cannabisnews.com: Take Time for a Toke - Legally Take Time for a Toke - Legally Posted by CN Staff on March 14, 2003 at 07:45:28 PT By Erik Bussa Source: The Lantern What is the perfect way for our country to reduce crime rates and make money in the process? Legalize marijuana. Simply take the stuff off of the streets and put it behind the counter. I know what you're saying: "That's crazy." But let's take a closer look and see how you feel in 10 minutes.Studies show that usage is lower now than in previous years, but believe me, it's not. Just because some organization polls a group of high school seniors to see how many of them have lit a left-handed cigarette doesn't mean they know what's going down. I know people who would sell their books back a month early if they absolutely needed a smoke.And you're telling me the government doesn't want a piece of that?By legalizing ganja, the government would be able to oversee and regulate the entire process, from its growth, to who can sell and buy it, to how much it costs. They can have a Mary Jane monopoly; they will have the market cornered.It is true that even though the government can control it, pot will still be sold illegally. Here's another simple solution to a simple problem: Harsher penalties for those caught selling or buying illegally. If someone is arrested for smoking reefer they usually get a weak slap on the wrist. The only times heavy penalties are handed down are in extreme cases when someone has Cheech-and-Chong-like amounts in their possession with the intent to distribute it. But if cheeba became legal, effective penalties would go something like this:If you get caught once, you're going to jail for a year. If you get caught twice, you're going for five. If you get caught a third time, you get both of your hands cut off, making it nearly impossible to hold a joint.Critics of marijuana legalization have many different theories to base their arguments on.One is that weed is said to be a "gateway" drug. I disagree.To say that smoking scooby-snacks will lead someone to experiment with harder drugs -- such as cocaine, LSD or heroin -- is dumb. I've never heard anyone say that they tried coke because hydro just didn't do it for them anymore. Maybe I haven't listened closely enough, but this causal relationship seems a bit on the sketchy side. Another argument is that if buddah becomes legal, it will be easier for kids to get their hands on it. The fact is, adolescence is a time for experimentation with all things -- not just with drugs. If a kid wants to get his hands on some green, he'll get it. Keeping in mind that most "users" don't become "abusers," why not remove the streets and drug dealers from this process, and let him ease his curiosity in a safe, controlled environment? In fact, the Dutch policy of allowing ya-yo to be sold in government-regulated "coffee shops" was designed to separate young users from illegal markets where other drugs were being sold. I'm not saying that it is acceptable for a kid to smoke bud; I'm just making a point -- at least those kids who do find a way to toke up will be safer. Aside from reducing crime and making billions of dollars a year for our government, legalizing marijuana would also help people who are sick. It has been proven that la-la is a good form of alternative medicine. Studies have shown dope reduces nausea and vomiting in cancer patients being treated with chemotherapy, reduces intra-ocular pressure associated with glaucoma, help people with cataracts and even help AIDS patients maintain a healthy weight.Personally, I pass on grass. I don't condemn those who don't, but the choice for me has always been "no." But, I do feel by legalizing herb, our country would be a somewhat safer place, and with all of the extra money brought in, we would no longer have to worry about higher taxes and cutting educational funds.If nothing else, at least our country would be a happier place to live.Erik Bussa is a senior in agricultural communications. He can be reached for comment at: bussa.6 osu.eduSource: The Lantern (OH)Author: Erik Bussa Published: Friday, March 14, 2003Copyright: 2003 The Lantern Contact: lantern osu.eduWebsite: http://www.thelantern.com/CannabisNews - Cannabis Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/cannabis.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #8 posted by freedom fighter on March 16, 2003 at 00:24:44 PT Oh, it's your choice.. "Personally, I pass on grass. I don't condemn those who don't, but the choice for me has always been "no."" My choice has always been just "know".. You take aspirin? No thank you!ff [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by elliven1213 on March 15, 2003 at 07:22:12 PT: govt control :( im not sure if i like the idea of a governmental monopoly on pot. if it were legalized, they could not release any and arrest anyone for illegal dristributation. either that or they would make up some silly law that would make it impossible to do it without getting arrested for something. but i agree with mostly everything else....except the stupid names for bud. ya-yo? no wonder people think weed makes yuo dumber. peace [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by SoberStoner on March 14, 2003 at 20:13:01 PT Hmm..I dont know It was ALL sterotypes..this almost feels like a masterpiece from the propaganda machine it uses so many sterotypes.I especially like the focus on the mystical magical penalties in this happy stoner future of legal cannabis (oops you missed one, oh wait it's not a sterotype yet is it?)where you still get thrown in a cage like an animal over a plant..Even if its legal, you're getting locked upFreedom is SlaveryOrwell was 20 years offSS [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by elfman_420 on March 14, 2003 at 15:11:36 PT too many stereotypes in this article... If someone is arrested for smoking reefer they usually get a weak slap on the wrist. The only times heavy penalties are handed down are in extreme cases when someone has Cheech-and-Chong-like amounts in their possession with the intent to distribute it.When Tommy Chong was arrested recently for making glass water pipes, they raided his house and found "small amounts" of cannabis, meaning less than one ounce. Is that the "Cheech-and-Chong-like" amounts they are referring to? [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by Truth on March 14, 2003 at 09:36:45 PT Commensense Don't forget "joint" [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Max Flowers on March 14, 2003 at 09:23:04 PT He sure doesn't People keep forgetting that at the root of this whole issue is the fact that Constitutionally, no government, state or federal but especially not federal, has the right to interfere with what people want to do in private.MF [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Commonsense on March 14, 2003 at 09:18:09 PT: Left-handed cigarettes, ganja, Mary Jane... Left-handed cigarettes, ganja, Mary Jane, pot, reefer, cheeba, scooby-snacks, hydro, buddah, green, ya-yo, bud, la-la, dope, grass, herb... [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by BGreen on March 14, 2003 at 08:04:28 PT This Kid Just Doesn't Understand The gov't should get completely out of my life. This idea of ANY criminal penalty for cannabis is STUPID!The peaceful Rev. Bud Green [ Post Comment ] Post Comment