Why are booze and cigarettes permissible and marijuana not?

Question

In the United States, for the most part, it is illegal to get "high." Personally I don't think it should be legalized. I usually I have good backing to my reasons but I discovered that I don't have good arguments against it. I was having a debate with my buddy and he was questioning why it is illegal considering the following.

1) PERSONAL HEALTH: All have negative health affects. Considering alcoholics, heavy cigarette smokers, and frequent marijuana users, which one of those most frequent health problems on the highest percentage? Consider an overdose on any of them. Consider factors such as those that share factors such as memory loss.

2) HARM TO OTHERS: I'm pretty sure that alcohol's got them all beat. I'm not so sure on a percentage basis. Second hand smoke?

3) MEDICINAL USE: I don't remember the last time someone got recommended booze or cigarettes from the doctor. Why not?

Can anyone think of GOOD reasons why we shouldn't decriminalize it or just criminalize them all?

I think with strict regulation (like gun control) we probably could "legalize" it, impose heavy taxes on it, and restrict its distribution but...

...like gun control, lack of regulation directly correlates to increased problems. Too much gun control also directly correlates to increased problems. I think one of the problems with making guns illegal (other than our constitutional rights) is that at one point in time anyone could bear guns with no restrictions (...right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.) When we tried to take booze away from citizens, organized crime skyrocketed. Quite possibly do you all think if they citizens were given the liberty to smoke pot, the consequence is irrevocable and permanent? Regardless of what drug (currently legal) is the worst, would it be smart to introduce another "sin" into the market given that there is NO PHYSICAL BENEFITS TO HEALTHY AMERICANS? Did I just answer my own question?

Answer 1

I think that people have done enough harm to make sure marijuana stays criminalized by their actions. There's a lot of people that carry the title of being a pothead as a badge of honor or whatever. One of the biggest reasons I ever laid off smoking marijuana was because I saw so much disrespect to the herb. I believe that it's the oldest healer that we have around. It has been used to help people relax, reach to a higher being of their own understanding in many Native American tribes as well as Aztecs and many other primal tribes in the world, it's also used to heal. My mother suffers from arthritis, she soaks some marijuana in rubbing alcohol, then applies an alcohol soaked rag on the part of her aching joint (no pun intended) and the pain is subdued. I think that the reason in is not criminalized id because it's an herb. People would grow it and use it to their own consumption. My only consern with that is the lack of responsibility of certain people that would use it. I know a lot of kids out there love having that whole grown-up facade and think that smoking your brain off is so cool, but they fail to see the other of side of smoking or eating marijuana, the doors it can open to your subconcious and mentality in all it's complex existence. I don't think it will be decriminalized because it really would be a hard thing to keep a tax on and if people can get away with buying it and distributing it now, they most definitely will if it's decriminalized all together.

Answer 2

I think they should legalize all of it personally. I am only a cigarette smoker, but I don't think any of them is better than the other two. But I do think if they would legalize marijuana, it wouldn't be that big of a deal. I mean, millions of ppl already do it, they get busted, and they're taking up jail space and our tax money, I say save the jails for somebody that did something that actually matters. I don't think you should make it available for ppl with glaucoma or whatever, but tell the rest of the world, or the US anyways that it's bad for you and it's illegal. What is the worst that could happen? All of the smokers would just be able to do it without going to jail, most of them are doing that anyways. Maybe they could have a no drinking and smoking weed law, lol, like no drinking and driving, but how many ppl does that actually stop?

Answer 3

You are making something very simple, very complicated. Congress Made possession, use or sales of marijuana a criminal offense back in the 1930's. Responsibility for enforcement of this law is carried out by the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration).

Even in those estate which have decriminalized, or made its use a very minor offense -- like California -- arrests are still made by Federal agents. This is because, when there is a conflict between state and federal law, Federal law prevails.

There is no one in Congress, of whom I aware, that has placed repeal of the Marijana statute as a priority, and I see nothing likely to change that in the near future.

Thus, whatever the quality of arguments to decriminalize, whether for medical purposes, or recreational use, it just isn't going to happen.

Answer 4

Can you think of a "GOOD reason" why it's OK for a woman to abort your child, no matter how much you don't want her to, even if you could sign a contract that would render you 100% responsible for that child, just because it's "her body"? This isn't comparing apples and oranges. It's a double standard concerning harmful things people decide to do with their bodies. You can't back one at the expense of the other without causing perversion of due process. The only good reason would be if unconditional abortion were thrown into or out of the mix.

Answer 5

I am for legalization but there has been one valid argument that I have heard for why drugs should be illegal but alcohol should not.

There is no test to determine if someone is currently High only if they have done a drug within the time from me that it leaves your body. This inhibits law enforcement in keeping impaired drivers off the road.

Personally I think the benefit of legalization far outweighs the negatives.

Answer 6

It really doesn't matter whether you decriminalize marijuana, or recriminalize tobacco and alcohol. Crime will just find something new to latch on to, and then next people will say "why don't we decriminalize heroin, that way we can reduce crime...". I think what people really like is the "high" of knowing they're doing something that's bad for them.

I bet if all the drugs were decriminalized, addicts would just start picking up nail polish remover and glue instead, and then what, criminalize those?

The point of my long answer:
And addict is an addict (and I have too much time on my hands).

Answer 7

Marijuana should be legal, especially for it's medicinal (pain-relieving) properties. No one should take any narcotic before driving, etc. but many prescribed pain-killers are addictive (and some have other very nasty side effects).

People who smoke to relive pain in their joints, eyes, etc. should not be considered criminals because they choose a natural pain-reliever.

If you were to spend one day having gone through chemotherapy, you would no longer wish to keep it illegal. If someone you love were to get weak because they were no longer able to eat (never mind keep food down), you would hope that it would be legalized.

I wish that cigarettes would become illegal.
I honestly can't understand why they aren't--wrongful death?

I've lost people I loved due to smoking cigarettes and a friend of mine lost her father because of psoriasis of the liver. Can't see the good health benefits there!

When I say I wish it were legalized, I don't mean everyone light up! It should be controlled in the same manner that all legal narcotics are and no driving, operating machinery, etc!

Answer 8

Isnt that a great question. Its not legal because the governments too stupid to realize that if they put a "sin" tax on it LIKE they do with tobacco and alcohol.....this country would be OUT of debt within 5 years........not to mention the effect it would have on the backlogs in the countrys courts. Seems almost ridiculous doesnt it?

Answer 9

The bottom line is purpose of use.

One can smoke cigarettes without losing control...in fact, you can smoke and drive. I do smoke a cigar occasionally, I realize my risks, but I endanger nobody else.

One can drink without losing control, however, you'll notice that the penaltis for DUI are getting extreme...as bad or worse than pot use. It is the penalty for losing control....I agree with this. I do drink regularly , but not to excess

Pot has one purpose, <<>>, i.e. lose control of ones self. By definition, pot smoking and driving, walking or working will be done while undr the influence. By definition, you have potential to endanger others and use bad judgement. People forget that part. I won;t lecture about the other dangers of pot, they are different and irrelevant as compared to smoking and booze, I agree. Therefore, it should not be legalized.

Answer 10

Marijuana was outlawed because the chemical companies didn't want competition for some of their new products.

Example, Dow Corning produces the first nylon rope. The only thing stronger was hemp rope.

Pot seed oil can be processed to run engines like in cars.