Worldwide, weed news couldn’t be hotter. It’s now legal in Colorado and Washington — and Uruguay just became the first country to legalize it. The nation now has bold, new weed plans that include, among others, giving medical marijuana to prisoners in its jails.
The catch: Despite Uruguay’s weed affinity, only 8.3 percent of its inhabitants actually smoke it, according to the United Nations 2014 World Drug Report.
The country that, surprisingly, has the highest percentage of stoners? Iceland. That’s right, 55,000 of its residents light up — nearly one-fourth of the population — even though marijuana remains an expensive commodity, according to some. Today, its president wants the trade legalized. “If we allow the sale of alcohol,” he said, “there is no reason to ban the soft drugs any longer.”
Who is next? Will the United States legalize pot? How about Virginia?
There are compelling reasons to legalize Marijuana. It is a tremendous tax base. So is booze, so are cigarettes, so is the lottery. so is gambling. Tax relief and extra money for schools, libraries and roads makes legalization mighty attractive. Plus a huge percent of the population already uses weed. It certainly didn’t deserve the hype it was given as the last great evil before heroin when I was growing up.
There are some compelling reasons to not legalize pot also. How many people drive under the influence? How many more would drive if it was legal? Marijuana has been called a gateway drug, leading to other drug use. How much of this statement is actually accurate? Do we really want anyone else inhaling smoke of any kind? How about diet? Pot has been known for giving people the munchies. Will people spend more time at Taco Bell? Will it increase obesity?
If there was a referendum, how would you vote? Is legalization a good idea?
I have this corporation whose deeply held religious beliefs include using cannabis to see the face of god. I’m sure the conservative justices will extend the HL case from not forcing corporations to buy drugs they dislike for their employees to allowing corporations to provide drugs they do like to their employees and customers. SCOTUS precedent is now that government cannot regulate corporation decisions regarding drug use that has a clear link to religiosity.
Peace out and pass the bong hits for Jesus.
Bwaaahahahahahah.Good one, Ed. Now, having said that, there is much logic in what you just said. Why do I not think the Supremes will agree with you?
The compelling reason to legalize pot is the same as alcohol. We need to eliminate the black market to reduce the lucrative criminal enterprises that flourish on drug distribution. Without the drug cartels Mexico and Central American countries can rebuild their social institutions ravished by narco terrorism. A regulated drug market is better than a black market from the perspective of the consumer who wants protection from fraud and reduce the dangers from defective product.
I certainly can’t disagree with you about a well-regulated drug market vs. rogue opportunism and the black market.
Well-regulated? Maybe we can make it part of the 2nd amendment! There you go, That’s the ticket!!!
The Rastafarians make good use of cannabis in their way of life – maybe they will appeal some of the drug laws.
Time for everyone to admit that our war on drugs is an utter failure. The time and money spent on drug law enforcement, prosecution and incarceration is enormous – and drugs are still readily available to our youth (and old that want it). They you have the likes of Miley Cyrus who skirt the law with the use of salvia and bath salts. Time to legalize and regulate it. Taking the money out of the system will cause the drug cartels to suffer. Let people make their own choices if they want to use cocaine, crack, oxycontin, etc.
If they really found the rate of pot use lower in Jamaica than in the US & Canada, they found some good ganja!