Poll | 10/23/2009 1:00 am

Should marijuana or prostitution be legalized?

Read more about: Drugs, Law, Legalization, Marijuana, Prostitution, Sex

121 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

The point is they would do it anyway, it is the oldest profession for a reason. If it is legalized it can be controlled, get these women off the street into brothels where they can safe from pimps and johns who would beat or kill them. Control it so they have to get health certificates to keeps the johns and their wives safe from disease.

By Cecile Tunstead on 10/23/2009 2:14 pm

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To clarify, my main point is whether it is legal or not, people are going to do it (morality issues aside). If it is legalized it can be controlled so everyone is safer - sex trade workers, johns, and the general public.

By Cecile Tunstead on 10/23/2009 2:25 pm

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And my point is, lots of things we wouldn’t legalize have been around forever…..murder, child-molesting, fraud…..

I guess the idea of legalizing prostitution is it seems society’s way of saying…"it’s o.k."

By Callie O on 10/23/2009 4:06 pm

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And what, exactly, is not ok about it?

By R.J.B. Reed on 10/23/2009 5:41 pm

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You have to ask? It is debasing to the human spirit. It transforms the act of loving into a business transaction. It cheapens even the physical aspect of love, somewhat the same way as a woman marrying a man for the size of his wallet.

I’m signing off this string….as I said, the subject is distasteful.

By Callie O on 10/23/2009 6:35 pm

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My love is not cheapened by other people’s actions….

But, how is that more debasing than picking up trash? Cleaning other people’s houses? Wiping someone else’s bodily fluids up? I could see how all these jobs could be detrimental to the human spirit. Yet, we don’t have a problem with someone being a garbage collector…..

And yes, I would agree that prostitution is very similar to a woman marrying a man based on his income. That’s not a decision I would make, but I wouldn’t go so far as to say it’s a completely stupid decision. How many people marry for love and end up with a dead-beat loser who couldn’t hold a job to save his life? In Dear Margo I’ve seen a number of people on this board telling a woman to dump such a person.

By R.J.B. Reed on 10/23/2009 6:58 pm

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Callie O,

Sex with Love is the Ideal………….

It certainly isn’t necessary. I don’t think the Human species developed

because people fell in love.

Sexual Activity is a basic instinct with or without love. To have Sex with a loving partner is great.

But it certainly is not necessary to be in love with one’s partner to have good sex.

I think most Sexual activity in this World is between two people who have a mutual desire,

not because they love each other.

By Dona Howlett on 10/24/2009 3:54 am

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There is also lots of things that some people may find immoral that are not criminalized. You cannot legislate morality. From someone in a country that is afraid of universal health-care because they don’t want the state supposedly controlling them, that is an contradictory stance to take.

By Cecile Tunstead on 10/27/2009 7:02 pm

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I agree with you RJB………..

I think both should be legalized………taxed and controlled.

Adult Women are capable of making their own decisions.

I don’t drink alcohol…….I don’t take drugs………Non the less I think Adults should be able to decide what to ingest as long as they don’t cause harm. Absolutely legalize marijuana. We can use the Taxes to do wonderful things for our Citizens.

Less Children and young adults would be in Prisons and jails.

As to Prostitution .

I’ve always heard that PROSTITUTION is the OLDEST KNOWN PROFESSION in the World.

To rise up in indignation about a moral issue that has been going on as long as there have been humans on this planet in my opinion is just plain stupid.

I doesn’t matter what Society does (and It’s tried innumerable ways) we can not control other peoples desires.

Prostitution will always be a part of human existence………

As will drugs.

We can’t change peoples impulses but we can control the situation by

TAXING and REGULATING.

Less people in Prisons………money saved right there. (Up to $40,000 a year for each inmate) Plus the fact that most young people who are arrested for marijuana are not really criminals.

Less drug related street crimes. We’ve been trying unsuccessfully to wage a Drug War for years. Legalizing marijuana and Taxing it would be the best solution in this War.

Free up our Law enforcement agents to deal with actual criminal behaviour.

Less poor women being abused as Street Whores………

Both Vices can be taxed which would benefit all citizens.

Both could be better controlled……..creating a safer and healthier environment for all concerned.

Most Young people start with marijuana because it is illegal……The Forbidden is always an attraction.

After all I’ve said I will just add another vote for:

Legalize and Tax both vices.

By Dona Howlett on 10/23/2009 2:49 pm

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"We can’t change peoples impulses but we can control the situation by

TAXING and REGULATING."

Like we do with alcohol, right? I can only guess that you don’t live in Wisconsin. If you did, you’d know — although taxed and regulated — just how huge of a problem it is here. Drunk driving, drunk driving accidents, binge drinking, underage "keg parties", alcohol related accidents, etc. are terrible problems in this state. Taxing and regulating hasn’t done a dang thing to help matters. Kids are still drinking, people are still dying from drunk drivers, and parents are still hosting underage parties.

"Less poor women being abused as Street Whores………"

Please explain that one. It seems to me, legalizing prostitution would only make these poor women "worth less" (as there would be a larger potential pool "supply" of prostitutes available, and not necessarily a significantly increased "demand", at least for "street whores"). If these women are being abused already, whose to say that their situation will improve? Clearly, their pimps or "clients" aren’t interested in obeying the law (as they’re risking pimping or hiring a prostitute), so why would legalizing prostitution make them more inclined to treat the prostitute better?

By Rachel F on 10/23/2009 4:25 pm

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One of the biggest changes would be that a prostitute wouldn’t have to fear going to the police. Now, a prostitute who does so risks being arrested and having her day’s take confiscated. Since many of the streetwalkers are desperate for cash, they end up with very little protection.

By R.J.B. Reed on 10/23/2009 5:48 pm

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Dona Howlett - "Legalize and Tax both vices," I agree. Good to see you back on wOw.

By Patricia Sprofera on 10/23/2009 5:04 pm

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Thanks Patricia,

I like others got so tired of the Negativity on Wowowow (I kind of took a vacation).

I see some new people, that’s nice and of course it’s always nice to see old friends.

By Dona Howlett on 10/24/2009 4:50 am

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Dona - Yes, I agree with you. A vacation is needed, every now and then; but it’s good to see you on the wOw site again, along with old and new friends. Be well. Patty

By Patricia Sprofera on 10/24/2009 12:35 pm

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Legalize both because it doesn’t matter in terms of the demand. You will not change mindsets of those who use either product. If you create a bureaucratic process to access both products in a safe environment with strict regulation, it still won’t matter. When vices are placed under government control it creates a black market—a lucrative black market. So there’s nothing to lose or gain either way. In my opinion marijuana is no more of a gateway drug than alcohol, Oxycontin, Vicodin and most benzodiazepines. And prostitution? Someone will always be willing to pay to play— no commitment and no relationship.

By Lena B on 10/23/2009 5:32 pm