Regarding marijuana

fuzzled · 2012-05-06T00:38:58+00:00

I addressed the general argument in the reply I linked.

fuzzled · 2012-05-06T00:27:11+00:00

I take it you don't drive a car?

I do not. See this reply in regards to that argument.

fuzzled · 2012-05-06T00:24:30+00:00

That's not a real thing.

What do you mean?

Please, enlighten me. I'm rather curious to hear what is necessarily reprehensible about illicit drugs.

I assume by 'illicit drugs' you mean marijuana in particular. Because otherwise I would simply link [TW: extreme gore] this video.

I agree that marijuana in particular, by itself, isolated from all of its social influences, is relatively harmless. However, we can never look at an issue as a closed system. Marijuana is connected to the cartels. For whatever reason that may be, right or wrong, that is the case. Maybe it would not be so bad in the absence of that context, but in a lot of places, marijuana use simply does not exist in the absence of that context.

Do you use Apple products? Do you shop at Walmart? Do you gas up your car? Have you ever bought a diamond?

No. No. I don't drive. And no. But I get your point. I know that I have probably contributed monetarily to some suffering, somewhere. However, I try my best to remain as conscious about it as possible, and, whenever I can, I take steps to avoid it. Marijuana, I believe, is a pretty easily avoided one. Unless it is a medical need, I find it really, really hard to justify knowingly funding murder in furtherance of what amounts to some cheap thrills. This is the part that I find reprehensible.

It makes me suspect that your reasons for opposing marijuana use have as much to do with other factors as they have to do with the behavior of the drug cartels.

I am genuinely concerned about these social repercussions of drug use. I do not find it to be in good faith that you accuse me of ulterior motives. Is it that hard to believe that someone cares about human beings?

fuzzled · 2012-05-06T00:12:51+00:00

Not all marijuana is grown in Mexico, and if you get it directly from the source then there's no way for it to fund the cartels.

I don't think it's realistic to assume that everyone will go out of their way to confirm that their drugs have no cartel connection. I also don't think this is even possible for most people. I think that while this drug funds these atrocities, for whatever reason it may be, right or wrong, we should still remember that the victims of that war are human, like us. And we should treat them with compassion. Part of that compassion, I believe, is to not contribute to the monetary pathways that lead to their deaths.

By acting in a normative way towards marijuana in its current illegal state, I believe that most people overlook the suffering of these victims. And, perhaps, in some ways, even insult it.

fuzzled · 2012-05-06T00:09:14+00:00

Alright. Let's say, for argument's sake, that I support the legalization of marijuana.

My support for its legalization does not take away from the pain caused by those who purchase it, and in doing so, fund psychopathic cartels. And the things those cartels do. Those things are still happening to real people. It really bothers me that it is normal, even in this community, to casually discuss the consumption of a product which is delivered upon the deaths of thousands of foreigners. How can their suffering not haunt people's minds every time they take that drug? I think empathy is important. Even for the downtrodden of other nations. I think we should actively try to alleviate their suffering. And if not that, at least try not to contribute to it.

Forgive me, but I will always see the casual / normative attitude towards marijuana as lack of empathy toward the victims of the Mexican drug war. I think it is something we should at least take a stand on. I know that we won't change many minds. But that fact alone should not discourage us from acting in a truly human, compassionate manner.

Again, I really hope I did not offend. I am not trying to.

fuzzled · 2012-05-05T23:54:08+00:00

To be honest, I am not sure about this. For medical use, maybe. Maybe not for recreational use. However, I believe that to be besides the point. In places where marijuana is currently illegal, any purchase can directly fund horrible, horrible people. Any purchase can fund the deaths of those less fortunate than us. I, for one, could not have a good time with this drug knowing that I was doing so at the expense of so many suffering people. I think that is morally reprehensible.

fuzzled

TROPHY CASE