Alaska Will Vote To Legalize Marijuana 100%

[Wahsapa]

Originally posted by: Brutuskend
ANCHORAGE, Alaska ? The last frontier just may become the first state in the nation to legalize marijuana completely.

But the state has the highest drug addiction in the country and is among the nation's leaders in unemployment, child abuse and domestic violence.

i wonder how many of thoes unemployed will start a new career in farming

marijuana isnt physically addicting.

and a violent pothead is an oxymoron(like someone else said)

this could mean HUGE revenue if alaska could tax it like tabacco and alcohol. marijuana is almost worth its weight in gold.

also alaska has a 22 hour peiord of light annually, i think, which if you time your grow right is a :thumbsup: ever heard of 'northern lights'? im pretty sure its an alaskan native strain...

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

Marajuana is only so expensive because it's illegal. If it ever becomes legal, Free Enterprise is going to drive prices down.

 

[Wahsapa]

Originally posted by: Nik

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: Nik
They're going about it all wrong. Thumbsdown.

How else are they going to go about it?

They can't change federal law... lol

This is how it will happen. If enough states are like "WTF is wrong with you?", the government will probably cave.

Uh... yes, you *can* change federal law. The same way you change state law. Write your state reps and plead your case that they can petition congress. That's how it's supposed to be done. Regardless of how hard it is or long it takes, I don't care. Do it right.

the whole "you can't run my state" has been an issue since the beginning of this country. just because the people of maine dont want marijuana legal doesnt mean the people of alaska can't do what it wants.

 

[WhiteKnight]

If you have to be 21 to grow/smoke/buy marijuana doesn't that automatically cut out about 60% of people that would want it legal?

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

Originally posted by: Wahsapa

Originally posted by: Nik

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: Nik
They're going about it all wrong. Thumbsdown.

How else are they going to go about it?

They can't change federal law... lol

This is how it will happen. If enough states are like "WTF is wrong with you?", the government will probably cave.

Uh... yes, you *can* change federal law. The same way you change state law. Write your state reps and plead your case that they can petition congress. That's how it's supposed to be done. Regardless of how hard it is or long it takes, I don't care. Do it right.

the whole "you can't run my state" has been an issue since the beginning of this country. just because the people of maine dont want marijuana legal doesnt mean the people of alaska can't do what it wants.

Right. However, the feds say that marajuana isn't legal. Topic done. Finished. End of discussion -unless it's a discussion about petitioning the federal government to change their laws on marajuana.

 

[Vic]

It's not that simple, Nik. Oregon recently won its case against Asscroft in the 9th Circuit regarding the Death with Dignity law. Last year (or year before?), Oregon won to get the feds off the backs of the medicinal marijuana cardholders and prescribing doctors.

IMO, Alaska is going about this the right way. Modeling marijuana legalization after alcohol regulation is ideal. And Alaska is simply too small in population to be able to make any changes of this magnitude on the federal level, so it can do it on the state level and then fight it out in federal court. And that's probably what bugs the Alaska AG more than anything else, as he will be legally bound to do that fighting if this law passes. And his buddies, the police, will be the big losers.

 

[Perknose]

Originally posted by: Nik
Marajuana is only so expensive because it's illegal. If it ever becomes legal, Free Enterprise is going to drive prices down.

And the TV commericials will all be like the old Salem ones: Take a puff, it's Springtime! :laugh:

 

[XZeroII]

Originally posted by: Wahsapa

marijuana isnt physically addicting.

it is quite psycologically addictive though. Don't think that just because it is not physically addicting that it is 100% safe. It is like any other drug, your body starts adapting to it's use. With pot, your body stops producing certain chemicals because the pot is "producing" them for the body already (note: the pot is not producing it, but it is providing it for the body so the body). So when a person stops using it, their body isn't producing certain chemicals that it needs and the person starts acting funny until they get more pot. This is true with almost any drug, but it is especially dangerout for recreational and calming drugs because people think it is completely safe and don't realize the effect that it is having on them until they try to stop (years later).

[My Oppinion]
My oppinion on this is that if you need pot to calm your nerves or to relax, you should see a doctor or therapist because that is not normal. Self medicating is very dangerous and 9 times out of 10 leads to bad results. People who use alcohol to relax should seek help as well because it's not normal. Maybe I am just unique, but I don't drink, smoke, or use pot or any other type of drug and I am just fine (limited caffinated beferages just for the flavor). Sure, I feel ups and downs, but I am usually pretty good. I can't imagine having to rely on a drug in order to feel normal.
[/My Oppinion]

 

[BigToque]

I think the biggest problem with marijuana is not so much the drug, but the people who use it. I believe that there are many people who can use it without problem, but I think there are a lot more who could end up in a lot of trouble. Let me explain...

I have one group of friends who are very bright individuals and they are all extremely close. They both attend university and are taking engineering. They wont get influenced by others who want to try other drugs because the whole group is of basically the same mindset and all very close.

Now my sister on the other hand is very naive. She doesn't have a close group of friends. Everyone is a little different and they all do different kinds of drugs. My sister started off with marijuana, but is already starting with ecstasy and I'm sure other drugs as well. It's not the marijuana that is the problem, it's mostly the people that she associates with.

I think that there are many more people who end up like my sister than people like my friends at university.

 

[Corporate Thug]

time to move to alaska

 

[Chaotic42]

This seems to be states rights vs federal law. I hope Alaska wins.

 

[Spencer278]

Originally posted by: Nik

Originally posted by: Wahsapa

Originally posted by: Nik

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: Nik
They're going about it all wrong. Thumbsdown.

How else are they going to go about it?

They can't change federal law... lol

This is how it will happen. If enough states are like "WTF is wrong with you?", the government will probably cave.

Uh... yes, you *can* change federal law. The same way you change state law. Write your state reps and plead your case that they can petition congress. That's how it's supposed to be done. Regardless of how hard it is or long it takes, I don't care. Do it right.

the whole "you can't run my state" has been an issue since the beginning of this country. just because the people of maine dont want marijuana legal doesnt mean the people of alaska can't do what it wants.

Right. However, the feds say that marajuana isn't legal. Topic done. Finished. End of discussion -unless it's a discussion about petitioning the federal government to change their laws on marajuana.

Fedral only makes some things about marajuana that many involve interstate trade. I think the feds can only arrests you if you grow more then 3 plants or have more then some amount of weight. Plus it makes the fed pay to arrest the pot heads insteads of the state.

 

[Klixxer]

I heard Arizona is going even further, they are going to make it 182% legal.

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

Originally posted by: Klixxer
I heard Arizona is going even further, they are going to make it 182% legal.

:laugh:

 

[Bumrush99]

John ASScroft must be furious. Even if the Supreme Court overrules Alaska, just the fact that ASScroft is angry makes me happy

 

[stringcheeseincident]

Originally posted by: agnitrate
Isn't it a federal law that marijuana is illegal? I didn't think the states could 'override' the laws like that.

that is the truth, but much like california's medican marijuana laws, they can often get away with it.

just read the topic, and people already said that. sorry.

its like, the feds won't both going after single people in alaska who buy some weed...they won't waste their time. they will, however, go after big growers in california and all that.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: Brutuskend
"It's going to lead to a higher rate of addiction for marijuana and other drugs, it will increase the burden on the state and I think it's really a disservice to our young people," Renkes said. Alaskans can currently possess small amounts of pot for use in their homes and medical marijuana is allowed. But the state has the highest drug addiction in the country and is among the nation's leaders in unemployment, child abuse and domestic violence.

drug addiction, alcohol abuse, and domestic violence are often higher in the states that have long, cold winters. I have a friend who works as a nurse in Maine and she commented on this. "Basically there's nothing to do here during the winter but get drunk, have sex, or beat your kids"

Of course, a lot of people tend to be overweight in those states too...so maybe legalizing something that gives them the munchies isn't such a good idea

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: XZeroII

Originally posted by: Wahsapa
marijuana isnt physically addicting.

it is quite psycologically addictive though. Don't think that just because it is not physically addicting that it is 100% safe. It is like any other drug, your body starts adapting to it's use. With pot, your body stops producing certain chemicals because the pot is "producing" them for the body already (note: the pot is not producing it, but it is providing it for the body so the body). So when a person stops using it, their body isn't producing certain chemicals that it needs and the person starts acting funny until they get more pot. This is true with almost any drug, but it is especially dangerout for recreational and calming drugs because people think it is completely safe and don't realize the effect that it is having on them until they try to stop (years later).

[My Oppinion]
My oppinion on this is that if you need pot to calm your nerves or to relax, you should see a doctor or therapist because that is not normal. Self medicating is very dangerous and 9 times out of 10 leads to bad results. People who use alcohol to relax should seek help as well because it's not normal. Maybe I am just unique, but I don't drink, smoke, or use pot or any other type of drug and I am just fine (limited caffinated beferages just for the flavor). Sure, I feel ups and downs, but I am usually pretty good. I can't imagine having to rely on a drug in order to feel normal.
[/My Oppinion]

Your opinion is noted but (pardon me) irrelevant to the discussion. What people should or should not do with regards to their own minds and bodies is none of the government's business, and drug (and alcohol which is also a drug) prohibition is proven not to work. I agree with you on how you feel, as I don't do drugs either, I watch my diet, and I drink alcohol infreqently and in moderation. But the issue of alcohol and marijuana is that they can be used in moderation, and they don't have to destroy the users' lives (in fact, in most cases, they don't). Most recreational drug users (which are most users period) don't "rely" on a drug to feel normal anymore that the social drinker relies on alcohol to feel normal. In fact, the opposite is their intent, and that is a clear sign that the user is NOT addicted.

But the problem with drug prohibition is much stickier. It punishes those same recreational users the same as addicts, makes acquistion and use of the drug costlier and more dangerous, and creates a thriving profitable black market that exists on crime. The LAST thing drug dealers want is for drugs to be legalized. And drug prohibition does nothing to deter users. Those who would do anyway, and those don't probably wouldn't have anyway. The Alaska state AG's argument that legalization would lead to a higher addition rate is laughably false. If anything, prohibition drives up use and addiction. So in order for society to control usage, to improve user safety by guaranteeing safer product, and to eliminate the criminal element, drugs must be legalized. Simple as that.
The history of alcohol legalization and regulation post-Prohibition provides the blueprint. No more wood alcohol (my grandmother died in 1933 of bad bootleg gin btw), no more mob-controlled bootleggers and speakeasies, lower prices, controlled usage in public areas, and lower crime.
Cops and prosecutors don't like the idea of drug legalizaton because they know it will put them out of a job.

 

[Wahsapa]

Originally posted by: XZeroII

Originally posted by: Wahsapa

marijuana isnt physically addicting.

it is quite psycologically addictive though. Don't think that just because it is not physically addicting that it is 100% safe. It is like any other drug, your body starts adapting to it's use. With pot, your body stops producing certain chemicals because the pot is "producing" them for the body already (note: the pot is not producing it, but it is providing it for the body so the body). So when a person stops using it, their body isn't producing certain chemicals that it needs and the person starts acting funny until they get more pot.

thats why i said physically. psychology is one giant grey area.

while drugs like meth i know replace the brains dependence on making its own dopamine so as to create adverse effects when the user trys to kick the habit... i'm not sure this is true with marijuana.

id like to find out "what certain chemicals" marijuana makes(provides) for you that you "have to have" to "feel normal" again. physical dependence is one thing, psychological is another. everything i'v read has found it not to be physically addicting(not needed by the user other then a psychological tendency to want it). sure theres a day or two after where it would feel really nice to smoke more, but after that i havn't found this to be true, that feeling goes away, all it takes is time. iv gone from daily use to being sober the past 7 weeks and havnt noticed an attitude change(except for the first few days), i don't think it works the way your describing. i dont feel any "need" to have some marijuana to "feel normal". adapting to the use of THC, provided by marijuana, seems to be wholy temperary to the users psyche.

either way, its safer then alcohol and tabacco, but that is NOT saying its for everybody and it is NOT saying that its 100% safe....

 

[rahvin]

For those of you that are actually too young to remember, Alaska made Mary Jane illegal in 1990, that is not that long ago.

http://sled.alaska.edu/akfaq/akfaqq1015.html

 

[SuperTool]

Of course the AG opposes it.

 

[jyates]

Originally posted by: rahvin
For those of you that are actually too young to remember, Alaska made Mary Jane illegal in 1990, that is not that long ago.

http://sled.alaska.edu/akfaq/akfaqq1015.html

I wonder why they recriminalized it?

Anyone know?

 

[Wahsapa]

Originally posted by: jyates

Originally posted by: rahvin
For those of you that are actually too young to remember, Alaska made Mary Jane illegal in 1990, that is not that long ago.

http://sled.alaska.edu/akfaq/akfaqq1015.html

I wonder why they recriminalized it?

Anyone know?

im gonna take a guess and say pressure from the feds. after all they wont give a state money for public roads if the state doesnt have a drinking age of 21...(of course the 18 year olds that died in iraq didnt ever get to enjoy a drink :thumbsdown: ) but thats for a different post.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: Wahsapa

im gonna take a guess and say pressure from the feds. after all they wont give a state money for public roads if the state doesnt have a drinking age of 21...(of course the 18 year olds that died in iraq didnt ever get to enjoy a drink :thumbsdown: ) but thats for a different post.

well, I'm sure they DID...just not, well, legally.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: Wahsapa

im gonna take a guess and say pressure from the feds. after all they wont give a state money for public roads if the state doesnt have a drinking age of 21...(of course the 18 year olds that died in iraq didnt ever get to enjoy a drink :thumbsdown: ) but thats for a different post.

it is legal for an 18 year old to drink on a military base.