If people care to give an explanation for their vote, I think that could be valuable as well.

My vote is yes, it should be decriminalized (at the least).



"In principle, I am an anarchist. Kurt Vonnegut once said he was an agnostic who respects Jesus Christ. I am an anarchist who loves democracy." - Kenzaburo Oe

nationwide.

"I de-clutch, you know." Juan Manuel Fangio when asked how he avoids flat-spotting his tires when he spins the car.

Regulated legalization of all drugs -- with stiffened penalties for driving impaired or furnishing to kids -- would bring an immediate halt to the violence. How? By (1) dramatically reducing the cost of these drugs, (2) shifting massive enforcement resources to prevention and treatment and (3) driving drug dealers out of business: no product, no profit, no incentive.

Above a quote from Norm Stamper

If asked to serve on a jury deliberating a violation of state or federal drug laws, we will vote to acquit, regardless of the evidence presented. Save for a prosecution in which acts of violence or intended violence are alleged, we will — to borrow Justice Harry Blackmun's manifesto against the death penalty — no longer tinker with the machinery of the drug war. No longer can we collaborate with a government that uses nonviolent drug offenses to fill prisons with its poorest, most damaged and most desperate citizens.

The short answer: I agree with JT.

The long answer: Realistically, as long as you're not selling obscene amounts and are simply smoking a quantity suitable for an individual, I don't think any police department is going to kick down your door.

Would somebody who thinks that it should remain a criminal offense please take a moment to share why?

"In principle, I am an anarchist. Kurt Vonnegut once said he was an agnostic who respects Jesus Christ. I am an anarchist who loves democracy." - Kenzaburo Oe

Anyhow, pot. In the US we arrest 1.8 million people every year for drugs. 40% of those are for possession, usually tiny amounts. 40% of Americans say that pot should be taxed, controlled and regulated like alcohol.

We do not have a drug problem, we have a prohibition problem.

 Nationwide.  For all the arguments already presented.  Prohibition didn't work in the 20's and it doesn't work today. 

“How many more times are we going to cower under tables and chairs, whimpering like mindless dogs, thinking that someone else has the responsibility to save and protect us?” -Ted Nugent

"...effected interstate commerce by driving down the black market price of marijuana in other states due to an increased supply."

I'd like to see where they actually suggest that as a reason. Sounds doobie-ous to me. I don't believe that non-monopolistic activities that influence market prices across state lines are a vioilation of interstate commerce.

The Fire Inside - "Funny as characters but not exactly the most productive members of society."

I dunno 'bout that one. Remember that Kumar was actually a medical genius and Harold was a successful corporate cubicle worker who grew the gonads to tell his slacker manipulative co-workers to take a hike [clean version].

Cheech [very successful actor and comedian] seems to have never suffered any long-term lasting effects from its use. Tommy Chong is an amazing musician and has spawned [musically/artistically/literally] wonderful things.

Seems all four could be seen as both successful non-slackers or promoters of vice, depending on how you look at it. Still, we're talking about characters that are/were formulaic/counter culture icons. Icons representing a celebration of universal archetypes, hence the popularity.

Who doesn't love it when apparent underdogs stick it to "the man"?

I agree with Rob - What about decriminizarion and regulation, just like cigarettes? That could fill the coffers of alot of needed public service and education programs.

Are there any statistics about how Holland and other countries where it has been legalized have seen a reduction/increase in crimes associated with the possession/cultivation/distribution of it?

Word to all the Middle Aged Ants.

because I've never seen 81 different people posting around here!

"A point of view is only a view from a point..." ~ Unknown

It's cuz there are lots of dopers in Oly. :-)

"I de-clutch, you know." Juan Manuel Fangio when asked how he avoids flat-spotting his tires when he spins the car.

This is beyond Olympia but would obviously have ramifications here. Representative Barney Frank (D-MA) has introduced a bill to Congress."

In principle, I am an anarchist. Kurt Vonnegut once said he was an agnostic who respects Jesus Christ. I am an anarchist who loves democracy." - Kenzaburo Oe

Daily Camera (CO): CU’s 4/20 pot smoke-out draws crowd of 10,000:

A crowd of about 10,000 people collectively began counting down on the University of Colorado’s Norlin Quadrangle just before 4:20 p.m. today.

Although it’s become an annual and renowned event at CU, this year’s 4/20 celebration was different in some ways than in many previous years: The crowd was so large it migrated from the long-traditional site of Farrand Field to the larger Norlin quad; festivities kicked off earlier than normal with daytime concerts; and CU police handed out zero citations.