something I've noticed

[wfpdk]

Living in San Diego, California, marijuana is a topic that everyone is familiar with, and the most notable development in the world of weed, is that, in the not distant future the voters of California will decide if marijuana will be legalized for recreational use. And I've noticed that ever since this fact was put into the spotlight of the media, I haven't seen a single-one of those pretentious "above the influence" commercials or any kind of those anti-drug PSA commercials for that matter. Personally, I'm a complete nut job and think that there is always someone pulling stings, and think that perhaps, the government wants to have pot legalized, and so Americans have something other than movies and music as exports. And the best way to do that, after running a fear campaign against the product for 60 years, is to have it legalized in the state that is most accepting of it to show the others that all the bad things said about weed were all just lies and that they shouldn't remember them because they happened more than 6 months ago and should never be spoken of again.
So, in short, my question to you fellow escapists' is; have you noticed a lack of anti-drug psa's, if so, what are your thoughts on why they have gone away so suddenly, and if not, how much of a steezy, paranoid stoner do I sound like talking about government conspiracies about weed?

 

[JWRosser]

Well in England weed is still illegal. The only anti-pot campaigns you see are the Talk to FRANK adverts on TV, which are actually pretty cool.

I don't smoke it personally, and if it was legalised here...I don't know. In some ways I think it would be better. I don't really have a problem with people doing it, it's just when they are so overt and pretentious about it, making a big deal, bringing it up when they can - which a hell of a lot of people seem to do.

 

[Guitarmasterx7]

Well a lot of the "anti drug" stuff is a stretch of the truth to run a scare campaign. Personally I think the legalization of weed would be great for our economy. Especially here in CA, being as we've got the highest state deficit in the country.

 

[Queen Michael]

Here in Sweden we don't have them because drug use isn't nearly as common as in the USA (though I admit that the white dragon nevertheless has its fair share of pursuers among my countrymen).

 

[SonicWaffle]

It's probably not for exports though. If marijuana was a commodity, the US wouldn't have enough to compete with other nations, especially South American ones.

At the rate they grow now, sure, because thus far there hasn't been much point. However, if it was legalised, it could be taxed the same way that alcohol and cigarettes are. It has a fairly low start-up cost (for the government, that is - a few hundred greenhouses maybe) and the profit would be huge. There would still be weed sold illegally, but the risk would be higher (dealers would be cutting into the government's paycheck, which would make them unpopular) and the rewards lower. Why buy something low-grade from a sleazy guy in an alley when you can just pick up a bag at the local shop?

I think it's a great idea, not only for the immense potential tax revenue, but for the way it will cut crime.

 

[Plauged1]

I personally think that marijuana isnt that much of a big deal. I dont smoke it, but I dont have a problem with it. However, in my state there is still alot of above the influence ads, so I assume alot in my state have a problem with it. But I know that if california does decide to make weed legal, then I know my teachers at school will never ever shut up about it.

 

[Rylot]

Snip

Agreed, I tried it once and barely had the energy to make it to the kitchen. It isn't a drug that'll make you want to wander.

 

[interspark]

i suppose you cant deny the fact that it will supply alot of jobs, seeing as it would be a preeeetty popular industry

 

[Swny Nerdgasm]

Could care less whether or not it's legal or not, as long as I can find away to avoid it I'll agree with what ever the law says

 

[StarStruckStrumpets]

Well in England weed is still illegal. The only anti-pot campaigns you see are the Talk to FRANK adverts on TV, which are actually pretty cool.

I don't smoke it personally, and if it was legalised here...I don't know. In some ways I think it would be better. I don't really have a problem with people doing it, it's just when they are so overt and pretentious about it, making a big deal, bringing it up when they can - which a hell of a lot of people seem to do.

Weed is legal? As far as I was aware, it was bumped up to Class B again.

On Topic: There aren't really many anti-drug adds on TV that I notice, like JWR said, Talk to FRANK are the only ones I know about.

 

[SonicWaffle]

Oh, there'll undoubtedly be huge profits, but they'll mostly be from the home market, as opposed to being from exports. If it was legalized in America, then American weed would compete fine at home, but unless instead of being a government industry, it becomes like a big multicultural corporation in the way alcohol and cigarettes do, it won't compete well overseas, as other countries like Afghanistan, Lebanon and Morocco could take the market.

These countries don't have the resources that the US does, though. Take half the defence budget, allocate it to the growing of, distribution of, and most of all advertising of American weed, and that's...well, it's a lot of cash. Easily justified by claiming that selling lots of weed to foreigners is a form of defense; the more stoned they are, the less likely they are to attack anyone!

Hell, AFAIK heroin production in Afghanistan has been drastically reduced on American orders, if it came to it they could always invade any other small country that was producing weed in copious amounts

 

[SonicWaffle]

Sadly, that could be a possibility, especially if they ever figure out how to run cars on hemp.

Not the best idea, imagine what the exhaust fumes from a rush-hour traffic jam would do to everyone standing nearby...

Anyway, as for the economy, I'd say that given Americas financial resources and those of American corporations, America would eventually dominate the marijuana market, but what I'd be worried about is America going in, making a large loss due to entrenched market already in place, and then just giving up. I think if it was ever to happen, they should just stick to the domestic market until they've got a business going.

The entrenched market is largely illegal in the West, though. All you'd have to do is make smuggling it even more illegal, and shut down the routes. Get your allies to do the same (possibly by bribing them with doobies), and you're set!

I'm not too sure that the Christians would have an issue with it. I mean they all supported opium back in the day.Mind you that was before they knew what it was......

Bible belt Christians tend to be somewhat more extreme in their condemnation of...well, everything. I've seen fundamentalist websites that try to claim that the wine of the Bible (wedding at Canaa etc) was actually just a fruit drink. Alcohol is immoral and evil, therefore Jesus can't have drunk it. Since people were so much better back in those days, every time the Bible refers to someone (at least, someone who isn't a bad guy) drinking wine they actually mean a sort of grape juice.

If they get that down on something that has (almost) always been legal, I'd hate to see what they think of pot...

 

[wootsniper]

honestly, I wouldn't know.
It's legal here in Amsterdam

 

[Thedayrecker]

Now that you mention it.... I have noticed the absence of PSA commercials. Then again, I haven't been watching TV (and when I do it's The Daily Show and Colbert Report on my DVR, so I just skip through commercials) lately, so that could be it.

 

[similar.squirrel]

Well let's just hope they legalise it. Then maybe other states and eventually countries will follow suit.

Do you realise how much the loss of MJ would cut into the illegal drug's distributions pocket. It won't be enough to knock it out completely. But a lot of larger distributors will certainly feel a pinch if their no'1 product suddenly became legal. A lot of small time dealers would be forced to go out of business all together. That would also stop the misconception that the drug itself is actually a gateway drug.

Not to mention the fact that taxing weed will bring in millions of dollars, which can then be used to obliterate the distribution of these harder drugs. Theoretically, anyway.

 

[WolfThomas]

Bible belt Christians tend to be somewhat more extreme in their condemnation of...well, everything. I've seen fundamentalist websites that try to claim that the wine of the Bible (wedding at Canaa etc) was actually just a fruit drink. Alcohol is immoral and evil, therefore Jesus can't have drunk it. Since people were so much better back in those days, every time the Bible refers to someone (at least, someone who isn't a bad guy) drinking wine they actually mean a sort of grape juice.

Well the wine would have been watered down considerably, mainly because regular drinking water tasted bad and was potentially unsafe, I remember reading somewhere that Alexander the Great and his drinking buddies were considered hardcore because they drank wine straight on ocaision.

Doesn't stop those people from being crazy though.

 

[skitzo van]

This is my argument to just about everything, if it makes someone happy let them do it.

 

[arsenicCatnip]

Colorado's legalized medical marijuana usage, I can't see why they wouldn't attempt to legalize weed. If for no other reason than to pacify the trust-fund hippies in Boulder.

Personally, I think legalization would actually be a great thing for the US. I don't smoke weed, but I've never met an angry or abusive pothead. When they're high, they're mellow and if you can cook they adore you.

 

[s0denone]

Here in Sweden we don't have them because drug use isn't nearly as common as in the USA (though I admit that the white dragon nevertheless has its fair share of pursuers among my countrymen).

What do you mean drug use isn't nearly as common?
Maybe not in your circles.
I can guarantee you there are just as many, percentage wise, weed-smokers in Sweden as there are in the U.S.A.

You're being very silly for stating anything other than that.

OT:
I cannot, for the life of me, see the point of your post.
What do I think about it? Have it legalized. I've been saying that for nearly a decade.