Do you think marijuana will be legal in the next 10-15 years?

Question

After the generation of people who grew up in the '70s and later starts coming into power ... do you think we'll see a serious de-escalation of the war on drugs? I'm not a stoner myself but I like to know I can have a toke if I want one, and as a taxpayer and a human being I hate to see so much money, manpower, and jail time being spent on a substance that is non-addictive and no more harmful that the legal-but-sensibly-regulated alcohol & cigarettes.

Answer 1

I think so, there is a growing understanding of the benefits of cannabis. There are non-profit medical groups lobbing to make marijuana legalized. The Ad-consul would make people believe its a gate-way drug when a lot of research found that its is far less addictive than chocolate. What causes people to try other drugs after marijuana is that they enjoyed the sensation and wanted more but thats no different then an adrenaline junky. What does it say when states defy federal law and offer it at their city halls? Legalization of cannabis at the federal level is around the corner.

There are studies out there that plainly state that the possibility of overdosing on cannabis is so remote that it was almost impossible, unlike alcohol. It would be easier to overdose on cigarettes then marijuana. Its one of the safest drugs, even compared to over the counter drugs. With studies like that, how can something so harmless remain illegal. Seriously, safety pins are probably more dangerous then cannabis.

Besides, the reason cannabis is illegal was based more on fear, racism, and stereotypes than any real facts. Thats why cannabis has the more popular name marijuana, the ad-consul, among others, once tried to demonize it as a gateway to libertinism and associated it with a group of unwanted migrating groups from the south.

Answer 2

It makes me laugh to think that nobody will legalize it because they're worried this will promote it, despite creating an underground business empire that employs millions around the world and governments spending billions to tackle it without success, people take it anyway and its a million times better than alcohol, when it does eventually become legal the people of the future will be laughing even harder at us for being so mind numbingly stupid. But about whether it will or not, there's nobody with balls big enough to implement it at the moment apart from Ron Paul who may not get elected although his genius ideas for a better USA and world have resonated with a lot of smart people, this will have a profound effect on the young politicians of America who are actually interested in helping the country progress rather than keep it the way it is. Anyway I hope so its tiring having to deal with drug dealers, and you have no idea if its gonna be any good or whats actually in it :(

Answer 3

I wish more people thought the way you do.

I think there are several reasons why marijuana will remain illegal.

1) convictions support the penal industry
2) It gives the U.S. a reason to intervene in other countries
3) It gives authority to confiscate property, without a trial, which is then sold and shared with the local police departments.
4) It creates a boogeyman to scare the general public that the government can do battle with and gain the publics support.

In short, there's more money to be made keeping it illegal - justice be damned.

Answer 4

I think it'll happen, and sooner than any of us think. Let's look at some facts:

Over 400,000 people are arrested every year for Marijuana posession.

Over 12 billion dollars is spent every year on the "war on drugs".

Marijuana has been declared less harmful than alcohol, cigarettes, any other illegal drug, most prescription drugs, and many over-the-counter drugs by MULTIPLE government agencies and doctors.

If we were to legalize Marijuana tomorrow, tax it at 20%, and have it sold only in federal and/or state regulated stores, we could pay for Social Security for the next 100 years. It'd also free up TONS of law enforcement personel to fight the REAL killers: coke, crack, heroine, PCP, crystal meth, etc..

Think about it (and this is for marijuana smokers and non-smokers alike): When was the last time you saw someone high on *just marijuana* that was unruly, angry, starting fights, robbing stores to support their habit, beating their girlfriend, etc, etc, etc...

We need to STOP teaching our children that Pot and Cocaine are the same type of drug simply because they're illegal. This is the only reason Marijuana is considered a gateway drug: Naive teens try it, see it's no big deal, and think, "They lied to me about weed, I bet heroin isn't half as bad as they say either!"

It's "high" time we passed some SERIOUS Marijuana legislation.

Answer 5

I no longer consider it an issue of a "War on Drugs" but instead a "Cancer on Society."

Enforcement of drug laws will never waiver as there are too many problems associated with drug abuse.

After having worked in Narcotics Enforcement for over 20 years, I've learned that there ARE worse problems associated with the "harder" drugs than there are with minor use of marijuana. But as most in my profession will say....Marijuana IS a "gateway" drug that has been determined to have health issues! Like others on this post...I have too often seen minor marijuana use blossom into a more serious drug habit!

Does that mean marijuana will be "legalized?" I don't see that happening until the World Health Organization and other leading Health Organizations recognize a greater use for it being legalized!

There is no medical use for marijuana itself when pharmaceuticals have already produced synthetic THC!

Yes there are countries that have legalized personal use, however, here in the United States...no!

Hope this helps!

Best wishes!

Answer 6

No I really don't because drug laws are about the only way to get some people treatment for their addictions.
If they do legalize marijuana, I can see a HUGE rise in video game sales and chocolate chip cookie companies should enjoy huge profits.

Answer 7

I am a pothead and I wish it would become legal. But in reality the answer is no. When my parents were my age (early 20's), everyone was saying the same thing "pot is going to be legalized soon!" Everyone has thought it would become legalized for years and years. Who knows, maybe it will. But there will always be people who oppose it because they are ignorant and have never tried it or don't like anything that opposes their own opinion.

Answer 8

Having seen "recreational" marijuana use destroy two lives and negatively impact a number of people around them, I am strongly opposed to ever legalizing it. It is not harmless and if legalized and regulated, I think we will see an across the board rise in use of it and harder drugs. That said, I do believe that it will be legalized in a decade or so over objections of people such as myself.

Answer 9

different drugs are being legalized in other countries. In 15 years it will probably be legalized. After all Alclohol was made illigal for some time during prohibition. But that didnt last long.

Answer 10

I hope so. I think the whole idea of telling someone what they can and cannot put into their own body is ridiculous.
If some scumbag wants to smoke crack and ruin his life, then let him.
But when I see good people in jail for something like pot, for YEARS, and a child predator can come out in less than that. It's outrageous.
But the money made on both sides from it being illegal is copious...
I don't know, it will be quite interesting.