NationStates Jolt Archive

http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/page=UN_proposal1/match=legalization%20of%20marijuana

Legalization of Marijuana
A resolution to ban, legalize, or encourage recreational drugs.


Category: Recreational Drug Use
Decision: Legalize
Proposed by: Bagdadi Georgia

Description: The United Nations,

DEFINING marijuana as plant material of the cannabis genus, or any preparation of this material, such as hashish, which does not include chemicals currently illegal in member states;

NOTING that while no drug is entirely free from possible detrimental effects to physical or mental health, and that while all drugs have the potential for inducing dependence, the risks associated with marijuana are comparable to or lower than those of alcohol, tobacco and caffeine, and vastly lower than those of drugs such as heroin or cocaine;

BELIEVING that consenting adults should be able to make their own decisions regarding the use of marijuana;

BELIEVING ALSO that marijuana may be consumed moderately as one component of a full and active life, and may bring pleasure, stress relief and increased sensuality;

ENFORCES the following legislation:

1) The possession of up to 28.35g (1oz) of marijuana, and up to 10 cannabis plants by one adult is legalized, as is buying, selling or sharing this amount of marijuana among consenting adults. The age of adulthood is dependent on individual nations' laws, or taken as 18 if undefined.

2) Private cafes and shops may apply for government licenses to sell marijuana. Businesses with this license may store up to 1 kilo of marijuana and sell up to 28.35g of marijuana to one adult in one day. These licenses will be revoked in the event of sale to minors, or serious disorder.

3) The consumption of marijuana in private homes is legalized. Rules on consumption outside private homes remain dependent on the policies of individual establishments, member nations' policies on smoking in public areas, and so on.

The following actions remain illegal:

1) The sale or gift of marijuana to minors.

2) Driving while under the influence of marijuana, or acting otherwise in a manner which is likely to endanger the general public.

3) Possession of more than 28.35g of marijuana or more than 10 cannabis plants by one adult, or more than 1 kilo of marijuana by a permitted business, or the sale of more than 28.35g of marijuana to one adult.

4) Importing or exporting marijuana to or from non-UN nations in which marijuana is illegal, or where prohibited by Customs.

Support would be appreciated!

Permanent link again:

http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/page=UN_proposal1/match=legalization%20of%20marijuana

No way. Our citizens are free to possess as much cannabis as they like, and the same goes for suppliers, who are also free to supply to minors above the age of 16 - we will not see these freedoms curtailed by UN resolutions.

Besides, it would look absurd if we were forced to regulate cannabis like this, when the amount of cocaine and other drugs adult citizens were allowed to possess remained unlimited.

EDIT: additionally, the illegalisation of "acting otherwise in a manner which is likely to endanger the general public" means that your proposal is in fact illegalising all kinds of things which are nothing to do with drugs, simply because they slightly reduce the safety of other members of public. If your proposal passed, we would technically be forced to kill anyone who contracted any infectious disease, because allowing them to live runs the risk that they could infect others and so, for them, merely existing constitutes "acting in a manner which is likely to endanger the general public".

A question for the respected proposer.... Was this proposal ever placed in the NSUN forum as a draft? If it was, we apologize for not having commented then.

We support the legalization of marijuana, but we have serious reservations about the section beginning "The following actions remain illegal". If they "remain" illegal, what made them illegal in the first place? If the intent is that nations could continue to make these actions illegal, then that's what should be said. As it is, it at least appears that this is criminalization by the UN. We further believe that the issue of the amount of marijuana which it is legal to possess in excess of 1 oz. should be left to the discretion of the nations.

We also agree with the distinguished delegate from _Myopia_ that the unfortunately worded item 2 in that section could well be read as having effects far beyond the scope of this proposal.

We believe the first parts of the proposal (before "The following actions remain illegal") are well-crafted and appropriate. Unfortunately, we can not support the proposal with that last section in place.

Patrick T. Olembe
Minister for Foreign Affairs

That would only apply if the citizens were stoned while doing those actions, like it says earlier in the sentence. Also, it says earlier still 'remain illegal', so it won't make anything illegal which isn't already.

And yes, I agree it would look a bit odd to have cannabis regulated but be able to stash a garage full of smack and crack out the back. Completely unregulated trade in all drugs is a bit more liberal than I'm proposing - I've factored into account that I'll probably lose support from others who hold your position. Maybe if this fails someone could try a 'legalise all drugs' proposal. It would be interesting to see what kind of support it got.

The proposal is its own draft. If it's not good enough to pass, I'll take into consideration what people are saying here and through telegrams, which have been pretty helpful, rewrite it, and re-submit it. I get more comments quicker actually posting the thing as a proposal than I think I ever would just off this board.

I did consider a paragraph saying something like 'the resolution will not over-ride individual nations' cannabis legisation laws', but the problem I had with it is that I considered it too easy to get around - for example, states could pass something called a 'cannabis legalisation bill' which for example actually only allowed anyone to possess 0.01mg of cannabis, making it de facto criminal, but circumventing the resolution. There's probably a way to get round it with a lot of verbose verbiage, but that's something that I try and avoid. I want proposals that can be easily understood.

In terms of the 1 oz thing, I've been telegrammed to say that it's both too high and too low. The amount you're allowed is, for example, significantly higher than it is in the Netherlands, but lower than others think it should be. There's no position which satisfies everyone, it's necessarily a compromise, but I hope it will satisfy many, if not all.

Why not change "The following actions remain illegal:" to "Nations remain free to illegalise the following actions:"

And change "2) Driving while under the influence of marijuana, or acting otherwise in a manner which is likely to endanger the general public." to "2) Partaking, when under the influence of marijuana, in activities such as driving, in which being under the influence significantly impairs the individual's ability to perform the activity without endangering the general public."

I very much support the notion that marijuana should be legalized. I would even go fruther and say that all drugs be legalized, not just marijuana. There is no reason for governmnets to curtail the right of a free person to do to their body what they wish. That said, I must oppose this resolution as a UN issue. The UN was instituted to be a world governing body on issues that have a substantial world wide impact. Its goal is to ensure world peace and stability. As such, such a legalization proposal is outside of its aim. The UN has no right to control a nation's domestic affairs that do not impact other nations in any way. This is not an international matter, rather a singular issue that is best decided on a nation to nation basis.

Can we maybe be a bit more sensible about this? Drugs are a major cause of crime. (not here in Infidels and Punks obviously, because we don't have any) Why do you want to legalize them when they ruin peoples' lives?

1. Drugs cause crime? How?
2. GOOD GOD. LET'S BAN EVERYTHING THAT CAUSES CRIME.
3. So, if it can proven that there are people whose lives haven't been ruined, but rather enhanced by their drugs use, you'd support legalisation?

Can we maybe be a bit more sensible about this? Drugs are a major cause of crime. (not here in Infidels and Punks obviously, because we don't have any) Why do you want to legalize them when they ruin peoples' lives?

Drugs drive crime because they are forced out of the hands of legitimate organisations and thus into the hands of criminals. You don't (in most countries) see cigarette and beer producing companies competing for turf in gun battles - likewise, where drugs have been legalised and are supplied by legitimate, regulated organisations, the profits don't fund organised crime or terrorism, and the suppliers are by and large law-abiding.

As to your argument about ruined lives - a great many people are able to use drugs responsibly, in the same way that millions of people consume alcohol regularly but aren't alcoholics. Why should they lose out? Additionally, even where they do ruin lives, it is only by the choice of the person whose life it is. Somebody might prefer to live fast and die young, or at least balance a slight risk to their health against occasional enjoyment of drugs - who are you to say this is the wrong choice to make?

No. What about nations with command economies? The private business has no bearing.

In my nation while it is not illegal to have marijuana in your possession, it is illegal to be under its influence or to bring it into the country. As we own every method of entering the coubtry, there are no drugs here.

Also, crime would come about in its formative years as an industry.

No. What about nations with command economies? The private business has no bearing.

Point. This is part of the reason I don't feel resolutions should be so detailed in these cases. I'd like to fit legal drugs around the systems that each nation already has.

In my nation while it is not illegal to have marijuana in your possession, it is illegal to be under its influence or to bring it into the country. As we own every method of entering the coubtry, there are no drugs here.

To claim that your border security is so perfect that nobody can smuggle anything in is bordering on godmodding as far as I'm concerned.

Also, crime would come about in its formative years as an industry.

Why?

Thanks for the suggestions, and good to see a debate going. I'll take the suggestions and proposed alterations here, and those given to me via telegram, into account when I'm drafting an improved version of the above, which is hopefully a bit more concise and precise (should the present one not hit 130+). Though keep suggesting, it all helps. :)

It would seem odd - to me, at least - were the UN to sanction the legalisation of marijuana while offering no judgement on the legal status of, for example, alcohol.

Ecopoeia opposes this proposal, for reasons already stated by the delegates from _Myopia_ and Ausserland.

Mathieu Vergniaud
Deputy Speaker to the UN

With nearly complete control over our borders and public houses constantly changing hands, any permanent drug use or cultivation would be easily found. I meant to say almost as the Nomaadian community is a drug and alcohol heavy area, so much so that "going Nomaadian" is equivalent to getting wasted.

Draft for second pass, altered sections in bold. Let me know if this is sufficient to iron out any problems, or if you believe further changes are needed. (I'm pretty sure it won't pass first go - the TG campaign and endorsements aren't big enough).

The United Nations,

DEFINING marijuana as plant material of the cannabis genus, or any preparation of this material, such as hashish, which does not include chemicals currently illegal in member states;

NOTING that while no drug is entirely free from possible detrimental effects to physical or mental health, and that while all drugs have the potential for inducing dependence, the risks associated with marijuana are comparable to or lower than those of alcohol, tobacco and caffeine, which are justly legal in the majority of UN member states, and vastly lower than those of drugs such as heroin or cocaine, which remain illegal in the majority of UN member states;

BELIEVING that consenting adults should be able to make their own decisions regarding the use of marijuana;

BELIEVING ALSO that marijuana may be consumed moderately as one component of a full and active life, and may bring pleasure, stress relief and increased sensuality;

ENFORCES the following legislation:

1) The possession of up to 28.35g (1oz) of marijuana, and up to 10 cannabis plants by one adult is legalized, as is buying, selling or sharing this amount of marijuana among consenting adults. The age of adulthood is dependent on individual nations' laws, or taken as 18 if undefined.

2) Private cafes and shops may apply for government licenses to sell marijuana. Businesses with this license may store up to 1 kilo of marijuana and sell up to 28.35g of marijuana to one adult in one day. These licenses will be revoked in the event of sale to minors, or serious disorder.

3) The consumption of marijuana in private homes is legalized. Rules on consumption outside private homes remain dependent on the policies of individual establishments, member nations' policies on smoking in public areas, and so on.

Nations will be free to criminalise the following actions, should they so wish:

1) The sale or gift of marijuana to minors.

2) Partaking, when under the influence of marijuana, in activities such as driving, in which being under the influence significantly impairs the individual's ability to perform the activity without endangering the general public.

3) Possession of more than 28.35g of marijuana or more than 10 cannabis plants by one adult, or more than 1 kilo of marijuana by a permitted business, or the sale of more than 28.35g of marijuana to one adult.

The importing or exporting of marijuana to or from non-UN nations in which marijuana is illegal, or where prohibited by Customs, remains illegal.

Ecopoeia itself has no problem with the proposal as stands from a domestic perspective, but our enthusiasm for legislation in this area is minimal.

I am all for this proposal! To heck with the medisimal peruses! I wan't it leagal!

OK. The original got about 60% of the way there in terms of endorsements, on quite a small TGing campaign. I'll submit the text below, or something very like it, most likely tomorrow afternoon (UK time) and try and do a bigger amount of telegramming. In the meantime, are there any last minute alterations which you think will improve it?

3) Possession of more than 28.35g of marijuana or more than 10 cannabis plants by one adult, or more than 1 kilo of marijuana by a permitted business, or the sale of more than 28.35g of marijuana to one adult.

Need to add "in one day"

There should be no set limit on how much you can be in possession of at any given time or a limit on how old you must be to be in possession of that amount.

There should be no set limit on how much you can be in possession of at any given time or a limit on how old you must be to be in possession of that amount.
There isn't. The proposal reads, "Nations will be free to criminalise the following actions, [B]should they so wish:[B]". The proposal does not force making such actions illegal, but gives the government authority to do so if it wishes. The proposal is directed at the more controlling governments who consider any possession or consumption of marijuana illegal. If marijuana is already legal in your country, then the proposal really doesn't affect you.

The proposal looks reasonable as far as I'm concerned, the problem is that there is such a wide range of member-states in the UN, all with varying types of drug laws. It would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to pass a comprehensive drug use resolution. Since marijuana legalization seems to be the accepted middle-ground of drug use debates, a resolution banning or legalizing it would be a precedent for future drug use resolutions. I believe the resolution will be contested by both extremes, those who want a full banning of all drugs, and those who want to legalize all drugs. Being more of the middle-ground myself, I would vote FOR the resolution if it came to vote. Good luck.
- Fishyguy

Congratulations.
This Proposal is the best written proposal i have encountered for the legalisation of any drug. That said however I cannot support it as I am Against removing the restrictions imposed.

I believe the resolution will be contested by both extremes, those who want a full banning of all drugs, and those who want to legalize all drugs. Being more of the middle-ground myself, I would vote FOR the resolution if it came to vote. Good luck.

That's something I'm worried about, to a certain extent. I'm expecting quite a substantial reactionary vote against, from what you might call the DARE community, but I hope that with the changes that have been made nations that are in favour of full legalisation will at the least now abstain, since there's nothing in it which stops them from having a completely deregulated industry in weed, or any drug, and hopefully more than a few will vote for, maybe seeing the resolution as a positive stepping stone towards full legalisation.

There is a good chance that should this, eventually, end up as a resolution, it will cause a spike in new proposals regarding drugs. I can forsee proposals calling for complete legalisation, legalisation of naturally occurring drugs or hallucinogenics, or else calling for the banning of heroin and crack, etc. It will be good to open the area up to a greater debate. There haven't been a shortage of marijuana legalisation proposals in the past, but most of them look like they've been composed shortly after the proposer put the bong away.

Resubmitted:

http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/page=UN_proposal1/match=legalization%20of%20marijuana

With thanks to contributors, especially Myopia.

Entire, final text:

Legalization of Marijuana
A resolution to ban, legalize, or encourage recreational drugs.


Category: Recreational Drug Use
Decision: Legalize
Proposed by: Bagdadi Georgia

Description: The United Nations,

DEFINING marijuana as plant material of the cannabis genus, or any preparation of this material, such as hashish, which does not include chemicals currently illegal in member states;

NOTING that while no drug is entirely free from possible detrimental effects to physical or mental health, and that while all drugs have the potential for inducing dependence, the risks associated with marijuana are comparable to or lower than those of alcohol, tobacco and caffeine, which are justly legal in the majority of UN member states, and vastly lower than those of drugs such as heroin or cocaine, which remain illegal in the majority of UN member states;

BELIEVING that consenting adults should be able to make their own decisions regarding the use of marijuana;

BELIEVING ALSO that marijuana may be consumed moderately as one component of a full and active life, and may bring pleasure, stress relief and increased sensuality;

ENFORCES the following legislation:

1) The possession of up to 28.35g (1oz) of marijuana, and up to 10 cannabis plants by one adult is legalized, as is buying, selling or sharing this amount of marijuana among consenting adults, for which the age of adulthood is defined by existing member states' laws, or taken as 18 years if undefined.

2) Private cafes and shops may apply for government licenses to sell marijuana. Businesses with this license may store up to 1 kilo of marijuana and sell up to 28.35g of marijuana to one adult in one day. These licenses will be revoked in the event of sale to minors, or serious disorder.

3) The consumption of marijuana in private homes is legalized. Rules on consumption outside private homes remain dependent on the policies of individual establishments, member nations' policies on smoking in public areas, and so on.

Nations will be free to criminalise the following actions, should they so wish:

1) The sale or gift of marijuana to minors.

2) Partaking, when under the influence of marijuana, in activities such as driving, in which being under the influence significantly impairs the individual's ability to perform the activity without endangering the general public.

3) Possession of more than 28.35g of marijuana or more than 10 cannabis plants by one adult, or more than 1 kilo of marijuana by a permitted business, or the sale of more than 28.35g of marijuana to one adult in one day.

The importing or exporting of marijuana to or from non-UN nations in which marijuana is illegal, or where prohibited by Customs, remains illegal.

Approvals: 15 (Darth Mall, Tajiri_san, Arendias, Nova Varsovia, Newtron, Jjuulliiaann, Calisan, Sipledome, Jacordia, Kiesland, Southwest Asia, Drunk Lazy Buggers, The Great Bud, Gaiah, Troddenism)

Status: Lacking Support (requires 115 more approvals)

Voting Ends: Mon Sep 5 2005

http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/page=UN_proposal1/match=legalization%20of%20marijuana

72 of 131. Not bad going, but not in the home straight yet. :p