Larry (who works with drug addicts) writes in a comment on one of his posts:
No, I haven’t thought it out. In fact, most of my beliefs are poorly constructed out of pure whimsy. This one is no exception. The only anomaly I can think of to my “whimsy” rule is this: I believe that the biggest pimp on the block is our government and the ONLY reason marijuana is still illegal is because our government can’t figure out a way to make more money off the profits than they already do by locking up the stoners and charging them huge fines. Yeah, it’s a bad drug. But it’s a kitten compared to alcohol and nicotine. And don’t tell me it’s a gateway drug either. If marijuana is a gateway drug to the hard stuff then a butter knife is a gateway to manslaughter. I’m not going all “Willie Nelson” on you here. I’m just saying that locking up someone because they use marijuana is financially motivated and in the end all it produces is a stoner who has just received a first class education on how to become a criminal. Now that’s a gateway.
I do agree with that. I typically point out that if marijuana is a “gateway drug”, then alcohol is also, and much more so than marijuana. Not that I really know what I’m talking about. (I have a much better idea of the effects and uses of alcohol than of marijuana.)
With regards to economic implications: I have heard that in South Africa keeping it illegal is a good thing: that keeps it in the informal sector, helping boost the economy amongst the poor. Legalising it would bring it into the formal sector, with the “big companies”, the “rich people”, making the profits instead. Thus, it is better for the economy to keep it illegal, but not enforce the laws too harshly? Interesting thought, whether it is true or not?
5 responses so far ↓
1 Wendy // Aug 1, 2007 at 7:51 pm
When it comes down to it, I don’t think that pot is a big deal. I don’t think that people should have to go to jail for using it. But I do, however, think that legal action is appropriate when individuals do stupid things while under the influence, like drive a car. I think pot should be treated the same way that alcohol is.
I also agree with your economic thoughts of legalizing pot in South Africa. I think if it were to become legal, the crime rate would go up because the poor would not be able to afford it. Or, they would spend all of their money on pot, and none on food, or diapers for their kids, etc.
Personally, I’m not a big fan of pot. My roommate, on the other hand, is an almost daily user.
2 gloep // Aug 2, 2007 at 2:53 pm
Wettige dagga => nog ‘n maatskappy wat Steinhof kan begin => nog ‘n koshiusspan word met fancy hempies geborg…
3 gerhard // Dec 5, 2007 at 12:39 pm
well, i personally think its illegal because of the gonverment being afraid of what to its trade agreements :P(like with america etc.) Its not that south africa want to keep it informal , they just dont want to have to put all the protection for other countries in place which holland and the swiss had to do ..
there are lots and lots of movies , even from history channel that deal with why the things are the way they are .. a mind fuck of note is watching history channel ask ‘wtf?’
watch their ‘illegal: the story of drugs and how they got this way’ , a informative 4 part dealing with cocaine , opium , methaampetamines and MJ, was very informative.. (like who know about more than 60% of america being cocaine addicts because most products used to contain indiscriminate amounts of it, in the 1950-60s ??)
4 lousirr // Dec 5, 2007 at 12:44 pm
Hehe, sweet. Coke…
I’m trying to wean myself off caffeine at the moment, but anyway. Instead I’ll probably go and get high on this thing some people call “reality”.
5 gerhard // Dec 5, 2007 at 12:45 pm
anyone read this ?
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