NationStates Jolt Archive

Hello,

I am representing The Free Land of Psychonauts. My nation resides in A Happy Hippie Haven. I'm not fully representing my region, though I have already brought up the questions to them.

I am curious as to if there are any legalization laws for marijuana & hemp. The plant is very resourceful, as hemp can be used to produce many products including paper, clothing, fuel, food, and so on. Marijuana, when smoked, produces a mild high that can be considered less lethal than alcohol and tobacco. Studies claim that marijuana smoke is not harmful to the body and is also less addictive. Others may disagree, but few actual studies can be produced to counter the beneficial claim. The use of medical marijuana also has become more recognized by doctors. Marijuana can be used in many ways if legalized leading to many more jobs as well as one less prohibited "drug" for police forces around the world to crack down on while more dangerous and lethal crimes are committed.

As a UN member, but a non-UN delegate, I am curious to hear responses of fellow UN members. Think about it, if marijuana is legalize on a global scale, as alcohol and tobacco are, more jobs can be produced, a new medical herb can be used to treat patients, and a more earth-friendly resource can be used to make products and fuel.

Thank you for your time,
St. Albert
The Free Land of Psyconauts

Well, with regards to marijuana there's the UN Drug Act (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=12131355&postcount=192) which gives nations total control over their drug laws.

As for hemp, we had Support Hemp Production (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=8012679&postcount=86) but it doesn't count since it was repealed (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=11762090&postcount=178).

Bob Flibble
UN Representative

Legalising a drug for recreational use would have to include a prior repeal of Resolution #191. Medical use...not sure. Using hemp as an industrial resource, though, would be doable; but Support Hemp Production was such an abysmal clusterfuck of a resolution, I'd be interested in how you'd approach it.
Think about it, if marijuana is legalize on a global scale, as alcohol and tobacco are
This assumption is flawed. There are nations that prohibit alcohol or tobacco.

-- George Madison
UN Ambassador

This assumption is flawed. There are nations that prohibit alcohol or tobacco.

*Dr. Bob waves as an example.*

"Meth, hemp, marijuana, and all other recreational drugs are legal. Alcohol and tobacco are strictly prohibited, not even for medical use.

I would be interested to see how would you protect the use of hemp and marijuna for medical use, and if it is a good enough draft, I'll consider supporting it."
---Dr. Bob

I find it quite interesting how you support methylamphetamine, as it is a dangerous drug in my opinion. It has also been scientifically proven that it is a highly addictive substance as well as hazardous to one's health....

But on topic, I can provide many studies that would encourage the use of marijuana as a medical pain-reliever. I was unaware that hemp production was at one time supported by the UN, and am deeply saddened by the repeal. Most of the reasons for the repeal are incorrect as well. As many of you may know, California is currently administering medical marijuana, even at vending machines and registered buildings. The process is very secure, as they have yet to decide if they want to fully legalize the "drug," although steps are currently being taken to make it legalized within that state.

I'd be more than happy to research even more to get this proposal on it's feet. I definitely would like to legalize medicinal marijuana as it would benefit patients all around the world for pain relief. Hemp would be excellent to bring back into international production. As for the recreational use of cannabis, I could find a lot of support for it through links and studies. I would be interested in making a draft for this proposal for UN delegates to review, edit, and finalize.

I find it quite interesting how you support methylamphetamine, as it is a dangerous drug in my opinion. It has also been scientifically proven that it is a highly addictive substance as well as hazardous to one's health....

Nah. Our scientists are much smarter than other scientists. And we 'refined' the drug. Our most purist model is now only 5% less lethal than the previous versions.

On topic though, you shouldn't be too worried about "real life". NS is far different from the real world, with different climates and laws of nature operating in each nation, and any stats from Real Life will just get your proposal deleted due to it not really being applicable. Research may be good, but it is also good to do research on previous UN resolutions, especially the UN Drug Act, just to know what limitations you have to work with.

I think the reason the Support Hemp Production got repealed is due to the fact that the government is going to have to spend tons of cash to help grow such a crop, even if it is supposed to be effective when standing on its own merits. I believed SHP mentioned nothing of medical marjauna, and as long as you argue that marjauna can be used asmedicine, instead of forcing the government to pay for raising marjauna farms, your actual resolution should do quite fine.
---Dr. Bob

I do agree...I may have been using Real Life examples a bit much...

However, it can be argued that growing hemp plants is not expensive. First off, the plant can thrive in many varying conditions, it is a weed. It can be grown indoors and outdoors. The plants don't require too much maintenance if grown for hemp as the THC factor does not matter when it comes to making fiber products. As for medicinal marijuana, yes, more maintenance may be required in order to harvest a desired THC level for pain relief. However, the result definitely outweighs the initial setup for harvesting both medicinal marijuana and hemp.

I'll begin working on a draft for medicinal marijuana, but I'd like to see if I can get more support for hemp. I feel that the hemp repeal was incorrect on many levels.