Quote Originally Posted by hex1848
The violence that surrounds the black market could be easily avoided by decriminalizing and commercializing the sale of marijuana. The money saved by emptying thousands of jail beds and the money gained by taxation would be astronomical.

Hex - couldn't disagree with you more. If anything, I believe the violence would INCREASE as cartels and syndicates establish themselves in the market. If you looked at the history of prohibition (with alcohol), a lot of violence surrounded that market when it first becamse legal as gangsters staked their territorial claims. And violence still exists today (although you'd never know it...) While it's not publiciized nearly as much, the Chicago mafia is still active and killing people over such things as prostitution, gambling, drugs and of course BOOZE. Hell, they even get touchy over juke boxes (if you don't believe me, open a bar in the Chicago area and buy your own box)!!!

I agree with Sarge - while I rarely get into a violent confrontation with a pothead, I do commonly see pot around other drugs that are seized. Sorry, Jaewing, but marijuana is most definitely a "gateway" drug. I don't know of any heroin addict, crack head, or other heavy drug user that didn't start with marijuana. While most think they can control it, the reality is - many cannot. If you've seen the things that Sarge, BK and myself have seen with individuals who are drug addicted, this discussion wouldn't even be happening... It turns my stomach and makes my job miserable. When little kids ask me what the worst things I've seen, I'd say about 80% is related to drug use.

I say - forget about marijuana and smoke a stogie!!! That's what takes me to another place!