So you already know where I am from what are you stalking me. :P   Big brother is on the prowl.

Maybe I can become the Official Vgchartz Stalker...I'd be so proud of that, lmfao :D

Im sorry to say I never have once smoked cannabis (calling it weed or marijuana has left it with such a rep I don't like using either of thoes two names)but I really want to try it; not becuase of peer presure, or because "everyone else is doing it" thing, but for my own curiosity.  

I thought I would make the thread more interesting by adding some Marijuana news to it, I might keep doing it if the thread lasts long enough.

Posted by CN Staff on February 25, 2011 at 18:01:31 PT
By Ryan Blethen, Times Editorial Columnist 
Source: Seattle Times 

Seattle, WA -- It is rare we publish an editorial on a hot topic and receive near universal praise. But that is what happened last week when we came out in support of Washington state legalizing cannabis.

The fact that a lot of people support the drug being legal is not surprising. Most people I know have long supported legalization of marijuana. Knowing people who support it and public opinion about a newspaper supporting it are different things.

When people take the time to e-mail or call me about an editorial, it is usually because they do not agree with the editorial page. This editorial was different. The compliments rolled in, the discussion in the comments section of the editorial is nearing 600 and is interesting and thoughtful — which is not always the case — and so far the editorial has been recommended by about 3,000 people on Facebook.

Those numbers are nice to see, but only a minor part of the story. What the editorial has shown is that a broad cross-section of Washingtonians supports legalizing cannabis, or at least are ready to discuss the issue seriously.

Legalizing would put Washington out in front. We would be the first state to make the drug legal and regulate it. This would put us at odds with federal law — something we considered. Through our internal discussions this opposition to federal law became a point in favor of endorsing legalization. We believe it is the right thing to do, so why not lead the county?

The possibility of a positive response is not why we voiced our support for Seattle Democratic Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson's bill to legalize cannabis. Any decent editorial page is going to take unpopular stands or endorse politicians or issues that rile readership. I still hear from readers fuming about The Seattle Times' endorsement of George W. Bush in the 2000 presidential election. (I was not here then but am certain the editorial board was not smoking anything.)

How did we get to the point of supporting the legalization of a drug? Like any big decision or change of opinion, it was a process. This process started more than a year ago when I brought the issue up with the publisher. He was intrigued, but clearly not comfortable with the idea.

My argument was that the war against marijuana was a loser. It is a drain on law-enforcement resources and precious government funds. I also pointed out that by legalizing cannabis it cuts off a major source of funds for cartels and gangs.

From there we set about researching the topic. Some on the editorial board had worries about it being a gateway drug and about the effects on children. My counter was that if a teenager really wants pot, he or she is going to find a way to get it regardless of its legality. Just like alcohol. By regulating cannabis, it removes those under 18 from the presence of drug dealers, who, because it is their business, often have other kinds of drugs they can push on their young customers.

Another factor that played heavily in the decision is the outsize punishments for relatively small amounts of marijuana.

Enter Dickerson's bill. It dovetailed nicely with our yearlong internal examination of the issue. The publisher was comfortable with the decision so I gave editorial writer Bruce Ramsey the green light.

As far as I can tell, The Times is one of the few metropolitan newspapers to push for legal cannabis. That does not mean we are alone. Former Seattle Police Chief Norm Stamper has a piece below about regulating illicit drugs. Stamper is not a lone voice in law enforcement believing that the dollars spent in the futile effort to eradicate drugs would be better used for treatment.

It is high time this country had a sober discussion about marijuana. Because what we are doing now is not working. Washington state's Legislature could lead the discussion by passing Dickerson's bill.

Marijuana should obviously be legal. Studies show that it's much less dangerous than alcohol and cigaretts, and it can even be used for medical reasons. The only people who have a logical reason for wanting marijuana kept illegal are drug dealers, who want to be able to keep on selling it for high prices.

Joel, I don't drink, never have, never will. I don't smoke, never have, never will. But I don't thik that either of these two should be illegal. People have certain freedoms, and these freedoms should be respected. I also have never done marijuana, and don't ever plan to, however I see no logical reason why it should be deemed illegal. People have a right to take substences that aren't exactly "healthy". If you're so obssessed about what is "healthy" and what is not for people, why don't you advocate for the banning of junk food?

The reason why so many are against marijuana is because of all the anti-drug propaganda and the missinformation perpetuated by the Government (you should've heard all the lies they said at the anti-drug class that was held when I was in high school). Lots of young people are for the legalising of marijuana, and their numbers are growing.

And I really disliked your whole "just because it feels good, doesn't mean you should do it argument". Homophobes use the same rhetoric when talking about gays. Do you think people should lead miserable lives? Why do people like you want people to not be able to enjoy themselves and be happy, without having to feel guilty about it? Why are you accusing all people that drink that they drive while drunk? Do you have any way to back up that claim? As for health bills, I doubt they'll be that much inflated.

Find genuine reasons why marijuana should be illegal (reasons strong enough as the reasons why murder is illegal, for example), and then we'll talk. Untill then don't go saying that X thing should be illegal, because you don't like it, and stop creating fantasy scenarios when something that isn't any of your business somehow affects you.

You took healthy out of context. I never said it should be banned because it isn't healthy. I stated the healthy minority of voters don't want it legal, I was refering to the amount of voters not the health of marijuanna. I also mentioned higher health bills but I wasn't saying that was a reason for it being illegal, just a stupid decision on the smokers behalf. What you do to your body as long as it doesn't effect others is between you and God. But when a drug like alchohol or marijuanna threaten the survival or happyness of those around you then they should be illegal. Much like here in Canada it is legal to smoke cigerettes however you can't smoke in restraunts, many parks, in out door markets and many public places. Why because it negatively effects those around you who suffer the consequences of your life choice. Take pregnant women for example many smoke and drink and then their babies come out deformed or mentally handicapped. All because that parent wanted to "Feel good".

Alot of things feel good but aren't good for you or those around you. Protection-less sex feels better then condom sex (Or so I hear all the time) yet its not good for you to go around having protection free sex. McDonalds hamburgers and fries taste amazing but they are horrible for you. The adrenaline rush you get when doing things you probably shouldn't like fighting , running from cops, robbing stores or people, that rush feels good. Doesn't mean its okay. Heroine feels good does that mean you should do it. Speeding feels good , should you speed everywhere?

I'm not saying don't do anything that feels good. But just because you enjoy something doesn't make it good. I myself have been drunk, it felt good, unless I started throwing up. Guess what I broke two cell phones and damaged several friendships through drunk messaging etc...etc... It felt good but guess what I've seen someone paralyzed by a drunk driver. I have seen families fall apart do to drinking. It should most definatly be illegal.

What you do to your body may be your buisness. But when your actions effect others then it becomes their buisness. Lets face it alchohol kills millions a year, cigerettes kill millions a year. Now as I said if they are legal then weed should be too. However that doesn't mean any of them should be.

I'm not a party pooper who thinks you should never enjoy yourself. But do so responsably as you do and I do. You not drinking , smoking or doing any narcotics, has that made your life horrible? Just because something is enjoyable doesn't mean you should do it.

Their are plenty of enjoyable things that are perfectly legal. I know several people like me who don't drink smoke or do any narcotics and I'd say they are all enjoying life. Its narrow minded to think you need to alter your brain to enjoy yourself.

I know what you meant when you said "healthy" majority.

I never said that anything that "feels good" should be permitted, but that you need to have very good reasons why sonething should be banned. You not liking it is not a good reason. The fact that it isn't the wisest thing to do is also not a good reason, as people have a right to make unwise decisions, as long as it doesn't concern others (and the choice to smoke, drink, use marijuana is personal, and it doesn't concern anyone else). If marijuana were legal, it would obviously be illegal to drive while using it, or to smoke in publc.

The reason why I don't drink or smoke or use drugs is because I don't think I'd like it. In the case of smoking it would be terrible at first, and then I'd get addicted to the nicotine and help the evil greedy tabaco companies get rich. In the other 2 cases, I don't like the ideea of beinf drunk or high and not being fully aware of what I'm doing (I'd use marijuana if a doctor ever reccomeded it for medical purposes though). I don't find these things pleasurable, but if other people like these things it's not my place to tell them otherwise (provided they don't break the law of course).

The whole "I've seen families fall appart due to drinking" is a weak argument. I've seen families fall appart due to one of the sposes (or both) being a workaholic. Does that mean working should be outlawed? Families can fall appart due to practically anything.

Also, condomless sex really is all that . And LOL @ the drunk messaging. What kind of things would you say when you were drunk?

i still don't get any of the anti arguments and joecool wtf?

firstly people can mind there own f*cking business on what i want or not want to do

secondly guns legal herb illegal,now thats funny

Move to Europe, and smoke at your own will! :)