Reefer Madness

by Seán Ryan Wed Jan 25, 2006 01:12

Having once been convicted of possessing enough for a small spliff, which was described in open court as a minute ammount, I happily did my civic duty and paid my ganja tax, in coins. This I think, is where McDowell may be coming from, not via coins though, I'm pretty sure he wouldn't support my action, most of those confronted with the bags of change, were not very impressed.

It's all well and good to fantasise that our herbal friend may be immoral, but money must be made from it nonetheless to continue the fantasy.

And sure who better, to foot the bill, than the victims?

The mind boggles at the thinking of the state.

Maybe McDowell just needs to chill out.

Sláinte,
Seán

by iosaf Wed Jan 25, 2006 12:45

It is one of the most hypocritical effects of prohibition that one of the main products of North African agriculture is kept on the black market. This serves to compound inequality as well as having an important social effect. As an example, Morocco a country where the majority of citizens are under 35 years of age, and where literacy stands at around 40% relies on the export of hashish for capital income to penetrate its less developed provinces. Good business and agriculture and true commercial sense are deemed "illegal" less than a few hours boat ride away. Where the heirarchy of rights and guarantees to the citizen are so different. We thus send the message to all producers of hashish that they are "criminal". I'd be much more concerned about the social and economic effects of "writing off" such a large section of a north african economic activity than the effects of being stopped and shopped by a Garda for smoking a spliff.
That has been long accepted now as a rite of passage. Without teenagers smoking illegal spliffs, the state lacks opportunities to teach an important lesson -
The Garda (& State) has the right to take your fingerprints, photograph you, scare you a bit for a crime without victim. For in buying the product you at least ensured some income went to the producers and through spin-off the producer's community. And almost always it is young males who are taught that lesson. Why?

The real criminals are those who organise "free trade" in such unfair ways.

by THC lover Wed Jan 25, 2006 14:26

And so the opening of trade and the sale of hashish to the public in the same way other recreational drugs are available would lead to:
a. Criminals would lose a lucrative source of income.
b. Some of that income would go, through taxation, to the State.
c. Producers would get a larger proportion of the sale price.
d. Gardai drug squad resources would not be diverted to tackling what has become untackleable and could instead concentrate on crack, heroin etc.

The sale of hashish should be legalised and regulated for the above reasons, but more importantly because it's supply and use at this point is unrestrictable.

by Seán Ryan Wed Jan 25, 2006 19:23

I agree with you Iosaf, completely in who you suggest to be the ultimate victims. My own contribution served only to illustrate the garbled thinking that our elected betters practice. I'm very aware that my fine did not pay for everything that befell me, our system can be described as "cheap," as long as one isn't describing what it costs.

I think the last question you raised is a very important one, and I think that to give a detailed opinion in this particular piece may be unfair to the author, in that a lot of the answer lies well outside the scope of a ganja debate.

I think the issue that you've raised, points to one of the primal systems that has caused what I consider to be the failure of society. I think you have raised the issue of indoctrination and de-personification. And possibly you introduce how this process helps to keep poor people in other countries poor. And this only begins to look at the question you've raised.

I'd like to swap views with you on this one, wanna write a piece (since you brought it up) or would you like me to (if it interests you that is)?

Sláinte
Seán

by iosaf Thu Jan 26, 2006 23:42

Rather than rewrite what I have written over the years either commercially or open source, either broadcast or print.
I hope you include the topice above, "getting done for spliff" and a local take on "joblessness". And include the driving license, bank account and baptism certificate.

You'll be writing a lot. Try and keep it together.

by Seán Ryan Fri Jan 27, 2006 00:04

I've a lot to say on the topic, as well as loads of other stuff. What you said struck a chord with me, and I decided to mess with the order in which I submitted my views.

I've started, with a three piece yarn on social welfare. I realise I repeat some of what you''ve said in the past, but I assure you this material is a few years old.

Anyway, it goes through a helluva lot of arguments in a very short time, and I think it begins to illustrate what you've brought up.

I'd appreciate your views, especially where you disagree.

Thanks,
Seán

by Charles B. Fri Jan 27, 2006 11:15

that my thread started something potentially fruitful. If only we could meet, and perhaps partake of da' erb, we could be rattling out treatsies on all manner of subjects. Viva la Rafalucion!!

by Lefty type Fri Jan 27, 2006 11:35

A few points for MickyMc:
It grows in the ground
You can't legislate nature
Haven't you heard the tale of King Canute?

What should be done:
Legalise (not decriminalise)
Regulate
Tax it
Put the taxes into a health fund, much in the same way that the plastic bag levy goes towards environmental projects.

Drug use should be treated as a health issue, not as a criminal one. Prohibition merely succeeds in making money for dodgy characters, whilst quality is compromised - sometimes with harmful effects. If people wanna get stoned, people are gonna get stoned so why ignore the issue by pushing it under the carpet? I mean MickyMc wants to promote a café style culture in Dublin where people go out and have a casual drink with food. Why not an Amsterdam style system where joints can be sold with food? (complementary goods anyway so it makes economic sense)

Take a walk around Temple Bar on a Saturday night. Note the people pissing in the street, vomiting, screaming & shouting, fighting. Not to mention cases of sexual assault/unwanted pregancy or road accidents etc etc. And where are all the stoners? Sitting at home watching re-runs of Winning Streak is where they are. And we're the criminals?!?

by iosaf Fri Jan 27, 2006 12:07

please note that there is no representation of this international body in Ireland. You could start by encouraging one.
http://www.encod.org
http://action.encod.org
headquarters at:-
Lange Lozanastraat 14,
2018 Antwerp
tel +32 3 237 7436
fax +32 3 237 0225
nearest english speaking representative in UK
andria3a[at]yahoo.co.uk