I have issues with this. I all SOUNDS great but I'm concerned about the final outcome of it. So they legalize, decriminalize it. The folks in jail will be freed? Maybe. But I think they will refill with pot DUI's.
The powers that be will definately start stopping and arresting people under the influence. They will have to devise some new gadget for testing for pot DUI's. That will cost a fortune! People have been driving around stoned now for over 50 years. Those people will continue to do so and end up arrested for it. If the Govt takes it over, I'll bet the laws for growing it, possessing it etc will be more harsh. They aren't going to get into the pot selling biz and let everyone possess...

I have issues with this. I all SOUNDS great but I'm concerned about the final outcome of it. So they legalize, decriminalize it. The folks in jail will be freed? Maybe. But I think they will refill with pot DUI's.
The powers that be will definately start stopping and arresting people under the influence. They will have to devise some new gadget for testing for pot DUI's. That will cost a fortune! People have been driving around stoned now for over 50 years. Those people will continue to do so and end up arrested for it. If the Govt takes it over, I'll bet the laws for growing it, possessing it etc will be more harsh. They aren't going to get into the pot selling biz and let everyone possess it like they do now. That's bad biz! Will they put additives in it? Most likely. Will the quality drop? Most likely. And who will decide what jobs will and won't be testing for it. It won't come off the list of narcotics for every company. Smoke shops seems like the smartest way to go but we are a car driving country, which leads me back to pot DUI's. Medical marijuana is a no brainer! It's definately a must but as far as personal consumption I like things the way they are now. I feel if it goes to the govt it will be another way for them to get more involved in our private lives. I've been smoking the stuff since the 70's. I've never been arrested for it. Luckily for me I work a job that doesn't test for it. I'm torn on this issue! Making it legal would be fun but who knows what it will lead to?

@googleit - a lot has already been done, DUI testing, etc.

Also, those in prison for: non-violent, victimless crimes (repeat: Non-violent -- victimless) are expected to get on a fast track for release from prisons.

Much of this, btw, motivated by economics...the cost of police work and the cost of prisons that the 'system," needs to prioritize who is really a danger to the extent they need to be imprisoned and held in jail for years.

& right now, as we often hear from stereotypes, the biggest threat from stoners has been their appetite to eat too many potato chips.

Also there were no plans for the government to control this marijuana business, jail time penalties will end, it may/could ...

@googleit - a lot has already been done, DUI testing, etc.

Also, those in prison for: non-violent, victimless crimes (repeat: Non-violent -- victimless) are expected to get on a fast track for release from prisons.

Much of this, btw, motivated by economics...the cost of police work and the cost of prisons that the 'system," needs to prioritize who is really a danger to the extent they need to be imprisoned and held in jail for years.

& right now, as we often hear from stereotypes, the biggest threat from stoners has been their appetite to eat too many potato chips.

Also there were no plans for the government to control this marijuana business, jail time penalties will end, it may/could even be legal for people to grow their own. (which ...the idea of folks becoming farmers, should certainly please folks like katsteevns a lot).

@katsteevns - True. (I wasn't being sarcastic). When people are into growing plants in truth they are "growers," and I've seen them grow in their own awareness of water quality, soil quality, having to deal with plant diseases and infestations, etc. and much more "environmentally conscious," etc. -- and growing pot would be quite a motivation enough for many folks to get into this.

Maybe not a "change the world," event but changing the consciousness and participation of people one at a time and far from the stereotype of a "slacker," worthless group...when their beloved plant is no longer illegal I've seen the development of great cultivation and improvements in their land, their homes, the...

@katsteevns - True. (I wasn't being sarcastic). When people are into growing plants in truth they are "growers," and I've seen them grow in their own awareness of water quality, soil quality, having to deal with plant diseases and infestations, etc. and much more "environmentally conscious," etc. -- and growing pot would be quite a motivation enough for many folks to get into this.

Maybe not a "change the world," event but changing the consciousness and participation of people one at a time and far from the stereotype of a "slacker," worthless group...when their beloved plant is no longer illegal I've seen the development of great cultivation and improvements in their land, their homes, their financial life, their social life -- all now able to thrive when set free.
(Of course this was in other countries where pot was legal...i.e....Not Illegal).

Plus, there are Beneficial advantages as well. I met a heroin addict who thanked God for pot because it would satisfy him enough and didn't destroy his life -- this and other facts we can't even conceive of when in illegal mode.

Re: car/oil - I also agree. The expolitation of the earth, other nations and people for our dwindling source of limited fosile fuels is a prime fuel for wars and conflicts.

Like the addage: Follow the money, you could say: Follow the Pipelines. The BTC pipeline, for example, what the USA & NATO have troops in Georgia and why the recent spates of violence there.

So anything that reduces the demand for oil is also reducing the fuel of wars...why alternative energies programs have so much value and I've believe that if we put as much resources into developing such alternative energies as we put into war these power sources would be more of a real world possibility.

The energy program now passed and funded by the new Obama Administration was one of his first real change and success -- of course, maybe not perfect but before mostly only oil and nuke companies got any money from the government.

Indeed, the murderous destruction of the U.S. military is horrific, seems to be self-propelled and out-of-control, beyond the control of citizen's wishes.

Even in London, for example, they had the world's largest anti-war protest with one million people in the street and what happen? -- their involvement in the war goes on.

50 years ago our leading general from WWII and former President Eisenhower warned of this as a great threat to the nation. He called it "the military-industrial complex."

So these ideas are not new and activist -- and even presidents - have made warning about non-stop war making seeming to have a will and drive of it's own.

If your mind is made up that it's hopeless t...

Indeed, the murderous destruction of the U.S. military is horrific, seems to be self-propelled and out-of-control, beyond the control of citizen's wishes.

Even in London, for example, they had the world's largest anti-war protest with one million people in the street and what happen? -- their involvement in the war goes on.

50 years ago our leading general from WWII and former President Eisenhower warned of this as a great threat to the nation. He called it "the military-industrial complex."

So these ideas are not new and activist -- and even presidents - have made warning about non-stop war making seeming to have a will and drive of it's own.

If your mind is made up that it's hopeless there is nothing I can say to convince you otherwise.