This has been a forthcoming issue in todays society. Would it be ok to legalize marijuana? Marijuana is proven not to be addictive, like cigarettes. Marijuana in excess has also been proven to effect one's motor skills less than alcohol in excess. So why can't it be legalized if cigarettes and alcohol can? Here's a list of pros and cons I have come up with:

Pros:
1. The government spends millions of dollars on stopping the use and selling of marijuana. If legalized, the Government could recieve tax revenue from sales.
2. Government could control what kind of marijuana is circulating. The marijuana used today is very strong, and is often laced with all kinds of drugs.
3. Marijuana could be used for medical research.
4. If people above 18 can buy marijuana, then it will be harder for kids to get it. There is a large black market in the schools where it is easy to get weed. The government would be able to regulate (more than now at least) who gets it.
5. Hemp can be used as fabric, fuel and even food. This has been illegalized because it is related to marijuana, but if legalized, hemp could be used to our advantage.

Cons:
1. Do we want to make it acceptable to smoke pot in our society? Would it be ok for parents to smoke pot around their children?
2. Would this increase the amount of people that get high? Would this possibly ruin society as we know it now?
3. Could this be used as a stepping stone to legalizing other drugs?

There are of course many other arguements. I was just wondering if anyone has any strong opinions on this subject.

I dont see the big hang up if used as a recreational drug but as mentioned not 24 /7 and above 18 cool never seen a fight break out when people are smoking plus not addictive

^Your lack of puntcutation makes that sentance almost impossible to read :P

Also I think some of you are missing the point. The arguements aren't if smoking pot is good or not, but if it should be legalized and what the effect would be.

Freedom of choice is one of the principles america was built of off making marijuana illegal in the first place was violating that and in term means that the constitution is not really what america goes by but what the supreme court justices says that america goes by 8(

Last edited: Sunday, April 09, 2006 at 9:38:31 AM

^ their are many more worthy subjects which are right under your nose which you can use the "freedom" argument for. Smoking weed seems somewhat irrelevant in todays political climate...

Bloop signing out

While I am not fully aware of all the medical side-effects of dope smoking, my general opinion is that it is no more dangerous than alcohol, and potentially less so.

My main requirement for the legalization of it would be (and this goes for alcohol too) that any crime or accident committed while under the influence should be prosecuted as "pre-meditated". Have a car wreck while under the influence? You made the choice to drink (or smoke) and drive, therefore it's the same as if you planned to do it. Somebody dies because you were drunk or stoned? Murder.

If you want to get drunk or high, stay at home, or stay wherever you are until you come down, or take a cab. I don't particularly care what you do to yourself, but if it harms someone else you're in deep ****.

Oh, and in the interests of full disclosure, the only drugs I've ever done is alcohol and caffeine. Never had the slightest inclination for cigarettes or MJ or anything else. Several friends of mine over the years have been cigarette smokers, and the smoke hasn't ever bothered me. I just have no desire to try it. *shrug* I rarely drink alcohol these days, as I don't particularly enjoy being drunk, and I am solidly addicted to caffeine. XD

Last edited: Sunday, April 09, 2006 at 10:49:14 AM

Why is it that the individual "Cons" question in the main post almost all have two parts?

Neigh, give both sides a fair fight.

I myself say 'no' to legalizing it. My reason is simple. Keep it illegal so that it is a challenge to find it anywhere. Unlike cigarettes, where the ads simply advise you not to do it, but you can pick them up from anywhere. And heres the bite - it's legal!

norml

Hell no, don't legalize pot. Then it won't be COOL anymore.

@BC - I have never heard of anyone licking a cane toad...... And I wont be trying it any time soon.

However they are great fun to smack with a 3-iron.

Anyhow - back to the MJ issue. In Australia - work place drug testing is becoming very common.
Even if I wanted to smoke - I would get caught and lose my job.
I used to smoke a heap, but now I dont even think about it anymore.
I will say this though - I had terrible withdrawls when I gave it up. And they were not just "physcological"
I lost my appetite, felt bloody terrible, got the shakes etc etc. I was smoking a crapload at the time however.

Beers all round.

Squid

Jeeeesus. You can just stop this thread now and just put a big red "yes" stamp on it. Every knunk head knows what's up with it. If everyone in the U.S. Had toked at least once in their life, Bush would not be in office. End of story. We're done here.