marijuana calms the nerves and makes the user relax sure it does harm but so does alcahol so why doesn't alchahol stand as an illegal "drug" too it causes more problems than marijuana
2006-12-12 06:43:38 · 15 answers · asked by UndeadNitemare 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Alchohol and tobacco are legal because they are taxed for profits, and have lobbied the govt for special treatment all these years. It's all about the $$$
2006-12-12 06:46:41 · answer #1 · answered by C-Man 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you do the least little bit of reading on the subject you will find that most people who answer here don't know the first thing about the subject.
First, you should read the short history of the marijuana laws at http://druglibrary.org/schaffer/History/whiteb1.htm If you just read that one piece you will see that nearly all the answers here are wrong.
There are two major reasons that marijuana was outlawed. One was racial prejudice against Mexicans. The other was the fear that heroin addiction would lead to the use of marijuana -- exactly the opposite of the modern "gateway"myth.
When it was outlawed at the national level in 1937 (not 1935, as stated above) the American Medical Association said that they knew of no evidence that marijuana was a dangerous drug and, therefore, there was no reason for the law. In response, the AMA representative was told to stop interfering. You can read the full transcripts of the congressional hearings at http://druglibrary.org/schaffer/hemp/taxact/taxact.htm
The only other doctor who testified was Dr. James C. Munch, who later testified under oath that marijuana could make your incisors grow six inches long and drip with blood. Dr. Munch became the US Official Expert on marijuana.
In short, the laws were absolute lunacy from the very beginning. No question about it.
There have been numerous major government commissions that have studied the issues. They all concluded that the marijuana laws were the result of the worst kind of racism, ignorance, and nonsense. They all said that the marijuana laws do more harm than good and that the laws should have been repealed long ago.
You don't have to take my word for this -- you can read them yourself at http://druglibrary.org/schaffer/library/studies/studies.htm
As for the driving issue - the major commissions studied that, too. They concluded that marijuana is not, and never has been, a major danger on the roads. They also said that there are enough problems caused by the law in other areas that -- even if you assumed it was a hazard -- the laws should still be changed. Besides, there are already laws on the books against driving while impaired on anything - and impairment can be determined from simple sobriety tests.
As for the idea that marijuana leads to harder drugs, first read the history of how it was outlawed for exactly the opposite belief. Then read the history of the marijuana gateway myth at http://druglibrary.org/schaffer/library/gateway_myth.htm
Why is alcohol not illegal? Because we tried it once and it was a major disaster. You can read some interesting history on that subject at http://druglibrary.org/prohibitionresults.htm
Read the research I have linked and you will see that most of the answers here have no basis in fact at all. Don't accept answers from anyone who cannot provide you with references to back up what they say.
I should add that I read that stuff linked from weedguru.com above. Oh, geeez, that is ignorant. For one thing, they claim that marijuana causes hallucinations and can make people lose their senses (whatever that means -- unconscious?) for five minutes. What a load. Over the years I have gotten a lot of e-mails from veteran pot smokers on the subject of marijuana that causes hallucinations. Invariably, they want to know where they could possibly find some of that magical stuff. Marijuana most commonly causes hallucinations in people who have never taken it. The pages at weedguru.com are a good example.
2006-12-13 12:47:09 · answer #2 · answered by Cliff Schaffer 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Alcohol only causes more problems because it is legal and incredibly easy to get even for those under the drinking age. Alcohol also has a cultural place most societies while doing marijuana has more of stigma attached to it usually.
That said, if marijuana was made legal and therefore more widely available the amount of problems, accidents and issues due to marijuana use would undoubtedly go up.
Marijuana should not be made legal because it would add to the problems already associated with drinking and drug use not to mention the negative effect it has on the brain and potentially the user's life (see source).
2006-12-12 15:07:24 · answer #3 · answered by scully71500 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Years ago, I took a class on drugs and drug dependency, and I was astonished to learn just how dangerous alcohol is - yet it's perfectly legal. What medical benefits can be derived from alcohol? It's been proven that marijuana DOES have some medical benefits. It certainly should be legal for people with a medical necessity, but I think it should just be legal, period. Who gets stoned and gets into a huge fight? Regulate it and tax the hell out of it.
2006-12-12 14:48:08 · answer #4 · answered by Jadis 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Alchohol has an established ritual history in our culture. You use it to "toast" at celebrations, among countless others. I agree with the sentiment that alchohol is in many ways much more destructive, but don't plan on cultural acceptance of cheeba anytime soon, due to the fact that it is smoked. Fanatical anti-smoking big brotherism is gaining momentum. there are laws being considered that would ban cigarette smoking in the privacy of your own home.
2006-12-12 14:56:00 · answer #5 · answered by johnking1972 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, marijuana has some advantages, and unlike alcohol, you can't overdose on marijuana. Also, you can control yourself, and relieves pain. I'm all for legalizing marijuana.
2006-12-12 15:03:48 · answer #6 · answered by kcy_4 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
HELL YEAH!!! It probabley never will with politics even trying to ban all smoking. It has came to the extent that I was refused an interview because I smoke cigarettes. It's affecting all arreas of our lives.
2006-12-12 16:21:27 · answer #7 · answered by stormy_one67 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Everyone agrees. Kinda makes ya wonder who is getting represented in this here "representative democracy", eh?
2006-12-12 14:46:51 · answer #8 · answered by Red Winged Bandit 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yeah, major pot head, hydro and purple haze.. i have been a smoker for 16 yrs and iam completely, responsble, respectful parent of 3 children.
2006-12-12 14:45:24 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Have done it for over 20 years, lot safer than drinking,,,
2006-12-12 14:48:54 · answer #10 · answered by Chazz Drizzler 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋