Question for Conservatives here.

[Boddhissatva]

over the last 5 or 6 years, and with the decriminalization of marijuana, have your views and opinions changed regarding it?


do you believe it's a gateway drug?

do you believe it's worse/better than alcohol?

do you believe that that decriminalization is a bad idea and that it should still be illegal?

all opinions welcome

[Dan]

Yes.  I am even more opposed to it now that it has been legalized.  People callously smoke it in public, stinking up the streets and parks.  It robs people of their ambition, making the dopers content to sit home and collect their welfare rather than contribute to society.

[Boddhissatva]

Yes.  I am even more opposed to it now that it has been legalized.  People callously smoke it in public, stinking up the streets and parks.  It robs people of their ambition, making the dopers content to sit home and collect their welfare rather than contribute to society.

thanks for your honest opinion Dan. 
do you believe it's worse than alcohol?
(not setting you up for gotcha questions, geninuely curious as to what you think)

[wvit1001]

dan's funny talking back and forth with himself.   

[Jw2]

THE ECONOMIC COSTS OF ALCOHOL MISUSE IN ALASKA

the "gateway drug" thing is a false narrative.  soda pop with caffeine, can be considered a gateway drug.

since the federal government made it difficult to do cannabis-related studies, it's difficult to determine if cannabis is worse than alcohol.  there are significant medical studies on the dangers of alcohol, even in moderate consumption.

cannabis has been linked to positive health outcomes - like alleviating glaucoma.  (problem is...one has to stay stoned, it's a temporary thing) 

no real (personal responsibility) conservative would oppose decriminalization of cannabis.  apparently, some phony conservatives would rather keep cannabis illegal and arrest, prosecute and jail fellow citizens at a (socialist) cost to all state citizens.

then, there is the subject of state tax revenue.  in 2020, Alaska generated $23 million in cannabis tax revenue and Illinois generated $53 million.  Considering the population of those two states...Alaska generates more cannabis tax revenue per capita than Illinois.  Is that because Alaskans consume more or does their state charge higher taxes?

Marijuana Tax Revenue: A State-by-State Breakdown


regarding Illinois, those taxes have far exceeded expectations.  I suspect we draw people from neighboring states where cannabis is still illegal.

Our state finances have been in the shitter for over two decades - two Republican governors (one went to prison) and one Democratic governor (who went to federal prison) - before our current governor pushed for legalization and taxing cannabis.  So, those taxes have been a small positive effect on the state's budget.

[Dan]

I believe in personal responsibility.  Whether you harm society through dope or alcohol, you should have to bear the cost, not society.  That’s why I oppose taxing vices.  Not only does it punish responsible consumers to pay for the crimes of the abusers, it also divides people.

[gwboolean]

Corona Dan, I really must ask you.  Why do you author a thread and then respond to it as if you are a Conservative subscriber to your thread?  I thought you wanted Conservative responses, not Twazis reponses.

I believe in personal responsibility.

There is nothing in anything you have ever said or done that would support that false statement Declaratvie Dan.

If you harm society you should bear the cost, not society.

Who determines what that harm is and who is responsible Declarative Divisive Dan?

That's why I appose taxing vices.

That is a very poor reason for apposing taxing vices.  In fact, it is not even a reason.

I feel it punishes responsible consumers to pay for the crimes of the abusers!!!

Responsible consumers? Crimes?  Abusers?  Rather a moronic belief.

It divides people!

No, you are dividing people Dan.

[Boddhissatva]

I believe in personal responsibility.  Whether you harm society through dope or alcohol, you should have to bear the cost, not society.  That’s why I oppose taxing vices.  Not only does it punish responsible consumers to pay for the crimes of the abusers, it also divides people.

couldn't you apply this philosophy to junk food and Americans who continue to eat like shit, and burdening our health care system with their eating habits?

[Dan]

Sure.  Everyone should be responsible for their own actions and behavior.  I don’t think it’s fair that my neighbor have to pay for my other neighbor’s reckless behavior.

[Boddhissatva]

Sure.  Everyone should be responsible for their own actions and behavior.  I don’t think it’s fair that my neighbor have to pay for my other neighbor’s reckless behavior.

that's fair. 

[gwboolean]

Couldn't you apply this philosophy to junk food, etc?

Yes you could Didactic Dan, although that is not a philosophy.  It is merely the mathematical point at which your right to do anything you want to yourself begins to significantly effect another's right to do anything they want to themselves, i.e. the difference between offensive and dangerous. I am not sure where, or even if, cost is a factor.  I say all of this on the assumption you are making a serious statement.

Everyone should be responsible for their own actions.

They generally should.  There are many reasons, some valid, why that is not always possible, or true.

I don't think it fair that one person should pay for another persons reckless behavior.

That would depend on whether their behavior is indeed reckless.  Besides, fair is an arbitrary/variable claim that is irrelevant to almost everything.

[WWV10MHZ]

1 - over the last 5 or 6 years, and with the decriminalization of marijuana, have your views and opinions changed regarding it?


2 - do you believe it's a gateway drug?

3 - do you believe it's worse/better than alcohol?

4 - do you believe that that decriminalization is a bad idea and that it should still be illegal?

-----------------------------------------------------------


1 - I was opposed to it then and am opposed to it now. The whole idea of "Recreational Drugs" sounds insane to me. If someone would "need"
      or want to take drugs for recreational purposes, that would indicate to me that they have a serious mental or emotional problem. If reality
      is something they unable to cope with, they need counseling.


2 - Yes. If/When they find the weed is not enough to satisfy them, they will seek something stronger.


3 - Worse, since it appears to more easily cause a user to become dependent on it.


4 - I think it should still be illegal. There are already too many things that are a problem in America today without adding more drug addiction.


IMHO, decriminalization is only being done as an additional way for Govts to increase their revenues. That is their major interest.