A question to those who support keeping marijuana illegal?

[archy]

Why? Tell me why should it be illegal?

A common response i hear is, it's a gateway drug. Really? And alcohol and tobacco aren't? The gateway drug theory is so ridiculous, and so many people consider it a reason to keep marijuana illegal. I don't understand how some people think like this.

The other response i hear is that it can't be tested for when people are driving, and that traces of it are found in more deadly car crashes than any other drug. And do you know why that is? Because it stays in your system for 20-50 days (depending on how much you smoke, your weight and exercise habits), it doesn't mean they were high. And it's true there is no way to test if someones high, but do you want to know something, multiple studies have proven that for the vast majority of users, it doesn't affect driving. Studies conducted by the Hartford Hospital in Connecticut and University of Iowa Carver College of medicine concluded that the only effects of driving high on marijuana were decreased speed and they would even drive more cautiously. This is not a reason to keep marijuana illegal.

And it's been proven in countless studies that the active chemical in Marijuana, THC, is entirely harmless to humans (haha except for eating junk food), and may even have medicinal benefits because of the relaxation effect that comes from THC. The only harmful part of marijuana is the hot carbon based smoke that is inhaled, but almost all smoke that people encounter is carbon based, and you can consume marijuana by adding it to fat based foods, or inhale it with a vaporizer.

So tell me, if there is anyone still out there that thinks marijuana should be illegal, what will it take to get you to admit your wrong? Is keeping marijuana illegal really worth filling up our prison system, when 1 in 6 prisoners are incarcereated for charges related to marijuana? Is it really worth spending billions, and occupying some much of law enforcement's time? And what about the billions that go into the hands of criminals because they sell marijuana. And is it really liberty when our government will throw people in prison with murderers and rapists for using a harmless natural plant?

[broehain61]

No drug is good it can kill lots of people
And having people high would kill america
No jobs could be done right with people high

[berwin]

It can ruin people's lives, keeping them emotionally stuck at the age when they started using it, as do most drugs when used daily. It isn't any worse than alcohol... And the occassional use can be good, but I don't want my children to have easy access to a drug that I've seen cause people to become so lackluster, in front of the tv, distracted, in their own worlds, and dependent on a substance to feel good.

[ahanu]

Can't regulate it since people can grow it in their house
Can't tax it since people will always get it from third party sources
If it is legalized, keep the regulations they have in place or give permits to people so they can grow it in their homes.

Either way, I'm against it because nothing good will come of it.

[joachim]

Marijuana is on this planet as a medicinal and industrial benefit to mankind eventually benefitting the ecosystem as well. we can produce better paper fiber and FASTER in less land using less chemicals than cutting down trees.

[hackett]

Its not good for anyone period. If your not smart enough to know the reasons for this then you are probably already on it. Also if we make it legal we are supporting Mexico..... something to keep in mind.

Edit: I'm not a troll but I don't give a hell what you think. I didn't read your whole question, however I started to but after a few setences I got bored so I just told you what I think. Lastly wow your slow, Mexico sneaks marijuana over the border all the time no matter if it is legal or illigal so it really doesn't matter. If someone wants it they can get it EASILY. We pay taxes for everyone that is in prison and 70% of them are in there for drug related charges.... If we were to make it legal our government would be less f-d up so yes I am for makeing it legal :) answer your question?

[wardell]

It should and will always be illegal because it is a mind altering drug. Secondary smoke kills. Kids can breathe in the secondary smoke in the room and get high. James Holmes Denver killer smoked weed...

[jaren12]

Well, a valid reason to make it legal would really help the cause. I have yet to hear one. The reasoning behind keeping it illegal are far more valid, IMHO. After all, it IS a drug, and it does affect the mind, like alcohol and tobacco. And drugs, any drugs, while detectable in your system have an affect on you mind and body. And anybody under the influence of any mind altering substance should not be behind the wheel of a motor vehicle, whether they are driving slow or fast, because they are not 100% in control of the vehicle and therefore a danger to everyone else on the roads. Arguments for making marijuana legal primarily come from users who feel that because they use it, everyone should. Hardly, a valid reason to make it legal. That is like arguing against speed limits because everyone disregards them anyway.

THC may or may not have medicinal benefits, but studies do not provide a concensus in either direction. You can find one to support either side of this debate. And if it someday prove to have medicinal benefits, I am all for having it fall under the pervue of the FDA so that it is a safe alternative for everyone.

So until I see where the benefits of legalizing marijuana outweigh the risks, I cannot logically support making it legal.

[tim]

Big pharma and alcohol lobbyists would never let it become legal it would put them out of business money talks in the United States of Corporate America. I wouldn't advocate going to work or driving stoned but for recreational use nothing is safer. Ninety percent of the money used on the war on drugs is on marijuana the least dangerous drug there is by far compared to other illegal drugs and abuse of prescription drugs. Marijuana convictions are used to pack the privately owned prisons of corporate America for cheap slave labor.

[matyas]

It's not illegal because you want to smoke it

it's illegal because of the millions of industrial uses for it, and the billions of dollars that chemical, wood pulp, synthetic fiber, etc. industries would lose to a more economical and environmentally friendly competitor

it's illegal because it would affect the drug, alcohol and tobacco industries.

in addition, the justice system would lose billions in revenues locking up non-violent drug offenders,(the easiest people to convict and incarcerate.

So in conclusion, it's being illegal is a huge fraud perpetrated by our government(s) and should be considered treason.