Get rid of prohibition, get rid of the problem. How many welfare people distill liquor as an untaxable career, while having the taxpayers cover their living expenses. (Because only people on welfare take advantage of flawed laws in our country)
that is the same old tired tactic used by marijuana users, but it is actually hurting them more than it is helping them..
I think part of the problem is that many on here are dealing with hypothetical, while a few like me are dealing with real problems that have came about because of limited decriminalization, for medicinal purposes...
I will try to throw out a couple pointers, from an objective standpoint. If someone does not agree with something, that is your own prerogative, but do not categorically dismiss what I say about the decriminalization issue.
the single most prominent problem with legalization is the image of marijuana users. It is a commonly accepted statistic that 33% of Americans either use marijuana or have in the past. Now let's not try to argue that number because this is the number that NORMAL uses for it's own statistics. .. What should mean to smokers is that they are the minority. If 33% of the population smoke, that means 66% of the voting population does not smoke. The minority must cater to the majority if they wish to get what they want. Just denying dangers that non smokers feel are relevant is an example of this. If non smokers feel there is a danger and it is a concern. it behooves smokers to address this in a mature and scientific fashion. Just saying "that is ridiculous...Pot is harmless" does not get you the votes necessary to decriminalize marijuana. It just stops productive discussion and compromise. Also smokers have to realize that they cannot insult non smokers into voting in their favor. Calling a non smoker an idiot insures that you have you will have opposition when they step into a voting booth.
The best thing smokers could do would be to embrace the dangers, and work towards treatment options. Make it like alcohol and cigarettes instead of a stigma.
Stop trying to use the scare tactic of mexican cartel violence. That is the worst argument you could make. In the 15 years since CA legalized marijuana for medicinal use, cartel violence has increased exponentially. There is a ready supply of marijuana in CA, so the cartels compete more for a smaller market, and focus more on weapons and harder drugs. This argument may sound good when you are not really informed about the situation, but it backfires if you talk to someone who is. More marijuana has meant more violence and more crime. Avoid that topic like it will make your willie fall off
Stop trying to stereotype smokers. if you try to say that smokers do not beat their wives, you have set a precedent for stereotyping. Once that is set, it can be used against you. If you say a stoned person acts in a given way, you imply that all stoned people act in the same fashion. It only takes one criminal to reset that stereotype. Right now the image of the typical pot grower in Northern CA is a tatooed nitwit on welfare. Voters are not going to cast votes to further enable this behavior. The image has to change, and only smokers can do that. Telling the voting majority that what they see is really not how things are, will not change their minds. Smokers have to show non smokers that they can clean up this image, and that smokers are responsible enough to police their own, and be productive. ...By this I do not mean that you should point out that you know someone or multiple someones who are productive. By saying that, you admit that they are the minority, by the fact that you feel compelled to single them out. The image MUST CHANGE all the way across the board
also the non smokers will not vote in favor of that which does not benefit them. Do not hide behind the delusion that they will legalize it, and you will turn your spare room into a grow room, and you will be stoned as much as you want. No one wants a drunk in their neighborhood, and we do not want a stoner either. Realize that non smokers will have a standard they feel is acceptable for use. If you want that to change, you will have to compromise. No one wants to smell a pot farm next door. Understand that congested areas are not best for cultivation. Realize that in order for legalization there will have to be regulation and taxation. Step in and help with that. Come to the table with ideas for treatment plans. It will be abused, so make provisions for that
Lastly...realize that the non smokers DO NOT need you to impose their will. You are NOT in a position to make demands or to throw out insults. You are asking for a privilege act accordingly. When you lose one, act responsible. Do not be like the kid who gets a candy bar taken away for throwing a tamper tantrum, then thinks throwing more of a temper tantrum will help