Should Marijuana be legalized in the United States?

Marijuana should be legalized to the same extent as alcohol and tobacco with the following distinctions: 1. Age for smoking should be the same for both cigarettes or tobacco. 2.

Consequences for driving while under the influence (DUI) should be the same as alcohol and a stop should include being tested for marijuana. 3. The substance should be labeled as cigarettes are with warnings and not be able to advertise any differently than cigarettes.4.

Taxed like cigarettes. 5. Grown and distributed like tobacco but regulated like alcohol.6.

Micro-growers should be treated like micro-breweries. Making/growing your own for your own use (not for profit) is fine. Selling it should require the same licensing as a micro-brewery.

If marijuana continues to be illegal they should use the same rules and logic for keeping it so and apply them to alcohol and tobacco. Of course the generation that wants to keep alcohol and tobacco legal but not marijuana is dying off and the generation that believes they should be able to smoke whatever they want is coming into power. Be the generation that applies the same rules to any intoxicating or harmful substance, not just the ones you and your friends (aka alcohol & tobacco industry) approve of or prove once and for all what is worse about marijuana compared to the other two and make it permanent so the debate can finally be over whether or not to legalize marijuana.

And no, I don't smoke or drink and wish they'd all go away and the money spent on that industry used for better things. But until that magic day happens, save my tax money by putting funds to uses that will actually make our lives better and safer. Keep smoke out of public areas and drinking off the streets.

Keep marijuana smokers off the streets and out of public areas. Problem solved. Thank you.

Yes marijuana should be legalized. Originally marijuana/hemp was legal and used through out the US until the 1930's. This happened due to the lumber, paper, and timber industry not wanting competition with hemp.

This is because hemp grows very fast, has strong cheap timber, makes stronger cheaper paper and such products, and it is also used for health. The seeds are pure protien and omega fats and loaded with needed nutrients. The leaves have lots of fiber and nutrients also.

The fibers in it also make strong cheap rope, and can be used for clothes. That also lead to such industries to back the timber and paper and lumber industry. Normal hemp has barely any THC and still gives the same effect, and does less damage than alcohol, smoking and so forth.It is the other breeds and such that are dangerous.

Making it illegal had nothing to do with it being called a drug. It had to do with industry. Making it legal would lessen crime dramatically and increase productivity, and create a new industry and more jobs.

Yes. Every thorough study has confirmed the findings of the 1972 study commissioned by President Nixon. "On the basis of our findings, discussed in previous Chapters, we have concluded that society should seek to discourage use, while concentrating its attention on the prevention and treatment of heavy and very heavy use.

The Commission feels that the criminalization of possession of marihuana for personal is socially self-defeating as a means of achieving this objective.

A number of movements to legalize the use of marijuana have been gaining steam lately. There are places in California where it's already legal for medicinal purposes. Much of the American public now believes that the drug should be legalized (41 percent according to a Zogby International Poll) but others are still concerned about health damage and other adverse affects.

Here are the pros and cons: Pro:The drug generally isn't more harmful than alcohol or tobacco if used in moderation. Limiting the use of the drug intrudes on personal freedom. Legalization would mean a lower price; thus, related crimes (like theft) would be reduced.

There are medical benefits such as the those for cancer patients. Street justice related to drug disputes would be reduced. It could be a source of additional tax revenues.

Police and court resources would be freed up for more serious crimes. Drug dealers (including some terrorists) would lose most or all of their business. The FDA or others could regulate the quality and safety of drugs.

Like sex, alcohol, or cigarettes, marijuana is one of life's little pleasures for some people. Drug busts often trap young people in a flawed system that turns them into lifelong criminals. Cons:Marijuana is often used as a stepping-stone drug, leading to heroin, cocaine, or other harder drugs.

Stoned driving and other dangers would be increased. Some consider use of the drug as morally wrong. Legalization would increase the chances of the drug falling into the hands of kids.

Because of drug-related arrests, people who have committed or are likely to commit more serious crimes can be taken off the streets. Physical damage would be done to users that abuse the drug. More widespread use would increase the dangers of secondhand smoke-damage to bystanders.

I don't have a specific, definitive answer, but I think I might be able to describe a way that an answer could be determined. There is little doubt that smoking Marijuana is not good for you. Inhaling burning leaves is not the kind of thing that's good for your lungs.

Likewise we know that people who are under the influence of Marijuana are at least somewhat impaired at decision making. However, we have other legal substances that are bad for you in all or some of the same ways. Alcohol and tobacco are the two most obvious, but others include narcotic prescription drugs and the added hormones found in many milk products.

All of these are legal, though prescription drugs, alcohol, and tobacco are controlled via age restrictions and use taxes to a greater or lesser extent. To answer this question we have to step back from the specifics of Marijuana and think about why we some dangerous substances are legal while others are not. We need to create a public policy that says when and why substances should be legal, unlawful, or legal with extra controls.

I suspect that a rough form of just such a policy exists at the US Food & Drug administration. Such a public policy--a sort of illegal substance meta-law--would provide a framework in which we could make meaningful decisions about legalizing marijuana and other dangerous substances. In my personal opinion, such a policy would lead to either the legalization of Marijuana or the outlawing of alcohol.

I really don't care either way. I don't use Marijuana, but I know some who do. Personally, I think there are more serious crimes and issues to address.

I foresee legalized marijuana in the semi-near future. People are starting to realize there are other things to dedicate their energy to.

My answer is : Yes. Marijuana should be legalized. My source : Personal experience.

I smoked marijuana at least once a fortnight for the last 15 years. I work as a software designer, I also have a degree and diploma. Marijuana has had little or no effect at all on my personal drive or intelligence.

Why should I a hard working tax paying citizen have any future employment or working holidays ruined, just because I wish to smoke marijuana in my own home? Under the effects of alcohol you are a far bigger danger to yourself, and others around you then compared to marijuana. Healthwise, smoking is probably costing our health system more then all the other drugs combined.

I personally would like to give my money to a new industry, and support jobs. In return I could get labeling giving me information on potency and useful information. It all boils down to 2 simple conclusions :- Yes -Legalize Marijuana or No- Make alcohol and cigarettes illegal.

We are living in hypocrisy otherwise.

No, I do not think that Marijuana should be legalized for use by the masses. Have you seen people who smoke it everyday? Do you want those people roaming about in automobiles or hell, do you even want to have to have a conversation with them?

Not me. I don't have the time nor the patience to listen to a stoner tell a 30 minute story that should have taken 2 minutes only to forget what the hell he or she was talking about when they finally get towards the end. I don't want my daughter growing up in a society that says it's ok to be a slacker and only have a few healthy brain cells.

Yes, she'll be subjected to it, but there is a difference in having in her environment being illegal than having it all over while growing up thinking it's perfectly ok because it's not. It is not negotiable, it is not opinion - it is factual to say that smoking marijuana is; indeed, unhealthy. FACT: It is a drug that a user can become chemically dependent upon.

FACT: Marijuana is often looked at as a harmless drug that; in turn, causes it to be even more dangerous as those who use it are much more likely to go on to do other drugs. FACT: Marijuana users; by the statistical majority, are under achievers who are more likely to be found in a welfare line than at university or at work. Familydoctor.Org lists the common side effects of marijuana as the following: Trouble remembering things Slowed reaction time Difficulty concentrating Sleepiness Anxiety Paranoia (feeling that people are "out to get you") Altered time perception Red, bloodshot eyes Using marijuana for a long time makes some people lose interest in school, work, relationships and other activities.

It may also cause legal problems. Using marijuana can be especially dangerous in certain situations, such as when you are driving, because your reaction time is slower. This make it more difficult to react to a dangerous situation, which could cause an accident.

The same site lists the following as the physical issues associated with smoking marijuana: Tremors (shaking) Nausea Headache Decreased coordination Breathing problems Increased appetite Reduced blood flow to the brain Changes in the reproductive organs Like tobacco, marijuana contains many chemicals that can hurt the lungs and cause cancer. One marijuana cigarette can cause more damage to the lungs than many tobacco cigarettes because marijuana has more tar in it and is usually smoked without filters. These are not positive things.

None of this betters an individuals quality of life nor does it create an environment that is beneficial to society. It is my opinion that the only legal use of marijuana would be by those who benefit medically from it's effects. There may be those even then who misuse it; however, it would be no different than people who now abuse Percocet or other prescription pain pills.

It should be provided that the main reason for this is all for medical purposes alone. You can even check lots of articles and videos showing the pros and cons of legalizing marijuana on the link provided below this box. Just click the source link and you will know what I mean.

I don't think it should because it's how some people make money. Legalizing it would put more people in bad situations where they would have to use government money. If that happens, our governments money will speedily decrease.

I would say decriminalize yes, legalize no. Make it legal to own but illegal to sell. If you smoke Marijuana you would rather it not be governmentally controlled and regulated.

The price would skyrocket.

To be honest with you, @coreymac, no I do not believe so. Although my answer may be biased due to my personal unpleasant experiences with the drug, there is in my opinion some opinions of mine that just cannot be argued. One thing I would like to note is that I live in Canada, which has now become the world's largest "pot smoking" industrialized country (referenced from the video below).

Despite the common quote that "Marijuana is harmless", this is just simply not true. Marijuana not only kills brain cells, but has been PROVEN to be the trigger for many mental illnesses that rest inside many peoples brains. Many people suffer with one of the scariest disorders, Depersonalization Disorder, and have almost all claimed that they only noticed this disorder the day, or couple days after they "smoked up".

It is in my opinion that there is a reason why marijuana is currently illegal, and using references to Tobacco and Alcohol use, a HUGE and POPULAR American pastime is simply irrelevant to the topic. Yes, Tobacco causes health problems, but do NOT be fooled by the common quote that "Marijuana cannot cause lung cancer", in-fact, yes it can, and Marijuana often contains a higher potency of toxins per dosage (because of the way most of it is grown; heavy fertilization, contaminated areas, etc. ). The ONLY way that marijuana use cannot cause lung diseases is when smoked using a vaporizer (heated, but not burned).

It is simply ridiculous that people believe that inhaling smoke cannot cause lung cancer, regardless what type of plant it is. Tobacco is highly regulated by the government, and although it is very unhealthy, the fact that it is ingested and does not cause the user to become "stupid" or "stoned" is simply something that is easily manages while accomplishing other tasks like driving, working, and even walking. Tobacco is also a HUGE part of our history, and possibly one of the biggest reasons why America is (well, before the economic downfall) so financially successful.

Besides the point that it is commonly used, do you really think that the government would even THINK about releasing another “smokeable� Product due to the problems tobacco has caused? When referencing to alcohol, marijuana simply does not compare.

Like tobacco, this product is a HUGE part of our history and is also heavily regulated. Firs thing to note is that although there are many addictions to alcohol, this drink can also be a great way to catch up a friend, family member, colleague in a local pub. Smoking a joint with a family member or colleague does just not seem probable since there is no way that you can just become "just a little bit high", unlike alcohol where you can have a drink or two and be completely fine.

Also, just like tobacco, where would marijuana be able to be smoked? Definitely not in a public building, considering cigarettes have been banned in all public buildings. Alcohol on the other hand can be enjoyed by the user in a public restaurant and not affect the other members in the room at all.

Marijuana simply could not be smoked anywhere where there would be other people who do not approved, since the marijuana smoke could affect a bystander in a very short period of time. Alcohol has also played a HUGE part in history, making it a very sociable product now and one thousand years ago. My last thing that I would like to mention is the behaviors of the people in the below video.

Would you trust these people with your money, children, business, or even car? I didn't think so either. This drug is just simply to "stupid" to question.

Thank you.

Let me put it straight and short. It should be legalized if people want it, because it is democracy. They should go for a census/vote and act accordingly.

Because even if it is not legalized, people won't stop consuming it and it will add to crimes. Thanks.

Yes. I am a firm believer that marijuana should be legalized. There are several reasons for this.

The first is for the medical benefits that can be derived from the entire marijuana plant. Studies have shown that the use of medical marijuana has helped patients with glaucoma, neurological and movement disorders, appetite stimulation, multiple sclerosis symptoms and much more. Studies: medmjscience.org/Pages/reports/nihpt1.html URL2 Marijuana is also the most efficient plant for the production of methanol which can be used for fuel.

Used properly it could be used as an alternative method of energy. Hemp which is in the same genus as Marijuana is actually a different variant in the genus Cannabis. Hemp fibers are used for clothing, jewelry, paper and much more.

The government treats Hemp and Marijuana the same because they are of the same genus although hemp has lower THC levels and is higher in antipsychoactive cannabinoid levels. Marijuana has high THC levels, high psychoactive cannabinoid levels and low antipsychoactive cannabiniod levels. http://www.naihc.org/hemp_information/content/hemp.mj.html a magazine that supports the 420 Campaign, is a great source of information on the current news, info and studies happening with marijuana and hemp legalization.

The 420 Campaign seeks to increase media coverage of cannabis issues.

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.