Why is Cannabis still illegal?

[otolith]

In the news today;

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3185189/...

[remkingston]

e21Mark said:

vetrof said:

FredClogs said:

vetrof said:

FredClogs said:

Knives, dogs, paint and glue have other uses other than altering human brain chemistry... Beer you could argue.

So what?

So what, what?

....has that got to do with it? If it's all about protecting the most vulnerable people (no matter how tiny a percentage that may be) the substance, implement, activity is surely irrelevant.

Just how tiny a percentage do you think admit to having developed a problem with illegal drugs?

There are a million UK residents with a drug problem. (About 13% of users) it's fair to assume that number would increase were laws removed. Obviously that doesn't include the families who's lives are also blighted by the outfall from drug use.

It would be fair to think that by removing the criminal element and providing medical help that that million people could approach someone for help without the fear of being arrested.

Using your logic though, alcohol should be banned:
https://www.alcoholconcern.org.uk/help-and-advice/...

[LocoCoco]

e21Mark said:

vetrof said:

FredClogs said:

vetrof said:

FredClogs said:

Knives, dogs, paint and glue have other uses other than altering human brain chemistry... Beer you could argue.

So what?

So what, what?

....has that got to do with it? If it's all about protecting the most vulnerable people (no matter how tiny a percentage that may be) the substance, implement, activity is surely irrelevant.

Just how tiny a percentage do you think admit to having developed a problem with illegal drugs?

Certainly a smaller percentage than if it were legal.

[e21Mark]

remkingston said:

e21Mark said:

vetrof said:

FredClogs said:

vetrof said:

FredClogs said:

Knives, dogs, paint and glue have other uses other than altering human brain chemistry... Beer you could argue.

So what?

So what, what?

....has that got to do with it? If it's all about protecting the most vulnerable people (no matter how tiny a percentage that may be) the substance, implement, activity is surely irrelevant.

Just how tiny a percentage do you think admit to having developed a problem with illegal drugs?

There are a million UK residents with a drug problem. (About 13% of users) it's fair to assume that number would increase were laws removed. Obviously that doesn't include the families who's lives are also blighted by the outfall from drug use.

It would be fair to think that by removing the criminal element and providing medical help that that million people could approach someone for help without the fear of being arrested.

Using your logic though, alcohol should be banned:
https://www.alcoholconcern.org.uk/help-and-advice/...

Were alcohol discovered today, I imagine it probably would be.

People seeking help for drug problems can already do do, without any fear of arrest. In fact, it is encouraged as an alternative.

[FredClogs]

e21Mark said:

Were alcohol discovered today, I imagine it probably would be.

People seeking help for drug problems can already do do, without any fear of arrest. In fact, it is encouraged as an alternative.

The reason that the alcohol and sugar industry(and to a decreasing extent tobacco) get away with what they have is that governments are essentially run by self interested people and professional lobby groups and political spin merchants are very good value for money for large corporate industries.

Were governments to act in the interests of the populace and take a harder line on alcohol, tobacco and sugar - as they should, people would scream liberty, puritanism and draconian state from the roof tops (they wouldn't have owt else to do) - but alas they don't realise the reality is that it's not the fear of this that prevents governments making the right decisions on these things - it's the money. Follow the money. And the last thing we need is another massive grey market industry with pockets of cash subverting democracy.

[steveT350C]

FredClogs said:

steveT350C said:

If I want to smoke a joint, I will smoke a joint. If I want a dab of mdma I will have a dab.

The law is irrelevant in my decision making.

I absolutely defend the sovereignty of my consciousness.

What does this even mean?

Think for yourself and question authority


- Timothy Leary

[BJG1]

FredClogs said:

vetrof said:

FredClogs said:

vetrof said:

FredClogs said:

Knives, dogs, paint and glue have other uses other than altering human brain chemistry... Beer you could argue.

So what?

So what, what?

....has that got to do with it? If it's all about protecting the most vulnerable people (no matter how tiny a percentage that may be) the substance, implement, activity is surely irrelevant.

Errr... No. Life is a balancing act, risk vs reward.

Why is altering brain chemistry a less noble pursuit than keeping a pet? You seem to have arbitarily decided that pursuing enjoyment through taking drugs is somehow of less worth than through other, equally or more dangerous pursuits.

[Ali G]

Always good to challenge those who wish to authorotate.

Always

[otolith]

FredClogs said:

Were governments to act in the interests of the populace and take a harder line on alcohol, tobacco and sugar - as they should, people would scream liberty, puritanism and draconian state from the roof tops.

I'm glad that you agree that screaming is what people should do.

[rohrl]

Ali G said:

Always good to challenge those who wish to authorotate.

Always

Personally in an emergency situation I would just allow the helicopter pilot to get on with trying to control the aircraft.

[Ali G]

rohrl said:

Ali G said:

Always good to challenge those who wish to authorotate.

Always

Personally in an emergency situation I would just allow the helicopter pilot to get on with trying to control the aircraft.

Point taken!

Never Generalise

Woops.

[JensenA]

e21Mark said:

vetrof said:

FredClogs said:

vetrof said:

FredClogs said:

Knives, dogs, paint and glue have other uses other than altering human brain chemistry... Beer you could argue.

So what?

So what, what?

....has that got to do with it? If it's all about protecting the most vulnerable people (no matter how tiny a percentage that may be) the substance, implement, activity is surely irrelevant.

Just how tiny a percentage do you think admit to having developed a problem with illegal drugs?

There are a million UK residents with a drug problem. (About 13% of users) it's fair to assume that number would increase were laws removed. Obviously that doesn't include the families who's lives are also blighted by the outfall from drug use.

Do you drink alcohol? Have you turned into an alcoholic? Presuming you do partake in the consumption of alcohol - a far more dangerous and socially disruptive drug than cannabis - If it was made illegal in the UK, would you never be tempted to buy a nice bottle of 'red' that some scumbag drug smuggler had fought into the UK? D,you think that the numbers of Alocholics would decrease if alcohol was illegal?
Your opinions are blighted by an ignorance and prejudice against cannabis.

[Ali G]

When do you have a 'drink' problem?

When you drink more than your GP.

Or perhaps when you develop Cirrhosis of the Liver.

And, you may have behaved as a complete t**t for many years before reaching that condition.

[FredClogs]

steveT350C said:

FredClogs said:

steveT350C said:

If I want to smoke a joint, I will smoke a joint. If I want a dab of mdma I will have a dab.

The law is irrelevant in my decision making.

I absolutely defend the sovereignty of my consciousness.

What does this even mean?

Think for yourself and question authority


- Timothy Leary

I was thinking for myself and questioning your authority...

I'd do a bit of reading on Timothy Leary if I were you before you start quoting him as an authority without question.

[rohrl]

Ali G said:

rohrl said:

Ali G said:

Always good to challenge those who wish to authorotate.

Always

Personally in an emergency situation I would just allow the helicopter pilot to get on with trying to control the aircraft.

Point taken!

Never Generalise

Woops.

They say that jokes are like kittens; best left undissected but it was actually an attempt at a joke based around your creation of the word authorotate, which doesn't exist, and its similarity to the word autorotate, which is what a helicopter pilot does in the event of engine failure, and my imaginary scenario of a passenger on a stricken helicopter second-guessing a pilot in an emergency situation.

You people don't deserve material of this quality.

[steveT350C]

FredClogs said:

steveT350C said:

FredClogs said:

steveT350C said:

If I want to smoke a joint, I will smoke a joint. If I want a dab of mdma I will have a dab.

The law is irrelevant in my decision making.

I absolutely defend the sovereignty of my consciousness.

What does this even mean?

Think for yourself and question authority


- Timothy Leary

I was thinking for myself and questioning your authority...

I'd do a bit of reading on Timothy Leary if I were you before you start quoting him as an authority without question.

Chill! Don't take things so personally.

I have no authority on this subject, only my experience and opinion, which I am sharing.

You asked me, rather witheringly, what I meant. I think Leary's quote quite nicely explained what I meant.

[ikarl]

rohrl said:

Ali G said:

rohrl said:

Ali G said:

Always good to challenge those who wish to authorotate.

Always

Personally in an emergency situation I would just allow the helicopter pilot to get on with trying to control the aircraft.

Point taken!

Never Generalise

Woops.

They say that jokes are like kittens; best left undissected but it was actually an attempt at a joke based around your creation of the word authorotate, which doesn't exist, and its similarity to the word autorotate, which is what a helicopter pilot does in the event of engine failure, and my imaginary scenario of a passenger on a stricken helicopter second-guessing a pilot in an emergency situation.

You people don't deserve material of this quality.

[Ali G]

ikarl said:

rohrl said:

Ali G said:

rohrl said:

Ali G said:

Always good to challenge those who wish to authorotate.

Always

Personally in an emergency situation I would just allow the helicopter pilot to get on with trying to control the aircraft.

Point taken!

Never Generalise

Woops.

They say that jokes are like kittens; best left undissected but it was actually an attempt at a joke based around your creation of the word authorotate, which doesn't exist, and its similarity to the word autorotate, which is what a helicopter pilot does in the event of engine failure, and my imaginary scenario of a passenger on a stricken helicopter second-guessing a pilot in an emergency situation.

You people don't deserve material of this quality.

[steveT350C]

ikarl said:

rohrl said:

Ali G said:

rohrl said:

Ali G said:

Always good to challenge those who wish to authorotate.

Always

Personally in an emergency situation I would just allow the helicopter pilot to get on with trying to control the aircraft.

Point taken!

Never Generalise

Woops.

They say that jokes are like kittens; best left undissected but it was actually an attempt at a joke based around your creation of the word authorotate, which doesn't exist, and its similarity to the word autorotate, which is what a helicopter pilot does in the event of engine failure, and my imaginary scenario of a passenger on a stricken helicopter second-guessing a pilot in an emergency situation.

You people don't deserve material of this quality.

Got me! spent a few minutes on google searching authorotate

[Ali G]

Some form of the verb to 'authorise'

Combined with 'dictate'

Yes - completely made up - so no 'Googling' can provide any answer.

As if it ever could.