Why do so many people criticize pot when alcohol is America's real drug problem?

Question

How do you feel? Whats the big deal about smoking pot? Why is drinking yourself "stupid" ok in our society? Will America ever change its stance on Marijuana?

Answer 1

The main reason (I feel) is the number of entities suffering a loss of revenue, and the number of people who subsequently would lose their source of employment. Entities that would feel the effect would be both private and governmental. Many private companies provide products and services to this ‘industry’. This industry, spear-headed by the federal government, encompasses positions such as judges, clerical and administrative, police officers, customs, border patrol, FBI and CIA personnel, as well as others. On the private side: companies supplying planes, boats, night vision, drug testing, rehabilitation clinics, lawyers, etc. Alcoholic beverage providers would likely suffer a revenue loss as a result. The loss could be significant, but it probably would be more detrimental to those supplying illicit drugs. Currently, suppliers can produce their products for pennies, and make a huge profit, once it is in the US for distribution at a highly marked-up price. If illicit drugs were legalized their profits would plummet, as US based producers would more than likely emerge, creating true competition. These entities (cartels) would suffer the biggest losses. Many would likely collapse, depriving a means for those facilitating the supply chain all the way down to the simple street dealer. Even those organizations that did not immediately relent and evolved with increased competition, tariffs, etc., would be doing so at profits they may be unwilling to ultimately swallow. In addition, those running the current cartels are criminal in their nature, so it is unlikely they have the ability to truly compete in the marketplace. It is likely they would move on to some other illicit ‘business’ that provides the same high rate of return.
The impact of the legalizing marijuana in the US and other countries following suit would disturb the operations and incomes of many around the globe. However, it would not cripple them, whether they encompass enforcement or illegal trafficking. Many other illicit drugs provide a higher rate of return, and are less cumbersome in regard to transport. Cocaine and opioids, for example, are typically used in much smaller doses. The same amount in regard to weight and volume can supply a larger number of end users. Moreover, the illicit drug trade will continue, even if the efforts to legalize marijuana in the US prove eventually successful. However, in the meantime, criticism (of marijuana) will most likely continue, as long as many politicians base a large part of their platforms on combating the illegal drug trade, and as long as individual’s livelihoods are at stake. The legalization of ‘only’ marijuana would be more injurious to those supporting enforcement, as opposed to those involved in its illicit trade.

Answer 2

Because our god damn government is a bunch of old bastards who think pot smokers are all punks and rebels. The truth is, weed is the safest drug in the United States... AND ITS ILLEGAL. There has not been ONE single death caused by marijuana in the history of mankind. It is the safest drug ever made. I'd feel better giving a 6 year old a pound of pot, than giving him a bottle of aspirin. With aspirin, you can buy in your local grocery store, and then go home and OD on it. Or if you're over 21, you can go to the local bar, drink ur *** off, and then get liver damage and possibly alcohol poisoning. America and other countries that have outlawed marijuana are out of their minds, and should take a good look at the facts.

Answer 3

Cos, pot has been shown to have direct links to psychiatric disorders. Also it is probably the cause of far more accidents than drink. There has been several research papers showing links between pot and brain damage.

Smoking is recognised as causing cancer and you smoke pot which adds yet more chemicals to the smoke.

Most drink related problems can be treated to a greater extent whilst the problems caused by pot smoking are usually irreversible.

The people who push pot are criminals and gangsters and people die to make them rich.

Get drunk and you will be sober the next day. Same cannot be said for pot because it stays in the system for four days. Therefore if you smoke every day you are never properly sober! This is such a serious problem that traffic cops all over the world are experimenting with new detection devices with a view to taking all drug takers off the road.

Answer 4

We live in a VERY HYPOCRITICAL society.

Anyone who has smoked pot knows that it is hardly comparable to alcohol. The statistics are out there, and it's to the point where anyone with half a brain can see that marijuana is a relatively harmless drug compared to everything else out there, including alcohol. All the years of propaganda have failed, and we are no longer fooled by their lies.

It all comes down to power and control. The government can not regulate a plant that we can all grow in our backyard and they make too much money on the fraudulent 'war on drugs'.

Answer 5

Interesting question. Alcohol does seem to cause more problems but perhaps thats because it's so much more prevalent...not to mention legal. Alcohol prohibition was tried in the early 1900's but that went badly. Alcohol has a much longer history & is used by many people in a responsible way. Personally I dont know of anyone who would say "drinking yourself stupid is ok" & I imagine a person with this view would have no problem with people smoking pot either. The problem with pot is that it stays in you system much, much longer than alcohol & can therefore have a greater effect on everyday functioning. Causes laziness, etc.

Answer 6

I agree with you totally. I haven't smoked pot since college (a long time ago lol) but when you smoke you get the munchies, chill out and in a couple of hours you can drive yourself home. When you drink you have to sleep it off. I think that alcohol is way more dangerous and addictive. When I got pregnant with my first son I had no trouble not smoking pot! It was way harder to quit smoking cigarettes!

Answer 7

I say legalize everything. If you can afford it and don't infringe on anybody's personal rights, go for it. The problems arise because drugs, including alcohol, are the cause of many other crimes. Domestic violence usually has alcohol involved with it, people rob others or steal for money for drugs, or some people kill over them. If the government would sell it, tax, and regulate it, then people who could afford it and stay out of trouble should be allowed to do it. Just a thought, but the government shouldn't tell anyone what to do with their own bodies. Right women?

Answer 8

Many Americans fell whole heartedly for the government propaganda from decades past... when marijuana was first criminalized. Try watching the original "Reefer Madness" propaganda film without laughing yourself silly (while sober!) We will never slow the sales of alcohol (prohibition taught us that). In my opinion alcohol is legal and our number one problem drug wise because it is easily taxed and difficult to produce at home. Anyone with dirt and water could grow pot without taxation.

No drug is good for you...all the way down to caffeine...but I firmly believe that your body is your own and what you put into it is an individuals decision... just don't come whining to me for free health care if you develop a chronic illness related to drug use!

Answer 9

i think we should not do either but remember that alcohol is made by american people they are able to tax it. where pot the best stuff is not made in america. the alcohol companies are the biggest fighters against the legalization of it. they know that if it is legalized people wil not drink so much they would rather smoke weed. the best weed comes from south america so there for america does not want to open a muli billion dollar market to them. do u know how much money the government makes from tax dollars for their "war on drugs"?

Answer 10

Marijuana should be completely legal. Not sure why people think smoking pot is so bad.....when alcohol is so much more harmful. Pot needs to be legalized or at the very least, decriminalized.