Why is marijuana still illegal?

Question

Every study that comes out further proves that pot is actually safer then alcohol, and this includes studies commissioned by the american government. Well over half the adults in this country have smoked pot.

Also, because it is illegal, sales of pot becomes a part of the black market and often brings perfectly innocent kids into contact with drugs that really are dangerous that they would have never otherwise encountered.

Unless you can cite your sources, don't throw a bunch of BS anti-drug propaganda at me. Marijuana is not physically addictive, it doesn't "make you lazy," and my memory is just fine. Millions of people use it and get on with their lives perfectly normally.

Braindead, soulless people? You know nothing, darlin. I've been at is for 15 years and have a very good job, a loving family, and a healthy body. Ditto for most of the other potsmokers I know. Everything in moderation.

Answer 1

Unfortunately, it's been proven that marijuana is the first drug
of choice of a future drug addict.
The fact that it is prohibited makes teenagers especially drawn towards it. If it were legal, there wouldn't be such a "fatal attraction" to it.

Marijuana should be legalized to stop its black market.

It should be sold at all vegetable stands and in supermarkets.
Supply should be plentiful so the price will ultimately settle according to supply and demand, like any other product.

Since marijuana is smoked, the price should include a tax same as the cigarette tax. It should be governed by the same laws that regulate cigarette smoking, with the exception that it cannot be allowed to be smoked while driving. It definitely impairs your driving ability and reaction timing.

Answer 2

Marijuana is still illegal for a couple reasons:
1) The "War on Drugs" nets ridiculous amounts of money each each year. Why would they legalize something they make so much money on?

2) Because the government has not figured out how to control it and therefore make money off it (at least not as much as they're making on the "War on Drugs")


P.S. Not ALL pot-smokers are lazy no-good bums. that's like saying everyone who drinks alcohol is violent and angry. I firmly believe that the only "lazy" pot smokers are the people who were lazy to begin with! I know plenty of hard-working, goal-oriented, contributing members of society who burn one down once in a while. Big deal.

Answer 3

Marijuana smoking is unhealthy, that's why. Marijuana smoke contains carcinogens, although ironically it also contains chemicals which are anti-carcinogens. Smoking marijuana slows down the mitochondrial metabolism in pulmonary (lung) tissue, and in a study done in Germany has been proven to cause permanent damage to the spatial reasoning skills of 15-year old boys. Smoking marijuana probably does have less deleterious effects than alcohol, but the moderate use of alcohol has health benefits. No one knows if the moderate use of marijuana has any health benefits, although some will claim that it does. The reason its still illegal is primarily political - politicians want to look "tough on crime and drugs", but you do have a point. If pot were made legal the crime organizations would lose billions of dollars, and if it were heavily taxed we could probably pay off the Federal deficit in the US in less than 10 years. However, it might create an entirely new health problem that might cost the US economy billions in health care costs in the future, so it will probably stay illegal for a long time to come.

BTW: there are legitimate medical uses for some of the derivatives of marijuana, but the SMOKING of marijuana will NEVER be safe.

P.S. Please note that I am the ONLY person (other than one) who has responded so far to provide you with links to back up my statements. I can prove that smoking marijuana is unhealthy, because I am quoting the scientists who do the research, not just repeating what the government is telling us, and can therefore provide you with extremely detailed information in regards to why smoking pot is unhealthy.

P.S.S. To those of you who are giving me "thumbs down" I tell you this: I don't make the rules - I just know what they are. And don't think that I haven't had experience here - I'm a blues-rock guitarist - do the friggin' math!

Answer 4

I completely agree with you, and for those who feel it is addictive...they are wrong. I smoked daily for years in the past, and one day...I decided, won't mesh well with my career, I ought to stop. So, I did...no problem, no withdrawals at all. Don't get me wrong, if it was legal for me to do it, I would...but I can't, so I won't (don't like to drink alcohol except on rare occassions). If a heavy drinker was to quit the same way that I did, they would have to be hospitalized and could possibly die from the D.T.'s...many have.

No, I was not lazy, I'm not dumb...always made straight A's (ok, well the occasional B in math and pre-cal...I HATE math!). And, I never tried any other drug because I watched the show COPS, kinda turns you off on those heavier drugs. Meth/Coke/Heroine addicts looked VERY gross and pathetic to me.

The reason it was banned initially racism and Big Cotton. The reason it still is b/c of Big Pharma, Big Cotton, Big Alcohol and all the money being made by certain people because of the "war on drugs".

Hypocritical, stupid and highly irresponsible.

Answer 5

Here's part of the problem....the government is filled with baby boomers, the baby boomers were drug users (the o.g. hippies that wrecked both sex and drugs for future generations).

They BB's grew up, had to stop doing drugs when they had kids (cultural norm, but its acceptable to drink, go figure), and are bitter about it now. Just like when people who give up cigs, and get to the point that they hate cigs and smokers and feel like the mere smell of smoke could possible kill them.

The BB's are bitter that they don't smoke pot anymore so no one gets to.

If everyone would smoke and realize its about as harmful as a morning cup of coffee and that it actually can do you some good, we'd all be better off.

Answer 6

Marijuana isn't a dangerous drug, nor is it a "gateway drug". You could argue all day about the problems associated with drug abuse, the fact remains that there is a large segment of our population that breaks the law in regards to this substance, and does so because they do not believe the drug to be dangerous.

Would it not make more sense to legalize this product so the sale of it could be taxed? As I said before, people are going to use it anyway, legal or not.

Answer 7

You dont think it wouldnt still come into the black market and "innocent" kids still get it? Prescription drugs are still being sold black market. Seriously though, I would not have a probelm with it being sold as a presciption drug--it does really help people with cancer.

Answer 8

There is no good reason. It's just momentum.
Once illegal no government official is brave
enough to push for overturning an obviously
ridiculous prohibition.

Answer 9

why the hell does anybody smoke that junk? it makes you stink, you look dirty after a while. all the human beings need is clean air and water. if people need it so much, shouldnt we give it to children? i can tell that you are a smoker because that crap took over your brain

check out this reputable website about the damages

http://www.nida.nih.gov/Infofacts/marijuana.html

Answer 10

I know long term pot smokers and they have all become brain-dead, thoughtless soulless people. I think it should stay illegal.