Why is marijuana illegal?

Question

The question is concerning why, not how. What are the benefits of its current status? What are the setbacks? Please do not answer with dates and numbers as to "how" it became illegal. Please answer the question as if it were ultimate, and not proximate. I sincerely would like to understand why it is illegal in the United States.

Answer 1

I'm not sure really...I think because it's a 'mind-altering' drug - but so is alcohol, but that is legal...

I think it's stupid, really, that it's illegal.

Answer 2

The government has what is known as the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) which provides classifications of selected drugs which are placed in those classifications based upon 1) Medical Use; 2) Potential for Abuse; and 3) Potential for Addiction.

With there being synthetic drugs on the market that have the same qualities as marijuana...the marijuana was classified as a Schedule I drug under the CSA.

When the CSA was established, included in the process of drug placement were specific laws based upon international treaties that required the control of a substance.

Until all the countries involved in those international treaties change the laws concerning the legality of marijuana...the United States will stand firm in compliance with those established laws!

Answer 3

marijuana is illegal because our government has the crazy idea it can legislate our morals and behavior on one hand. on the other keeping marijuana illegal is a big money maker for law enforcement and the dea. the war on (some) drugs has become an immense black hole where obscene amounts of money can disappear into. the government has spent billions of dollars in "attempting" to win the war. and nothing has been accomplished. marijuana is even easier to buy today than it was years ago.
i also believe it's being kept illegal because it is such a commercially valuable plant. hemp can be used to create a superior paper, so lobbyists for the paper industry don't want it grown. hemp fiber can be made into cloth that is better than cotton, so our textile industry doesn't want it grown. hemp seed can be used as a food crop and as bio-diesel. the corn people don't want this. there's just too much money being made keeping this wonderful plant from being grown in our backyards. i'm sure glad those folks in washington are looking out for me!
here's a link to a great movie that explains things better than i can. it's on google video and named "grass" http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5472332679367311144

Answer 4

Marihuana is illegal because of the lies and fabrications William R. Hearst, and Harry Anslinger, told to our government, trying to look good for the American public, whose confidence was shaken by the depression. The government needed to slay an evil dragon, and were provided one by the media.
Benefits of current status;
It is currently legal, for medicinal use, in 17 states, by state laws.
Setbacks;
It is currently illegal, for any purpose, in 50 states, by federal laws.

Answer 5

You will not find a reasonable answer to your question, either ultimate or proximate... as there is none. It is illogical. The only answer, which is no answer is that marijuana is illegal because it is illegal.

Answer 6

Because government has no infrastructure set up to collect taxes on it.

Cannabis became illegal in the first place to try and drive Mexican immigrants from the country.

Last time I bothered to read up on it, there were 13 states who recognize cannabis for its medicinal purposes.

Answer 7

it is illegal in the united states, simply because the government has not yet figured out a way to make money off it YET. they cannot tax an illegal substance, so they would have to make it legal before they could make any money. cigarettes would be illegal if gov. did'nt make money off them.

Answer 8

I think Clinton kept it illegal so that he and Pelosi can make a ton of money selling it in the black market.

And, it might cause birth defects.

Answer 9

Illegal here also for the same reasons as there......