My personal vote is: Yes absolutely.
First of all, the criminalization of Marijuana use has hampered the lives of millions of Americans. Drug charges can deter people from getting jobs (great in a failing economy), and from joining the armed forces (even though they need recruits). Many Americans who have an education, pay taxes, hold a job, and support a family are labeled as criminals for using a substance that studies show is about as harmful as the most common legal indulgences i.e; cigarette smoking, drinking, gambling.
Secondly, facts show that millions of Americans use marijuana regardless of legal consequences. These users are forced to purchase pot from dealers who might be in connection with gangs or the mafia. Thus, they are indirectly supporting criminal elements. A disturbing news story announced that more deaths take place in Mexico over the drug wars than in Iraq. This makes sense; Mexican drug lords hold a monopoly over the drug market, and will do whatever necessary to keep their American customers buying from them.
This problem could easily be remedied by legalization. Local, American growers could satisfy the needs of domestic users, reducing the dependence on criminal supply completely. Furthermore, the establishment of legal, legitimate suppliers would greatly increase the safety and security of drug trade. Dealerships could be required to meet health standards and to enforce age restrictions. New jobs would be produced in the growing and selling of pot, bringing millions of dollars into the American market.
Third, legalization would reduce American dependence on prescription drugs, and therefore reduce prescription drug abuse. It is widely known that most common prescription drugs are very harmful to your body and carry many side effects that only increase the intake of more p-drugs. Marijuana has been proven to be an effective remedy for nausea, pain, glaucoma, epilepsy and more, so legalization is in the best interesting of those suffering from such ailments. Increased hunger resulting from smoking would aid those suffering from anorexia, and the resulting drowsiness would be a welcome effect to those suffering from insomnia.
As to the ‘Gateway Drug Theory’, which states that marijuana use leads to dangerous drug use, this writer is not convinced. Perhaps it is not Marijuana that leads some to experiment with hard drugs, but its status as a criminalized substance. Common sense would favor the assumption that being labeled as a Criminal would not positively influence one’s self-esteem and moral judgment. Perhaps it is the mentality of “Well, I’m a criminal, so there’s nothing else to lose…” that persuades those to delve into dangerous substance abuse. I say, it is the illegality and societal taboos surrounding marijuana that forces people into a life of fear and reclusion from society. Unfortunately, the taboo around pot says that one cannot be both a pot-smoker, and a legitimate citizen, which creates a very unhealthy self-image for those to choose to smoke.
Finally, legalization would relax longstanding tensions in American society. Parents would no longer have to treat their pot-smoking sons and daughters like criminals. Friendships and relationships would no longer be destroyed because of the hardships of dealing with someone who society has deemed a law-breaker. The marijuana user would no longer be intimidated when trying to get a job, or serve their country. Legalization would reduce the culture of fear in America by giving citizens one less thing to be afraid of, ashamed of, and dishonest about.
To those who might take up the argument of “Well, smokers are criminals, and deserve to be arrested.” I ask to remember that illegality is not a universal, indefinite status. Racism, condoned 50 years ago, is now completely illegal. Alcohol was banned until only 70 years ago in the United States, and now is accepted legally and culturally. I respect your opinions nonetheless.
First of all, marijuana doesn't kill brain cells. Personally, I used to believe it before, but then, I began reading the myths of marijuana, telling how it isn't true and also realized if it DID kill brain cells, it wouldn't be used for medical purposes such as maintaining glaucoma. Marijuana shouldn't be smoked however because it's bad for the lungs, but eating it would be a great method of consumption. Marijuana could be mixed with a number of foods, creating hash[insert food here.]
As taken from my last link, it said, "An early study reported brain damage in rhesus monkeys after six months exposure to high concentrations of marijuana smoke. In a recent, more carefully conducted study, researchers found no evidence of brain abnormality in monkeys that were forced to inhale the equivalent of four to five marijuana cigarettes every day for a year. The claim that marijuana kills brain cells is based on a speculative report dating back a quarter of a century that has never been supported by any scientific study." If you didn't catch it, read how it said 'smoke.' Well, when you think about it, it's ALWAYS bad to have smoke in lungs, so that why weed is better off eaten than smoked.
Personally, after opening my mind to marijuana, yes, I believe it should be legal because it's less harmful than any other drug, and in my opinion, including the LEGAL drugs placed on the shelves in local pharmacies. After going to the store to purchase some aspirin to cure my pain, I read MANY side-effects and surprisingly, if taken wrongly, I could possibly be trading a mere headache or cramp for stomach bleeding. That's horrible. Nonetheless, weed doesn't have much side-effects but tiredness and an extreme need to eat when you wake up in the morning. From watching the news, truTV, and from reading articles on the internet everyday, in my mind and many others, it's apparent the most vicious legal drug alcohol, is VERY dangerous as drunk drives kill many people on the road. Marijuana itself hasn't killed anyone. Sure enough, gang members and thugs on the streets may kill people either other for it, but that doesn't mean the weed killed anyone. Saying weed kills people in THAT method equivalent to a gun killing someone without a person pulling the trigger, (and that doesn't include dropping it or automatic guns) which is physically impossible.
Also, marijuana does more good than harm unlike some pain relievers, alcohol, and many other dangerous drugs that are commonly consumed like, cocaine, crack, PCP, crystal methamphetamine, and LSD because it can potentially cure cancer, (mostly leukemia) cold, influenza-like symptoms, glaucoma, and many more. To find out, click the links. What is alcohol proven to cure? NOTHING. In my birth city, Denver, in 2005, people have opened their minds and made weed legal, but you can only have a certain amount, but still, it's more than enough. And think about it, do you hear anything bad about Denver often? Nope. So why can't people in other cities open their minds? Hehe, seeing how I'm born in Denver, I must say, great minds think alike. lol. Additionally, commenting, even with weed legal, I still wouldn't consume it on a daily basis, but I'll eat some hash-sweets whenever I have horrible pains or influenza.
Therefore, weed should be legal, no questions asked.
EDIT – 10:42PM: To Alexandrea: Apparently, I agree with you about weed being legal as you can see above, you're WAY off when you say smoking weed is bad for brain cells, but good for lungs. Actually, smoke does harm to lungs and like I said, weed is better when eaten.
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
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It still kills braincells. But I do think it should be used for medicinal purposes. For instance, cancer patients. But if it were to be legal for the mainstream, then we'd all be too damn lazy.
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Sure.
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In my opinion you can choose to do whatever you want to yourself. it's your body and your mind.. why should the government control that, too?
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yes it should be!
although it kills brain cells it helps the lungs
and if people weren't pot heads and did it 24/7
then it could help.
and if you get the right shit,
its amazing!
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I agree with Barley, it is helpful when in the hands of legitimate doctors who know what it should be used for, but it shouldn't become mainstream because if that happened the stoners would have a field day they would never wake up from. seriously it's a big enough problem already and it's physically addictive to where withdrawal is severe. you certainly wouldn't want to go to your job working a construction crane with dope–at least with alchohol you become better at controlling yourself drunk bit by bit.
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I am a conservative and I do not approve of taking drugs. They are illegal and yet people still get them, get high, steal for drugs, even sell their bodies to pay for their addictions. The jails are filled now with hardened criminals and I do not believe that someone that takes drugs is a criminal. I think alcohol is just as bad, if not worse. Prohibition did not work. We are losing the battle with drugs also. Prostitution is illegal but yet In Nevada it is perfectly legal. So what goes? I say if people want to ruin their lives, its their life and government should stay out of it and concentrate on preventing terrorism. Only my opinion
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I agree with a lot of what you are saying, even though I am not a current user. I know all the benefits for health conditions. I have also heard the argument about how alcoholism is lower in countries where there is no age ban on use. I also think some people do it just because the taboo of being against the law and getting away with it(or to make their parents mad). I do however have one thing to add, I believe it should be legalized and the government should tax the crap out of it. The same way they tax cigarettes and alcohol and gas etc. I think it could help out our deficit. Most people are willing to pay more for cigarettes even with the higher taxes, so would pot smokers.
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ex-pot smoker
First of all, marijuana doesn't kill brain cells. Personally, I used to believe it before, but then, I began reading the myths of marijuana, telling how it isn't true and also realized if it DID kill brain cells, it wouldn't be used for medical purposes such as maintaining glaucoma. Marijuana shouldn't be smoked however because it's bad for the lungs, but eating it would be a great method of consumption. Marijuana could be mixed with a number of foods, creating hash[insert food here.]
As taken from my last link, it said, "An early study reported brain damage in rhesus monkeys after six months exposure to high concentrations of marijuana smoke. In a recent, more carefully conducted study, researchers found no evidence of brain abnormality in monkeys that were forced to inhale the equivalent of four to five marijuana cigarettes every day for a year. The claim that marijuana kills brain cells is based on a speculative report dating back a quarter of a century that has never been supported by any scientific study." If you didn't catch it, read how it said 'smoke.' Well, when you think about it, it's ALWAYS bad to have smoke in lungs, so that why weed is better off eaten than smoked.
Personally, after opening my mind to marijuana, yes, I believe it should be legal because it's less harmful than any other drug, and in my opinion, including the LEGAL drugs placed on the shelves in local pharmacies. After going to the store to purchase some aspirin to cure my pain, I read MANY side-effects and surprisingly, if taken wrongly, I could possibly be trading a mere headache or cramp for stomach bleeding. That's horrible. Nonetheless, weed doesn't have much side-effects but tiredness and an extreme need to eat when you wake up in the morning. From watching the news, truTV, and from reading articles on the internet everyday, in my mind and many others, it's apparent the most vicious legal drug alcohol, is VERY dangerous as drunk drives kill many people on the road. Marijuana itself hasn't killed anyone. Sure enough, gang members and thugs on the streets may kill people either other for it, but that doesn't mean the weed killed anyone. Saying weed kills people in THAT method equivalent to a gun killing someone without a person pulling the trigger, (and that doesn't include dropping it or automatic guns) which is physically impossible.
Also, marijuana does more good than harm unlike some pain relievers, alcohol, and many other dangerous drugs that are commonly consumed like, cocaine, crack, PCP, crystal methamphetamine, and LSD because it can potentially cure cancer, (mostly leukemia) cold, influenza-like symptoms, glaucoma, and many more. To find out, click the links. What is alcohol proven to cure? NOTHING. In my birth city, Denver, in 2005, people have opened their minds and made weed legal, but you can only have a certain amount, but still, it's more than enough. And think about it, do you hear anything bad about Denver often? Nope. So why can't people in other cities open their minds? Hehe, seeing how I'm born in Denver, I must say, great minds think alike. lol. Additionally, commenting, even with weed legal, I still wouldn't consume it on a daily basis, but I'll eat some hash-sweets whenever I have horrible pains or influenza.
Therefore, weed should be legal, no questions asked.
EDIT – 10:42PM: To Alexandrea: Apparently, I agree with you about weed being legal as you can see above, you're WAY off when you say smoking weed is bad for brain cells, but good for lungs. Actually, smoke does harm to lungs and like I said, weed is better when eaten.
References :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabis_(drug)#Medical_use
http://www.labnews.co.uk/news_archive.php/987/5/cannabis-destroys-cancer-cells/
http://www.eyecareamerica.org/eyecare/treatment/alternative-therapies/marijuana-glaucoma.cfm
http://www.drugpolicy.org/marijuana/factsmyths/#brain
because alcohol an tobacco is legal. both kill people and is harmful. why not allow weed?
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http://theimjustasking.blogspot.com/2008/11/why-is-alcohol-legal-but-marijuana-isnt.html
All you say is absolutely true and it should be legalized and regulated with oversight and transparency by the federal government. They could tax it like tobacco and cigarettes and it could be graded according to quality standards and the revenues from it would be huge for our economy.
It would put an end to drug cartels and all the killing at the borders. Probably 99.9% of the problem at the borders is marijuana related.
There are many myths associated with marijuana and its harmful effects on users. Little is said about its actual benefits which far outweigh any harmful effects.
This issue needs to be addressed and its legalization needs to be strongly considered to save lives of innocent people and generate income for this country instead of billions of dollars going into the hands of criminal drug cartels.
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