Should Marijuana be legalized in the U.S.??

Question

This is for my debate class. I have to agrue that marijuana should not be legalized. If you can give me more ideas that would be great!!

Answer 1

NO!!!

Answer 2

You have to argue that it should NOT be legalized? Well you certainly have your work cut out for you. Did you pick that stance or was it handed to you?

Mainly, the government has tried to argue that it is dangerous, harmful, damaging to society, etc... But the truth has begun to emerge that the laws against it and the methods and tactics used to reduce the harm are actually more harmful than what they're trying to stop.

Most people seem to believe that marijuana should at least be decriminalized if not legalized outright. I agree with the legalization of it not simply because marijuana is a relatively safe (not 100%) substance, but also because I just don't think the government has the right to tell people what they can or can't do with their own bodies. But that's beside the point.

I guess if you needed to argue for keeping it illegal, try to focus on whatever harm it causes (which isn't as much as the government would like you to believe). Chronic use may cause some respiratory issues (which could be countered with arguments for moderation), driving under the influence may cause accidents (which could be countered by arguing for NOT driving under the influence), the gateway drug theory has been largely discredited, but I suppose you could stretch things.

Personally, I think you should harken to the days when they first were trying to scare people into making it illegal. If you do it right (use appropriate melodramatic inflection, tone, and expressions) you should get a good laugh. Use the old arguments and fear tactics from the 1930s such as Harry Anslinger first saying it caused people to become homicidal maniacs, then during time of war he contradicted this by saying it caused people to become pacifists. Anslinger is also credited with the racist statement that marijuana caused black men to rape white women and to think they were as good as white men, though I doubt you'll have any success with that type of argument. There are others who say it turns you into a homosexual and causes AIDS to spread. Better yet, go rent Reefer Madness (the old one) and form your arguments based on the outrageous claims made in that propaganda film.

Good luck with your debate.

Answer 3

One of the strongest arguments for legalizing marijuana is the medical uses of the drug. Thses are however offset by the fact that most of the medicinal qualities can be obtained without getting high. The particular chemical that creates the high is not necessary for the other more beneficila effects, such as for glaucoma, cancer , and muscular dystrophy patients. The medicinal properties have not been clearly proven either.
Another argument for legalization is that marijuana really harms noone and is not physically addictive. The same people that make this argument will often use being stoned as an excuse for some other thing they did.

Answer 4

I have a debate class to and i'm agruing that marijuana shouldnt be legelized...and here is some things i found about it...

Persistent use will damage lungs and airways and raise the risk of cancer. There is just a much exposure to cancer-causing chemicals from smoking one marijuana joint as smoking 5 tobacco cigarettes. Mean your more likely to get cancer from "pot" then you are from a regular cigarette.


Your at greater risk of getting a lung infection like pneumonia from smoking marijuana than your are from smoking cigarettes....


I hope that little bit helped

Answer 5

A big arguement always used by people against - is that it makes the step to hard drugs easier.

I think the best option the US has, is to adopt a system similar to The Netherlands (or Holland) - which has NOT legalized it, but has adopted a non-enforcement policy - meaning that smokers / users are not actively pursued.
They still have the option to arrest someone on drug charges - but usually only do that in combination with other things, such as violence, theft or robbery.

Answer 6

I would base my debate point on the scientific evidence that shows that Marijuana is a bridge drug to other more dangerous drugs such as Heroin or Meth. Additionally, there is mounting evidence that people that smoke marijuana have suppressed intellectual levels when compared to those that have not done this.

But the truth is, this drug is really no more harmful than cigarettes. They both do harm, as does alcohol. We have many double standards in this country and this certainly is one of them. It makes no sense whatsoever to legalize alcohol and cigarettes and restrict these other drugs. Either ban them all or allow them all.

We don't need the government telling us what we can and can't do.

Answer 7

Yes. Big brother can hop you up on prescription pills, which are clearly not controlled, but pot is illegal?People fight , crash and kill each other on alcohol. How many times do you hear of this happening after somebody smokes some herb, which is naturally supplied by the man(or woman) upstairs?
Cigarettes, the leader of dangerous drugs. Also the largest monetary donor to our elected officials. Weird,huh? I'm still not saying it should be legal...but what about these more dangerous things.

Answer 8

You picked the wrong end of the debate.

But generally, you could use the same basic arguments that they came up with to impose prohibition back in the 1930's.

If you want to get more specific, you could use the same arguments that are being used today to try and make tobacco illegal. Mostly this would consist of dangers to non-smokers though since marijuana is not chemically addictive.

Answer 9

yes because it will clear the legal system and lower the prison population, it will be a source of income for the people who need it and know what they're doing. people never want to sue beer and car companies when people get in dui's yet people with multiples are allowed to drive and we have tons of addicts in government passing laws on us. legalizing prostution would also be a huge income generator for the state just like gambling is. the problems lie in the increase in crime, since with the government setting prices it would be devalued and gangs and the mob would be killing the small dealers to keep their profit margins and gang wars over controlling drug turf would make what's going on now seem like the plot to an old miami vice episode.

Answer 10

There is a long thread on this very topic on the source that i have listed and i think you too are on the wrong side of the debate!
thats why you are out of ideas ;)

Answer 11

Every hard core user has been weaned on weed, this is why it is called the gateway drug.Even if a person does no other drugs, do we really need to have more spaced out potheads running around in society?