The "esctasy" thread gave me an idea. Why not have a legalization topic on marijuana? Post your thoughts on the legalisation of marijuana/cannabis. Please, let's not get hateful here, just a friendly discussion . And PLEASE, DO NOT say "because it's addictive", because it's not true :snipe: . Also, moderators, if you feel this is crossing the boundry, go ahead and lock it. I mean no trouble by this thread, just a friendly discussion, as said above. :smt033
My view on drugs is simple. There are already enough dick heads these days without control for alcohol. Let's not produce more. Yakumo
My view on the legalisation of Marijuana. Well, to me it seems alcohol is a worse drug than marijuana when it is not used properly, and yet it is legal. Somking cigarttes is worse than smoking marijuana, and it is legal. Now, I am against the legalisation of Marijuana, but it still confuses me that we have two "drugs" worse than marijuana that are legal. I think the major issue with making marijuana legal, is that if people smoke it in public, it would have a worse effect than smoking cigarettes in public.
It'll never get legalised in not very liberal countries like the netherlands because it's psychoactive.Of course governments could earn good money through big taxes but you won't find dopeheads in the politics and the best thing you can get in laws will be medical marijuana like it's avaible in some US states. Yakumo you don't get a dickhead through marijuana you calm down and relax. In germany you won't get into any trouble with small amounts up to 5g and if you ain't dumb and got some money you can grow it yourself indoor without anybody noticing it.As long as I don't get into prison for years for owning small amounts I don't care about legalisation here.
I'm a bit torn on legalisation... indeed, when used in a sensible manner, marijuana isnt harmful and can be very relaxing :smt033 However, here in Holland there's loads of, mostly underage, people who get into smoking it and then it takes over their life, they drop out of school and dont do anything else basically... I've seen it happen to a lot of my friends. Due to the semi-legalisation here, the stuff is everywhere, and if you're underage it's pretty simple to get regardless. But on the other hand, if it is not legalized but widely used, the marijuana trade can grow closer ties with crime and harddrugs (something that fortunately hasnt occurred widely in Holland). And then there is the ever-ongoing debate about marijuana's mental ill effects....
indeed , i saw alot of people trying it , smoking it , adopt it and leave their lifes to it. sometimes it go to suicide at the end, the leave everything first ,they don't go to school , they don't have jobs that they love , they leave their jobs, they smoke , they have not enough money to paid it anymore , they return in the real world and see everything like they really are, and they do the last thing they do. sometimes its worst. sure, its not like this all the times but one story like that is too much....
I'm originally from Newport (yes the same 'port as GLC). Newport has (or at least had) one of the highest teen suicide and drugs problems in Europe. Funnily enough, they were more often than not related. I have seen friends doing drugs, I have done drugs, I have had many a friend die from drugs and related problems to do with drugs. While a lot of people will swear that ganja/weed/whatever isnt addictive, truth is, it is. Psychological addiction can be just as hard, if not a harder thing to shake. Weed is less harmfull than cigs? bollocks, weed contains tar naturally, so mixing that with tobacco, and smoking it without a filter is gonna increase your intake of all that shit. If you expose your body to a substance for long enough (doesn't have to be a "drug" either), your body will develop a tolerance to it. This results in you needing/wanting more of the item for your body to feel "normal". Millions of people out there in the world are addicted to paracetamol, cough medicine, sugar (yes sugar!) and all sorts of legal subsances. So saying a psychotropic drug like weed isn't addictive is just sticking your head in the sand. In small doses it does relax you, great i'm all for a bit of relaxation! but in larger... or more prolonged use, it can cause personality disorders. Anxiety, depression and paranoia are all common side affects of weed abuse. While the "gram a week" smoker may not suffer any of these, that doesn't mean they aren't a real problem. The medical opinion on it is divided, some will swear blind it's the best thing since sliced bread. Others will say it should be banned forever, because they have had first hand experience of the problems many choose to ignore. The reason alcohol and tobacco is legal, is because: 1) the governments make so much money from it 2) the public would find a way around it (see: prohibition) 3) it is institutionalised, its part of our culture and heritage There are other reasons of course, but I have typed enough for this post. Oh yes, in case you didn't realise, im against legalization. I am more than willing to talk frankly about the reality of real drug abuse, should anyone wish to know.
re Thanks for your opinions, guys :smt023 . I personally believe it should be legalized, but with certain restrictions (of course). I have seen people turn into complete potheads, and most of the people I know who smoke don't have any ambition (myself, I want to become a game programmer [childish, I know]). I also agree with your post, Tachikoma, about the psychological addiction (even though I previously disagreed with this). I've noticed that many people have a hard time quitting marijuana. I didn't, but I can usually quit doing anything if I want and don't have much of a problem with it. At any rate, I appreciate your input :smt023 .
Re: re Why is it childish, I want to be a game programmer as well. :smt017 Anyway, I think the main reason Alcohol is not illegal is because it is not meant to be a drug, but too much of it results in side affects (you get drunk). Tobacco is not illegal because, like Tachikoma said, the government makes too much money off of it... it's sad really. Once again, I am totally against the legalisation of weed, and even if it was legal, it would need a lot of restrictions. Like no smoking in public.
Alchoal is not illegal due to the fact that it can also be used for wunes( did i spell that right?) and other things besides drinking, plus drinking can be controlled if the person is responsible enough. People who do weed do have a tough time quiting it, and i have some friends that are stoners themselves and its sad how they get addicted and such,and if weed was made for medisonal purposes, belive me, alot of people would abuse it( just look at people with handicap signs, though not sure if they exsist out side the U.S.). For my two cents im against it.
OT: If you aren't really into coding than game programming isn't better than coding other things in C++.Especially gaming engines are a tough thing to code.So if you aren't really into coding leave it alone,it won't be fun for you. If you're creative and able to develop skills in Maya / 3D Studio Max / ZBrush etc. you can do character design and similiar things. Build up a portfolio of your work and send out applications.The gaming industry mostly consists out of self educated people.People without experience aren't wanted so you got to show some gaming related projects so they can see that you could jump into work right now. Back to the drugs, they can only pull you down if you don't know what you want to do anyway.I know people who smoke daily and have really high qualified jobs and people who shoot heroin 2-3 times a year because they like it, but aren't addicted in any way.You and the people you hang out with are the biggest factor when you fuck your life up, don't blame it on the drugs.And if you've never taken any drugs you don't know anything beside second hand opinions which aren't the best to judge anything.
I know a primary school teacher who does lines of coke while marking kids work at home every night... how fucked up is that?
Well coke is a bad thing.Total ego drug and tricky addiction you shouldn't take that too often.Why doesn't he drink coffee like other teachers? ;-) Coke is normally a drug for people who want to earn the big money and need ego/creativity/less sleep.Popular in japan with salary men too.Japan is when it comes to other drugs pretty drug free.I wonder why a teacher with a more or less easy job takes it, it doesn't benefit him in any way.
re I love coding, I'm just not good with C++ (although I plan on taking a few courses with it). I mainly code on my calculator, but I have a copy of DarkBASIC which I use quite often. I don't support cocaine at all, nor heroin. The only "drug" I support is cannabis, although I've tried alcohol and cigarettes. I drink alchohol only if it tastes good, not to get drunk. I don't quite understand why people would enjoy getting a headache :smt017 . Cigarettes I don't understand either, but I figure that they have a warning on the package, so let people smoke them if they want *shrugs*.
Go for self education, download one of the best C++ books as eBook legally for free: http://www.mindview.net/Books/TICPP/ThinkingInCPP2e.html If you go for real game programming you mainly need C++ and some assembler knowledge doesn't hurt too.
