Legalization of Marijuana?

[dab_20]

Just wondering what all your thoughts are on the legalization of marijuana. (In the US, I know it's legal already in most parts of Canada) For my politics class we were asked and about 95% of the class was FOR legalization of marijuana, including me. He picked 3 students for each side, and I was one of them. He then switched us so I have to defend that Marijuana shouldn't be legalized. He says it makes us more educated and we'll be able to defend our opinion better when we become educated about the other side of it. I am also in a Drugs class, learning all about drugs from a view of society and a medical standpoint. We also had a debate in class and 100% of us were for legalizing it.

SO what are your thoughts? Less religious base and more scientific base is what I'm looking for mostly. How do you think it would affect our society as a whole? What's your opinion on the gateway drug theory? On the "amotivational syndrome" theory?

Not that I am some pothead who loves marijuana and think it should be legalized. I acknowledge the bad things about it. But honestly, if it was legalized we could better control the substance. It would reduce crime related to Marijuana and it would greatly reduce the amount of people in the jail system for this drug.
And about kids using it more if it was legalized; I guess it depends where you live, but for me, in high school it would be easier for me to get weed than alcohol. Because alcohol you either have to have an ID, or know an adult that's willing to get it for you. Because alcohol is legal, I think adults and police officers are more open to looking at the signs of teen alcohol abuse. If it was regulated, it would be harder to come into young hands.

I have come to find those that are for or against it put too much emotion into it and thus give over or under exaggerated reasoning. It's hard to come by a solely FACT base opinion. I know it's still considered a Schedule 1 drug (listed as it's potential for abuse, I think it's 1-5, 1 being the most addictive), which IMO is ridiculous because Cocaine and Methamphetamine are also schedule 1 drugs.

I watched The Union, which was very interesting about who makes money off of marijuana. Although they are obviously for legalizing it in the states and give very biased views.

Another thing is, Marijuana is proven to be less harmful to you than Alcohol. So shouldn't we legalize it, make money off of it? Or does our society really need something else to be addicted to? Why is it that alcohol is legal and marijuana still isn't? I know alcohol is a deeply ingrained part of our society, so is this the only reason it's legal and marijuana isn't?

[Karen]

As someone with asthma, legalizing has the potential to make my life much more miserable. If people could smoke it in public, I'd run into that smoke, which is thicker than cigarette smoke, and frankly, gives me a blinding headache if I as much as smell it. And I know it is more carcinogenic than cigarette smoke ...

And have witnessed the slowed reaction time stoned folks have - driving under the influence of it would be realllllly bad ...

One report you might find interesting:
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/...s-of-marijuana

I have mixed thoughts on legalization - I see no reason it shouldn't be available for patients who need its anti-nausea effect, etc., but that could open the door of course for more availability in general.

[smokey the elder]

About the smoking it in public: I think anti-smoking rules would be extended to marijuana.

As far as legalizing it in general: There are way too many people in prison for marijuana-related crimes. Marijuana is a gateway drug all right...a gateway to becoming a more hardened criminal while doing time for it.

I know first hand of someone who was on chemo who used it for medicinal purposes: I don't give a rat's behind if it's placebo effect or not. It clearly helped her get through with minimal nausea and loss of appetite.

I'm kind of dancing around the question; I think the pros for legalizing and regulating it slightly outweigh the cons.

[wombat2u2004]

That's a tough one.
I'll go light up my bong now and consult with the oracles.
I'll get back to you in the morning.

[moosmom]

I don't know what the big deal is. Booze is legal. They tax the crap out of it.
Why not legalize it and tax it. It would help the deficit. Do I imbibe? No. Not because I don't want to, but because I'm allergic to it.

Another point is that booze is legal, so if they're saying no to they're being hypocritical. JMO

[Catty1]

I don't recall who it is - but someone here in Canada expressed the opinion (some years ago) that all illegal substances be legalized and available by prescription or some such method.

Why?

It would put the drug dealers and related gangs out of business. Less violence.

Not a bad idea...