Should Jeff Sessions prosecute marijuana/cannabis users, suppliers, and growers?

[robrecht]

Since we're being pedantic....



It's "attorneys general", and Obama only has one. (And only for a few more days )

He only has one at a time but he has had more than one over time. If you really want to be pedantic.

[Cow Poke]

He only has one at a time but he has had more than one over time. If you really want to be pedantic.

True dat. But I did say "he only has one", not "he's only had one". I guess there's a point were even pedanticalism can be pedantic.

[robrecht]

True dat. But I did say "he only has one", not "he's only had one". I guess there's a point were even pedanticalism can be pedantic.

But you were attempting to correct Starlight on that point when he was not wrong about Obama having had more than one attorney general.

[Cow Poke]

But you were attempting to correct Starlight on that point when he was not wrong about Obama having had more than one attorney general.

I was being pedantic for the sake of being pedantic. The fact is that it is "attorneys general", not "attorney generals".

[myth]

There's no good reason for marijuana to be illegal. And I'd rather deal with a pothead over a drunk or meth addict/crackhead any day. In my view, allowing people who want to get high the chance to legally purchase and consume marijuana isn't a bad thing, since practically every other drug they might chose is worse (both for society in general and for the individual user).

Also, I'd rather potheads be able to trace the provenance of their weed and buy locally. I'd rather the money spent stay local, and the government be able to tax the sale of marijuana, rather than the money going to Mexican drug cartels and fueling the violence that our southern neighbors experience (and that is increasingly bleeding across our borders).

[One Bad Pig]

Conservatives favor states' rights except when they are in control of the federal government.

This is incorrect. Conservatives who favor states' rights are pretty consistent about doing so.

[Starlight]

The fact is that it is "attorneys general", not "attorney generals".

I considered that but deliberately chose the latter spelling as I disapprove of the weirdness of the first, and since language is made correct by common usage, enough people changing their usage will change the language.

And as robrecht has kindly pointed out, Obama has had more than one such person over his time in office, hence the plural.

[Terraceth]

There's no good reason for marijuana to be illegal.

At least while cigarettes and alcohol are legal. Considering marijuana is less dangerous than either, it's tough to justify the less dangerous drug being illegal whereas the more dangerous ones are just fine and dandy. Considering the unlikelihood of criminalizing alcohol or tobacco, it seems more reasonable to legalize the less harmful one.

And as far as I can tell, the majority of potentially negative medical effects of marijuana are when they're used by younger people, so legalization seems entirely reasonable if an age requirement is set.

[Thoughtful Monk]

By this logic, all sorts of goofy laws that are still technically on the books should be enforced. In Alaska, do you think people should be charged with the crime of looking at a moose from an aircraft? (that is apparently actually against the law)

To be consistent, yes. This is why we need to think twice before passing a law and spend more time removing laws that are antiquated off the books. Every now and then I read about a case where the prosecutor dug up a forgotten law from 20, 30, or more years ago and applied it.

[Yttrium]

I think the federal law should be enforced. But I'm evil that way. Muhahaha!

On the other hand, I have no problem with repealing the law... except for the fact that I can't stand the smell of marijuana. That's a personal quirk, though.

[KingsGambit]

except for the fact that I can't stand the smell of marijuana. That's a personal quirk, though.

I can't either. I think it smells like extreme body odor, but worse.

[rogue06]

I think the federal law should be enforced. But I'm evil that way. Muhahaha!

On the other hand, I have no problem with repealing the law... except for the fact that I can't stand the smell of marijuana. That's a personal quirk, though.

Much like pipe tobacco it has radically different odors -- some rather pleasant others noticeably less so.

I can't either. I think it smells like extreme body odor, but worse.

Back when I indulged there was something that came on the scene called "skunk weed" with an incredibly pungent smell. I dropped by my mothers for some reason while having a joint in my coat pocket. I was sitting 6-7' away from my mother when she asked me to check to see if the dog had pooped in the house. That was how strong it smelled.

[robrecht]

This is incorrect. Conservatives who favor states' rights are pretty consistent about doing so.

Of course. I was being somewhat facetious. There are indeed many conservatives who consistently favor states' rights, but there are also those who are not so consistent and who may seize upon federal powers as a means to justify their ends. It was only the latter whom I was challenging. Sorry if my imprecision offended you.

[One Bad Pig]

Of course. I was being somewhat facetious. There are indeed many conservatives who consistently favor states' rights, but there are also those who are not so consistent and who may seize upon federal powers as a means to justify their ends. It was only the latter whom I was challenging. Sorry if my imprecision offended you.

I wasn't offended; I was merely offering a corrective to your broad brush. There are those of just about every ideological stripe who would be willing to use federal powers as a means to justify their ends.

[Bill the Cat]

To the full extent of said law.