The dangers of alcohol go beyond driving, though. Cirrhosis and alcohol poisoning are other huge factors. What is there with pot? Accidents. On a much lesser scale in deaths than alcohol is.

I was only talking about motor accidents related to alcohol. Pot has been known to cause slowed reaction time, flawed vision, immense giggliying and silliness for no reason, harder to distinguish sounds, the munchies, etc. Now let's picture the thousands of partyers that don't have a designated drivers, and decide to drive home. Not something I'd like on my roads. While maybe, on a lesser scale than alcohol, and millions being possibly exaggerated, it still has the possibility, which is again, not something I'd like on my roads.

Ah, see, I thought you were talking about all alcohol related deaths together and calling that the millions that would be matched with marijuana.

I'm not quite sure what you mean by "harm reduction methods", could you clarify that a bit for me?

 

 

 

Harm reduction - "...A social policy which prioritizes the aim of decreasing the negative effects of drug use..." (Newcombe 1992, p. 1)

 

 

 

So basically it refers to strategies, interventions, or policies by which the principles of harm minimization are implemented.

 

 

 

An example... When you said the age should be 21+.

 

 

 

I should get more up to date books :(

I'm not quite sure what you mean by "harm reduction methods", could you clarify that a bit for me?

 

 

 

Harm reduction - "...A social policy which prioritizes the aim of decreasing the negative effects of drug use..." (Newcombe 1992, p. 1)

 

 

 

So basically it refers to strategies, interventions, or policies by which the principles of harm minimization are implemented.

 

 

 

An example... When you said the age should be 21+.

 

 

 

I should get more up to date books :(

 

Have cars that automatically test for drug use, and won't allow you to drive if under the influence?

I'm not quite sure what you mean by "harm reduction methods", could you clarify that a bit for me?

 

 

 

Harm reduction - "...A social policy which prioritizes the aim of decreasing the negative effects of drug use..." (Newcombe 1992, p. 1)

 

 

 

So basically it refers to strategies, interventions, or policies by which the principles of harm minimization are implemented.

 

 

 

An example... When you said the age should be 21+.

 

 

 

I should get more up to date books :(

 

Have cars that automatically test for drug use, and won't allow you to drive if under the influence?

 

 

 

A. Cars won't be able to have that type of technology. It would have to rely on human responsibility.

 

 

 

B. The whole thing about the legalization of marijuana would be to adopt the laws already in place for alcohol and use them for weed. The laws include:

 

 

 

No driving under the influence (the penalty mostly varies state-to-state, but it's pretty strict)

 

No public intoxication (basically meaning don't go out into the streets and start havoc)

 

Age limits (I think 21+ is a good age limit, mainly because that's usually the minimum age of true adult responsibility, at least in this country.)

 

Certain Taxes

 

Regulations on how it is made

 

Regulations on what types are available

 

Regulations on what forms it can be in (loose, cigarette-like, pill etc)

 

 

 

Also a good idea would be education on how it can effect people, without as much propaganda they have now, mainly because it's illegal. More straight facts rather than just saying "No". Leave it up to the people to make the choice whether they smoke weed or not. However, if they do something stupid with it, they get punished as an individual, instead of making it completely illegal.

Thanks bear -

 

 

 

I think your answers are mature and productive. I take them more seriously than anybody else's ideas for legalization on this thread so far (not that it's a competition...) but you've obviously put a lot more thought in to this and are prepared.

 

 

 

If I was against legalization, I wouldn't have much room to move with your answers =D>

It should be legal.

I personally say that people should never smoke anything, ever

 

 

 

I don't care what you do to it, I don't care what laws there are, I don't care how unaddictive it is, because the more you show this kind of freedom, the more idiots will go and abuse it so much the governments stuff up trying to fix it, and the laws will become worse

How conservative of you lol Unfortunately for your situation laws are loosening and becoming more open minded. You can stay in your house, board it up and isolate from the real world if you like. Although we don't share the same views, I'll offer to do your grocery shopping ;)

 

B. The whole thing about the legalization of marijuana would be to adopt the laws already in place for alcohol and use them for weed. The laws include:

 

 

 

No driving under the influence (the penalty mostly varies state-to-state, but it's pretty strict)

 

No public intoxication (basically meaning don't go out into the streets and start havoc)

 

Age limits (I think 21+ is a good age limit, mainly because that's usually the minimum age of true adult responsibility, at least in this country.)

 

Certain Taxes

 

Regulations on how it is made

 

Regulations on what types are available

 

Regulations on what forms it can be in (loose, cigarette-like, pill etc)

 

 

 

Also a good idea would be education on how it can effect people, without as much propaganda they have now, mainly because it's illegal. More straight facts rather than just saying "No". Leave it up to the people to make the choice whether they smoke weed or not. However, if they do something stupid with it, they get punished as an individual, instead of making it completely illegal.

 

 

 

I agree with most of those except the age limit. They could make the age limit 18 or 19 and people could still be just as responsible given people are given proper education. Similar issue with the 21 age limit on alcohol. Basically, less taboo and bigger push on responsible use and I think we would see less binge drinking and fewer kids using marijuana because it's "cool".

 

 

 

Also, I think we need to get stricter on DUIs. If someone is caught driving under the influence, then they get their liscense taken away for a year. If they get caught a second time, they get it taken away for 5 years. And so on.

Thank you Goddess for the compliment ^_^ I'm happy to be taken seriously.

 

 

 

And 21+ would be the legal age for marijuana, at least here in the US, because it does affect ones judgement and motor skills, much like alcohol does. That's why the age limits for alcohol and ciggarettes are so different. Ciggarettes may be addictive, but they don't affect ones motor skills the way alcohol does. They screw up ones lungs and make you spend too much money. (man do I need to quit...)

 

 

 

Also, at least in the US, the DUI laws vary from state to state. Most states are very strict though. First offense = 90-day suspension + fine, and it goes from there, to a three strike limit. Third offense = no liscense ever + jail time.

A. Cars won't be able to have that type of technology. It would have to rely on human responsibility.

 

They already have tried cars that take breath analyzer tests, some even used fingerprints on the steering wheel to detect if a persons alcohol level was above 0.02%. I could probably find the link if you'd like.

A. Cars won't be able to have that type of technology. It would have to rely on human responsibility.

 

They already have tried cars that take breath analyzer tests, some even used fingerprints on the steering wheel to detect if a persons alcohol level was above 0.02%. I could probably find the link if you'd like.

 

 

 

I'm pretty sure if the technology isn't overly expensive, most people wouldn't take it, because they would consider it invasive. Plus, it wouldn't be able to include marijuana into it, because of the testing method.

Thank you Goddess for the compliment ^_^ I'm happy to be taken seriously.

 

 

 

And 21+ would be the legal age for marijuana, at least here in the US, because it does affect ones judgement and motor skills, much like alcohol does. That's why the age limits for alcohol and ciggarettes are so different. Ciggarettes may be addictive, but they don't affect ones motor skills the way alcohol does. They screw up ones lungs and make you spend too much money. (man do I need to quit...)

 

 

 

Also, at least in the US, the DUI laws vary from state to state. Most states are very strict though. First offense = 90-day suspension + fine, and it goes from there, to a three strike limit. Third offense = no liscense ever + jail time.

 

 

 

Not to wander too far off topic, what makes 21+ the age for responsible/safe use of alcohol and marijuana? We are one of the few countries with a drinking age above 18. However, this is probably an arguement for another thread though.

 

Source:

 

http://www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/LegalDrinkingAge.html

A. Cars won't be able to have that type of technology. It would have to rely on human responsibility.

 

They already have tried cars that take breath analyzer tests, some even used fingerprints on the steering wheel to detect if a persons alcohol level was above 0.02%. I could probably find the link if you'd like.

 

 

 

I'm pretty sure if the technology isn't overly expensive, most people wouldn't take it, because they would consider it invasive. Plus, it wouldn't be able to include marijuana into it, because of the testing method.

 

Well of course, if the cost of the test was to expensive to be installed into a car, then yes it could possibly out weigh the efficiency of having it there in the first place. But it would be possible to install a saliva test, finger [puncture], heck even eye scanning. Now if marijuana was made legal, I'm sure this wouldn't spark the revolution to having in-care drug tests, but I certainly see something as the sort in cars.

 

 

Not to wander too far off topic, what makes 21+ the age for responsible/safe use of alcohol and marijuana? We are one of the few countries with a drinking age above 18. However, this is probably an arguement for another thread though.

 

Well, if you ask me, it should be a higher age limit. I don't think people are quite yet mature at the age of 21, especially to handle this kind of drug. :?

I kind of hafta agree with laura on this one. 21 is the MINIMUM age, but think some people should stay away from alcohol for a couple years after because some kids can't handle the responsibility, and they tend to overdo it.

 

 

 

Yes I am of age, but I've watch friends of mine get wasted and do some stupid {cabbage}, get beligerent, and sometimes just mean, because they weren't responsible about it. That's the point I'm making. The age limit should be a minimum of 21, no matter what countries have laws that state otherwise. In fact, the legal age for alcohol was raised before. At some point it was 18, I guess the government was tired of people being immature about it.

Yup, and I remember whenever I was 16. I was allowed to drink in Texas, only because the law states it's legal as long as you have a "responsible adult".

Yup, and I remember whenever I was 16. I was allowed to drink in Texas, only because the law states it's legal as long as you have a "responsible adult".

 

 

 

I think Texas is one of the very few states that allows that. I know here in Mass, and when I was living in Maine, if you provided for a minor, not only does the minor go to jail, the adult does as well.

I kind of hafta agree with laura on this one. 21 is the MINIMUM age, but think some people should stay away from alcohol for a couple years after because some kids can't handle the responsibility, and they tend to overdo it.

 

 

 

Yes I am of age, but I've watch friends of mine get wasted and do some stupid {cabbage}, get beligerent, and sometimes just mean, because they weren't responsible about it. That's the point I'm making. The age limit should be a minimum of 21, no matter what countries have laws that state otherwise. In fact, the legal age for alcohol was raised before. At some point it was 18, I guess the government was tired of people being immature about it.

 

 

 

Here's where we run into a slight problem, alcohol is also a food item (wine, beer, Scotch :D , etc.). Just because a minority of people binge drink more than they should does not mean we need to regulate everyone else.

Here's where we run into a slight problem, alcohol is also a food item (wine, beer, Scotch :D , etc.). Just because a minority of people binge drink more than they should does not mean we need to regulate everyone else.

 

 

 

Actually, a good majority of college students binge drink. It's not just a minority, it is a major issue. That's why there are a lot of colleges that don't allow alcohol in dorms and some fraternities/sororities don't allow it either. They know it's an issue. People still find a way to do it though. And ever been to a major bar area in a city right after closing time? Alot of belligerence going on there, because people just drink too damn much.

I kind of hafta agree with laura on this one. 21 is the MINIMUM age, but think some people should stay away from alcohol for a couple years after because some kids can't handle the responsibility, and they tend to overdo it.

 

 

 

And those are the morons who ruin things for the rest of us. If more people used these substances responsibly they wouldn't look so bad. I understand these substances alter your mind, but people need to learn to either tone it down or have some god damn self control. The more people who act like [wagon] and end up getting throw in jail while under the influence, the more the gov't is going to have against those substances.

In a fantasy world that would happen deloria but in the real world you can only educate, regulate and hope for the better. I was one of those morons who gave you a bad name but it's only because of my experiences that I've been able to better myself and have influenced so many other peoples lives. It's not necessarily a bad thing that some people learn hard lessons. Look at the good that can become of it also. You of all people Deloria should know this :thumbup:

Here's where we run into a slight problem, alcohol is also a food item (wine, beer, Scotch :D , etc.). Just because a minority of people binge drink more than they should does not mean we need to regulate everyone else.

 

 

 

Actually, a good majority of college students binge drink. It's not just a minority, it is a major issue. That's why there are a lot of colleges that don't allow alcohol in dorms and some fraternities/sororities don't allow it either. They know it's an issue. People still find a way to do it though. And ever been to a major bar area in a city right after closing time? Alot of belligerence going on there, because people just drink too damn much.

 

 

 

Not as many college students as you think binge drink more than they should, but yes, many do drink a lot. Why not let them? It should only be a problem if their drinking affects someone else negatively. Government should lower the age to 18 and educate people on things like DUI and liver failure (prefably no scare tactic approach).

More than 70% of Australian children under the age of 13 report having consumed alcohol and this increased to 90% by 15 years of age. The National Drug Strategy Household Survey showed that in 2001, 6.2 million (or 1 in 3) Aboriginal Australians aged 14 years or older consumed alcohol on a weekly basis (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2002a.) Regular (weekly) alcohol consumption is reported by 25-30% of teenagers (AIHW 2002a.) Epidemiological surveys show that binge drinking is common among young people (AIHW 2002a.) Approximately 40% of young males and females drink alcohol at levels defined as putting them at risk for short-term harm (PDPC 2002). Up to 20% of young people also report alcohol-related aggression or sexual risk taking, such as unwanted sexual intercourse, risky sexual intercourse, no contraception resulting in teenage pregnancy (Shanahan et al. 1999, Bonomo et al. 2001).

 

 

 

That's as far as I'm going to take it - It's quite offtopic now.