Should marijuana be legalized? Why or why not?

Question

if yes, what could be the possible effects on society

Answer 1

I believe that if it could be good for medical use, they should at least have it available on prescription. But not legalised in the form of "available at the nearest gas station", since the government is at the moment doing the best they can to restrict people from smoking ordinary tobacco in restaurants and public places.

This could help in fighting illness among the population and keep fools from winding up in bad company and becoming criminals.

Answer 2

absolutely and here is the 4 part answer as to why;
1. Marijuana is less addictive, damaging, and intoxicating than alcohol which is legal. the disparity in law makes no sense.
2. Legalizing and regulating marijuana will keep it from children. If regulated to an equal level as alcohol it will lower the use in children under 21 or 18.
3. If legalized the tax profits from marijuana could easily fund the war on much harsher drugs and anything else that needs funding.
4. legalizing marijuana would provide numerous new jobs in a new industry as well as new cash crops around the country revitalizing some farming areas that could very much use it

Answer 3

It's largely a matter of opinion. There's very little hard science behind arguments on either side. Healthwise, marijuana is not much more dangerous than tobacco and alcohol, both of which are legal.

Legalization of marijuana will most likely lead to lower prices, which will increase consumption (and related accidents) among teenagers and young adults, but reduce drug-related crime. The former will negatively impact middle and upper classes, while the latter will improve the quality of life for the poor.

Answer 4

Yes. Prohibition has been a colossal failure, and people have been criminalized who would otherwise be considered good citizens. Marijuana is no more dangerous or addictive than alcohol and tobacco, and certainly better for you than refined sugar, yet we actually wage a war against users.

Prohibition has created a public attitude of distrust in the authorities that would otherwise not exist. People have become more tolerant of law breaking in general because of laws they break themselves. So the first major consequence of legalization is that a large segment of our population would feel less alienated from their own government, as it is no longer waging war on them.

There would be a net gain in revenue for the government as well, as marijuana profits and sales could and would be taxed, while the enormous sums of public money spent on enforcement, prosecution and imprisonment could be diverted to more serious offenses. Put simply, we would have more police left to deal with the real crimes that have real victims.

Some will argue that marijuana is a gateway drug. My experience, both as a marijuana smoker and as an emergency room care provider is that more addicts start on tobacco and alcohol than on pot, which is just a stopping place on the way to truly stupid personal decisions.

I have had fifteen year old girls explain to me that they took the acid because pot was too hard to find, and much more expensive. What I have not had was a pot smoker who got angry and beat up his kids, or drove through a sidewalk in a school zone.

I have smoked marijuana on and off since junior high school, and still managed to put in a career both in the hospital and in my local public service organizations. I have served on elected boards and commissions with other smokers, both conservative and liberal, and found they got more done than the drunks.

I would really love someday for my society to accept me, and not classify me as an undesirable.

Answer 5

No it should not be legal, too many children can get ahold of it already with it illegal. However, it should'nt be such a huge deal if an adult does get caught with it/growing it. I think permits for anyone over 25 who would like to smoke/grow. At 25 most people are'nt hanging out around teens anymore...and if you do get caught "sharing" with teens or high in public then your permit is suspended for 1 year and you are fined. The money can be used for anti-drug effort for teens.

Answer 6

Yes it should, besides the fact that I think the more hype a drug gets, the more people are going to want to use it. If we legalize it, I think more people are less likely to use it. And it's less lethal then alcohol, so I don't see how it's bad for you at all, except for it makes you tired and hungry :)

Answer 7

yes

Answer 8

Another drug for the government to tax....

Yes. Legalise it. it might take the heat off my alcohol misuse ;-)

Answer 9

No, it should be decriminalize, but for the sakes of our kids future, it should not be legalized

Answer 10

NO, its a drug you dont need, no way no how, i lost too many friends because of it