Alcohol is much more devastating to the body, has more potent side-effects, addiction, and causes much more violence and violent acts (assaults, drunk driving) than marijuana. So why is alcohol perfectly legal while marijuana has a negative connotation to it? I am not an alcoholic or pothead, just studying this issue for a Sociology class....
2006-09-12 13:00:19 · 8 answers · asked by Sabin 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
there is money in keeping marijuana illegal, law enforcement, govt. sponsored support groups, etc....
2006-09-12 13:03:43 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
If alcohol or tobacco were introduced today, they would be illegal - but there was a considerable cultural history of acceptable use of these two drugs, so they were accepted by our country.
Cannabis had no such historical use in the west, so when it became popular, it was made illegal.
It is very difficult to reverse the law on a legal drug - just look at the history of prohibition - a constitutional amendment to make alcohol illegal was reversed by another amendment just a few years later.
It's likely that at some point, cannabis will be legalized in this country - but that change will take a significant time to achieve. Comparing the scientific evidence of addictiveness, or societal damage, as you do in your question will not overcome the centuries of social thinking that got us here. Logic is somewhat irrelevant.
2006-09-12 13:22:56 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The biggest reason is that it was here at the founding of the country. It was, and and always has, been accepted. When the government attempted to ban alcohol it made it more popular and a status symbol. Currently the biggest block to legalizing MJ is the law enforcements complaint that there isn't an easy and legally "bulletproof" to test for intoxication (blood testing isn't easy). Good luck with your class.
2006-09-12 13:15:25 · answer #3 · answered by Charles M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi. Great question. Alcohol is legal because in our culture it is associated with white people. Grass is illegal because it is historically associated with people of color, especially African-Americans (think early jazz musician). White interests make money on the sale of alcohol. Lots of money. Even though grass is far safer than booze, these interests and the continuing ignorance of the American middle class to reality will continue to make alcohol easily available and grass difficult to obtain. I hope you will do all that you can do to change this ridiculous situation. Work for the sensible legalization of marijuana.
2006-09-12 13:05:33 · answer #4 · answered by Isis 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Marijuana is illegal because it cannot be controlled if legalized...people would grow it in their gardens and the government couldnt tax it. Its the same with making your own alcohol...its illegal to do it because the government wont get the alcohol tax if you do. It really has nothing to do with the toxicity of Marijuana.
2006-09-12 13:06:06 · answer #5 · answered by Lisa 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Tell this to your legislators, and to your county board. Get involved in NORML. National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.
2006-09-12 13:05:16 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Many jobs and $ money, think about it.
2006-09-12 13:21:47 · answer #7 · answered by igɳo★ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because you dont eat chocolate cake enough
2006-09-12 13:05:25 · answer #8 · answered by green day fan 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋