Cannabis should not be decriminalised - AIBU?

[Alwaysoneoddsock]

I hate the smell of cannabis. It’s becoming the norm to smell it. I think decriminalising this drug will make it more prolific.
It is a gateway drug.
It does not help mental health (in fact it worsens it).
People driving under the influence of cannabis is a real issue.
AIBU to say it should not be decriminalised?

Can you point me to this evidence please?

I'm not sure it would make a difference. I must admit I'm sick to death of smelling it when I have my windows open because of my stoner neighbours. But no one cares, so 🤷🏼‍♀️

I was able to very easily source some to try for pain relief as a disabled person. Unfortunately it didn't work for me, but for those disabled people it does help, it's invaluable. It's also extremely expensive when medically sourced.

I'd rather hang out with a bunch of stoners than a bunch of pissheads 🤷‍♀️

https://www.businessinsider.com/albuquerque-new-mexico-basic-income-marijuana-tax-2025-5

You seem to have a huge amount of info...

It's a gateway drug
It wont generate revenue

Where's your sources for this?

Or https://www.mpp.org/issues/legalization/cannabis-tax-revenue-states-regulate-cannabis-adult-use/ if you want the numbers

I thought the gateway drug thing had been debunked. Like beer doesn't lead you onto absynthe.

I'm with the legalise it, tax it and manage the strengths of strains sold. I've not smoked cigarettes or joints for years but would love some legal edibles instead of my weekend wine habit. I think it's better than alcohol tbh.

It could be argued to be gateway drug but that is only because it's the "tamest" illegal drug and should certain people want to be more out of it, they will choose to go up the drug rungs anyway. Nitrous gas canisters and alcohol can be argued to be a gateway drug too.

Legalise it, heavily tax it, and have strict rules with it about where it can be smoked due to the awful pungent smell, not to mention very strict rules about driving under the influence too!

I don't like it either but it's hard to argue for criminalising cannabis and not alcohol when they have comparable ill-effects on health and civility.

Yip legalise and tax

$6.17 billion revenue in California since 2018. Where's your evidence to suggest it won't generate a huge tax revenue?
Suggest you do a little more research instead of parroting stereotypical myths.

No, but most drug addicts started on it.

But lots of things are only available on prescription. It doesn’t mean they should all be freely available

Absolutely is a gateway drug and totally fucks with your mind over the longer term ime.

I know several people who have been users for many years (2 x cousins, a bloke in work, 2 x friends). Without exception their MH is all totally fucked and/or they've dabbled in harder drugs over the years.

I never understand the mentality of just being OK with drug use. How many people just have zero shame about it, especially on here, almost like it's something to be proud of. Oh I used to smoke joints all the time, woo, go me 😳. Totally mortifying and just sad tbph.

I listened to Lord Faulkner, who wrote the "independent" report for Kahn, on the radio this morning. His main point was that cannabis being illegal disproportionately affects the black community and is by far the biggest reason for stop and search i.e. "We smelled cannabis". Stop and search is unpopular to say the least.

Not sure why Kahn is spending Londoners taxes on this though. The law has nothing to do with him.

I assume everyone who disagrees with the decriminalisation of cannabis also thinks alcohol should be banned?

Because alcohol is a far, far more harmful drug than cannabis is.

It triggers & exacerbates psychotic illness in susceptible individuals. Tobacco & alcohol don't do that.

Imagine all the teenage vapers switching to cannabis & the ticking bomb of psychotic illness in years to come.

UhHuh. And 100% of people who die have tried Dihydrogen monoxide.

Alcohol kills. Cannabis doesn't

Serencwtch
It triggers & exacerbates psychotic illness in susceptible individuals. Tobacco & alcohol don't do that.

Now this is the first sensible argument I’ve heard on this thread, and there is certainly anecdotal evidence for that. However, it has been legal in many countries for years now so I would expect to see some evidence of increased psychosis in countries that have legalised cannabis. Is there any?

I'll hazard a guess that's wrong and that most drug addicts started with alcohol.

It'd be weird if a tee totaller went straight for cannabis to give them their first 'buzz'.

I'm on the fence.

I've seen the damage it does, especially to the developing minds of young men and how it can cause mental illness, psychosis etc.

Plus, it really does smell awful, like really REALLY nasty.

But, legalising it may help slow down and start to dismantle the county lines gangs and save countless children from exploitation. But it's not going to solve that entirely as there will still be people who will buy from dealers.

If they could make a version legally, that doesn't smell, with the THC levels controlled then that would be acceptable.

It's very helpful infact for mental health and adhd. It enables me to check in with my emotions.

It triggers & exacerbates psychotic illness in susceptible individuals. Tobacco & alcohol don't do that.

Alcohol absolutely can.