5 Lies You’ve Been Told About the US Legalizing Marijuana

[Nous]

An article at the Cheat Sheet notes some of the evidence from Washington, Colorado and Oregon since legalization of marijuana in these states. The fears and warnings about the effects of such measures have not come to pass. The following are excerpts from each enumerated item. Please click the link for further information and further links to the evidence:

1. Crime will increase

. . . so far, in areas that have legalized marijuana, crime rates have softened up; and we don’t mean those connected to cannabis. The research is still ongoing, but preliminary reports indicate that legalization has freed up law enforcement to focus on more serious crimes. In Colorado, scientists are looking at the correlation (which doesn’t mean causation, remember) between legalization and lower rates of homicide and assault.​

2. Teen use rates will skyrocket

Interestingly enough, there has been an opposite trend -- teens in legal states have actually been using pot at lower rates. This could always change, however. It’s likely the case that teens who wanted to use marijuana already were, and that legalization did little to change their behaviors.​

3. Public health will suffer

If anything, more marijuana has led to better outcomes, as cannabis tends to be a much safer alternative to alcohol, tobacco, and hard drugs.​

4. The roads will be more dangerous

, , , if we look at the numbers, it doesn’t appear that the roads are any more dangerous than they were before prohibition was lifted in legal states.​

5. Enforcement costs will spike

. . . the truth is, law enforcement costs fall when a black market is no longer around to enforce, and this ends up saving the public gobs of money.​

Any evidence contrary to these items is welcomed.

 

[Twilight Hue]

An article at the Cheat Sheet notes some of the evidence from Washington, Colorado and Oregon since legalization of marijuana in these states. The fears and warnings about the effects of such measures have not come to pass. The following are excerpts from each enumerated item. Please click the link for further information and further links to the evidence:

1. Crime will increase

. . . so far, in areas that have legalized marijuana, crime rates have softened up; and we don’t mean those connected to cannabis. The research is still ongoing, but preliminary reports indicate that legalization has freed up law enforcement to focus on more serious crimes. In Colorado, scientists are looking at the correlation (which doesn’t mean causation, remember) between legalization and lower rates of homicide and assault.​

2. Teen use rates will skyrocket

Interestingly enough, there has been an opposite trend -- teens in legal states have actually been using pot at lower rates. This could always change, however. It’s likely the case that teens who wanted to use marijuana already were, and that legalization did little to change their behaviors.​

3. Public health will suffer

If anything, more marijuana has led to better outcomes, as cannabis tends to be a much safer alternative to alcohol, tobacco, and hard drugs.​

4. The roads will be more dangerous

, , , if we look at the numbers, it doesn’t appear that the roads are any more dangerous than they were before prohibition was lifted in legal states.​

5. Enforcement costs will spike

. . . the truth is, law enforcement costs fall when a black market is no longer around to enforce, and this ends up saving the public gobs of money.​

Any evidence contrary to these items is welcomed.

Why don't people ever admit outright that they just want to get high outright instead of going through all this?

Planly put, "I want to be high".

Simple and short.

Like people who say, "I want to get drunk".

 

[Nous]

Why don't people ever admit outright that they just want to get high outright instead of going through all this?

"Wanting to get high" is not the same as providing the evidence of the lies that are promoted about legalization of marijuana.

 

[Lyndon]

I've noticed the pro marijuana camp has no problem lying about marijuana so they can get high more easily, for instance the oft quoted BS about no one has ever died from smoking marijuana, obviously people have been so high that they got involved in fatal traffic accidents just like alcohol, though arguably less so. The there are lies about medical uses for marijuana that are just an excuse to get high, not to downplay the real medical uses of marijuana, which are not as great as the stoners would like us to believe.

 

[Twilight Hue]

"Wanting to get high" is not the same as providing the evidence of the lies that are promoted about legalization of marijuana.

A drunk will defend his or her booze just as vemently as those who defends his or her marijuana.

It's really all about getting high, or drunk, or both.

People come out of the woodwork defending this stuff like crazy. They just want to smoke the drug.

 

[Nous]

I've noticed the pro marijuana camp has no problem lying about marijuana so they can get high more easily, for instance the oft quoted BS about no one has ever died from smoking marijuana, obviously people have been so high that they got involved in fatal traffic accidents just like alcohol, though arguably less so.

I feel certain that most non-intoxicated people can understand that when someone says that "no one has ever died from smoking marijuana," the person is referring to the direct effects of the drug.

As far as driving while intoxicated, the evidence cited for item #4 indicates that "it doesn’t appear that the roads are any more dangerous than they were before prohibition was lifted in legal states." Do you know of any evidence to the contrary?

In fact, I would definitely prefer to meet someone on the road who is "intoxicated" from smoking marijuana than intoxicated from drinking alcohol. And legalization of marijuana may indeed lessen the incidence of driving while intoxicated on alcohol.

The there are lies about medical uses for marijuana

Provide your citations. I wasn't intending to provide a forum for people to express irrational fears and anger.

 

[Nous]

It's really all about getting high, or drunk, or both.

The OP is all about the 5 lies you've been told about legalization of marijuana. I guess we should add your lie to the list?

 

[columbus]

Why don't people ever admit outright that they just want to get high outright instead of going through all this?

Planly put, "I want to be high".

Simple and short.

Like people who say, "I want to get drunk".

Because it isn't true.
I don't want to get high and I don't think other people should either. This is the voice of experience talking.

I nevertheless oppose stupid and destructive wars, such as The War on USA citizens Who Use Drugs. We could better fix the underlying problems if it weren't for the stupid war.
Tom

 

[CogentPhilosopher]

Why don't people ever admit outright that they just want to get high outright instead of going through all this?

Planly put, "I want to be high".

Simple and short.

Like people who say, "I want to get drunk".

I want cannabis to be legal but I have never used it and never plan to.

 

[columbus]

I want cannabis to be legal but I have never used it and never plan to.

What else explains your unnatural fondness for pineapple "pizza"?

Tom

 

[CogentPhilosopher]

What else explains your unnatural fondness for pineapple "pizza"?

Tom

You don't think fruit should be in Pizza?

 

[columbus]

You don't think fruit should be in Pizza?

There's a reason that God put Hell in between Italy and Hawaii. And punctuated His tastes with volcanoes in case you missed the obvious!

Tom
PS ~Peppers and olives and tomatoes are fruit. You atheist you~

 

[Satans_Serrated_Edge]

An article at the Cheat Sheet notes some of the evidence from Washington, Colorado and Oregon since legalization of marijuana in these states. The fears and warnings about the effects of such measures have not come to pass. The following are excerpts from each enumerated item. Please click the link for further information and further links to the evidence:

1. Crime will increase

. . . so far, in areas that have legalized marijuana, crime rates have softened up; and we don’t mean those connected to cannabis. The research is still ongoing, but preliminary reports indicate that legalization has freed up law enforcement to focus on more serious crimes. In Colorado, scientists are looking at the correlation (which doesn’t mean causation, remember) between legalization and lower rates of homicide and assault.​

2. Teen use rates will skyrocket

Interestingly enough, there has been an opposite trend -- teens in legal states have actually been using pot at lower rates. This could always change, however. It’s likely the case that teens who wanted to use marijuana already were, and that legalization did little to change their behaviors.​

3. Public health will suffer

If anything, more marijuana has led to better outcomes, as cannabis tends to be a much safer alternative to alcohol, tobacco, and hard drugs.​

4. The roads will be more dangerous

, , , if we look at the numbers, it doesn’t appear that the roads are any more dangerous than they were before prohibition was lifted in legal states.​

5. Enforcement costs will spike

. . . the truth is, law enforcement costs fall when a black market is no longer around to enforce, and this ends up saving the public gobs of money.​

Any evidence contrary to these items is welcomed.

The reasons it was made illegal in the first place are highly specious. I believe it was the late 30s or early 40s(I could be wrong) when Reefer Madness, a "documentary" about the horrors of marijuana (so named to make it more Mexican/dangerous sounding;it's actual name is Cannabis.) was released.

Alternative facts don't even cover it, the contents of this film are purely propaganda with not a morsel of truth to be found. That didn't stop the powers that be from freaking out and making it illegal, and further strongarming other nations to do the same..all based on total lies.(it makes people freak out and kill people doncha know!)

Now, all these years later, billions of dollars spent to prove how terrible it is, and still nothing beyond "it effects your short term memory" which it does.

Honestly some of the smartest, most aware and even most financially successful people I know smoke every day. Irational biases are irational.

 

[BSM1]

An article at the Cheat Sheet notes some of the evidence from Washington, Colorado and Oregon since legalization of marijuana in these states. The fears and warnings about the effects of such measures have not come to pass. The following are excerpts from each enumerated item. Please click the link for further information and further links to the evidence:

1. Crime will increase

. . . so far, in areas that have legalized marijuana, crime rates have softened up; and we don’t mean those connected to cannabis. The research is still ongoing, but preliminary reports indicate that legalization has freed up law enforcement to focus on more serious crimes. In Colorado, scientists are looking at the correlation (which doesn’t mean causation, remember) between legalization and lower rates of homicide and assault.​

2. Teen use rates will skyrocket

Interestingly enough, there has been an opposite trend -- teens in legal states have actually been using pot at lower rates. This could always change, however. It’s likely the case that teens who wanted to use marijuana already were, and that legalization did little to change their behaviors.​

3. Public health will suffer

If anything, more marijuana has led to better outcomes, as cannabis tends to be a much safer alternative to alcohol, tobacco, and hard drugs.​

4. The roads will be more dangerous

, , , if we look at the numbers, it doesn’t appear that the roads are any more dangerous than they were before prohibition was lifted in legal states.​

5. Enforcement costs will spike

. . . the truth is, law enforcement costs fall when a black market is no longer around to enforce, and this ends up saving the public gobs of money.​

Any evidence contrary to these items is welcomed.

Although I haven't partaken since the Woodstock days I find these anti-weed types completely misinformed. I know those that have been constant users since their first Jimi concert, and other than a certain mellowness and unshakable belief in aliens, there seem to be no lingering effects. I think everything you listed can be proven without much effort.

 

[Nakosis]

An article at the Cheat Sheet notes some of the evidence from Washington, Colorado and Oregon since legalization of marijuana in these states. The fears and warnings about the effects of such measures have not come to pass. The following are excerpts from each enumerated item. Please click the link for further information and further links to the evidence:

1. Crime will increase

. . . so far, in areas that have legalized marijuana, crime rates have softened up; and we don’t mean those connected to cannabis. The research is still ongoing, but preliminary reports indicate that legalization has freed up law enforcement to focus on more serious crimes. In Colorado, scientists are looking at the correlation (which doesn’t mean causation, remember) between legalization and lower rates of homicide and assault.​

2. Teen use rates will skyrocket

Interestingly enough, there has been an opposite trend -- teens in legal states have actually been using pot at lower rates. This could always change, however. It’s likely the case that teens who wanted to use marijuana already were, and that legalization did little to change their behaviors.​

3. Public health will suffer

If anything, more marijuana has led to better outcomes, as cannabis tends to be a much safer alternative to alcohol, tobacco, and hard drugs.​

4. The roads will be more dangerous

, , , if we look at the numbers, it doesn’t appear that the roads are any more dangerous than they were before prohibition was lifted in legal states.​

5. Enforcement costs will spike

. . . the truth is, law enforcement costs fall when a black market is no longer around to enforce, and this ends up saving the public gobs of money.​

Any evidence contrary to these items is welcomed.

Well how do you explain the effect of marijuana of spiders?

"

 

[Twilight Hue]

I want cannabis to be legal but I have never used it and never plan to.

I have no qualms over legalisation itself even though I don't use it either. I think people have the right to make their own choices in life.

It's all the over the top knight in shining armor defence/campaign over a mind altering substance when most already know why people are so passionate, but just don't get at the straight and skinny that getting high is what's it really all about here in recreational terms. People tend to be disingenuous about the underlying motivation at times, and make about by touting its " health and safety" benefits in lieu to the real reasons for its use like any substance that alters mood and perception. Getting high.

 

[David1967]

In fact, I would definitely prefer to meet someone on the road who is "intoxicated" from smoking marijuana than intoxicated from drinking alcohol. And legalization of marijuana may indeed lessen the incidence of driving while intoxicated on alcohol.

Just for the record, I neither smoke marijuana, nor drink alcohol (or any drug for that matter), but you are correct on this one.

 

[CogentPhilosopher]

PS ~Peppers and olives and tomatoes are fruit. You atheist you~

**** that usually gets people.

 

[Nous]

Well how do you explain the effect of marijuana of spiders?

How do spiders smoke marijuana? With a bong?

 

[CogentPhilosopher]

I have no qualms over legalisation itself even though I don't use it either. I think people have the right to make their own choices in life.

It's all the over the top knight in shining armor defence/campaign over a mind altering substance when most already know why people are so passionate, but just don't get at the straight and skinny that getting high is what's it really all about here in recreational terms. People tend to be disingenuous about the underlying motivation at times, and make about by touting its " health and safety" benefits in lieu to the real reasons for its use like any substance that alters mood and perception. Getting high.

Nice assumptions you have there.