Why is Marijuana illegal?

1. 59

   topgunjagerposted 15 years ago

   I would just like to read different opinions on why marijuana is illegal. I don't personally see anyting wrong with smoking marijuana even though i've never actually tried it. I don't know why alcohol is acceptable when it causes more harm than good to an individual. From my observations, when a person drinks, he wants to go home and beat up his wife, when he smokes marijuana, he wants to stay home, eat and sleep. I exaggerated on the beat up the wife part but you get the point=)

   replyreport
   1. 60

      dutchman1951posted 15 years agoin reply to this

      The Gov. can not tax it, make money off of it, so they try to stop it!

      replyreport
      1. 59

         topgunjagerposted 15 years agoin reply to this

         they are actually taxing marijuana in oakland right now, there are places to buy it but you have to have a cannibus card, you have to have an illness that marijuana can help ease.

         replyreport
         1. 60

            dutchman1951posted 15 years agoin reply to this

            Yes, but only because of California Law, States Rights, and the People their who feel its necessary.
            
            Its only One State. They still can not get it taxed in the rest of the Country, as a product. So outside of Medical they try to kill it, because they can not control it. I feel that California law will eventualy be tested in the Supreme Court one day up-coming.
            
            Also it does have some bad affects, not to consider prople who are driving under influence, and working under influence also. Many negitives against it, in Wash. DC Minds, with some truth about that also.

            replyreport
   2. 60

      Tucci78posted 15 years agoin reply to this

      A reasonably comprehensive and understandable account of the history and stupidity of the "War on (Some) Drugs" - and why the prohibition of marijuana and other criminalized psychoactive substances is predicated upon nothing more than lies and criminal malfeasance in public office - can be found in the book _A Drug War Carol_ (2002).
      
      This work can be accessed freely and in its entirety online. Simply Web search adrugwarcarol-dot-com and you will come up with the gateway page to begin reading.
      
      I strongly recommend it.

      replyreport
2. 86

   Nell Roseposted 15 years ago

   I believe that it is dangerous, as only yesterday my son lost a very good friend, because he had started to have fits recently, and speaking to his other friends i have found out that he was into using bongs a great deal. I have heard before that this has happened. obviously if you smoke it occasionally it probably does'nt hurt but if you use it too much it results in death. sorry to be so dismal but it was a bit of a shock. Nell

   replyreport
   1. 59

      topgunjagerposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      any comment would be greatly appreciated, i'm asking this because i want to open my mind to other people's opinions=)

      replyreport
      1. 86

         Nell Roseposted 15 years agoin reply to this

         just to say that the funny thing is i always thought it would'nt hurt anybody, but now i am seeing the sinister side. the trouble is i live in a small town and it seems to have taken over. nice place during the day, but at night it changes and out come the drugs. cheers Nell

         replyreport
      2. 0

         zampanoposted 15 years agoin reply to this

         I think you should try it man.
         It's the best way of knowing what you are talking about when you talk to your kids.

         replyreport
   2. 48

      fonzy_689posted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Hello, well scientifically, then that kid was not smoking marijuana, especially the fact that the only way to die from it is that you would have to smoke 1,500pounds of it in 15 minutes and I am quiet sure that kid didn't

      replyreport
3. 58

   Pr0metheusposted 15 years ago

   Because hemp makes cheaper paper then trees, and the paper industry was huge in the early 1900's so they released reefer madness to keep it illegal (so it wouldn't undermine their businesses).

   replyreport
   1. 59

      topgunjagerposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      i heard about that

      replyreport
4. 60

   tunelessposted 15 years ago

   there's no logical reasons why marijuana is legal or illegal in any country, only political or financial ones.

   replyreport
5. 70

   jdaviswritesposted 15 years ago

   All of these answers are good, and I agree with them. Why is it illegal? Like previously mentioned, there is no logical reason. Alcohol destroys far more livelihoods than marijuana. Tobacco kills far more people than marijuana. The difference is that alcohol and tobacco are more profitable. Marijuana can be easily grown at home for cheap. Even if legalized, there would still be a thriving black market from drug smugglers and at home growers as there is now.
   
   Some token arguments against marijuana are that it's a gateway drug...agreed. If you like drugs, you usually start with marijuana. But even raging alcoholics most likely started with a beer at the ballgame with pops. Another thing, sure, there are lazy potheads, but there are lazy sober people. There are successful businessmen who smoke marijuana everyday and do great things in the world.
   
   I could type for hours but it's repetetive. The thing that bothers me most is the amount of money we spend and have spent on the "war on drugs" while the drugs are still, and will continue to win. We need to reevaluate the way our culture has looked at marijuana as "the devils weed." There are 100s of other countries with relaxed drug laws who function equally if not better than our own. Everyone knows about Amsterdam right? It's a great place to live; its clean, good food, happy people, beautiful art (http://www.citymayors.com/features/quality_survey.html) Maybe the next generation of US politicians will see the light. In the words of Ben Harper "Herb the gift from the earth, and what's from the earth, is of the greatest worth. So before you knock it try it first, you'll see it's a blessing, and not a curse."

   replyreport
   1. 48

      fonzy_689posted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Well I am not sure about the exact dates, but marijuana was first illegalized because it had ties with the Mexicans and Mormons who both brought marijuana(i believe after the american and mexican war) and of course the government banned it. However i think it wasn't until the 70s when it started to become a "gateway drug" as we know it. Today its just that we still have a huge majority of the people who still see marijuana as a scary or dangerous drug, especially if they have never been around it. My health teacher who comes from a small town told me that, its usually the white-Christians (mostly the older generation) who appose it due to moral reasons. However you are right marijuana is probably the safest drug out there for humans. I am sure it way way safer than those pills the government pumps through the stores.

      replyreport
      1. 70

         jdaviswritesposted 15 years agoin reply to this

         agreed.

         replyreport
6. 69

   TimTurnerposted 15 years ago

   Masturbation used to be illegal in this country.
   
   Alcohol use to be illegal in this country.
   
   Women couldn't vote in this country.
   
   Blacks had no rights in this country.
   
   Inter-racial marriage was illegal in this country.
   
   Marijuana will be legal very soon.  You can see the tide turning and it started with medical marijuana.
   
   Yeah, it's a gateway drug (I think, anyway), but violence in TV and movies can lead to worse things, pornography can lead to worse things, casinos/lottery can lead to worse things and alcohol can lead to worse things in people.  But all those are legal.
   
   Plus, marijuana would be good for taxes!

   replyreport
7. 70

   Jeffrey Nealposted 15 years ago

   I see no good reason for it to be illegal.  I have seen alcohol literally kill both family and friends, but I haven't seen the same types behavioral influences caused marijuana.  If anything, it seems like pot is more like an antidepressant, and less addictive than alcohol or tobacco.
   
   As for taxes, the .gov will still have to make it illegal to grow it without a license if they expect legalization to be a windfall of tax money.  It is, after all, a weed and capable of growing in spite of itself.

   replyreport
8. 0

   philip carey 61posted 15 years ago

   Something preceded everything, so I don't buy the gateway-drug argument. What caused the first marijuana try? Maybe it was peer pressure. "Peer pressure" make it illegal, it's a gateway drug!

   replyreport
   1. 69

      TimTurnerposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Everyone I know who does heavier drugs said their first drug was marijuana.  I'm just going with personal friend experience.

      replyreport
      1. 71

         ddsurfscaposted 15 years agoin reply to this

           Allow me to be afirst here then.  I first tried heroin, then cocaine then marajuana, then cigarettes. (My mother weened me on beer so alcohol wasn't included)

         replyreport
9. 60

   hudsonj1994posted 15 years ago

   I'm really not sure. Probally because it is harmful to you in the long run

   replyreport
   1. 66

      Mishaposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      And how do you know this? Personal experience?

      replyreport
10. 60

    forlanposted 15 years ago

    It make you addicted and damages your brain.

    replyreport
    1. 66

       Mishaposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       Umm, based on what I heard from pretty grown up people who used it, both statements are lie.

       replyreport
       1. 64

          prettydarkhorseposted 15 years agoin reply to this

          lololol, in amsterdam its legal , and see they are taller..they plant it in the mountains where I came from and nothing so far happening to the people except that they are always happy (dont know why they keep on laughing also),happy people, lol, always positive too..

          replyreport
       2. 72

          earnestshubposted 15 years agoin reply to this

          I agree Misha.

          replyreport
11. 0

    sneakorocksolidposted 15 years ago

    What? Is that someone at the door? Sssh! Everybody be quiet! Then in through the back door, scaring the hell out of you, bursts Larry! "Hey! How come you guys didn't answer the door?"

    replyreport
    1. 59

       Randy Godwinposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       Probably thought they were Jehovah's witnesses.

       replyreport
12. 52

    Linda Hposted 15 years ago

    Does any country (I'm in Australia, Marijuana is illegal her too) really want more problems? The damage from Alcohol and tobacco is already high. I don't think it will be legalised here check out this website http://www.nida.nih.gov/researchreports … uana3.html
    I found it interesting that the "medical marijuana" use is now heading towards prescription drugs which contain THC as opposed to allowing sufferers to smoke.
    If you are a young man then you may be increasing your risk of testicular cancer - 70% more likely, that is a BIG number http://www.jointogether.org/news/resear … juana.html
    Here is another http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/pro … a-debunked
    and another http://newsgroups.derkeiler.com/Archive … 01419.html
    You might want to skip the middle of this one it gets really technical there are othe links at the end but I have had enough of researching for one day, http://chestjournal.chestpubs.org/conte … /1511.full

    replyreport
13. 93

    habeeposted 15 years ago

    From what I've read, pot isn't nearly as bad for you as alcohol. It's not as dangerous to others, either. I had WAY rather be on a road with a stoned driver than with a drunk driver. The stoned driver will be driving 5 mph and looking for a Dunkin Donuts.
    
    Many people get argumentative and agressive when drunk. When stoned, most folks just want to raid the fridge, ponder deep thoughts (like how do they get all the cheetohs the same size?), have sex, and take a long nap - often in that order. Ummm...er...that's what I've been told, anyway.
    
    As for pot's serving as a "gateway" to harder drugs, I don't believe that. I know lots of folks who have smoked it for decades and never moved on to hard drugs.

    replyreport
    1. 48

       fonzy_689posted 15 years agoin reply to this

       its funny how, out of all cocaine users only 25 percent of them have anything to do with marijuana and cocaine, which in marijuana terms, thats less then 9 percent. But of course they don't see that majority do not touch cocaine. I bet more folks who do cocaine use alcohol than marijuana.

       replyreport
14. 0

    philip carey 61posted 15 years ago

    Potato chips lead to obesity and serious health issues and premature death. Texting while driving leads to accidents and death. Drinking alcohol leads to same.
    
    You know, where does regulation end and personal responsibility begin? The age old argument.

    replyreport
15. 72

    IntimatEvolutionposted 15 years ago

    Why is prostitution illegal?  When you can answer that question, you'll find the answer to this question.

    replyreport
16. 56

    C.J. Wrightposted 15 years ago

    Because its native and grows practically every where....no way to completely get the tax hooks into it.

    replyreport
17. 72

    Rhianni32posted 15 years ago

    Peer pressure from friends in school is the gateway drug to pot, the gateway drug.
    We need to make socializing illegal!
    Yeah I'm in the no logical reason why its illegal camp.

    replyreport
18. 0

    Poppa Bluesposted 15 years ago

    Interestingly part of the reason marijuana is illegal is because of the work of William Randolph Hearst who had significant financial interests in timber. In our colonial history hemp was cultivated and sold to make rope clothing and sails.
    
    There really is no logical reason for this substance to be unlawful. Hemp today can be used to make paper and clothing saving countless tress from destruction and protecting our environment.
    
    While there are dangers associated with it's use as a drug, that shouldn't be cause for people educated in it's effects from making a decision to use this substance.
    
    The illegality of marijuana arguably causes more harm to society by fueling violent crime over the high artificial profit derived from it. The huge commercial interests of the private and government sector as well as the criminal element alone is the only reason this substance is illegal and will remain so.

    replyreport
    1. 56

       C.J. Wrightposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       Interesting point. For years the US Navy used hemp and cotton rope and line. After the 60's the Navy went to a synthetic line for mooring ships. Since then, more than few Sailors have lost limbs to "snythetic line snapback".  If fact there was a time when Bosn's Mates were known to "Smoke Rope". The term is still used in the Navy to describe a person who makes an outragious statement....

       replyreport
       1. 0

          Madame Xposted 15 years agoin reply to this

          Yes - it was DOW who invented nylon and didn't want any competition so they lobbied to make hemp illegal.

          replyreport
          1. 56

             C.J. Wrightposted 15 years agoin reply to this

             You mean as it DOW Chemical that manufactured Agent Orange...big surprise huh?

             replyreport
             1. 0

                Madame Xposted 15 years agoin reply to this

                In the government's back pocket . . . or maybe it's the other way 'round

                replyreport
19. 0

    ryankettposted 15 years ago

    So you are pro-cannabis but have never smoked it? I cannot speak for everyone, but I smoked it on a daily basis from morning to night for about two years (quit a couple of years ago), and I can tell you that it certainly had a profound effect on my mental health and could have ruint my life. I achieved absolutely nothing in those two years, displayed erratic and irrational behaviour, lost ambition, became inarticalate and introverted, lost friends and generally became miserable. I am lucky that those effects were not long lasting or permanent, but I am pretty certain that they could have been.
    
    I fully believe that cannabis should be illegal, as it is also often the starting point for many addicts of harder drugs. And that doesn't need to be scientifically proven, just go and ask a few junkies which drugs they tried first.
    
    That said, I have nothing against people smoking it. I just don't think that governments should be seen as actively condoning its use for anything other than medical purposes. I dont think that people should be punished for possession of small quantities, but large scale cultivators and dealers certainly should.

    replyreport
    1. 0

       Poppa Bluesposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       Congratulations for quitting! That alone is evidence against your contention that marijuana is a gateway drug that leads to the use of other drugs and addiction.
       
       No one is suggesting that marijuana isn't bad for you and legalization should in no way imply that government condones or promotes it's use.
       
       Marijuana is a gateway drug for drug dealers! With the money they earn from selling pot financing their entry into dealing harder drugs like cocaine and meth!
       
       80 years after the war on drugs we still have a problem. Our prisons are full of drug users and abusers yet instead of shrinking the problem is growing! Don't you think it's time we admit that this is a failed policy and do something different? The very definition of insanity is doing the same action over and over while expecting a different result. America's drug policy is insane!

       replyreport
       1. 0

          ryankettposted 15 years agoin reply to this

          If you think that can be considered 'evidence' of anything then there is probably something else in America failing. I agree that users of marijuana should not be imprisoned, but I think that dealers should. Our opinions clearly differ. Marijuana use has been proven to lead to schizophrenia or to worsen existing mental health problems and depression and in fact I know people who have been institutionalised as a result of heavy cannabis use. But please don't talk to me about America's drug policy in an apparent assumption that I am American too, you don't need to tell me that America's drug policy is insane.... fortunately I come from a place where the death penalty does not exist, where smoking pot very rarely results in anything other than a slap on the wrist, and where a hell of a lot less than 1 in 100 of its citizens are in prison. We haven't legalised pot, we just fine people instead of incarcirating them.... but America has never been able to see middle ground.... it is quickly labelled as 'liberalism'..... the best word in the dictionary.

          replyreport
          1. 0

             Poppa Bluesposted 15 years agoin reply to this

             So red meat causes heart disease should we incarcerate cattle farmers, and fine McDonalds?
             Pot's bad for you I get it and if it was legal, there wouldn't be dealers because everyone would grow their own! As far as I'm concerned, there is no middle ground when it comes to personal freedom and any government, whether it's the USA or Canada, doesn't have the right to tell me or anyone else I can't grow a plant or smoke it or shove it up my ass if that's what I want to do!

             replyreport
             1. 0

                Madame Xposted 15 years agoin reply to this

                Yeah.

                replyreport
             2. 56

                C.J. Wrightposted 15 years agoin reply to this

                Yep, thats the key.  No middle ground on personal freedoms.

                replyreport
20. 78

    kirstenblogposted 15 years ago

    My reason that its illegal? Stoners and Pot heads can't get organized enough to get it on the ballots for legalization and then get it voted in! They are too stoned and forgetful to follow through to legalization.
    
    Do you really want it legalized I ask? I ask because I figure, look what the tobacco companies did to tobacco. do we want them doing the same to cannabis? Have to say tho that I suspect that the criminal networks selling this stuff are probably doing something very similar with lacing it!

    replyreport
21. 0

    Madame Xposted 15 years ago

    Making pot illegal is somewhat similar to prohibition. There are always going to be alcoholics just as there are always going to be drug users. Some people have addictive personalities.
    
    My personal opinion is that the government has no business telling anyone what they may or may not ingest. If you want to drink yourself to death that is entirely your business and no one elses.
    
    Good for you Ryan, on quitting

    replyreport
22. 0

    Justine76posted 15 years ago

    sorry, I only skimmed thru this thread.
    pot can be addictive, like ..oh, I dont know..alcohol?
    Some people get quite addicted, and it does ruin thier lives, but so does beer.... a legal substance for anyone over 21 in the usa. And nictone, in ciggaretes,legaly purchased by anyone over 18..
    addictions are possable for millions of things. TV, porn, Hubpages, mary jane, cheese, alcohol...my point is, its illegal cuz they make so much money off it. The government, doesnt really care about its people...its all about money...

    replyreport
23. 0

    sneakorocksolidposted 15 years ago

    Pot is illegal because....because.........What was I talking about?

    replyreport
    1. 78

       kirstenblogposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       Pot can damage your long term whats it called?

       replyreport
       1. 0

          Justine76posted 15 years agoin reply to this

          ooh ooh, me me!!.wait, I forgot...
          alcohol can kill just as many brain cells....

          replyreport
24. 67

    Flightkeeperposted 15 years ago

    We already know that people can cause bad accidents because of drinking.  Why add marijuana to the list of legal drugs and cause more problems.
    
    And I have nothing against the ganja. If people use responsibly it's not a problem but people aren't always responsible.

    replyreport
    1. 0

       Madame Xposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       Maybe if our government weren't so danged determined to treat us like children, more people would take responsibility for their actions.

       replyreport
       1. 56

          C.J. Wrightposted 15 years agoin reply to this

          Not immediately....but overtime the "HEY Y'ALL WHATCH THIS" effect would take over!LOL In truth your right, life is a cruel but effective teacher. Unlike the school house, in life you get the test, then the lesson.

          replyreport
       2. 67

          Flightkeeperposted 15 years agoin reply to this

          I'd love it if gov't weren't so snoopy but when you're under the effects of alcohol or any other drug, you're not really thinking logically. And if you decide to drive which involves being out in public, I'd rather that our police not have to deal with additional crap or have more jails built to hold additional people.

          replyreport
          1. 0

             Justine76posted 15 years agoin reply to this

             ture,
             under the influence of alcohol
             the thing is, alcohol is legal

             replyreport
    2. 0

       Justine76posted 15 years agoin reply to this

       I agree, it SHOULD be considered a recreational...whatever...
       dont do it on the job, same as booze
       but, I dont think that will ever happen, becuase of all the things cops can do becuase they suspect "drugs" the money, property, dogs, cars, guns, houses, other drugs, etc...they can take since its "reasonable suspicion"...keep it illegal..take all ya want..
       its not going to happen, right or wrong, mary jane is illegal to stay..

       replyreport
       1. 0

          Madame Xposted 15 years agoin reply to this

          All "the things the cops can do" is precisely the reason it's still illegal

          replyreport
    3. 70

       Jeffrey Nealposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       I am of the belief that you can't legislate responsibility. Attempts to do so are just revenue generators and nothing more.

       replyreport
       1. 67

          Flightkeeperposted 15 years agoin reply to this

          True but you can punish them heavily if they chose to behave irresponsibly and maybe that'll make some of them think twice.

          replyreport
25. 68

    Blogging Erikaposted 15 years ago

    Having FINALLY quit smoking after 25 years of a pack-a-day habit, it boggles my mind that cigarettes are legal and pot is not. Cigarettes are so frickin' toxic, and carcinogenic, and literally suffocate you with carbon monoxide while you're smoking them.  Pot?  No.
    
    Crazy!

    replyreport
    1. 72

       earnestshubposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       Been using pot for over 30 years for pain management. Any prescription pain killers would have killed me years ago!
       I take breaks when I get to used to the weed, or change the type of weed regularly.

       replyreport
26. 60

    garynewposted 15 years ago

    There are many reasons, some legitimate, some not.  But in my personal opinion it should be available on a very strict basis.

    replyreport
27. 0

    lyricsingrayposted 15 years ago

    what's illegal mean? :

    replyreport
    1. 62

       debugsposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       means thut yah can die of cancer and they won't give u the plant you need to get well.. nah kidding. pot heals cancer!

       replyreport
       1. 0

          lyricsingrayposted 15 years agoin reply to this

          so like, what does pot mean then? :

          replyreport
       2. 69

          Ralph Deedsposted 15 years agoin reply to this

          It's good for siatica, lumbago and the piles, too.

          replyreport
          1. 0

             sneakorocksolidposted 15 years agoin reply to this

             Ralph I never want to see you high.

             replyreport