I think this really strikes at the heart of the issue - namely, personal
responsibility, self-control, and the variations between individuals.

We can certainly all agree that what is a problem for one person isn't
necessarily a problem for another.  One uncle of mine had such a problem
with alcohol that he drank himself to death.  I have no such problem,
possibly because he served as a wonderful warning (especially when my
mother told the story).  Some people, whether through genetics, psychology,
or lack of judgement, cannot control their drinking.  Because they cannot
control themselves, it becomes their responsibility to abstain completely,
and failing that, the government's responsibility to protect the rest of us
from them through law.

The question then becomes one of whether drug X - and we can substitute any
drug for X, even caffeine or tobacco - overrides an individual's capacity
for self-control.  I have a couple of friends who are members of Narcotics
Anonymous and are recovering crack addicts.  They will assure you that
crack cocaine cannot be controlled.  In that situation, that tells me that
crack needs to be kept illegal.  I haven't had the chance to read that
issue of The Economist that was recommended, so I'll have to phrase this
speculatively, but if marijuana is truly NOT addictive, then in my opinion
it becomes like alcohol or tobacco or any of the other socially accepted
drugs, and should be dealt with in the same way.  I could continue with
other examples, but I trust that I've illustrated the point well enough to
help prevent misinterpretation.

So, all that remains is to objectively determine what is addictive, what
isn't, and how to regulate the things that aren't.

Well, except that I'm still not King, so I can't actually change the world.
Yet.
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|Eric A. Laney      |Failure is more frequently from want of energy than  |
|Systems Engineer   |want of capital.                                     |
|LAN Optimization   |                                                     |
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                    "Will Swain"                                                       
                                      
                    <will@hothors        To:     CF-Community 
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>                               
                    e.com>               cc:                                           
                                      
                                         Subject:     RE: Leeegalisssee ittt!          
                                      
                    08/06/2001                                                         
                                      
                    09:15 AM                                                           
                                      
                    Please                                                             
                                      
                    respond to                                                         
                                      
                    cf-community                                                       
                                      
                                                                                       
                                      
                                                                                       
                                      




Well, I have met some very productive pot smokers (one of the most
succesful
people I know), and some very lazy ones!!

And as for 'actually going anywhere in life', I guess that depends on how
you qualify this.

Alcohol may not be dangerous in small quantities, but look at the liver of
any alcoholic and I think you'll see a different story. It's highly
addictive, and causes a lot of social problems.

My point is not whether it is right or wrong to smoke cannabis, simply that
there is a strong argument in favour of decriminalistion based on economic
and social points.

Cheers

Will



-----Original Message-----
From: Ben Arledge [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent: 03 August 2001 23:15
To: CF-Community
Subject: RE: Leeegalisssee ittt!


Well I think smoking cigarettes/cigars should be illegal as well as pot,
they're both bad for your health.  Alcohol though, is recommended in
relatively small quantities for most people.  I think the docs say a
glass of wine a day is good for you, I don't have the specifics.

I honestly have not met a pot smoker that I would consider an above
average productive person, only after they stop or before they start did
I think they were actually going anywhere in life.

On the other hand, I understand from studies done here in Canada, that
smokers tend to be less of a drain on the healthcare system since they
don't live nearly as long as the rest of us.  So I say to all you
pro-smokers, smoke an extra one for me while you're at it!  I'll be
paying lower taxes in the long run because you'll all be dead long
before me!  :)

Another point I might as well bring up...  I find that most work
environments are becoming much more anti-smoking and smokers will
probably have a tougher time getting a job over a non-smoker.

Cheers,
Ben

-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Smyth [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent: Friday, August 03, 2001 1:53 AM
To: CF-Community
Subject: RE: Leeegalisssee ittt!

Really I think governments should take a more liberal approach with
this.

Alchohol is one of the most toxic drugs on the planet, and nicotine is
more
pysically addictive than heroin.

People should have the choice to do what they want, if it dosn't harm
anyone
else.

-----Original Message-----
From: Wayne Putterill [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent: 02 August 2001 18:25
To: CF-Community
Subject: Re: Leeegalisssee ittt!


Did you know a major part of Jimmy Carters presidential campaign
concerned
legalising grass? Strange but true...



----- Original Message -----
From: "John Allred" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "CF-Community" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Thursday, August 02, 2001 1:38 PM
Subject: Re: Leeegalisssee ittt!


> My experience with friends was that those who really "got into" it
> tended to do less well and had more problems along the way those who
> avoided it.
>
> However, I'm appalled that we can't see the parallels with America's
> attempt to outlaw alcohol, which produced a firmly entrenched criminal
> element that our nation had never seen before and that has not
> disappeared, even since legalization of alcohol.
>
> However one might feel about marijuana use, you would have to be blind
> not to see the myriad problems associated with our so-called war on
> drugs. I'll avoid a tirade by simply characterizing it as a farce.
>
> Sadly, we've been discussing this issue for more than 30 years. It's
> understandable that the WWII generation might have been willing to
> criminalize marijuana (believe it or not, it didn't used to be
illegal),
> but their children's generation is now in power, and still it remains
> illegal.
>
> --John
>
>
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