When I was 17 never in my wildest dreams did I think Marijuana wouldn't be legal by now. Why is this I wonder?

Question

Truly, I thought it would be legal by now, regulated and taxed....Why would it not be? I don't buy the theory it is a "threshold drug".

Answer 1

Watch a documentary called "Grass." It's narrated by Woody Harrelson, and it's the entire history of the United State's war on marijuana, from the 1800s to the present. It's pretty incredible. It shows that marijuana is basically harmless and that the government studies saying it's not were complete lies.
In fact, the reason marijuana is not legal right now is beause one politician screwed it up for the rest of the country. Jimmy Carter ALMOST legalized it when he was president. He was about to do so, when one of his aids got caught with a breifcase full of cocaine. Because of that aid, Carter could not afford to look soft on drugs, so he didn't legalize pot. That one aid and his coke ruined it for the rest of the country. If it weren't for him, you'd be able to toke up right now -- legally.

Answer 2

I don't buy into that whole "gateway drug" idea either. Honestly too many idiot politicians out there have now even made medical grade marijuana illegal. Doesn't make any seance actually.
I really think it's stupid that it's not legal.
It's not addictive, not physically anyway..only emotionally and that's WAY easier to kick than say Cigarettes.
I can only imagine it's still illegal because politicians are still having their pockets lined by tobacco lobbyists to keep it illegal.

Answer 3

After complementing my "theory", "retrotrancer" (above) asks, "Why is marijuana illegal in Canada, Mexico, every country in North America, Central America, South America, every country in Africa, every country in Asia, and almost every country in Europe?".

Your assertion is incorrect. Canada would've have legalized marijuana several years ago if it wasn't for pressure from the Bush Administration. The US feds put a lot of effort into lobbying other countries about the "dangers" of marijuana. Still, Canada does not enforce laws prohibiting marijuana for personal use. Many countries in Europe are going the exact same route. Mexico just decriminalized marijuana for personal use. Many South American countries do not enforce their American made marijuana laws.

As for comparing marijuana prohibition in America with a few hundred 3rd world nations: are you nuts??? You're comparing apples and toasters. Do you think marijuana prohibition in Singapore, a place where minor drug violations can end in execution, in any way supports archaic drug laws in America? You're talking about countries that have no gaurantees to their citizenry in regards to personal liberty.

In Jetta, Saudi Arabia, your right hand would be cut off with a dull blade and your stump dipped in boiling oil if you got caught stealing a loaf of bread. Does that mean we should have the same punishment for similar crimes in America?

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2003-05-07-canadapot-usat_x.htm

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E02E1D91138F933A05752C0A9629C8B63

Fret not "retrotrancer", wisdom does indeed come with age. It sounds like I've got a few years on you.
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Marijuana is definitely not a "gate way drug". It originally got the term because studies of US heroin and cocaine addicts showed that most of them used marijuana at one time or another. They never took into account the millions upon millions of people who smoked marijuana and never turned to harder drugs. Using the logic of these old studies, Coca Cola is more of a gate way drug than marijuana.

As for why it's not legal: surely their is no ethical argument to back the prohibition of marijuana. Beyond any doubt, it is far safer than alcohol or nicotine. I think the DEA needs marijuana outlawed to fund the "war on drugs". If pot, the most popular of all illegal drugs, became legal, the DEA and all types of local and regional enforcement agencies would loose funding. Think about it. If you cut the sale of illegal drugs down by legalizing marijuana, you'd solve half of the problem the drug war has created. In turn, law enforcement would have a harder time justifying the need for additional funding.

Marijuana is still illegal because the American people are getting played by the feds. The joke is on everyone.

Answer 4

Given all the crazy side effects of man made medicines, I have wondered this myself.

I heard once that it has to do with $$$... the paper companies, the cotton industry.... Jute is made from marijuana and has so many uses it would change more than what people smoke.

Answer 5

As you get older, you get smarter, in theory.

What you "buy" is of no importance. Studies and experts say it is.

The poster below me wrote: "Marijuana is still illegal because the American people are getting played by the feds. The joke is on everyone."

Nice theory. So why is marijuana illegal in Canada, Mexico, every country in North America, Central America, South America, every country in Africa, every country in Asia, and almost every country in Europe?

Answer 6

GOOD QUESTION; I would say its being kept illegal to keep the price up (come on, this plant can save the world for free, but people want money). If it were legal, money might circulate a little less.

Answer 7

Marijuana Doesnt have the the Lobbying power that Tabacco, Alcohol and Guns do. Thats my reasoning for it, but dont listen to me, im too high.

Answer 8

Hmm. Who care's? Smoking is bad for your period. One less thing that can be legally smoked is for the best.

Answer 9

A lot of rich people are getting richer just the way it is.

Answer 10

go to Amsterdam, i aint gona pay extra money as taxes for that sh!t...if thats wa u mean