Seems to me that we all pretty much agree on the same thing then. cool.Thanks for asking the question.
As I see it, there are two separate issues here, medical use and recreational use.
As I stated early on, I would like to see the drug removed from schedule 1 so that it is easier to research the benefits of it. Since that isn't on the table right now, I don't have a problem with it being available for medical use, through 788, because it has helped some people.
As far as recreational use goes, I think it's hypocritical for weed to be illegal while alcohol remains so. Again, as stated earlier, I do have concerns with the consequences of legalizing the drug, but no greater concern than the consequences of legalized alcohol. So, while I don't think it should be illegal, that doesn't mean I think legalizing it for recreational use is necessarily a great idea. However, I don't believe the lack of responsibility of some should ever be cause for restricting the rights and freedoms of others......that's why, even though I don't think it is necessarily a great idea, I don't think marijuana should be illegal.
As far as the arguing goes.....this is common on a heated topic like this......people often fail to read and understand another's post. Instead of reading and making an effort to understand what the other person is actually saying, they skim over a post, see what they want to see and decide to go to battle. In this instance, I believe some mistook my opposition to the deceitful way in which many are trying to get this passed as being an opponent of the issue......this is certainly not true.
I said in the beginning that I wish there was honesty on both sides of this discussion.
Question 788, as I see it:
On the anti side: people need to honestly ask themselves why this drug should not be legalized for medical use. There should be no greater moral objection to the medical use of marijuana than to the use of aspirin. Both are drugs which, in and of themselves, are inanimate objects and cannot be "bad". Just because some people decided an inanimate item should be illegal does not make it morally wrong. Voting against 788 because marijuana "has always been illegal" is not logical......man decided it was illegal, man can decide it's not illegal.......there is no moral question here.
On the pro side: if supporters, who are really in this for medical uses, want this to pass, they need to distance themselves from those who want to use it as a stepping stone for legalization of recreational use. I believe there are many people who are against this issue because they fear it is just the nose under the tent to legalizing recreational use and they will vote against the measure for that reason only. The pro side needs to convince the general public that it can be regulated so that it is safe and effective and given to those who have a legitimate need. I also think supporters need to better educate the public on the factual medical benefits, as we know them, instead of hype.
For those who are pro 788 because they want to use this as a stepping stone to recreational legalization.....there would be less resistance to 788 if you would pick your own fight......and I think you should.
That's the way I see it......