Hey James, about legal marijuana...

[FightingFalcon]

mario said:

fightingfalcon said:

For a hard-core Republican, your views on drugs are quite, dare I say, progressive Mario.

Haha, James, the last thing in the world I ever want to be called is a "progressive." I really fucking hate that term. As if there's anything progressive about liberals.

I was actually referring to the FDA's ban on life-saving drugs, which have different effects on every single person. I hate the notion of the government trying to protect us from ourselves by banning drugs that save lives, while having harm -- even deadly -- side effects on a few people.

I was by no means referring to hard drugs like angeldust, cocaine, etc.

Later.

Even still - your views on marijuana are pretty progressive.

Most, if not all, Republicans I know refuse to even think about supporting the legalization of marijuana. I think you and Dadof3 are the only Republicans I've seen actually consider it. At least I thought I remember seeing you two post about it.

There's nothing wrong with being a progressive person. That does not mean you are a liberal. As you said, liberals know nothing about being progressive. They're just plain retarded.

[MARIO]

fightingfalcon said:

mario said:

Haha, James, the last thing in the world I ever want to be called is a "progressive." I really fucking hate that term. As if there's anything progressive about liberals.

I was actually referring to the FDA's ban on life-saving drugs, which have different effects on every single person. I hate the notion of the government trying to protect us from ourselves by banning drugs that save lives, while having harm -- even deadly -- side effects on a few people.

I was by no means referring to hard drugs like angeldust, cocaine, etc.

Later.

Even still - your views on marijuana are pretty progressive.

Most, if not all, Republicans I know refuse to even think about supporting the legalization of marijuana. I think you and Dadof3 are the only Republicans I've seen actually consider it. At least I thought I remember seeing you two post about it.

There's nothing wrong with being a progressive person. That does not mean you are a liberal. As you said, liberals know nothing about being progressive. They're just plain retarded.

Well, as you know, Chris and I were pretty much the staunchest opponents to legalizing pot.

But after I read some of Steve's (dadof3) views on the issue, I actually changed my mind somewhat. I didn't think that was possible..lol

I liked some of his ideas on applying the same laws we apply to alcohol consumption.

I already support medical marijuana. However, we need an effective apparatus in place from which to disseminate the pot. If not, we'd have every asshole wanting to get high claiming to be afflicted with some disease or illness. But if we do legalize pot, obviously that doesn't matter.

And, again, if we do legalize pot, business owners and employers still reserve the right to fire an employee who comes to work high. Just as they have that same right if someone smokes and drinks excessively (and that intereferes with their work performance).

So yeah, right now I'm sort of leaning towards legalization. But I still have reservations on government taxation of pot.

[FightingFalcon]

I agree 100% Mario. I would never advocate working, driving, opeating heavy machinery, etc. while high. All I'm talking about is the ability to smoke while in the privacy of your own home. I really do not see any problems with that.

I would also make the punishment for DUI much worse. In many states, you get a slap on the wrist and a short probationary period. DUI is extremely dangerous and should not be tolerated. "Don't drink and drive" isn't just a polite suggestion - it's the law. I would revoke people's licenses for at least a year and recommend jail time. I have no problem with people who want to responsibly use drugs in their home - when you start putting other people at risk, you lose that right.

[CommonSense]

All I'm talking about is the ability to smoke while in the privacy of your own home.

So, you would make it illegal to be high in public? I wouldn't have to deal with potheads on the street boasting that their drug has finally become legal?

[FightingFalcon]

Drinking in public is illegal in most places.

Being completely drunk in public is illegal as well.

If you're high and no one can tell, good on you. If you start shouting obscene things and harrassing other people, it's time for you to go home. But I've never seen anyone who is high start harrassing others. Generally they watch cartoons and steal my food....

[MARIO]

fightingfalcon said:

I agree 100% Mario. I would never advocate working, driving, opeating heavy machinery, etc. while high. All I'm talking about is the ability to smoke while in the privacy of your own home. I really do not see any problems with that.

I would also make the punishment for DUI much worse. In many states, you get a slap on the wrist and a short probationary period. DUI is extremely dangerous and should not be tolerated. "Don't drink and drive" isn't just a polite suggestion - it's the law. I would revoke people's licenses for at least a year and recommend jail time. I have no problem with people who want to responsibly use drugs in their home - when you start putting other people at risk, you lose that right.

Yeah, I agree with all of that. Though the police aren't exactly breaking down doors and arresting people for smoking pot.

But if people want to smoke in their homes, fine. However, driving while stoned or even smoking in public shouldn't be allowed. That's how people get into trouble.

So legalize pot, let people grow the stuff and smoke it within the privacy of their own homes. But I wouldn't go much further than that. It would also relieve the burden on out prisons and the police.