Justin Trudeau says marijuana should be legalized

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by peter12

I'm thinking more of the rise of Trump, Sanders, the collapse of the middle class... etc...

You know what might help the middle class? Letting them legally start small businesses in an industry that projects to net $6+ billion in year 1 alone.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

You know what might help the middle class? Letting them legally start small businesses in an industry that projects to net $6+ billion in year 1 alone.

That business gets dominated way faster by big business than mom and pop can keep up with

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

That business gets dominated way faster by big business than mom and pop can keep up with

The same way I get beer from the Budweiser store?

[BergyBoy]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

The same way I get beer from the Budweiser store?

You mean the America store.

http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2016/...nd-as-america/

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by BergyBoy

You mean the America store.

http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2016/...nd-as-america/

Yuck...

[Senator Clay Davis]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

Yuck...

...would have been a more appropriate name on the can.

[Dion]

http://media.thedenverchannel.com/do...418.1463019098

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Dion

http://media.thedenverchannel.com/do...418.1463019098

Shows a fairly steady and consistent rise since 05/06 even prior to legalization, doesn't it?

[peter12]

But a very significant bump after legalization. It is undeniable that legalization has increased usage among the youth, which is exactly the opposite of what proponents say will happen.

[AFireInside]

Originally Posted by Dion

http://media.thedenverchannel.com/do...418.1463019098

Hmm, I wonder if kids were more willing to admit to using it, since it's been legalized.

This graph doesn't really do much to convince me. Colorado was already in the top 5 before legalization.

[CampbellsTransgressions]

The graph doesn't convince me
1. It's one year
2. It shoes nothing of youth incarceration
3. The black market almost assuredly still exists: something that is not quite the case for alcohol.

Give it 10 years. Either way it still isn't an enticing argument for throwing adults in prison for 25 years.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by CampbellsTransgressions

The graph doesn't convince me
1. It's one year
2. It shoes nothing of youth incarceration
3. The black market almost assuredly still exists: something that is not quite the case for alcohol.

Give it 10 years. Either way it still isn't an enticing argument for throwing adults in prison for 25 years.

Which is why we can talk about decriminalization. So the proponents of this discussion have shown themselves to be ideologically immune to evidence, which to me, shows that this is a debate profoundly influenced by propaganda on both sides.

[CampbellsTransgressions]

It's not very good evidence. It's a correlation at this point (based on one year) and that is all.

Also does nothing for a decriminalization argument.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by peter12

But a very significant bump after legalization. It is undeniable that legalization has increased usage among the youth, which is exactly the opposite of what proponents say will happen.

Especially considering the national average is trending down. There's little doubt that legalization will lead to increased use by youths and ultimately that may lead to long term usage rates climbing for adults as the more youths that try and use it the more chances it spills over into adulthood.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by CampbellsTransgressions

It's not very good evidence. It's a correlation at this point (based on one year) and that is all.

Also does nothing for a decriminalization argument.

The trend - over multiple years - is another story. Clearly showing increases since commercialization.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Especially considering the national average is trending down. There's little doubt that legalization will lead to increased use by youths and ultimately that may lead to long term usage rates climbing for adults as the more youths that try and use it the more chances it spills over into adulthood.

Exactly.

Add in the fact that there is increasing concern over the long-term brain damage caused by heavy use in your pubescent years, and you are looking at a very strong argument against legalization.

[WCan_Kid]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Especially considering the national average is trending down. There's little doubt that legalization will lead to increased use by youths and ultimately that may lead to long term usage rates climbing for adults as the more youths that try and use it the more chances it spills over into adulthood.

Haha, no it just means people will admit to it once it's legal.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by WCan_Kid

Haha, no it just means people will admit to it once it's legal.

As if. It's not crystal meth. The social stigma is practically negligible at this point.

[WCan_Kid]

Originally Posted by peter12

As if. It's not crystal meth. The social stigma is practically negligible at this point.

Meh, not when you're 14-15 years old. Adults, sure, most will have no problem admitting they smoke, but that chart is 12-17.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by WCan_Kid

Haha, no it just means people will admit to it once it's legal.

Flawed analogy. Why would anyone lie when doing an anonymous poll? Lots of youths will shy away from getting involved with anything illegal. Legalize it and the deterrent of getting involved in something illegal is gone.