow.

About the United States legalising weed; that is their own business. If the government decides to not legalise it then it is their own good right to. This does not mean that I agree with that. Personally I think that the rules we apply in the Netherlands are better than making the drug entirely illegal, but I do understand why the US government does this. But I believe that making it totally illegal turns it into a taboo that will make it more interesting for some people to try it.

No, It will not work in that society, it would get a mess.

For your info, it is not legal in Holland. We just deal with it in our own way.

saskia r

There are a couple of theories that if you make something legal/allow something that people will be less occupied with it. perhaps that will help in a country if it has a problem with drugs. I live near the border with Belgium and we have a constant flow in summer of people from belgium and france who come here to smoke weed. And sometimes try take it with them over the borders. and since it is the least dangerous drug, perhaps it would improve the situation. Although that can also go completely wrong. People who think: "If you can smoke weed, then why not other drugs as well? If I can smoke weed.it won't be a disaster if I smoke this and then it's not bad if I smoke this as well....."etc

Endie vB

It's not legal here, it's tolerated (decriminalized). The main difference is that they can keep changing the policies on the coffee shops this way.

But still, it's pleasant to be able to buy some weed for a nice smoke. And I agree that officially legalizing it would stimulate the govt to produce and tax it.

So, go for tolerance in the USA.......

Cheers

-JaK-

dont legalize decriminalize.. legalize then the governments going grow it and tax us on it.. decriminalize then no ones going to jail over weed!!

Cat

sure..why not?
I think we're much too serious..perhaps it will mellow us out:P

U_S_S_Enterprise

Well, what the US should or should not do, it usually determines for itself. (and sometimes they try for others).

I do not think it should be made legal as such, but perhaps the US could adopt a similar 'non-enforcement' policy towards weed. There are more important things to deal with than a few weed smokers, in my opinion.

As to it being legal, regardless of what chazzychef says, it isn`t in The Netherlands.
The police does not actively chase smokers (actually they don`t do anything but catch speeding motorists with laserguns and cameras these days) but in the rare case someone who is a troublemaker gets arrested, and is in possession of any weed - they could be charged with that as well.

That it is sold openly is also officially illegal, but when the shops operate within set rules (max 5 grams per user) they can sell it without the police dropping in every hour or so. (except to buy for themselves, perhaps).

Recently there has been a discussion about 'safe' drugs, because some tourists got themselves killed while under influence, so again the anti-movement tries to close all coffeeshops.

As for me, a non-smoker, and non-weed user, i don`t mind.
I have learned that many weed smokers are generally relaxed and friendly (and those that are not can bugger of whence they came, for all i care).
I think that, on one end of the discussion, legalizing it completely (and enforce age rules) can take it out of the criminal influence. On the other end there is the risk that people will take the step to heavier drugs easier.

This is not a black and white discussion i`m afraid.
There are too many shades of grey, and too many shady people, involved for it to be an easy solution.

Ravin

The lesser of two evils doesn't change the fact that both are evil.

I'm not alluding that marijuana is evil, of course; but to use logic that just because it's the "least dangerous drug on the planet" (which isn't true, by the way) doesn't make it good for you, either. Smoking ANYTHING isn't healthy nor is it natural; in terms of chemicals, pure tobacco (not the rubbish used in cigarettes) is far better for you than cannabis. Most people who smoke weed do not have a legitimate need or reason to do so... and it certainly doesn't help them in any way. I see no reason to legalize it, since legalizing the drugs that people abuse doesn't make the problem go away. If it did, you wouldn't have so many people dying of lung/mouth/esophageal cancer from years of tobacco smoking, or people being killed by drunken idiots on the roads.

I have never smoked a cigarette or a joint in my life, and have no intention of doing so. I rarely touch alcohol, and when I do it's usually just one drink--which is more than enough. I like to think that I function at my best and seem less like an idiot if I'm not faded, drunk, or coughing my lungs out.

The fact that weed smells like burning assrags doesn't make me any more interested in trying it.

english guy 1985

yes

only reactionary conservatives would say that any country shouldn't legalise - and their opinion is essentially invalid as it is based almost entirely on ignorance.

maybe they should start off by doing it like in we do here in England/UK, where you can no longer be arrested for possessing small amounts, and then take it from there...

I would like to see my country eventually adopt the Dutch model, although this has been set back by anti- (tobacco)smoking laws recently, people will see any form of smoking as bad.

oh and I am no longer a weed smoker but even if I never was, my opinion would be the same - for me it is primarily a matter of principal, it's about civil liberties...

The Misses

no. it impairs decision making skills.

fitnessguru

cigz and alcohol should b outlawed b4 tha chronic.

chazzychef

Hell yes, weed should be legal in the US. And enough with this "Oh, it's not legal in Holland" nonsense. Technically, VERY technically, it isn't "legal". But if you have shops that operate openly on city streets, and you can buy weed in those shops and carry it around in your pocket without fear of punishment, that is the same as if it were "legal". Weed should also not be considered a "gateway drug". Anyone who is going to try weed also likely has the propensity to try other drugs. I enjoy smoking weed from time to time, and really appreciate what the Netherlands has going on. I've tried other drugs out of curiosity and don't care for them. All it takes is personal responsibility to make it work.

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