ATTN: Ratatosk, and assorted others

[Iason Ouabache]

I am only now considering that I might actually find Palin acceptable if she was constantly high.

I'm not sure I understand what you mean by "if"?

Seeing Palin high on pot would be hilarious. She's probably only on oxycontin right now.

[AFK]

RWHN, what credence do you give to the sociological theory that if certain drugs, like pot, are legalized, the social pressure to do them will actually drop, as there is no longer an illicit association with the act, thus lowering it's value in terms of in-group/out-group teenage peer distrinctions?

I can certainly see something like Rx drugs taking the place of pot if this theory holds true, but I wondered what your thoughts were on it as a whole.  Not entirely your area, I know, but I picked it up while doing some criminological research and found the idea compelling, in the context of costly signalling and mutual guilt to build trust and bind groups together.

Well, the thing is, even if it ever becomes legalized here in the states, there most certainly would be an age limit ala tobacco and alcohol.  I don't know if it would be 18 or 21.  So, no matter what happens, it will still be illegal for teenagers to use.  For adults, I don't think there would be much change.  If that theory did have any weight I would suspect you would see that shift in the 21-25 yo population.  But I don't know, I don't really think too much thought goes into that.  It doesn't seem to impact alcohol consumption amongst young adults, which is legal.  But, if it were to be legalized, it certainly would be something to study.  And I don't think Rx drugs really taking the place of any kind of other drug.  The rise in abuse of Rx has a lot to do with availability.  Kids are doing them for the same reason they are huffing or doing inhalants.  Because they're their and nobody is paying attention to them. 

[AFK]

If you do corrections law enforcement reform right, you don't need to do decriminalization.  States should have laws on the books where people caught with personal amounts of marijuana are not clogging up the courts and getting thrown in jail.  All 50 States should have drug courts set up to handle these cases, get people through the system, put them on some kind of treatment plan if they are addicted or if they don't meet addiction criteria, put them in an education class much like you put a bad driver in a defensive driving class.  And that shit shouldn't go on their record either as long as they successfully complete the conditions.  Give them a little community service on the side too.  The dealers still belong in the system, but the folks with personal amounts don't. 

[Captain Utopia]

If you do corrections law enforcement reform right, you don't need to do decriminalization.  States should have laws on the books where people caught with personal amounts of marijuana are not clogging up the courts and getting thrown in jail.  All 50 States should have drug courts set up to handle these cases, get people through the system, put them on some kind of treatment plan if they are addicted or if they don't meet addiction criteria, put them in an education class much like you put a bad driver in a defensive driving class.  And that shit shouldn't go on their record either as long as they successfully complete the conditions.  Give them a little community service on the side too.  The dealers still belong in the system, but the folks with personal amounts don't. 

[Bebek Sincap Ratatosk]

If you do corrections law enforcement reform right, you don't need to do decriminalization.  States should have laws on the books where people caught with personal amounts of marijuana are not clogging up the courts and getting thrown in jail.  All 50 States should have drug courts set up to handle these cases, get people through the system, put them on some kind of treatment plan if they are addicted or if they don't meet addiction criteria, put them in an education class much like you put a bad driver in a defensive driving class.  And that shit shouldn't go on their record either as long as they successfully complete the conditions.  Give them a little community service on the side too.  The dealers still belong in the system, but the folks with personal amounts don't. 

Cause smoking pot in your home = bad driving? That seems kinda bizarre to me.

[Doktor Howl]

Sorry, RWHN, I still think drugs should be completely legalized.

Everyone has the right to fuck themselves up in any way they choose.

[Pope Pixie Pickle]

Also, tax it, and use the proceeds to pay for proper healthcare reform.

Would help the economy some also.

[P3nT4gR4m]

Sorry, RWHN, I still think drugs should be completely legalized.

Everyone has the right to fuck themselves up in any way they choose.

This!

The fact that they are illegal is what makes most drugs interesting in the first place.

[Adios]

It would free the cops up so they can write more tickets for anyone smoking tobacco within 20 feet of a business entrance.

[Bebek Sincap Ratatosk]

It would free the cops up so they can write more tickets for anyone smoking tobacco within 20 feet of a business entrance.

[Adios]

http://www.cleanairmanhattan.org/

[Elder Iptuous]

Also, tax it, and use the proceeds to pay for proper healthcare reform.

Would help the economy some also.

Yes!
We, the people, should be able to buy back the inalienable rights that were stolen from us!

[Golden Applesauce]

It would free the cops up so they can write more tickets for anyone smoking tobacco within 20 feet of a business entrance.

If I have to live in a dorm/apartment again next year, I am tying a brick to the front door with a 15' rope with a note saying "If I can hit you with this brick, you are smoking to close to the goddamn door."

[AFK]

If you do corrections law enforcement reform right, you don't need to do decriminalization.  States should have laws on the books where people caught with personal amounts of marijuana are not clogging up the courts and getting thrown in jail.  All 50 States should have drug courts set up to handle these cases, get people through the system, put them on some kind of treatment plan if they are addicted or if they don't meet addiction criteria, put them in an education class much like you put a bad driver in a defensive driving class.  And that shit shouldn't go on their record either as long as they successfully complete the conditions.  Give them a little community service on the side too.  The dealers still belong in the system, but the folks with personal amounts don't. 

Cause smoking pot in your home = bad driving? That seems kinda bizarre to me.

Is it a perfect 1-to-1 ratio?  No.  But it is in the same spirit.  But, I'd be fine skipping that and just giving them community service.  Have them work the phones or stuff mailings at a substance abuse treatment agency. 

[AFK]

Sorry, RWHN, I still think drugs should be completely legalized.

Everyone has the right to fuck themselves up in any way they choose.

But adolescents don't have the mental capacity to make those adult decisions.