Why is Marijuana illegal?: Philosophy Forums

Philosophy Forums » Philosophy of Politics and Law » Why is Marijuana illegal? » Why is Marijuana illegal?

Why is Marijuana illegal?

Page: 1 2 3 4 5

Why is Marijuana illegal?

Incision
Professor

Usergroup: Administrators
Joined: Jan 04, 2008
Location: Utah

Total Topics: 23
Total Posts: 906

Posted 05/26/09 - 12:43 PM:	#31
mway wrote: It has enabled me to think outside the box[. . .]. But if you don't go inside the box, you won't know what the beetle is.

ducttape
Graduate

Usergroup: Members
Joined: Apr 16, 2008

Total Topics: 9
Total Posts: 154

Posted 05/27/09 - 04:07 AM:	#32
mway wrote: I would have no quams with a pilot flying high. I can't say the same. Drugs have negative effects, such as reducing driving ability. It would be unethical of the pilot to get high before flying as he is responsible for many lives - just as it would be unethical to fly if he did not have enough sleep or if he was prone to seizures. However, I see no reason why we all can't light up together in the crew lounge upon landing Marijuana has bad effects. Most users I know are aware of that and they choose to smoke anyway. Much like tobacco smokers. This does not imply any ethical issues, unless you believe aware, willing and indirect self-harm is unethical. The negative effects are so greatly exaggerated though, that it amounts to propaganda. This is what concerns us.

keda
Ijon Tichy

Usergroup: Members
Joined: Jul 25, 2005
Location: Finland

Total Topics: 38
Total Posts: 3642

Posted 05/28/09 - 02:59 PM:	#33
Hemp has many uses besides smoking, and would make the slaves too independent if they could grow it. It threatens the power monopoly of the oligarch.
All about making money Free Europe Now How to fix your country In thought, men distance themselves from nature in order thus imaginatively to present it to themselves--but only in order to determine how it is to be dominated - Adorno and Horkheimer

voyaging
Graduate

Usergroup: Members
Joined: Oct 27, 2008
Location: United States

Total Topics: 51
Total Posts: 165

Posted 05/28/09 - 03:16 PM:	#34
We are given rights, but are expected to have certain responsibilities we must fulfill. One of these is being an educated citizen and playing a part in our (United States) democratic government. By using marijuana, it leads us (yes, it's true) to be less educated, less involved, and less capable of fulfilling our responsibilities as citizens.
A witty saying proves nothing.

LampArtPro
Initiate

Usergroup: Members
Joined: May 28, 2009

Total Topics: 0
Total Posts: 5

Posted 05/28/09 - 10:56 PM: Subject: Why is it illegal?	#35
Its hard to say why something is illegal. You'd have to go to the time and place it was made illegal to know the exact reasons why. Why it stays illegal I believe, is because of two factors. First there is not a strong enough vote, nor is there a organized demographic wanting to legalize it. Without this, no politician has any reason to legalize marijuana as it would not keep him in office, it would more likely get him out of office. Secondly, as marijuana is a plant that is very easy to grow, it is unlikely that it could be taxed, or regulated. So there is little money to be made in legalizing it. So when a politician asks "What's in it for me?" The case for legalizing marijuana has nothing to offer.

ducttape
Graduate

Usergroup: Members
Joined: Apr 16, 2008

Total Topics: 9
Total Posts: 154

Posted 05/29/09 - 06:25 AM:	#36
voyaging wrote: By using marijuana, it leads us (yes, it's true) to be less educated, less involved, and less capable of fulfilling our responsibilities as citizens. No, its not true. Give me some proof otherwise! By the way, corellation does not imply causation, so statistics about less educated people being heavier users (should it exist) is not good enough. This is mere anecdotal evidence but although have been smoking marijuana since I was 16, I hold a postgraduate degree and I care strongly about societal issues, getting more involved than average. As for responsibilities as citizens, one can only have those if one accepts that they are a citizen, which I do not. As a citizen of the world, I feel like I make more of an impact than most. A witty saying proves nothing - neither does assertation without evidence.

ecspose
Graduate

Usergroup: Members
Joined: Jul 11, 2005

Total Topics: 9
Total Posts: 144

Posted 05/30/09 - 03:14 PM:	#37
thejewishbolshevik wrote: We'd be discussing the ban on crack and heroin here if there was no ban on Marijuana. And we'd be discussing the ban on coffee and cigarettes if alcohol were made illegal. There's an opposite symmetry to that argument, and it doesn't clarify the issue. thejewishbolshevik wrote: In my opinion there are more important issues. I think the discussion of what people ought be allowed, is on the cutting edge of important philosophical issues of freedom vs control, not specific to marijuana. However because of it's prominence and controversy, it puts cannabis in the spotlight. A social issue is an important issue. Willowz wrote: Would you agree for the pilot of the aeroplane you are flying, to be high on Marijuana? Certainly, and I would agree to him having a few drinks first too. I wouldn't be so agreeable if he was drunk though. It doesn't matter to me how his consciousness is affected, as long as it is within tolerable limits. Likewise, if he was suffering from a cold I would not be worried, but if he was in the midst of a fever, I would definitely have some concern. The problem is being able to trust and gauge the level of intoxication for someone you are trusting your life to. If I knew they were cognisant to their surroundings, I would allow it. We all risk our lives every day whether it is at work, playing sport, or doing mundane things such as driving down the road. To me it's not just an issue of "how bad do you want to live", but a balance with what you are willing to sacrifice from that life. I can imagine a world with greater liberties, and harmony with living well.
Self replication leads to self replication

Vague Abstraction
Student

Usergroup: Members
Joined: May 20, 2009

Total Topics: 7
Total Posts: 56

Posted 05/30/09 - 06:14 PM:	#38
I think some people are frightened by the concept of alternative state of consciousness. It is alien to them. (I, for example, would never try a dose of DMT.)

TheThoughtfulOne
Student

Usergroup: Members
Joined: May 04, 2009
Location: Evansville, IN

Total Topics: 2
Total Posts: 69

Posted 05/31/09 - 06:38 PM:	#39
Marijuana is illegal because back in the early 1900's the lumber industry was threatened by marijuana's more cost effective and efficient uses such as paper. So the lumber industries lobbied and hired some lazy scientist to do a study on the effects of marijuana on people and he didn't do his research and said that 3 out of 10 dogs died from marijuana use. They also put fake stories in the newspapers saying people go crazy and commit murder while using marijuana. Long story short, big business lied and lobbied to have it illegalized to eliminate competition.
I am what I am, but what am I? - Me

mway
Professor

Usergroup: Members
Joined: Apr 07, 2009

Total Topics: 14
Total Posts: 509

Posted 06/01/09 - 08:03 PM:	#40
Just out of curiosity, how many people posting on this forum actually take 'illegal' substances? If you do not take or have never tried "drugs" then I think everyone would agree that you have no place giving your two cents on a topic such as this.
Lame is to Wav, as the Brain is to Reality.

Page: 1 2 3 4 5

Sorry, you don't have permission to post. Log in, or register if you haven't yet.