3 ms·
Sure, there is less weed smoking where it's illegal. Aside from the factors you mention, there is an obvious one: people not doing something simply because it
by mturmon 11y ago
Sure, there is less weed smoking where it's illegal. Aside from the factors you mention, there is an obvious one: people not doing something simply because it is against the law. People do make decisions on that basis.
- dragonwriter 11y ago> people not doing something simply because it is against the law. People do make decisions on that basis. Conversely, people also make decisions on the opposite basis -- doing things because they are prohibited.
- wingerlang 11y agoNot nearly the same amount do that, I assume.
- dave2000 11y agoReally? I can't imagine a single person ever saying "I've heard about people having profound, life altering experiences on drugs, but because they are illegal I won't take them". Such a person must have literally no respect for themselves at all.
- mturmon 11y agoHi @dave2000, I am that man. Sure, I've done illegal things, and I still do, but generally I avoid breaking the law. I note that my respect for the law has increased with age. Probably due to encountering more accomplished lawbreakers and not wanting to be the guy who says, "Yes, but it's OK if I break that law because it's a stupid law." Also knowing people who, perhaps, had a problem at an airport or with the state police. I find the law to be a useful reality check. I note your argument above has made this into a 0/1 proposition ("because they are illegal I won't take them"). But I believe it is more true to reality to look at it probabilistically, i.e., on a given Friday night, is it more or less likely that I'd be offered MMJ by a friend if it's legal in CA versus not legal in CA. I think this thought experiment clarifies the argument that consumption increases when MJ is legalized. Indeed, for medical MJ specifically, I think that is the point.