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?

I'l get to the point. Imagine 100 people in a pub drinking pints and shots and running out for an occasional fag. Whats the result? Empty pockets, hangovers, embarresment, car accidents, violence, eventual liver and lung damage in a lot of cases.

I really strongly believe that if people where given a "choice" about what recreational drugs where available to them our society would heal a lot of its problems.

Marijuana, whats the big deal? Why wont our government consider it as an option? They might say something like "thats drug abuse" or "it leads to harder drugs". People are expected to drink responsibly so why cant they be trusted to use drugs responsibly?

Are the law makers afraid that people might actually enjoy themselves peacefully? Are they afraid that people will realise that, "hey wait, this makes me feel really good and I dont need to spend all my money in the pub".

Dublin is a very difficult place to go out or socialise unless you drink. For those adults that dont want to get pissed on weekends, and for those adults who dont enjoy being attacked by drunken people who are out of control and dont really know what they've done until a friend tells them the next day, where is the choice.

Why cant marijuana be taken seriously as a positive alternative to aclohol and cigerettes. The government could legislate it all they like, charge 21% tax on it, control it.

If marijuana was legalised in this country and be able to be sold by licensed premises who would seek out a drug dealer. Organised crime would have a very difficult time finding customers.
Customers who are put in a dangerous situation because they have no choice but seek out "drug dealers" because the government wont listen to the needs of the alternative.

I really do think its time to end the prohibition. Its unfair, its unjustified, and its unreasonable.

Let the government do the research into the health and safety of it and they will find there is nothing to be afraid of! How about a vote? Educate the nation truthfully about marijuana and then ask the people if they would like it! Dont just tell us what we can and cannot do without a reasonable explanation.

I truthfully with my heart and soul believe that this freedom would benefit our culture and society. It would passively and eventually dissolve the drink to excess culture in ireland, a much better solution than clamping down on peoples freedoms.

Sure, some people would abuse it and create problems in their lives but people to that with alcohol too and thats still legal. Although if a person did make the decision to abuse marijuana at least they wouldnt end up with liver and heart disease. At least they wouldnt go home and beat their spouses. At least they wouldnt pass out and choke to death on their own vomit.

Unfortunately I have no experience in politics. I dont know how to have the subject discussed by people who have the power and influence to be able to say " Yeh, ok, we'll check it out and give it a fair assessment".

What do you think?

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Comments (7 of 7)

ya wha?

by antonio

Tue May 31, 2005 20:22

if 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...

Although i agree that prohibition is unreasonable

by gareth

Tue May 31, 2005 20:40

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.

by victimised.

Tue May 31, 2005 21:03

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.

Marijuana Versus Booze

by Darragh Ó Bradáin

Wed Jun 01, 2005 01:30

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.

Really?

by Indymedia Watch

Wed Jun 01, 2005 07:53

indymedia.ie at gmail dot com

"...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.

Agreement

by myself

Wed Jun 01, 2005 22:36

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.

Other alternatives

by Steve

Wed Jun 01, 2005 23:37

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.

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Comments (7 of 7)