If Guns Are Legal Why Not Marijuana?
Question by Elston gunn: If guns are legal why not marijuana?
Marjiuana is illegal because of its harmful effects. Yet it has not been implicated in any deaths as the primary cause.
Guns are legal, and they cause around 30,000 deaths annually. What is the logic behind the illegality of marijuana then? There are many things that cause more harm than marijuana and are legal. Is it because people in power are afraid of substances that would alter people’s perception?
Someone will answer “… the 2nd amendment” I’m talking ethics, not the constitution– if something such as gun laws doesn’t make sense ethically, then we should amend the constitution. If the fact that we already made a law for something is the only reason to keep it that way, that’s not enough.
Now, I know someone’s going to say (in so many words) “guns don’t kill people, people kill people.” That’s basically true, but A) gun availability correlates to gun related deaths strongly B) shouldn’t we apply the same logic to drugs–i.e. “cocaine doesn’t kill people, people kill themselves using cocaine” (because, the purpose of using cocaine isn’t to kill yourself, and you can avoid overdose by simply taking a safe amount)
@ John That’s an interesting critique. But I can dismantle it quickly:
1. More productive workers— if that is the goal, there are many illegal drugs to help with that–mainly stimulants– I think LOW methamphetamine doses could be great for productivity, as well as amphetamines. Ritalin (not available over the counter) and similar stimulants should be legal, as they can help focus, concentration, and productivity, as many college students staying up studying for exams or writing papers can attest to.
2. Is the point of life productive work? There has to be a deeper ethical reason for making something illegal. Putting people in prison and ruining their life can’t just be for a trivial reason like that.
3. This whole thing about having a productive workforce is beside the point. I hear that if you whip your workers and threaten them with death every so often, they are more productive… I hear that those factory workers in China working 18 hr. shifts for 50 cents an
4. Opium is a bad analogy as it is far more addictive than marijuana. Marijuana is not physically addictive. It is mildly psychologically addictive. So is sex.
Basically, I’m looking for a more concrete reason that marijuana should be illegal, than the productivity of the workforce. Maybe something ethical, or constitutional?
@ Dale Ha! Citizens with guns can’t be tyrannized. Yeah, except they can be brainwashed, which is far worse. I bet if they had a good couple hits off a joint of dank weed, they might be more calm, and think more creatively, even start questioning their masters–Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, etc… To conservatives (esp. Christians) thinking independently is inherently sinful, obedience is preached… Don’t question, shoot! What could be more powerful than a sacrament that makes one calm, peaceful, and alters your perception, causing you to question everything?
@ John “Drugs seem fine when only a few people are addicts and everyone covers their costs, but a country just simply can’t function properly if everybody is an addict. (again, I know weed is far from the worst)” Again, repeated marijuana use may lead to lower productivity, but I wouldn’t classify it as an “addiction”. Nicotine is far more addictive. Alcoholism is far more devastating.
Best answer:
Answer by Progress
Answer: corporate greed.
The day a corporation is allowed to patent an organic plant is the day it’ll be legalized across the country.
You’re right. No human being has ever died from an overdose of weed. Can’t say the same about caffeine, even, let alone Advil or most prescription drugs.
Weed was criminalized in the first place because it threatened the paper industry. Look up “Yellow Journalism Marijuana.” You’ll be shocked.
Answer by Gvhftr
A lot of really harmful things are legal, guns, cigarettes, etc.
They only stay legal because people will be really pi$ $ ed if they were banned.
What do you think? Answer below!