FIVE REASONS TO LEGALIZE MARIJUANA

to me it doesnt matter. i think if it were made legal, it could slightly boost our economy because givin that it did become legal the government would probably begin to grow their own feilds and tax the hell outta it. or so i would think. However, weed will never be legal so the topic is somewhat pointless

why should marijuana be legalized?!i just can't get it..drugs don't solve problems and if this happens then it is more easy for kids to be addicted...no more fiends are needed.
i would never support such fact and i don't think Obama would either...

I presented this argument my senior year in college...

Legalization

1. Tax generating revenue due to government regulated sales.
2. Increased need in the job force due to large farming and manufacturing setups.
3. Decreased prison population.
4. Decrease in violent crimes due to police resources being freed up.
5. Decreased revenue flow to international drug cartel\crime syndicates.

hightimes gives you 10 reasons why it should be legal.
http://hightimes.com/legal/ht_admin/1842

idoworkalways pretty much said it.

why should somebody legalize drugs! i just can't get it..and I don't think that would be a good thing for Obama's image...no more fiends are needed

1.Marijuana does not cause death.
2.There are more people in jail for drugs then there are other criminals.
3.Marijuana being legal will cause a sudden drop in using other harder drugs such as methamphetamines, barbiturates, heroin, alcohol and cocaine.
4.cultivating marijuana will cause a spike in economic growth for more and more plantations of marijuana.
5.The US government is losing billions in tax revenue.
6.The US has more people in prison than any other country
7.The US is a few trillion dollars in debt
8.Marijuana is legal in Amsterdam and is on the way of being legal in Canada. Both countries have far less crime than the US.
9.Africa can be the world’s largest supplier of hemp.
10.Marijuana is not a gateway drug.
Marijuana does not cause cancer
Your teen has a better chance of dieing from alcohol or becoming pregnant then they do messing up their lives form marijuana.
Marijuana does not kill brain cells, it only blocks receptors.
You can not overdose on marijuana

why dont my coments ever show up!

Preach!

1) It owns
2) its not a gateway drug, people just say that cuz they dont smoke. its a personal choice if u want to do other shit.
3) the govt will make more money, and u kno they need it.
4) it can be used brilliantly for medical use
5) its harmless and the high really doesnt last that long (depending how much u smoke) and although it does slow u down, you can still do your normal routine of shit during the day.

idoworkalways just sumed it up....

1. Tax generating revenue due to government regulated sales.
2. Increased need in the job force due to large farming and manufacturing setups.
3. Decreased prison population.
4. Decrease in violent crimes due to police resources being freed up.
5. Decreased revenue flow to international drug cartel\crime syndicates.

I still dont get why people are usin it...

people close to me got their life F`d up because of this.... I have tried it myself and I didnt enjoy it at all

Mayyn ive been smokin it for a minute and i havnt felt the need to step up to another drug...
i personaly dont think its a gateway drug...
"""SOME"""" People who do weed first go on to other drugs
NOT """EVERYBODY"" goes on to other

my opinion is that people should be able to smoke,eat,shoot,snort,or drink whatever the hell they feel necicary. it is there decision to be as miserable as the drugs make them.

SO do not insult the great plant known as cannabis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfZ2v019GvM

Interesting

1)It owns
2)the govt needs money
3)its not a gateway drug. doing other shit is a personal decision, weed doesnt make it for u.
4)yea it slows u down, but u can still do ur daily routine and get shit done.
5)it relaxes U. In todays world a lot of people could use some chill time.
6)...It Owns

idoworkalways got it right. and weather its legal or illegal...people are gonna use it. there are legal drugs at Walgreens or CVS that can kill you ten times faster than weed. and its the same thing my high school did a little while ago. they didnt allow gum, and everybody chewed it. it was all over the floor. they tested something, and said if we could keep it clean for a month, they would allow gum. we did it, and they allowed gum. it would be the same thing with weed. if they legalize it, there will be less drug trade.

idoworkalways that sounds good in context but in fact most of those statements are false. Here's my response to your five.

1)This is the most overused and most common misconception of marijuana legalization. What happens when something that wasn't previously taxed becomes taxed? it becomes more expensive. After all this time of people purchasing from their dealers you really think they're going to stop and go buy some and a local corner store for a way more expensive price, and for something that most likely isn't even as potent. It wont happen people will stick to their dealers and become less afraid to purchase from them due to legalization.

2) That is actually a decent point but it doesn't take a work force to grow marijuana and i'm pretty sure the demand wont be that high, referring to my first point.

3) Another misconception. In many states you wont even go to prison for first time, second , or even third time minor possesion. Usually you get probation, or even something as little as a fine. Now granted there are some users in prison but the majority of people in prison due to drug related crimes are the dealers, traffickers, manufacturers, etc. Dealers get sent to prison not users.

4) Contrary to popular belief having more police doesn't always decrease crime. An example of this would be the city of London, their police use no weapons and have a smaller police force with a country of about 8 million people, one of the larger cities their crime rate is extremely low, lower then any city in the US and with a very low police presence. Crime isn't decreased by the amount of police we have but rather the way policing is done. I could go into my criminology theory but this isn't the place to post it lol.

5) I agree with this point to an extent. When you purchase a drug even something as small as marjiuana you are funding the cartels and organizations. Because what your paying, you are funding someone else, who is buying from someone else until it gets up the ladder. But refer to my first point, people will most likely stick with their dealers. Marijuana isn't the drug that's directly funding them though, al-queda alone control 80% of the opium trade, so its the people that are buying opium based drugs funding them.

So while in writing funding marijuana sounds good, it really doesn't make much sense.

i meant city when i said country about london... cant find that edit button

xducetrex, you're very wrong.

1. Look at alcohol. It was banned in the 1920s and people started to buy it illegally. Now it's legal (and taxed) and people buy it from stores. Making alcohol is as easy or even easier than growing marijuana so don't tell me people can't make alcohol. The price won't skyrocket and the potency will be the same if not greater because they will be grown in controlled environments versus in someone's backyard where they have the opportunity to harvest it early and what not.

To be honest it might be cheaper because of how easy it is to grow.

2. Wrong again. It doesn't take a massive workforce, but marijuana doesn't grow without people. People have to do it. It will create jobs. Demand will actually be higher because people who are too scared to do it due to its illegality will maybe try it AND the bogus surrounding the health issues of marijuana will be cleared up which, in turn, increases demand.

3. You're missing the point. The fact of the matter is that people ARE in jail because of shit like marijuana. They're not real criminals. It also costs somewhere around 20 grand a year to keep one guy locked up in prison. That's a bunch of money being flushed down the toilet to keep a harmless pothead in prison or jail.

4. Better than your other points, but remember that London is not America. There are infinitely more people in the US than London so that's not a fair comparison. Also don't forget that if police resources are freed up they have more time to train and get better at what they do.

5. See my previous points. Why risk your life and integrity with a stupid dealer when you can go straight into a store and buy it yourself?

To address Chamillionaire's question, pro-choice. We have every right to put what we want into our bodies especially something as harmless as marijuana. You know what should be banned? Alcohol and tobacco. They're the ones killing people on a massive scale, not marijuana. Find me one person who has died from marijuana alone and you'll have the solution to this debate. Oh, you can't? Why? Oh, that's right... because its never happened.

I guarantee you if alcohol was banned and marijuana was legalized we would see a significant decrease in car wrecks related to drug use.

Awrite Cham

Number One-
Cars can be made to run off marijuana.
"I got five on it"

Numero Dos-
The POlice will leave me the hell alone.
No more ridin dirty.

Part Tres-
If I get shorted, or it's some bunk, I go back to the store and get my M'in F'in refund. If not, I write the company and get some coupons or somethin.

Fourthly-
No worries about some fool tryin to put some PCP up in my weed and have me runnin around town like Smokey on a Friday.

Last but not least-
I can get a damn J-O-B (word of the day) without havin to worry about some cloudy pee. Halle-Berry-Lujah!

Chamillitary Mayne!
-Ryanasaurus Wrecks

To argue a couple of the points I posted earlier this morning:

1. Revenue - Canada has an annual revenue of 7 billion dollars that is from only the growth and not the sales. That's more money than their wheat production and hog farming.

3. Arrests\Prison - Cannabis arrests now comprise nearly 47.5 percent of all drug arrests in the United States.

idoworkalways basicly said it but......

i dont smoke never will but i mean "weed" was illegalized becuz of racist towards mexicans, and becuz it affect american own businesses but since we pass all that why not legalize it........

scratch that
MARIJUANA should be legalize becuz unlike what it did back then...it'll be able to help business...marijuana can be use for multiple resources from paper to medicines

1. Drugs less important in other countries, i.e. Mexico, where drug king pins have lots of power.

2. Less wasted taxpayers money on "war on drugs"

3. More room in prisons for child sex abusers.

4. The governemnt could put a tax on it just like alcohol and cigaretts. Point, the govt. will make more money from legalizing it than from keeping it legal, from less wasted money in the war on drugs, to less spent on pot growers in prison, to increased tax revenue.

5. It is honestly not that bad for you, anything not in moderation is bad for you. But smoking every once in a while is not a national security issue....

Mainly the imapact and uneven power/leadership distribution there is in other countries from importing illegal drugs would suffer a huge blow. Read up on prohibition and the effects it had on crime, corruption, etc.

It shouldnt be legalized at all..were talkin about the health of PEOPLE here. If you start it'll mess you up in the long run..and even if you do quit it takes a long time to get back to the way you normally funtion..take it from me..now i have bipolar disorder and its linked to my past drug use..many other people can say the same.

this is one of those arguments that's never going to end..
i'm pro legalization but i dont see it happening..
here's my quick 5...
1.help empty out prisons
2.save tax payer money (war on crime)
3.broaden up working world for your average pot head
4.will get street thugs and weed dealers off the streets (in theory)
5.can be used to help fight off anorexia.. lol that last argument is probably a little weak..

i do think there should be a "weed level"
sort of like alcohol level..
if thats possible..
and probably an age limit.. 18 sounds find..

i94hours,

1) I don't know if you've ever made or tried to make alcohol but it's really not that easy to make and then have it taste decent its not as easy as just mixing things together and hoping it comes out well. Anyways we aren't talking alcohol here, if people want alcohol to be banned for what it does fine ban it, i'm not for or against that. People always use this argument to get off topic and back people into a corner with the "well if we can do it with this it can work with everything" logic just because it works with something doesnt mean its going to work with everything. I don't know why you think the price wont skyrocket. Liquor itself is taxed somewhere in the 25% and up range, im not sure of the exact average in this country but its between 25-30%, marijuana, if ever legalized, especially in its first couple years will be taxed, and taxed very very hard, possibly quite more then cigarettes or alcohol currently are. So yes prices will go up, and go up high.

2) I have no idea what you mean by this, i know it will create jobs just as legalizing anything would. Bogus health issues? I realize some people that are anti-marijuana come up with some kind of stupid things to say against it. The fact is medical marijuana can be replaced by medications one such is marinol a synthetic form of the plant that does everything marijuana does for the patient, except for the high. What you need to understand is that although marijuana itself isn't dangerous the fact that you are inhaling smoke into the body no matter WHAT it is, is very dangerous for your lungs so there are medical concerns. Once again i understand the alcohol and cigarette argument but we aren't discussing that right now.

3) No i'm not and ill restate my original point drug users don't go to prison, dealers do. You cant sit there and tell me dealers ONLY sell marijuana, sure some do but most eventually move on to other drugs at a further time, i've experienced this myself in real life, with former friends. Dealers sell to anyone, age isn't discriminated. You are correct though it is expensive to keep someone in prison. Also users, if they do go, go to jail not prison and are usually there for less then a year. I'd like for you to find one just ONE case where a drug user went to prison for a long time. I guarantee you can't and if you do they are there for other reasons besides smoking weed. You arent going to land 5 years in jail getting caught with a joint, it just doesn't happen.

4)I understand london is not america but what does that have to do with anything. Having a lower crime rate then every single major city in this country means they have to be doing something right, doesn't it? And no once again its not the resources, london police officers are highly trained and some of the best in the world, THIS is the reason their crime is so low, their police techniques are significantly different then ours, and id write the comparisons but this is just a comment post.

5) Tons of people do it now why wouldn't they still? It's just cheaper.

Good posts though.

1. We're not talking about alcohol, you're right. That's why I'm using an analogy. I was comparing current decriminalization of marijuana to the prohibition of alcohol in the '20s. People seek unreliable and dangerous sources. If it's legalized, people won't as much when you can go straight to the store and buy it. It's going to be taxed, so what? I don't see why you think that because it's going to be taxed that's going to scare off everyone. I promise you that the majority of people will seek marijuana from a store due to higher potency and not to get in trouble with the law. Remember, most stoners aren't criminals and they'd do anything to avoid getting in trouble.

2. I don't understand this at all. Of course inhaling smoke is bad for you, but so is everything else if you don't do it in moderation. Even exercising and drinking water can be bad for you. By the way, medical marijuana is entirely irrelevant to the subject at hand.

3. This guy right here (http://www.morrisdailyherald.com/articles/2009/06/05/26821687/index.xml) got 3 years hard time for possession of marijuana. Google marijuana cases and you'll see that people do get sent, dealers and users alike, to prison/jail. They're not criminals.

Also, I was using the 20 grand a year as a reference point for how much of a waste of money it is. Even sending a guy to prison for a month costs over a thousand dollars.

4. By resources I meant training or techniques or whatever. The point is that the police will have time to train differently assuming we followed London's police standards. Also you're not factoring in how people grow up. People in America grow up with a lot more behavioral problems than London. Not to mention there is a higher percentage of ethnic groups in America's cities than London. It's racist, but it's true. Blacks and Hispanics have a higher crime rate and this is due to the fact they make up most of the poverty in America. Sorry to sound racist, but again, it's true. Statistics show it.

5. Because it's legal? Because they can do it virtually risk-free? Because the potency will be higher?

1. We're not talking about alcohol, you're right. That's why I'm using an analogy. I was comparing current decriminalization of marijuana to the prohibition of alcohol in the '20s. People seek unreliable and dangerous sources. If it's legalized, people won't as much when you can go straight to the store and buy it. It's going to be taxed, so what? I don't see why you think that because it's going to be taxed that's going to scare off everyone. I promise you that the majority of people will seek marijuana from a store due to higher potency and not to get in trouble with the law. Remember, most stoners aren't criminals and they'd do anything to avoid getting in trouble.

2. I don't understand this at all. Of course inhaling smoke is bad for you, but so is everything else if you don't do it in moderation. Even exercising and drinking water can be bad for you. By the way, medical marijuana is entirely irrelevant to the subject at hand.

3. This guy right here (http://www.morrisdailyherald.com/articles/2009/06/05/26821687/index.xml) got 3 years hard time for possession of marijuana. Google marijuana cases and you'll see that people do get sent, dealers and users alike, to prison/jail. They're not criminals.

Also, I was using the 20 grand a year as a reference point for how much of a waste of money it is. Even sending a guy to prison for a month costs over a thousand dollars.

4. By resources I meant training or techniques or whatever. The point is that the police will have time to train differently assuming we followed London's police standards. Also you're not factoring in how people grow up. People in America grow up with a lot more behavioral problems than London. Not to mention there is a higher percentage of ethnic groups in America's cities than London. It's racist, but it's true. Blacks and Hispanics have a higher crime rate and this is due to the fact they make up most of the poverty in America. Sorry to sound racist, but again, it's true. Statistics show it.

5. Because it's legal? Because they can do it virtually risk-free? Because the potency will be higher?

And to address your prohibition point, why wouldn't it? Please explain how my argument is not valid. What makes any difference between the current marijuana prohibition and the alcohol prohibition of the 20's? Organized fucking crime started with the alcohol prohibition. I don't think you paid attention in history class. Alcohol was banned, organized crime began and made their own alcohol (yes, it is very easy. Google it. All you need is the right materials) and sell it illegally. When it was unbanned and taxed, people bought it from stores and they still continue this today. In result, the organized crime of alcohol stopped.

Also, the price of marijuana might actually DECREASE. Remember the reason why it costs so much is because it's illegal. Do you not understand economics?

1. We're not talking about alcohol, you're right. That's why I'm using an analogy. I was comparing current decriminalization of marijuana to the prohibition of alcohol in the '20s. People seek unreliable and dangerous sources. If it's legalized, people won't as much when you can go straight to the store and buy it. It's going to be taxed, so what? I don't see why you think that because it's going to be taxed that's going to scare off everyone. I promise you that the majority of people will seek marijuana from a store due to higher potency and not to get in trouble with the law. Remember, most stoners aren't criminals and they'd do anything to avoid getting in trouble.

2. I don't understand this at all. Of course inhaling smoke is bad for you, but so is everything else if you don't do it in moderation. Even exercising and drinking water can be bad for you. By the way, medical marijuana is entirely irrelevant to the subject at hand.

3. Google marijuana cases and you'll see that people do get sent, dealers and users alike, to prison/jail. A guy I just read about got 3 years in prison for having over 3000 grams of marijuana. Guess what? If it was legalized there would be no reason to have that much in possession when you can get it from the store.

Also, I was using the 20 grand a year as a reference point for how much of a waste of money it is. Even sending a guy to prison for a month costs over a thousand dollars.

4. By resources I meant training or techniques or whatever. The point is that the police will have time to train differently assuming we followed London's police standards. Also you're not factoring in how people grow up. People in America grow up with a lot more behavioral problems than London. Not to mention there is a higher percentage of ethnic groups in America's cities than London. It's racist, but it's true. Blacks and Hispanics have a higher crime rate and this is due to the fact they make up most of the poverty in America. Sorry to sound racist, but again, it's true. Statistics show it.

5. Because it's legal? Because they can do it virtually risk-free? Because the potency will be higher?

as far as your first part, I take it you've never been to the Netherlands? The marijuana over here is wayyy better then what you find in almost all the states, and a LOT cheaper. The prices are higher from a dealer because it's harder to get quantity of quality plants.

And another point to put on the ballad...when was the last time you heard of anyone dying from smoking? Cigarettes remain legal along with alcohol and those are among the leading causes of death in the world. Like Katt Williams said, what are the side effects from smoking? Happy, hungry, sleepy.

2007 Total Arrests: 14,209,365
2007 Total Drug Arrests: 1,841,182
2007 Total Marijuana Arrests: 872,720

47% percent of all drug arrests made in the US in 2007 were due to marijuana.

http://drugwarfacts.org/cms/?q=node/53

Totally off subject from this post, but this blog entry should be generating more than 13 comments. The thing that really puts me over the edge is that Cham's post about the denim gets a wild amount of comments from people wanting free stuff, but this is a real issue that deserves attention and it's not getting anything but from a select few.

Sad, really...

If people want to waste their money on weed, let them; that's just self infliction. I would rather have child molesters and murderers locked up. If people had a problem with it being legal, then there could be a compromise with government regulation, like cigarettes. Cigarettes and alcohol are just as dangerous, just different effects.

i made a post...but it was deleted.

this a video showing how hemp could help the earth

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tdEfOljX1M

Legalize the shit so that hopefully the government makes is so strong it kills off all the dumbass people that smoke it! That way we can make a future of smarter niggas that dont do drugs and actually wanna do something with their life, harsh? yes, but come on, would killing off all you weedsmoking fornicators really effect society in a bad way? I know I won't miss ya!

idoworkalways

i dont think you understand what is considered an arrest, and what is considered a "marijuana" arrest. Agencies report arrests for something as little as just picking someone up for the day and then releasing them 5 hours later.

A marijuana arrest can be anything and i guarntee most of those arrests are made on dealers, traffickers, or manufacturers or another crime was involved with the marijuana, again users don't go to prison, dealers do. Also i agree on the jeans thing just sad..

i94hours,

You know when your debating a point cursing, and calling somebody out, or just calling somebody stupid "you didn't pay attention in history class" kinda destroys your credibility, i respected your posts but when you get into this it kinda makes me look at them in a different way.

Do you know how police officers are trained? it has nothing to do with the resources it has to do with the philosophy of the training involved and the police work, in America we believe a stronger and more aggressive police presence decreases crime, which has proved false. Over there they believe in community policing and less presence, which has shown to work. It's not an ethnic issue, its a policing issue.

the person you referring to that got sent to prison, should be there. 3000 grams is ridiculous he was either growing or selling, thus my original point dealers belong in prison, and they are the ones in there. you cant tell me he just had that 3000 lying around.

People don't get sent to prison for a month, they get sent to jail, there's a huge difference and jail costs much less to have someone in.

your last point is pure speculation.

that exercising analogy is a bit off....

I'm well aware of what kind of people get sent to prison based on drugs i'm a criminal justice major with a narcotics emphasis i know all of the statistics, i've read all the stories, i've done all the research. news sites tend to leave out crucial facts to drug arrests and only tend to tell one side of the story.

I didn't answer everything but i'd like to point out a lot of your post is based on opinion rather then fact. I

i94,

also about the prohibition there isn't any organized crime coming out of marijuana..... so like i said this point doesn't make much sense. The organized crime is coming from higher drugs, cocaine, meth, opium, heroin etc. That's where the organizations come from, and that's what they're profiting off of. You think the cartels are killing people at the border to get weed across? You think al-queda is controlling the marijuana trade? No, its the more expensive drugs.

Marijuana isn't expensive... Economics can simply be broken down into supply and demand, trust me there's enough weed in this country already, its not like we have a shortage.

@ idoworkalways: I would've commented earlier but you guys had already brought up all of my points. I guess I could add that it's almost impossible to overdose on marijuana.

ok as a member of NORMAL since High School the most messed up stat is that there are more ppl in jail for pot related crimes than murderers rapist and child molesters combined so if weed is legalized there would be more room in prisons for the real criminals instead of ppl that use a plant that our ancestors used. Mr. O'bama preaches about change well prove it. Put the real criminals in jail and free all the ppl on time for pot. Also pot can be used for clothes paper rope and methanol which is a better and more clean fuel than gasoline. Also ppl say that weed lowers ppls smarts FALSE there was a person who did a study where he took his SAT test after staying straight edge for 30 days then smoked pot for 30 days straight and retook the test and guess what HIS TEST SCORES IMPROVED 7 POINTS(See the movie Super High Me)!!!!! so ppl need to open their eyes and see that pot is not as bad as they think it is.

*facedesk*

You really aren't reading what I am writing, are you? Pay attention to what I am writing because you're reverting to your original points rather than addressing my rebuttals. Oh and don't start on credibility; the second you told me my prohibition argument was illogical is the second you lost your credibility. Stay on topic, please.

First off, get off the "resources" typo. I explained in my previous post that by resources I meant training method. Sorry I mixed up my words, but I did clarify what I meant. To address your points: you're right their police is better, but once again (it's irksome to have to reiterate so please pay attention) you're excluding significant variables. You can't tell me just because their methods are different makes their crime rate a lot lower. There are many variables to be included such as living conditions, which if it's poverty results to apathy and a lack of willpower. This leads to crime. Our cities have a bigger percentage of ethnic groups and since a huge chunk (maybe the majority) of them live in sub par conditions they're more inclined to commit crime. Hell, you know what? I'll stop being racist and just say that we have a bigger percentage of people living in poverty than London. Anyway, as I said, there is much more to consider when comparing crime rates than just how the police do their stuff.

Secondly, the fact of the matter is that he shouldn't of had 3000 grams of marijuana! That's exactly it! He wouldn't need to carry that much weed around if it was legalized! And for god sakes dude, quit being so fastidious. The cost is irrelevant. Whether it's $5 or $500 to send a person to jail, the point is that it's money they don't need to spend! You wanted to know why I'm using cursing and insulting you? There you go.

Thirdly, how is my exercising analogy off? If it's not done in moderation you can end up doing damage to your body. To put my analogy into perspective: running. Running is very hard on your knees. If you run too much then you're going to screw up your knees. If you drink too much water and not compensate the high intake with sodium you're going to die from water intoxication. Everything must be done in moderation. I don't see how that's an opinion or speculation. This is all fact.

Er - now you're taking my analogy of the alcohol prohibition too far. I didn't say there was organized crime from marijuana. I was comparing the organized crime of alcohol to people selling marijuana today. The point was that if it's legalized the underground selling of marijuana is going to take a huge blow because then people could just walk into the stores and get it.

Marijuana being expensive is subjective and I'm not sure why you brought that up. If something is illegal and people sell it under the table, the price is going to go up. I want you to Google "price of alcohol during prohibition" and click the first link. It's a .PDF and it shows that the price of alcohol went up because it was banned. Understand now?

this is very entertaining so far.

Ok were going to have to come to a compromise on the policing thing. The fact is numerous studies and different policing techniques have been applied to civilized countries all over the world, some work some dont, but there hasn't been one proven method. There have been studies to show that poverty does NOT direclty relate to crime and there have been some that say it does, so lets drop this subject because i could go on with my own theory forever and so can you.

I lost credibility for stating a fact? Your argument was prohibition on alcohol created violence and organized crime right, your saying that basically if its legalized then it will make dealers "take a huge blow" (these are your own words) correct? I'm sorry but your very misinformed on how drug trade works, sure it might stop a few low level people selling on the corner, and maybe your (and im not saying you specifically) connect stop selling, but in the large picture it wont change ANYTHING. Do you honestly believe that there's going to be some kind of "huge blow" to gangs or other people that currently sell it just because its legalized? No, its going to motivate them to push the drug more and to make even more of a profit cash fuels them and i know you know that.

See i agree to an extent of your point though, but your going a bit to far saying its going to deliver some kind of changing effect on dealers.

Actually if you remember from your previous post you said yourself "Remember the reason why it costs so much is because it's illegal" costs so much = expense. So that one is on you.

I know i'm beating a dead horse but let me just touch on your last point about the alcohol prices. What you dont (or maybe you do) realize is that alcohol was at first LEGAL for a very long time and then was made ILLEGAL. That itself is the exact reason why prices shot up, organizations were formed, and people were pissed. Marijuana was never made legal in this country.

anyways good arguments.

Where are these studies you're talking about? Can you tell me where as I'm interested. Why do you think the poor neighborhoods are so violent? Apathy. Another scenario are the poor crackheads who need money to buy more of their addiction. When they have relapse and withdrawal they can get violent.

No, I don't believe, I know. Please explain why people would buy from a dealer, who can't be trusted 100%, when they can walk into the store and buy a more potent, more reliable and more than likely cheaper marijuana? I'm baffled as to why you think otherwise. This would be a catastrophic blow to their sales because... why buy it from them? Why? Why? Why? There is no justifiable reason to buy from a dealer.

The reason the prices shot up for alcohol was because it was harder to get. You can agree on that, right? Okay, so marijuana right now would be harder to get than if it was at a store. Marijuana is easy to get right now, I agree, but it would be even EASIER to get if it was legalized, correct? Okay, so this bigger abundance of marijuana (more than there already is) would decrease the price. How much would it decrease, I don't know, but there would be a lot more.

Now, if the drug dealers started to sell their stuff at a lower price because of the legalization then there would be a bit more incentive to buy from a dealer, but people would still buy from the store due to reliability & danger issues.

ducetre

Hemp was a legal cash crop in the United States before it ever became illegal. In certain colonies, Virginia for instance, it was mandatory that every colonist grow hemp aka marijuana. At one point you could pay your taxes in hemp. It even became legal tender at some point. So your point that Marijuana was never legal, is false.

The dealers, of all levels, are who control the market. With those growing and distributing marijuana having the stranglehold on the market. Marijuana is exchanged through all kinds of hands before it reaches you. Someone gets it for a cheaper price, and then sells it for profit. Usually selling to another dealer who then sells it for even more, so than he in turn can make profit as well. If the government were to legalize marijuana, all the middle men would be cut out and it would go from manufacturer to retailer. How could this not decrease prices?

But I'm getting off topic, and for the most part those of you arguing are as well.

But my 5 reasons?

1. Hemp/Marijuana is a cash crop. Has been for centuries. Our forefathers grew it, our presidents have grown in. The USA imports more Hemp than any other country in the world.
2. So that we can teach our youth the real dangers in life. What's more likely to harm you, a joint or a bullet? Do you think a child whose been presented with all this propaganda and brainwashing at such a young age could determine the answer? In most cases, yes, but the fact is that marijuana is harmless in that you cannot die from it, nor can it provide any major or even minor health problems. Yet our government has our youth thinking that you could die or somehow be hurt by using marijuana as little as one time.
3.I'm not gonna focus on the jail topic, but more on how our government is making millions of Americans feel like criminals because they choose cannabis as an alternative to things like tobacco and alcohol. For whatever reason it is that someone chooses to smoke marijuana, it's there choice to make. It's the exact same choice people make when they choose to smoke a cigarette or drink a beer.
4.The War on Drugs is a failed attempt at policing the illegal drugs that enter our country. Not only could cannabis be cultivated to further help law enforcement pursue the truly dangerous substances out there, they could stop throwing there money away trying to control the most accessible drug in the US today.
5.I can't really think of a 5th right now, but for now I think the 4 I've posted are good enough. If another comes to me, I'll post that as well.

I just noticed the guy above me cleared up one of the points I wanted to make.

Legalized marijuana, taxed, will most likely be cheaper than it is on the streets, and more potent. There are already state funded depositories in California that supply top tier strains for very reasonable prices. If the sale and production was legalized at a federal level, the supply will overshadow the demand and will bring the cost down, and not just marginally. A depository within a comfortable environment, equal to less prices (like stated, there are already depositories that manage to sell at street price) and a variety of strains will be a more pleasing transaction dealing with a typical dealer. A company functioning at a professional level vs. some guy slinging out of his parent's / GF's house, single strains that are sometimes good, sometimes not, that's if he even has any and can even get you a sack within the next hour.

It will thrive business. It's a major market that people can take advantage of. A cash crop anyway you slice it. The market will expand, people who already smoke it illegally will only be the floor of the market percentage, once it becomes legal and more socially accepted, the percentile will rise. Look at how many people flock to alcohol, for no other reason than because it's the only legal thing that gives you a buzz and creates a social environment.

Another interesting fact. According to a government funded website, nearly 50% (48.x%) of high school students reported use of Marijuana. With the majority of citizens attending high school, that's a massive figure. I don't understand how anyone could really provide the argument that the market isn't enormous, or that Pot users are a small minority in the country.

actually marijuana is taxed so it not a misconception the government buys it out of cali for medicinal and "recreational" use and if im not crazy isnt that illegal

cham?! arent you the rapper whos not for drugs or alcohol? why u ask this?

Its defiantly a gateway drug...Thas a known fact, but for me...i could care less if it gets legalized or not...You want to know why??? Cause imma still be smokin everyday no matter what!! lmao...what it really comes down to, who cares?? Nobodies gonna stop me smokin, and im not going to stop anybody from smokin. Mary Jane will always be there for me no matter what, thats why i love it so much. Oh yeah, and the fact that it gets me higher den a mudddda fuggga. RIP to all my niggas that held in down in h-town BIG HAWK, BIG MOE, DJ SCREW, FAT PAT...and da one and only...PIMP C

It's not a gateway drug. There have been studies to show both sides so it's in between really. It just depends on who it is.

The "Gateway" drug theory (it is theory, not fact) is the idea that habitual users of a lesser drug will seek higher intoxication from a heavier drug. This theory holds no water, put into basic, tolerance to THC doesn't turn people onto heavier drugs. The active chemicals in heavier drugs differ ENTIRELY from THC, and taking them will not cure a tolerance to THC. This is like saying every person committing petty theft will eventually move on to murder/rape.

So I now realize that this marijuana debate is never going to end anytime soon, peoples opinions are to strong on either side, even if people on BOTH (i said both so dont attack me, lol) sides choose to ignore the facts.

I will say one thing though bigboi, hemp and marijuana are not the same thing, they cant be grown together, and hemp has about a .02% THC content where marijuana is about 8% and up. So no they aren't the same thing, and yes like i said before marijuana was never legal here.

Hemp is a useful crop, marijuana is just a drug.

http://www.helium.com/items/833112-the-difference-between-hemp-and-marijuana

For your reference in case you think i'm wrong or you can just google " the difference between marijuana and hemp"

oh and i94, to those studies i was referencing you can also google "criminology theories" or "studies of crime" its a huge part of our criminal justice system and every single other around the world, and has dedicated professionals with many different theories (some logical and some not) studying why exactly crime happens and as it is now its still a theory, no one person can claim they know why it happens.

.

Just typed a post and it didnt even show... anyways i've realized that the marijuana debate isnt going to end anytime soon, opinions are to strong, its like having a political argument, and people on BOTH ( i said both, remember that lol.) sides tend to ignore the facts to further their point of view. I will say these last few things though

First to bigboi:

Hemp and marijuana are not the same, i dont know who told you that or where you even got that from. So just for future reference remember that. Hemp and marijuana cant even be grown together,and not anywhere near each other. hemp is useful for things like clothes, where as marijuana is just a drug. Hemp as about a .02% THC content where as marijuana is 8% and up. Hemp is strong which can be used as a material where marijuana is weak and flimsy.

If you dont believe me you can google "the difference between hemp and marijuana" and read the numerous sites that tell the difference. So back to my original point, it was never legal here.

i94, The studies i'm talking about can found by simply googleing "criminology theories" "studies of crime" or "why does crime happen", i've read tons of them, as i had to and still continue too, due to my college major. Some of them are pretty out there but there's also many that make a lot of sense. Criminology is a huge field with many dedicated professionals that takes a large role in the criminal justice system of not only our country but the rest of the world, there's even joint world organizations dedicated to the study of why crime happens. As of now its classified as a theory, so no one person can claim to know why crime exists, because its just that, a theory.

man, alot of people are misunderstandin weed...that shit aint bad mayne...cigarettes are waaaaaaay worse than weed. aint no cases been filed for someone gettin cancer by smokin weed. an weed dont make u go crazy an out of control like some people think, man i light it up an i still do thangs... to me it keeps the stress out my mind an i function better...u can still to basic things mayne dont trip over it...especially people who haven even smoked weed...an plus if they legalized this shit, i wouldnt have to worry bout lookin over my shoulder everytime i sell, thinkin some dude gon gank me...and another thang, u got the choice to do other drugs, everyone thinks weed is the "window" for other drugs, buyt thats if u choose to....an no, ur face dont start goin pale, an yo teeth aint gon turn black mayne wtf yall thinkin...tham commercials r BS mayne..
keep it trill mayne

Medical Uses-cancer, glacoma,...
Agricultural-more productive than cotton
Personal use-never killed, no way to OD,less dangerous
20 million dollar revenue- reduction war on drugs
Forefather who designed this country used hemp and mari.

Five reasons

1 - taxes, use to restructure roads, buildings, education!
2 - cut off Drug Cartels (will really hurt their pockets)
3 - Eliminate Marijuana "Criminals", States save money and have more room for real Criminals.
4 - reduced violence, how many people you see commit a crime when they Hi as hell. lol.
5 - Job creation!

5 reasons not to legalize

1 - dont want your smart people getting out done by your Mari-ju-ana users. lol
2 - More accidents! like the commericals.
3 - Kids - dont want to send the wrong impression!
4 - More lazy people!
5 - Health!

People are going to do what they do regardless of any laws that prohibit it. People are people and that's just how the world works. I just wish they had a better understanding of it, and people that do it now-a-days do it because they think it is cool, or either have friends that do it. NOTHING will ever stop people from getting it and doing it, and i do not think it would such of a big deal anymore if it was legalized, plus value go down to where drug dealers will not care to sell it anymore. There's to much hype on it i know that!

most n***** dont realize if marijuana is legalized it will lose all street value. And since it will b legal alot ppl wont smoke it bcuz it is is legal they wanna feel like they bad n breakin the law

That's right... That's why taxing it won't mean shit. Marijuana costs next to nothing to grow. Including the costs of seeds, water, soil, and electricity weed can be grown as cheaply as any other plant. The fact that it's illegal is why it costs $300+ an OZ. When it's legal no matter what the tax it's gonna probably cost less than half that.

plus, when it's legal then it'll be easier to do clinically documented research on vaporizor technology and potency, making it safer.

you def gotta legalize especially in this economy, either way will still probably be doomed

ey koopa, you my dawg, but lets keep it real.

this is supposed to be a free country, is it not?

thus, i think a good list of reasons why marijuana should be ILLEGAL should be presented in the first place. i for one have NEVER heard a legitimate reason for it being illegal. the stereotype that it makes you lazy is hardly a reason for it to be illegal. i'll give the idea that people shoudlnt smoke and drive some credit, but that's mostly BS as well (alcohol is real dangerous when combined with driving but we all know that's legal).

if i dont hear 10 good reasons for it being ILLEGAL, why the F@#! should we need any reasons for it to be legalized????? it should never have been prohibited in the first place.

give 5 good reasons for alcohol to be legal? nobody can do that; the only reason is WE LIKE TO DRINK IT!

as far as im concerned, I LIKE TO SMOKE IT should be a good enough reason. real talk

ok, listen to this. Ppl just want marijuana to be legal just because people want something to be changed their way. if that would get legalized ppl would petition to have another drug legalized. its a stupid argument, and it should NOT be legalized. but if it is legalized it should have heavy restrictions, ie no smoking in public, no smoking and driving, stuff like that.

5 reasons why they could legalize it

1. Increase in government tax revenue.
2. It would decrease in drug dealers who illegally sell marijuana.
3. Decrease in the use of other narcotics because they could legally use marijuana.
4. The crime rates would slightly decrease.
5. It is used for a pain reliever and Glaucoma.

5 reasons why they shouldn't legalize it

1. Crime rates will still be high due to other illegal narcotics still being sold.
2. Marijuana has THC, which is used to give you that euphoric high. It has an effect on your coordination and learning. It also causes depression and anxiety and behavior/mood changes. It also alters the way your sensory information is interpreted. THC is a steroid that does damage brain cells and alters nerves in your hippocampus, which affects memory.
3. People don't like being in public around cigarette smoke, people won't want to be around the smell and smoke of marijauna.
4. People will be "high" during the wrong times and can cause accidents because your coordination is affected and it causes a delayed reaction.
5. Marijuana usuage can lead to other illegal narcotic usuage.

honestly it would kinda be pointless because since it will be taxed nobody would buy it from stores that sel it, they would still just buy it on the streets. the law isnt gonna justify people decision on whether or not to get high, it never has. On the other hand maybe they can treat weed like liqor..example: dont drive under the influence of it, dont be high in public, need to be a certain age to buy it ... na mean?!?!?

Like dude said, its still gone be a street product. I can only imagine lettin them control it, they gon find ways to water it down. I'd love to walk down Main Street puffin a blunt with a joint in the air, but to think about what they could do when they have more control over it, we may just have to Hukah......

I think Cali is on the right path though. The Canibus Clubs and the card seem to be effective. Medical weed is POTENT! The cops, for the most part, are cool on the situation. I think we need to find a way to leave it in the streets and allow the laws to step in when its out of hand, but they can back off a lil bit. Maybe they should apply the loitering laws to smoke in public, when they see you blazin just tell you "Alright, move it along.".......

Before I say what I will, let me preface it by stating I don't smoke, so I'm really indifferent on the subject.

That being said, there is 1 major reason to not legalize it.

For those who don't know, and for those who do know, too, 10 major cities or so across the US started drug testing all individuals arrested for violent crimes this past year. Results from those tests show that over 1/2 of men arrested for violent crimes tested positive for some sort of banned drug. The drug to show up the most? Marijuana.
Enough said.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-05-27-arrestees_N.htm

300 an oz?? where do u live mayne

weed is tha shit fool

I say let it be legal..with the recession going on this might help boost out economy...

If weed was legalized it could have a rocket effect on our economy. Jobs would be created, the farming industry would change, and tobacco would finally have a competitor. Alcohol and Tobacco products destroy the human body but yet they are legal. Weed at most does minimal damage to your body. I feel that in the next few years weed will be legal and will have a similar marketing campaign strategy that resembles the tobacco industry.

If you're college educated or at least appreciate a scientific rather than social approach check out http://www.harmreductionjournal.com/content/2/1/17 . It is a scientific research article written by Bolder University @ Colorado composing over 150 citations. It documents the many illnesses marijuana can have a positive effect on. It also explores the differences in the brain between a 'one time' user and a frequent user.

and to the person who stated marijuana as the cause of their bipolar disorder... marijuana exposes other mental disorders, it DOES NOT create them. Weed isn't right for everyone, no doubt. But drink or smoke cigarettes daily for five years and let me know how that works out for you. 21, not driving, not at schools ect. Exact same sanctions for other drugs are perfectly applicable.

P.S. Anheuser Busch pays for the anti-marijuana campaign, can you say conflict of interest!

"THC is a steroid that does damage brain cells" 100% false, point me to one study that supports this claim. In fact THC interacts with the Endocannabinoid system to SUPPRESS CELL DEATH & everyone naturally has cannabinoids in their nervous system. Point is I see a lot of personal opinion here and almost none of it is backed with research articles or other credible sources. Sorry, your opinion that has been propagated into your head since you were 5 means nothing to me. Present some facts & articles or stfu.

I wouldn't tell anyone to smoke who didn't want to, but leave those who do the hell alone. We're tired of dealing with shitty dealers, unreliable product, being over charged due to 5+ middle men, ect. And anyone who thinks a marijuana user or dealer is on the same criminal level as a murder, thief, or rapist is just foolish. Free up jail space for people who DESERVE to be there.

Educational reading for the uninformed.

http://www.harmreductionjournal.com/content/2/1/17

http://www.harmreductionjournal.com/content/2/1/17

I posted another comment with a link but this site refuses to show it. Google "Harm reduction-the cannabis paradox" and read the first source. It's a little science heavy, but it greatly deepened my understanding of the interactions of the drug & the endocannabinoid system we all poses.

i know im suppose to list 5 reasons it should be legal or illigal. but i would just be repetative, cause ive read 5 better reasons than i could come up with. so in my opinion it should be legal. (just my opinion though, means nothing)
i just wanted to address the comments about marijuana being a gateway drug. i truely believe it is a gateway drug, i have grown up around it my whole life and have hardly ever met a dealer that just sells smoke, they always wanna know if you need anything else. or even the crowd your gonna eventually run into while purchasing marijuana. now it is your choice to make if you wanna try te next stronger thing but maybe its just the town i live in where a sack comes second to a $80 tablet called oxycontin. (very sad) but i also believe that if it were made legal it would no longer be a gateway drug just concidering you could buy it in a completely different setting. sorry if im off topic but i wanted to comment on that and voice my opinion, thanks for letting me, i never have before. cant wait for mixtape 7!!!

its inebitable (sp?)