NationStates

Why is the Prime Minister anti-sugar but pro-cannabis?

The Sarian wrote:Why is the Prime Minister anti-sugar but pro-cannabis?

"After thinking a bit, there are a few issues with this bill. There needs to be proper regulations and protections, especially to protect children. This bill in current form is a bit too...open-ended.

I support the reasonable harm-reduction approach of legalization, regulation, and taxation of cannabis. I also support the regulation and taxation of sugary drinks. The government's public health policy should be about harm reduction and better health outcomes.

I don't condone cannabis use, but I don't think banning it is the right way to fulfill the ultimate goal of harm reduction. We know that cannabis is less dangerous than alcohol and tobacco, and there have been interesting results in overseas experiments. Also, in a region like ours, taking the drug away from the cartels makes sense."

Atlanticatia wrote:"Also, in a region like ours, taking the drug away from the cartels makes sense."

"Except that it would not be taking the drug away from the cartels," Campos said. "Because Calaverde, and Central America as a whole, is not the primary market for cocaine coming from Peru and Bolivia. We are merely a transit nation and I believe that this bill does absolutely nothing to address the nature of the drug industry in Calaverde."

Costa Fierro wrote:

Atlanticatia wrote:"Also, in a region like ours, taking the drug away from the cartels makes sense."

"Except that it would not be taking the drug away from the cartels," Campos said. "Because Calaverde, and Central America as a whole, is not the primary market for cocaine coming from Peru and Bolivia. We are merely a transit nation and I believe that this bill does absolutely nothing to address the nature of the drug industry in Calaverde."

"I think this bill needs to go back to the drawing board. We need a comprehensive drugs regulation bill."

"What gives us the right to regulate Cannabis? Just fully legalize it."

"I support this bill and perhaps even the drug dealers will join the legitimate economy with a licensed growing operation, overnight they could go from criminals for cultivating a harmless plant provided by mother Earth, to hero's that supply our hospitals with natural medicines derived from good old ganja. Lets take serious steps to have a more enlightened drug policy, this bill seems like a good start" - Victor Cederanu, senator for Crystal Springs Electorate

''What a horrible idea,'' Nicolás said.

"As long as we're taxing it to kingdom come, I have no problem. Although I am personally against the use of most recreational drugs, cannabis is fortunately among the less-damaging variants."

Davincia wrote:"As long as we're taxing it to kingdom come, I have no problem. Although I am personally against the use of most recreational drugs, cannabis is fortunately among the less-damaging variants."

"In the same way pistols are a less damaging variant of firearm" Matilde muttered, hoping it wasn't picked up by Boris Johnsons magic microphones.

The Sarian wrote:"In the same way pistols are a less damaging variant of firearm" Matilde muttered, hoping it wasn't picked up by Boris Johnsons magic microphones.

{OOC} I swear I had them removed. Turns out I forgot.

"The Sergeant-at-Arms shall remove all microphones from the Chamber after today's session."

"I motion we celebrate that order with a hip-hip-huzzah."

The Sarian wrote:"I motion we celebrate that order with a hip-hip-huzzah."

Seconded.

"Not mine though," quickly added Pierre after realising his mistake.

"While there are undoubtedly many flaws with this bill, it is better than having no regulation at all. I also challenge the Leader of the Opposition to set out how we could possible limit the use of cannabis even when it is illegal? Criminalising cannabis doesn't work, at least this way we can regulate and make it safer for all those involved."

Britanno 2 wrote:"While there are undoubtedly many flaws with this bill, it is better than having no regulation at all. I also challenge the Leader of the Opposition to set out how we could possible limit the use of cannabis even when it is illegal? Criminalising cannabis doesn't work, at least this way we can regulate and make it safer for all those involved."

"Sweden increased the war on drugs and has seen a great drop in the number of drug abuse cases."

The Sarian wrote:

Britanno 2 wrote:"While there are undoubtedly many flaws with this bill, it is better than having no regulation at all. I also challenge the Leader of the Opposition to set out how we could possible limit the use of cannabis even when it is illegal? Criminalising cannabis doesn't work, at least this way we can regulate and make it safer for all those involved."

"Sweden increased the war on drugs and has seen a great drop in the number of drug abuse cases."

"Sweden is a much smaller country with a population of roughly 10 million people. It can get cold up there so don't go there by the way. Personally, I don't have a problem with cannabis or any drug really. Cannabis has not killed anyone by my knowledge."

Zurkerx wrote:

The Sarian wrote:"Sweden increased the war on drugs and has seen a great drop in the number of drug abuse cases."

"Sweden is a much smaller country with a population of roughly 10 million people. It can get cold up there so don't go there by the way. Personally, I don't have a problem with cannabis or any drug really. Cannabis has not killed anyone by my knowledge."

"The difference between ten and twelve million people, population wise, is very little."

a year of rehabilitation for possession is just overkill, and sounds expensive. Fines, or even just points on a record seem sufficient.

The Sarian wrote:"Sweden increased the war on drugs and has seen a great drop in the number of drug abuse cases."

"And Portugal decriminalized all drugs, then saw a forty percent decrease in addiction. The US has only seen drug crimes increase as it continues its war on drugs. Colorado recently legalized cannabis, and its levels of violent crime have been dropping dramatically.

"I find it hard to believe, sir, you'd prefer to leave it as-is: Unregulated, and de facto legal. The argument against this natural plant is a shaky one: We have no more right to ban it than we do tobacco or coffee beans. More people die from each of those in a day than cannabis has ever killed."

Skeckoa wrote:a year of rehabilitation for possession is just overkill, and sounds expensive. Fines, or even just points on a record seem sufficient.

"I believe even this penalty may not be enough for some of our members of parliament. Regardless, I am most interested in keeping the use of this drug safe; if someone is driving while intoxicated, they should be taught that that is wrong and dangerous, and given help with their problem.

"Creating recidivists is for the uber-capitalist private-prison operators in America."

The Sarian wrote:

Britanno 2 wrote:"While there are undoubtedly many flaws with this bill, it is better than having no regulation at all. I also challenge the Leader of the Opposition to set out how we could possible limit the use of cannabis even when it is illegal? Criminalising cannabis doesn't work, at least this way we can regulate and make it safer for all those involved."

"Sweden increased the war on drugs and has seen a great drop in the number of drug abuse cases."

"Ey, someone here's never been to the Netherlands."

The Sarian wrote:

Zurkerx wrote:
"Sweden is a much smaller country with a population of roughly 10 million people. It can get cold up there so don't go there by the way. Personally, I don't have a problem with cannabis or any drug really. Cannabis has not killed anyone by my knowledge."

"The difference between ten and twelve million people, population wise, is very little."

"True, it is little difference. However, as other colleagues here have pointed out, the cartels do go through this nation; carrying with them drugs and such. While I may not agree with every single provision of the bill, regulating Cannabis is a start. It should be legal, and it will become legal."

Zurkerx wrote:"True, it is little difference. However, as other colleagues here have pointed out, the cartels do go through this nation; carrying with them drugs and such. While I may not agree with every single provision of the bill, regulating Cannabis is a start. It should be legal, and it will become legal."

"Exactly, my friend. The intricacies can be worked out another day, in another bill. This act is enough to provide a baseline effort to begin medical usage and safe, legal cultivation of the cannabis plant. I refuse to stand idly by while criminal kingpins sit around and profit off of one man's wish to burn and inhale a natural product."

The Sarian wrote:Why is the Prime Minister anti-sugar but pro-cannabis?

"Why is the President anti-cannabis but pro-tobacco?"

Prussia-Steinbach wrote:

Zurkerx wrote:"True, it is little difference. However, as other colleagues here have pointed out, the cartels do go through this nation; carrying with them drugs and such. While I may not agree with every single provision of the bill, regulating Cannabis is a start. It should be legal, and it will become legal."

"Exactly, my friend. The intricacies can be worked out another day, in another bill. This act is enough to provide a baseline effort to begin medical usage and safe, legal cultivation of the cannabis plant. I refuse to stand idly by while criminal kingpins sit around and profit off of one man's wish to burn and inhale a natural product."

"Although I fully intend to support this bill, it wouldn't surprise me very much if these criminal kingpins simply convert their activities and instead become recognized businessmen. The 'wish' to burn and inhale cannabis will still be profited by either the government or the private sector."