Larry (who works with drug addicts) writes in a comment on one of his posts:
No, I haven’t thought it out. In fact, most of my beliefs are poorly constructed out of pure whimsy. This one is no exception. The only anomaly I can think of to my “whimsy” rule is this: I believe that the biggest pimp on the block is our government and the ONLY reason marijuana is still illegal is because our government can’t figure out a way to make more money off the profits than they already do by locking up the stoners and charging them huge fines. Yeah, it’s a bad drug. But it’s a kitten compared to alcohol and nicotine. And don’t tell me it’s a gateway drug either. If marijuana is a gateway drug to the hard stuff then a butter knife is a gateway to manslaughter. I’m not going all “Willie Nelson” on you here. I’m just saying that locking up someone because they use marijuana is financially motivated and in the end all it produces is a stoner who has just received a first class education on how to become a criminal. Now that’s a gateway.
I do agree with that. I typically point out that if marijuana is a “gateway drug”, then alcohol is also, and much more so than marijuana. Not that I really know what I’m talking about. (I have a much better idea of the effects and uses of alcohol than of marijuana.)
With regards to economic implications: I have heard that in South Africa keeping it illegal is a good thing: that keeps it in the informal sector, helping boost the economy amongst the poor. Legalising it would bring it into the formal sector, with the “big companies”, the “rich people”, making the profits instead. Thus, it is better for the economy to keep it illegal, but not enforce the laws too harshly? Interesting thought, whether it is true or not?
22 responses so far ↓
1 Wendy // Aug 1, 2007 at 7:51 pm
When it comes down to it, I don’t think that pot is a big deal. I don’t think that people should have to go to jail for using it. But I do, however, think that legal action is appropriate when individuals do stupid things while under the influence, like drive a car. I think pot should be treated the same way that alcohol is.
I also agree with your economic thoughts of legalizing pot in South Africa. I think if it were to become legal, the crime rate would go up because the poor would not be able to afford it. Or, they would spend all of their money on pot, and none on food, or diapers for their kids, etc.
Personally, I’m not a big fan of pot. My roommate, on the other hand, is an almost daily user.
2 gloep // Aug 2, 2007 at 2:53 pm
Wettige dagga => nog ‘n maatskappy wat Steinhof kan begin => nog ‘n koshiusspan word met fancy hempies geborg…
3 gerhard // Dec 5, 2007 at 12:39 pm
well, i personally think its illegal because of the gonverment being afraid of what to its trade agreements
(like with america etc.) Its not that south africa want to keep it informal , they just dont want to have to put all the protection for other countries in place which holland and the swiss had to do ..
there are lots and lots of movies , even from history channel that deal with why the things are the way they are .. a mind fuck of note is watching history channel ask ‘wtf?’
watch their ‘illegal: the story of drugs and how they got this way’ , a informative 4 part dealing with cocaine , opium , methaampetamines and MJ, was very informative.. (like who know about more than 60% of america being cocaine addicts because most products used to contain indiscriminate amounts of it, in the 1950-60s ??)
4 lousirr // Dec 5, 2007 at 12:44 pm
Hehe, sweet. Coke…
I’m trying to wean myself off caffeine at the moment, but anyway. Instead I’ll probably go and get high on this thing some people call “reality”.
5 gerhard // Dec 5, 2007 at 12:45 pm
anyone read this ?
6 Sean // Sep 1, 2009 at 12:02 pm
Anyone who has actually smoked Weed for a long enough period of time to actually have learned from EXPERIENCE, will know that it would probably do the complete opposite of what Wendy said. Weed makes people pacifists. It isn’t addicted, so when you deprived you wont have any withdraws, therefor, people wont not buy food or whatever else they need to survive, if those people choose to not eat and smoke a Joint, then they are retarded, because that is effing retarded.
I, as a huge user, i smoke 10-15 times per day, hope that it IS NOT Legalized, but rather, Decriminalized…
I urge all of you to watch “The Union: The Business Behind Getting High “.
Then tell me what you think of Marijuana.
7 gerhard // Sep 1, 2009 at 2:19 pm
sean : actually, weed makes people both pacifists and active. it really just depends on who you are, the point made is about the extremes, why add another extreme. I know plenty of 10+ a-days who get into violent fights.
marijuana is actually quite psychologically dependant, the thing you’re referring too is physical dependence. with psychological addiction there still is a withdrawal , but because it’s psychological you can handle it easily by distracting yourself, however the addiction just like with physiological addiction will remain with you for your whole life. basically , just like a sex addict, masochists , paedophiles you’ll attempt to medicate yourself constantly.
btw, when doctors discuss the addiction aspect note who says what, and what aspects they are referring too. esp. look up the modern definition of “addiction” . note how it is defined. damage to yourself which dissatisfies yourself and damage to your relationships with other are very big factors to consider. from my experiance with 10+ a-day smokers they tend to socially isolate themselves and tend to have somewhat of a personality change over time. i think you may even find references to this is pro-popculture. ( i think christ rock makes a good point about this)
look, at least if we can keep a discussion like this away from pro/anti propaganda that would be great. i personally am pro-pot. i would love so see and end to prison raped people and the general injustice of it all. my body == my rules , esp if i am not contributing harm to the general society.
another note about smoking 10-15 times per day … dude.. that stuff has 15times the tar in it when smoked than ciggies.. you may have a lower chance of getting … cancer… but .. the rules regarding emphysema still stay the
same.
and yet another, you do realize that the stuff people generally get to smoke are grown in sub-par environments? have you looked into cultivation myths etc? it’s quite scary , batteries as fertilizer, urine washes .. bah.. disgusting that .. i wonder how much mercury you’ve consumed. weed == coke in that regard. home grown or rasta colonies are probably your safest supplies.
8 Hugo // Sep 1, 2009 at 10:53 pm
I’m curious about the differences between “Legalizing” and “Decriminalizing”, I’ve never made that kind of distinction before?
9 gerhard // Sep 1, 2009 at 11:27 pm
decriminalizing means you don’t get a criminal record for recreational use but it stays an offence. more like a serious parking ticket or drinking in public. also this would allow for medical use etc. i don’t see the point of it. recreational use is happening and will happen. we can’t stop all the bad stuff that happen with the “underground” it just makes the market more competitive. so why not control the standards , control the sale and manufacturing, get the tax and learn what we can. legal makes more sense because it favours a more “peoples” approach rather than straight out banging them with a hammer.
10 Ganja Man // Nov 22, 2009 at 9:49 am
There are many valid scientific research articles about the medicinal benefits of Marijuana. In fact, it has been used for this purpose for around 7,000 years.
One of the most important issues in regards medicinal purposes is the benefits it provides to people with AIDS, and Cancer. It also increases neurological connections via the synaptic pathway.
The one obvious reason why it is still illegal around the World is the Pharmaceutical Companies. If Marijuana was allowed to be grown by people in their own homes for medicinal purposes, then their dependence on Pharmaceutical drugs; which often times are very harmful to the body, would decrease dramatically. The Pharmaceutical companies pay Bureaucrats alot of Money every year to keep legalization from happening.
Actually, if Marijuana was legalized, many businesses would grow out of the Market. High Quality Marijuana can be grown by anyone, anywhere, as long as the method is maintained, and it is a science like any other.
Legalizing Marijuana would put an end to criminal cartels that make their money smuggling the plant. It actually has been proven to reduce crime when drugs are legalized, because the obvious criminal element no longer exists. Look at Switzerland for a good example.
Just like wine, you have good products and bad products, so the free market will work that out itself, letting the people decide.
The base issue for me is whether or not I want someone else telling me what I can or cant do with myself. Marijuana consumption does not effect anyone but the consumer of Marijuana.
Here in the US, there are millions and millions on no violent persons who are serving sentences for smoking the flowers of a plant. The laws are not just, and are un-Humane.
There are many states here that have legalized medicinal use for patients suffering from wide ranging illnesses. These states are making extra revenue from the taxes. Decreasing crime by cutting out the criminal element. And providing people with high quality medication that is bar none.
I have smoked for about 20 years. I hold a Masters Degree in Physics, and have a family. I am a productive member of Society. Smoking Marijuana expands my awareness of the Universe, as well as my musical and artist talents. It helps me relax in a manner in which I can retain my mental faculties; most of the time these faculties are heightened in awareness, as well as it helps me to sleep at night.
Because it is illegal, I have to put myself at risk of arrest to obtain it, and do so through criminal elements that further put myself at risk. I smoke in the privacy of my own home, endangering no one in the process.
The US Government has been caught many times smuggling drugs. So they smuggle it into the country, and make money off the sales, while further making money by taxing people through probation or fines for the use of it. (Now that is a business model ehhhh?)
This corrupt activity would also be nullified if it were made legal.(another reason why its not legal)
Marijuana being illegal is in my opinion childish, and dangerous. Its one more example of Government treating Adults like Children. Acting as if they know what is best for you and I. Big brother seems to always think this.
I lived in Richards Bay for two years, and was very please and surprised at the openness of things in South Africa. Buying off the Street from vendors was quite refreshing. I then took the seeds home and grew plants myself in my garden.
There are many Business plans that people in the Townships could use to make a very nice profit growing the high quality strains like Durban Poison,(yes Durban poison is a high quality strain.) as well as the Swazi strains.
It all depends mostly on how its grown, and more importantly, how it is dried and cured. If these processes are not followed correctly, then the flower; the bud where the Tricomes are, will degrade into Chlorophyll, and will not be considered “high quality” no matter what the genetics of the plant are.
In the US Marijuana is the single most lucrative cash crop there is. It makes more money than all others combined just about.
Hemp production is another area of interest for many reasons. Hemp is the male cannabis plant. Marijuana is derived from the flowers of the Female Plant. You cannot get high from Hemp
The products derived from Hemp list well over 10,000. From clothing, to fuel. But still hemp is illegal, because many of the corporations could not compete with it, primarily the Petra Chemical Corporations. In fact, the US Constitution is written on Hemp, and many of our Founding Fathers used to grow and sell it. But it is still illegal, and has been since around 1911.
Anyway, just some information you all might find useful.
Long live South Africa!
11 Balanced Truths // Nov 22, 2009 at 1:48 pm
Why not legalize, vend, and tax, the responsible and medical use of it, responsibly – perhaps some roads can get tarred, and oohH! We can get some safe public transport!
I read some interesting articles on the use of Cannabis Sativa, courtesy of the US Traffic department, that indicated it is a mild recreational drug and that it was found to be much less harmful, when compared to alcohol intake and medication, such as used for the common cold.
Actually, it is a shame that it is not grown actively and legally, in South Africa, in order to boost the hemp clothing industry.
It could be a brilliant solution to cheaper and more durable textiles and job creation at the same time.
The poor can grow it, and roll or weave it, while the rich can buy it directly from the poor.
12 Michael // Nov 22, 2009 at 3:24 pm
I worked in a rehab for a year. It’s not true that dagga doesn’t affect anyone but the user. Those with addictive personalities and those with a great deal of emotional pain use dagga and other drugs as an escape and their families suffer. Not everyone is responsible enough to use dagga as a way to create jobs or a way to ‘open up their minds’ and creativity. Of course, the same is true of alcohol, and that’s legal… so I suppose we have to respect people’s choices. Even if they result in terrible consequences…
We certainly can’t make alcohol illegal (just ask prohibition America how effective that is), so maybe dagga should be legalised, but not without addressing the societal issues that create negative effects from addictive stimuli. Perhaps we could tax dagga and use the money to teach lifeskills and fund counselling.
Idealistic… sigh.
13 Ben // Dec 29, 2009 at 2:04 am
How can you not drive stoned ? I have done everything stoned. i have never had an accident. In my opinion there is nothing wrong with weed, it does not kill your brain cells like other drugs, its less addictive than coffee. I will agree some people do get lazy, and some get addicted(3% +/- of stoners to be more accurate haha). 60-75% of the people worldwide smoke marijuana. Its more the newer generation than the older ones, but most people who lived as a teen through the 70′s or 80′s most likely still smoke pot and you would nt even notice. Hell yeah, I’m high right now! HaHA! The problem with weed being illegal is that it causes more harm than good. Everyone knows that weed is harmful to a childs growth, but kids say its easier to get drugs from a dealer than to buy alcohol. Thats obvious because it is a controlled drug. The crime rate goes up because of crime happening in the drug trade. You can even download a documentory called The Union. Note! you need utorrent Download link: http://btjunkie.org/torrent/The-Union-The-Business-Behind-Getting-High-2007-DivX-velvetfog/395215281d7b3fdc91f65ddbcaac086a0bb8faed2e10
14 Michael // Jan 6, 2010 at 9:53 pm
You get lies, damn lies and then you get unsupported statistics… (+/- 3% of lies are damn lies, and +/- 60-70% are statistics)…
15 Ben // Jan 15, 2010 at 2:26 pm
Ok leave that then i have been smoking for 6years and i have never seen anyone get addicted have any issues unless they are being controlled “like rehab”. The problem with weed is, is the fact that it causes u to think about how in control people really are you (you got to have more cowbell).I know people that have gone to rehab for weed and they realy look like addicts and look like it had ifects on them, but tose people also did acid everyday?
16 Ben // Jan 15, 2010 at 2:27 pm
Sorry, for spelling was typin fast
17 Hugo // Jan 15, 2010 at 9:33 pm
Changing topic a bit:
I think that’s pretty cool. (With respect to medicinal use, I’m probably influenced by Carl Sagan’s advocacy.)
Back to the topic, Michael pointed out:
That’s pretty much fact. Goes with most other things too. (Driving a car, say.) Michael’s #12 is in my opinion pretty spot-on, don’t see anything wrong with that.
So Ben, if you’re keen on arguing, I would like to know who you are arguing with, and what aspect of what they said… And, could you consider adding something more to your nick? To avoid confusion amongst other commenters on this blog. We’ve got two other Ben’s, one’s gone for “Ben’Jammin” and the other’s most recent choice is “ben.dull”.
Cheers!
18 Sister Moon // Oct 18, 2010 at 5:08 pm
I thought the new South Africa is emerging but it seems like white mans law still pervades. Even though weed grows so beautifully there. It is so ridiculous to criminalize people for growing or being in posession of marijuana.
19 D // Oct 19, 2010 at 3:02 pm
what “white mans” laws? i thought they were Christan Conservative laws… quaker or something.. u know.. left overs from that prohibition era thinking? agreed tho about it being ridiculous to give users/distributors a criminal record for it.
btw, as a ridiculous act of rebellion some local activists regularly go seed dumping in national parks etc.. seed dumping is the act of taking bags full of seeds and planting them in various public venues … we’re talking about hundreds of seeds at a time.. that way, you have freeish weed supply thanks to the government but you also create huge amounts of work for the anti-drug people to keep them busy and off the back of their poor victims…
20 Balanced Truths // Jan 9, 2011 at 8:29 am
You can’t blame the last meal for killing the obese man, it is a lifetime habit of eating greasy food and not getting any exercise that eventually clogged the arteries and caused the heart attack. Similarly you cannot blame the Cannabis for causing the psychological addiction, the person that developed this and ended up in rehab has merely been coached to find a scapegoat in one substance or another for an already existing problem, whereas, alcohol has been proven over and over again to annihilate inhibitions, and, similar to many of the more potent chemical drugs can cause serious addictions, tobacco is one of the worst.
As for Cannabis, you can be assured that smoking it comes with all the negative effects of smoking, more so than tobacco, however, several studies have shown that the negative physiological and psychological effects caused by the chemical substances absorbed from Cannabis, last little longer than 38days after usage is ceased, no addictions have been noted in any of the papers I could get my hands on.
Smoking Cannabis has been proven to reduce reflex reaction while driving, not in the same way alcohol does, where it reduces the transmission speed of electro-chemical impulses in the nervous system, but rather due to an erratic concentration level regarding the act of driving itself due to becoming easily distracted.
21 the weed master // May 5, 2011 at 11:45 am
I agree. I see no reason either. So, lets legalize it. Seriously, it is all about money dude. There are many things that are bi products of marijuana that dont help the subject. Let me tell you.
First, hemp clothing is very inexpensive to grow, make and it is far stronger than other material. The cotton industry DOES NOT want it legal. Another one is the seeds make a wonderful and healthy cooking oil that is far healthier for you then the ones out there on the market now. So, the cooking oil industry DOES NOT want it legal. And for awhile now, the drug industry as Marijuana as we all know, has positive medical uses. So, they have fought this too, but fortunately for us, we as Americans have been winning that war, thank God. But you see right there, you have had three very big, financially strong industries that do not want any form of marijuana legal, and it is not. Oh yeah, another one is the Hearst Publishing. They are a paper manufacturer. They actually were the first to complain as they have a paper industry complete with trees already that make paper. Marijuana plants could also be made into paper, cheaper to grow and maintain, but Hearst fought hard to not get it legal as he already had his set up of trees. He really was the first successful one in getting marijuana or any form of it legal. And that was a long time ago. So far, it has stuck.
So, you see, there is more than actual marijuana used in simple smoking. It is a big industry. And it is all about the MONEY. Bet you guys didnt know all that, did you? Yep, its true.
22 Whattodo // Aug 22, 2011 at 10:59 pm
What are the exact laws concerning marijuana in South Africa? Will you get a criminal record if caught etc??
Leave a Comment