should marijuana be legal? why or why not? and with what restrictions?
79600
Yes, marijuana should be legal, because the current system of illegalization is unfair. Why are cigarettes, which are proven to be tons more times unhealthy and deadly than marijuana, legal? Cigs kill through a physical addiction as well as a psychological addiction, which means that you actually become physically dependent on the drug and you enjoy how it makes you feel, and therefore you develop the diseases that kill you. On the other hand, marijuana does not cause a physical addiction, but a psychological addiction. So you don't die from weed, and there are very few reports that support the direct disease development of weed that kills you. So why are cigs legal and taxed, but weed isn't? Why don't they just make weed legal, tax the hell out of it so it can benefit the economy, and set an age limit for 21 years-old, just like alcohol. This will benefit everyone, because it will allow taxes for law enforcement to go towards people who are actually committing violent crimes instead of trying to calm down after a hard day by smoking weed. Also, it will stop the violence that erupts over the weed drug war between gangs and thugs. Money will no longer be an issue for the gangs to fight about over the weed.\n\nWe all know why weed is illegal - because the majority of its users are minorities and those in poverty. Sure, there is a fair share of middle and upper class young people who smoke weed, but the majority are those of us in the lower tier of society. If it was made legal, then those in power (the rich, upper class and conservative citizens) would not have as much power over us. Bottom line. Dispute it if you want, but the evidence is clear.\n\nIt's the same thing with why a smaller amount of crack carries a harsher legal penalty than the same amount of pure cocaine. Poor minorities use crack, upper class citizens use pure cocaine.
310667
Alcohol is more harmful to the human body. Marijuana is illegal because it is a drug and the government can't make any money off of it. If it were legalized, the revenue from it would be the releif that this country has been in need of for too many years. We have many legal drugs that are way more harmful and yet they are used every day. Pot makes you mello. I think it should be legalized, and sold like cigarettes. This would eliminate the drug dealers and make things safer. The gov must be in with the drug dealers... we go to jail and they are at fault for allowing this to happen.  Any body think this is true?
401831
Well, that depends on what substances you are talking about.  Personally, I think that an adult should be allowed to engage in activities that are not harmful to anyone else and do not infringe on the rights of others.  Having said that, I do not necessarily believe that full legalization is the way to go.  In the case of marijuana, for instance, it is theorized that the price might actually increase if the government started regulating and taxing the sale of marijuana.  I think a more logical solution, at least in the case of marijuana, would be decriminalization.  The government would not regulate the industry; instead, they could monitor the sale of the plant to minors, insuring that everyone who chooses to buy marijuana is an adult(just like cigarettes).
1035368
Marijuana, because it can be used to treat glaucoma patients and to alleviate certain types of pain, should be legal, provided that it does not cause uncontollable affects in the users for whom it might be prescribed.  Legalization could eliminate the abuse of this drug and the sale of it by "street pharmacists" who frequently add other dangerous chemicals to it and use unscrupilous sales tactics to dupe customers who cannot get it legally.  The fact that it is illegal makes it more tempting to some people who enjoy living on the edge.
596414
Let me first start by saying I have never smoked any pot or done anyother type of drugs in my life. Not because I have any religious beliefs against it or anything, but just because I like having control of my mind and thoughts. I also do not drink by personal choice. (not that I look down on you if you do.) \n\nI believe the main reason that pot is not legal is because of voting pressure against our leaders. They know that there are tons of groups such as M.A.D.D. and others that would make sure that they were never re-elected. However I feel that if we ever have leaders with enough balls to do it, it would not only lower the crime rate but it would overall help our country finanially.\n\n\n\nIf they legalized drugs it would...\n\nA. Make room in our prisons. Our prisons are overflowing with so many people that they are constanly having to turn guilty criminals loose on the streets to make room for more. About 73% of people in jail are there on some type of drug charge or another. If they legalized drugs there would be more room to house murderers, rapists, and other serious criminals in this world.\n\nB. It would lower the persentage of roberies everyday in this country. If drugs were legal, the price of them would drop jurasticlly. Therefore there would not be as many desperate people out there who are willing to steal to feed their habit.\n\nC. It would bring more economic opportunity to our various states. If it were able to be purchased the same as you would a beer (which by the way it does absolutely no more harm than beer does) then any store could aquire a license to sell and it would hence bring more money for our honest local buisiness owners, instead of into the pockets of lowlife scum dealers.\n\nThese are my thoughts on this subject.
1153668
I think it is something that needs to be done.  We have all sorts of highly addictive and dangerous drugs that are legal-vicodin, percoset, oxycotin....It may take longer for it to be legalized for recreational use, but is it really any worse than alcohol?  I know of MANY more lives ruined by alcohol than marijuana.
1086319
Yes.\n1. As a popular intoxicant, marijuana is much safer than alcohol and other drugs. If Tobacco and Alcohol are available (tolerated by society), then marijuana should also be tolerated. I would much rather have my child abuse marijuana than alcohol, because afterward they would still have a liver and a brain.\n2. All recreational drugs should be legalized. There is no point trying to regulate personal behavior, which contravenes the American ethic anyway.\nCurrent laws do or can provide penalties for intoxicated problem behaviors such as driving under the influence, so that's covered.\n3. If you want to eliminate the crime associated with "the drugs trade", then legalize drugs. If necessary, make various drugs (such as cocaine) available only at the pharmacist's counter with a valid ID as proof of age.\nBut, no more drug kingpins - drugs will be commodified.\n4. Tax drug sales and get those revenues; and save all the money wasted on the drug war.\n\n5. And of course, as a marijuana user, I would look forward to cheaper product. :)
301944
Yes, because I need a soothing way to relax and I really hate drinking. Cigarettes just don't cut it.\n\nIf the US legalized marijuana it would help our economy so much I can't believe the government doesn't see this. It would create new jobs (growers, farmers, textiles, factory workers, etc) and might actually reduce the amount of alcoholics we have wasting away in this country.\n\nI do believe it should be treated just like cigarettes / alcohol if it were legalized though and that penalties and fines be given to unlicensed growers (just as moonshining is illegal) or people selling to minors, etc.
1024007
It should definetly be legal. i know alot of people who smoke and honestly some of them function better while high you cant say that about anyone who has been drinking! But yet drinking is legal? go figure
34706
I think that it's absolutely pointless that it's illegal.  Prohibition didn't stop people from drinking alcohol, it only made it more dangerous for all of the people who were already drinkers.  The only reason I see for continuing to keep marijuana illegal is to supply more people with jobs in law enforcement and in the penal system.
736693
I agree. I don't smoke marijuana but think it should be legalized. Think of how much money the government would save/make.\n1 The government spends loads of money to try and prevent people from using marijuana. With advertisements and all.\n2 the government has to spend tax money to build new prison's, because so many people get arrested for possession.\n3 Government could tax it similar to how they tax tobacco and alcohol, so they could potentially make Millions maybe even more.\n4 police could spend time actually helping people rather than trying to bust people for smoking a little marijuana every now and then.\n5 could create new jobs and stimulate the economy with people buying and selling.
126322
I think it should be decriminalized.  Marijuana is so much safer than alcohol and tobacco!  And I've never seen a violent pothead!  Think of how much revenue would be generated if it were legalized, and taxed!  Not to mention the savings.  Prisons would be less populated, police could spend more time on things that REALLY matter (you know, murder, other "hardcore" drugs).  I have always been for the legalization of marijuana.  But a lot of jobs may be lost as well (law enforcement).  The "war on drugs" is a big business, and we're just little pee-ons, so what we think doesn't matter anyway.
887110
No.   Federal Law prohibits states to legalize pot (and other substances)
1045398
Mostly fear. And ignorance. \n\nThe medical community and people who decide what is legal and illegal still consider marijuana to be a gateway drug. They think it is  bad for you. \n\nWhile I agree with you about it should be legal, it isn't. \n\nYou can it taken off the list of illegal drugs and work to make it legal, but until it is legal, don't break the law and risk going to jail. Instead, work to get it made legal. \n\nIt is legal for medical use in Oregon and California and all over the west coast. \n\nWork to get it legalized.
723552
For some its risky because it can cause mental health problems for others it can help with illness .Its a tricky one because you will always get people who take it too much .In moderation I think its OK but like anything else you have to get the balance right.Maybe it should be on prescription for people who use to ease symptoms of illness and for those who use it recreationally have legal venues where use is moderated/sensibly controlled,without criminalisation.That would get rid of some of the dodgy element.But I believe the drug laws need a complete overhaul anyway and sooner rather than later.
1031727
Cuz they are drugs that do absolutely nothing for you. Politicians drink and smoke cigs.  If they didn't they would be banned.  I agree that pot should be legal, it has known medical benefits.  But everything in moderation.
137646
I have rethought my position on legalization of marijuana. I think it should be legal under certain guidelines and locals.\n\nThe first reason it should be legalized it will mellow out the liberals. They are way to shrill.\n\nReason number two, if a liberal is high they won't care about voting and we can easily elect conservative representative, congressmen, and president. Conservatives will never again have to deal with R.I.N.O.s if this happens. Imagine if there was no Arlen Spector or John McCain.\n\nReason Three assuming that only liberals and libertarians are for the legalization of drugs they can fight amongst themselves, and we conservatives have a way to sure up our power\n\nThe Previsos\n\nmarijuana would only be legal in Blue States. If you are caught with marijuana in a red state you get a trial and immediately executed after the trial, no appeals. The reason for this is to get potheads out of here and since it seams as if the Blue states want to legalize it let them.\n\nIf someone who is high robs, steals, or causes an accident after THC is detected in their system ALL their possessions become the property of the estate of the victim. (applies to all fifty)\n\nIf they have children, the children are removed from the home and are never returned (applies to all fifty)\n\nThe only treatment for those who want to quit smoking marijuana will be the intake of tobacco products, or beaten with a bong. Paid for by the offender (the way they train dogs not to make messes on carpets) Again all fifty.\n\nIf this works for marijuana I would propose the same for all illicit drugs. But no one would accept this proposal so I will have to continue my opposition to this and ALL illegal drugs.