Weed - should it be legal?

[i-need-a-martini]

Uruguay has just changed its legislation and is now the first country in the wrold to sanction the growing, selling and smoking of marijuana.

They have done it to put the illegal drug trade and drug traffikers out of business.

Personally I think it makes sense. If nicotine is legal than there is very little difference between the 2.

Your thoughts?

http://www.smh.com.au/world/uruguay-becomes-first-country-to-legalise-marijuana-trade-20131211-hv59x...

[*mrgrizz*]

very little difference between the two

[imastawka]

   

  

   

[azureline**]

No. Depending on which info you read, it can trigger psychosis.

[icyfroth]

No. It messes with people's minds.

[i-need-a-martini]

I didn't mean that one was safer than the other but neither is better than the other.

If we accept nicotine (which is far more addictive and has long term physical effects) then why not accept weed (which can cause issues with long term use)?

[punch*drunk]

Agree with az and icy

[azureline**]

The chemical in cannabis that makes users feel ‘high’ is called THC (delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol). THC is a psychoactive substance, which means that it travels in a person’s bloodstream to the brain. It disrupts their brain’s normal functioning and causes certain intoxicating effects.

Cannabis use can cause drug-induced psychosis, trigger the first episode of a psychotic illness or make a pre-existing psychotic illness worse. People who have, or may be at risk of developing, a psychotic illness should not use cannabis.

[just_me_karen]

I can only guess you've never met anyone suffering from drug induced psychosis?

I believe it should be decriminalised (but not legalised) and fines used to provide assistance and education.

[cherry*135]

No, not legal.