I get a kick out of Penn and Teller being drug and alcohol free and opposing criminalization and prohibition. It tends to take the wind out of the, "You just want to get stoned." counter argument.I'm in a similar boat. I've never taken drugs recreationally, and often pass on those that are considered medically justified. I'd rather keep my mind clear. But at the same time, I'm completely in favor of legalizing their use, possession, and even distribution. I know I'm a little more radical than some in this belief, but I don't care if we're talking about pot or heroin... as long as we're below the level of something that's gonna be considered a HAZMAT event if it's spilled in transit, I say have at it. If you want to pump various chemicals into your body, organic or otherwise, it's your body and I'm fine with that. As a human being, you're a renewable resource, so by all means enjoy your life the way you want... As long as by doing so you do not endanger the well being or freedom of those around you.
You see, I also support some of the other sides of the argument. If you fall off a ladder at work, I don't think it's unreasonable for your employer to require a drug test before paying your medical bills. I also don't think it's unreasonable to fire you for being stoned on the clock (though I'm sure some companies might perform better if they had a pot-friendly work environment... not all, probably not most, but certainly some). I think if you commit a crime because you chose to alter your state of mind, or if a crime you may have committed anyway is in some way made worse because you were high on something, the punishment for said crimes should be representatively harsher. "Because I was drunk," "Because I was stoned," or "Because I was coked out of my mind" is not a justifiable excuse for breaking the law. It's just worse in my opinion because you intentionally took some drug that you (probably/hopefully) knew might impair your judgment.
Ultimately I hope this...
Welcome! :)
I wouldn't be at all amazed... then again, I'm one of them. ;)Fortunately you're not average.
I have the same position. Never smoked in my life and I favor decriminalization and legalization as well.
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I've smoked in my life, but with all things expensive, I decided it wasn't worth the investment. I don't buy any drugs (hell I don't even drink caffeine) but I don't have a problem if my neighbors were all major stoners. I live in a nice neighborhood and am in a place where what they do doesn't effect me at all. Hell if they were stoners, I'd feel more comfortable if it was legal. Because that would mean that there weren't any dealers around. Dealers worry me, smokers don't.