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Bedtime For Democracy
national |
rights, freedoms and repression |
opinion/analysis
Tuesday May 31, 2005 20:17 by b Duggan blameamerica at gmail dot com
Nobody Asked Us (with corrections) I was watching a news article on RTE 30th May 2005 about drunken street violence in Dublin. It rekindled a question that has always been in my mind, "what about an alternative to alcohol". It is clear that Irish citizens desire some kind of recreational substance, the most socially accebtable being alcohol. It puzzles me as to why the only substances which are legal in this country are those which cause the most damage, cigerettes and alcohol. Based on this is it not a fair assumption to say that these substances are legal not because they are good for us but because there is too much at stake to loose for revenue? |
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Jump To Comment: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7if people can grow their own.how are the government going to get any money off it?
I mean they can't tax you if you grow it yourself.
And if you grow it yourself, your not gonna give a donation to the government for your industry are ya?
the answers staring you in the face. vested interests... it's what makes this country what it is...
I feel that the deleterious effects of marijuana, both on people as individuals and on broader society should be highlighted. Marijuana, particularly the more potent strains, may trigger psychotic episodes and the painful descent into what is termed schizophrenia in those with an underlying vulnerability towards these states. As a former heavy cannabis user, I myself know of a number of people whose lives were adversely affected in this manner. Secondly, I feel the apathy and resignation that characterises many heavy marijuana users - the dopey, "fuck it, man" stupor - serves to hinder the attaining of what in more idealistic times was known as revolutionary class consciousness. Although I do not begrudge anyone a couple of joints and have no truck with being told which plants i can or can't cultivate by the state, I really thing the whole "legalise it" drive serves as little more than a distraction from far more pressing social and environmental issues.
I was treated like a career criminal, when I was a kid, i suppose that was that meant to put me off guards for the rest of my life. Works too.
i admit as well.
It's better to be off your face on marijuana than on alcoholic drinks, at least when your stoned you're too lazy to do anything. When you're drunk, that's when the violence and other problems begin.
"...It is clear that Irish citizens desire some kind of recreational substance."
Why?
And alcohol is not the cause of violence - it's the catalyst.
I think it doesnt matter wheter its good or bad for you. The point is that people should be given a "choice".
I am quite sure that there are more cases of mental illness related to alchohol abuse than related to grass.
By having to grow yourself and hide the fact you like a smoke or two its like an admission of guilt. You should not feel guilty.
Over in new zealand they have this stuff BZP which is a sort of speed or e substitute (depends on which mix you buy). It is legally available from any shop (although new laws are coming in to restrict sale to certain shops). There are the usual begrudgers who insist that it should be totally banned but its defenders claim that it would just lead people back to dirty speed and e and contact with the dodgy side. Fair point I think myself. It should be noted that a normal e over here can cost 30+ yo-yos whereas the "herbal high" (pure chemical) BZP will set you back 5 - 10. Many report coming down off the herbals to be much worse than coming down off the illegal stuff but at a fraction of the price, easily purchased and consistency of product, it seems that BZP works reasonably well here. Anyone know if it's legal in Ireland (it's banned in the US for sure, but only very recently). Might be a good opportunity for enterprising irish heads to do some service for the community - safe, cheap (not that that's much of a problem considering the price of yokes), away from dealers. Bring on the herbal highs.