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Argentina court ruling may legalize personal use of marijuana
On Tuesday, the Argentina Supreme Court ruled that punishing an adult for personal use of marijuana, so long as that use doesn't harm anyone else, is unconstitutional. It's a major step towards decriminalizing the possession and use of pot in the country, and comes on the heels of Mexico's passage of a similar law that made it legal for adults to carry small amounts of pot, cocaine, heroin, LSD, and methamphetamine. Earlier this year, a Brazilian appeals court also ruled that possession of small amounts of pot was not illegal in that country.
It's a new approach to the war on drugs - one that focuses more on reducing harm to drug users and society than on prosecuting recreational users - and one that seems to be forming a trend in Latin and South America. Only time will tell if that trend extends to the United States, but many members of the Latin American Commission on Drugs and Democracy hope so. Back in May, Mexico's former President Vicente Fox was quoted by CNN as saying, "I believe it's time to open the debate over legalizing drugs. It must be done in conjunction with the United States, but it is time to open the debate."
I stick to the booze, but I won't begrudge someone the right of recreational use of a naturally-growing plant. And while I won't jump on the bandwagon for legalizing all drugs, I would support the passage of a law that allows adults to possess small amounts of pot. I just don't believe it'll happen in the United States any time soon. Until then, tokers can use this guide to get their smoke on in several other countries around the world where pot is legal or more publicly tolerated.
| Marijuana is a drug. Drugs are dangerous. All drugs should be illegal. | |
|---|---|
| Marijuana should be decriminalized so government can tax it and criminal activity surrounding dealing can be minimized. | |
| It's a plant. Why does anyone care what I do with a plant? | |
| Sorry. What was the question? I'm afraid I'm high now. |
Gallery: The 10 most common foreign cities in which Americans are arrested
Filed under: South America, Argentina, News
Reader Comments (Page 3 of 3)
Dave Aug 26th 2009 7:57PM
It should be legal in the states.
RUBY Aug 29th 2009 2:27PM
Well I agree to using it for the right reasons. I don't feel kids should do it. Also I don't believe that you should drive and do it. It really helps me to relax and calm down. Plus helps all the pain I am in.But like I said, not for kids.Unless it is dr. advised and that the ones that are suffering in the hospital. You have to be responsible as with any other prescripton. I do feel it should definately be legal.
Ron Aug 26th 2009 10:40PM
Potheads the Boogeyman of the right wing. If pot is legal it is one less WAR for the right wing to wage. They have been looking for something to wage WAR on since the collapse of Russia. If Potheads are no longer the enemy the right wing will want to outlaw sex. Have you seen the Bible thumpers from the midwest. The few attractive ones are few and far between. This is why pot must stay illegal. I can live without getting high but I gotta screw. Let the right wing have the potheads to demonize. Can you image a world without oral sex. Take my word you legalize pot and these idiots will go after sex and make that illegal. The only hope is the Republicans in the Congress will realize that outlawing sex would effect their affairs with their bestfriends wives and brothers.
salome Aug 26th 2009 11:09PM
yeah,they need it down there and the gubmint wants them all stoned and happy so they don't riot and burn it down.
Anyone aware of their totally messed up financial situation ?
Larry Aug 26th 2009 11:42PM
A look back in history would reveal that we legalized alcohol to reduce crime. It must work since there are no crimes today. History has a way of repeating itself so by legalizing marijuana crimes will be reduced and we can do away with police departments. I believe that common sense thinking has gone to pot ! pun intended....
pepie Aug 26th 2009 11:43PM
growing up all i would see , was soda ice cream and drugs at the store . I guess we saw what was there and put two and two together. Drugs are they anything like alcohol or am i mistaken. I guess i would ask ted but its to late. I read that alcohol dries out the body were grass helps the body but you dont pay taxes on grass.
change Aug 26th 2009 11:53PM
not all the cards are on the table.
Richard V. Aug 27th 2009 12:27AM
If anyone cares to read. I am 21 now. when I was 10 I had a traumatic brain injury that resulted in a coma and temporary paralysis. Since then life has been an ongoing struggle being that Im on anti-seizure medications that don't always work." I get crazy mood swings. I take my medication at exactly 9 am. and before i go to bed. If I wake up at 10.00 Am. I am late for my seizure medicine and that means the day is not going to be good. ANGER!!!!!!!! So about two years back I had my last major seizure and an old neighbor recommended I should try it but with all those nasty rumors I was skeptical. untill that last big seizure that left me in ecscruciating muscle pain. I then decided to try it and I believe that single high is when I realized that there is so much more to earth than presently thought. I couldn't believe the feelings that flowed through me. Honestly for me it makes me feel like a kid again like exactly how I did before I had my head injury. I get that fire and excitement back into my life. I wish I had this in high school. people made fun of me b/c I was retarded and slow and honestly id laugh too. If I had started my use in high school I would have made straight A's this eliminated all of my problems "mentally" and helped me get back on track. To everyone though it may be illegal in your state things won't change unless the people start taking chances. "Make the most of the hemp plant, sow the seed everywhere" -George Washington. it does not!! kill brain cells and it has been proven to produce more brain cells and white blood cells.
mezl Aug 27th 2009 12:25AM
i'm not against legalizing pot- though i myself don't really care for it, i don't even like the smell of it- and i think adults should be free to decide whether they care to indulge. one thing, though- pot, unlike alcohol- which i do believe is worse than pot- can affect others around the "toker"- like kids. if an adult with kids smokes in the house, the kids will be affected- contact high and all that. that's the only thing about it. but overall, i'm not against it, and again, alcohol is by far the worst of the two. that is my opinion, for what it's worth.
Bernie Aug 27th 2009 12:37PM
Finally some place the heads can run to to waste away smoking their beloved weed. I'm so happy. They'll think about it manyana.
Healthy One Aug 27th 2009 1:45AM
Yeah! Tax it to the hilt. All pot smokers should be registered and pay a huge fee.
$50,000.00 is about right. You pot smokers want to pay down the national debt. Here's your chance. Have to do drug testing to keep pot smokers from cheating. Testers everywhere, since we know there will be a lot of pot smokers cheating.Now you promised to pay down the national debt. Don't want to hear any grumbling.
Holly Aug 27th 2009 2:31AM
When was the last time anyone heard of a little old lady being purse-snatched for a Social Security check, or someone being carjacked & robbed of wallets and purses and jewelry or a home invasion where the entire family is bludgeoned into a coma or left for dead over a joint, or just simply for a little "bag" of weed? Right?
As far as the government goes, we are being being taxed in one form or another from conception until after death. Gotta tax the casket too.
Give the American People a freebie. A lot of us deserve it. At least give us a vote.
HAT
frank Aug 27th 2009 2:46AM
oh yes a country full of pot heads.. a good way for devils to enter your mind.
armygirl Aug 27th 2009 3:22AM
i dont smoke it now
im a conservative (mostly)
i think pot should be legal
ppl need to be more open minded
AndiGirl Aug 27th 2009 3:51AM
I have Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and have to take MANY medications to even try for a little relief. I burn and ache 24/7 and most days wish I would just die. I don't (can't) drink but wonder if I might get some relief from marijuana. I would never try it now while it is illegal but believe me, if it became legal, I would be one of the first to try it. Thanks for listening to me!
david Sep 23rd 2009 4:34PM
I disagree: Marijuana is not safe since it is a fat soluble drug. Most drugs are water soluble. Legalization would create too many additional social problems and would produce an increase in taxes to deal with all the social, medical, legal issues. Also, smoke is not like a liquid (alcohol); if my neighbor drinks a beer next door to me it does not become a part of my home and environment. If my neighbor decides to become a chain joint smoker how will people avoid passive exposure. And, Marijuana smoke is an hallucinogen and I don't want children and my pets being exposed...If you live in a apartment buiding where 50% are smoking this drug it can become a 24/7 issue for society to deal with.
Michael Aug 27th 2009 6:29AM
I was born with spina biffida and I smoke pot too ease the pain in my back and nerves.Pot is the only thing that works for me,when I was seven years old the dr had me on all kinds of medicine until one day when I was standing in front of the counter taking my meds and I passed out cold and when I came too I told my mother I would never take any more perscripts.I've seen pot turn a friend of mine from being mentally chalanged too being able to spell and add with no dificulties.There are manny other illnesses that pot helps,do you home work and read.Pot should be legalized but only for people that are 21 and over.If every one would try it then they would see that it's not dangerous like some people think it is.
Sheree Aug 29th 2009 1:48AM
Are the majority of people polled in this survey potheads? I am surprised at the results!
R.C. Beckom Aug 29th 2009 8:16PM
WHAT WAS THE QUESTIONS?
IMPIart Sep 6th 2009 4:47PM
There are many persuasive arguments on why America should legalize marijuana, and the reasons
are sound, but the fact that many millions of Americans have used pot has not translated into
real political pressure on the people who can change the laws. One of the problems inhibiting
legalization is that people that smoke pipes or joints are not considered serious or mature. It is
this stigma that scares many citizens to hide that they smoke pot. Therefor the Reality of who
smokes pot and who does not is very different than it seems. The last three presidents
were admitted pot users and by my Understanding the same is probably true of the first three
presidents as well. Marijuana Legislation is very serious and has everything with how we define
what it means to be American. What credence do we as Americans give to the rights of the
individual to the pursuit of happiness as well as our right to privacy? In the end it is up to
us to be public about our choices and to voice our opinions to the ones that ultimately decide
what the rules are. Every hand written Letter that makes it to a representative is considered
to be the voice of a thousand people who did not take the time to write. Send an email, send a
letter make a phone call and get counted.
IMPIart.com