Should Marijuana be legalized? What will happen if it is?

Yes. 4.000+ years of historical record shows no harm coming from marijuana, neither to individuals in terms of their health, nor to peoples and cultures in terms of social cohesion and dynamics. I can add to this my own 20+ years of experience of living in Amsterdam where marijuana is openly sold in few hundred coffeeshops around the city.

The Dutch policy of decriminalisation has so far resulted in sharp decrease in drug related crime, as well as in reduced drug use, especially among young people. The Netherlands has less marijuana users, and drug users in general, per capita, than any major industrialized country.

Yes. "What will happen if it is? " There will be a lot less people in jail, or tied up in the court system.

Massachusetts decriminalized Marijuana in November. While not legalization, the penalty is now a $100 fine, with a mandatory education component for those under 18. The sky hasn't fallen in, and life is progressing as normal--with the difference that young people who make a mistake are no longer burdened with a criminal record, or restricted from accessing financial aid.

Yes, it should be legalized. Why? Simple--alcohol is at LEAST as harmful/dangerous as it, and alcohol's legal.

Besides, it shouldn't be illegal for you to put certain things in your own body. Law enforcement doesn't belong in anyone's insides. As for what will happen?

In the general population, little to nothing. Prison overcrowding will certainly be reduced, as all the space containing people in jail only for possessing or selling marijuana would be freed up. I say "little to nothing" in the general population, simply because of this: How many people do you know, or have heard of, who don't consume marijuana ONLY because they can't get access to it?

Think about that for a moment. It seems everyone who wants it can get it, so since Prohibition was proven to be a massive legal failure, and marijuana is no more harmful/dangerous than it (arguably far less so, actually), there is no reason to continue to make outlaws out of pot smokers.

I think the decriminalization of the drug is a great first step...I'm not all that excited about having EVERYONE stoned all the time...I mean, I know some people think they're better drivers while high, but I would always get too -- I mean, I've heard of people getting really distracted and losing their concentration while on the road. And there are other instances where it would be nice not to have folks perpetually stoned. But weigh that against having folks go to jail for a long period of time for simply smoking the herb themselves, let alone dealing it, and I've gotta say we'd be better off without there being that criminal element...at least.

Im no defender of Alcohol, but it usually takes a time commitment to indulge, get drunk and get behind the wheel and thus be a danger to others. With Marijuana, its minimal time. A few puffs, jump behind the wheel and you are a guided 'off with the fairies' weapon.

Depending on your tolerance to the drug of course. I realise the debate of legalization goes way beyond this superficial point, but the relative time investment of intoxication should be taken into effect.

No, it should not be legalized. People who smoke it will likely find a way to smoke it if it's illegal or not. I believe it should be used for medical purposes such as the treatment of glaucoma.

If it becomes legal, it will create a problem, as many people do not like the scent of marijuana.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.