So ain't nobody iller.: Marijuana: Legal v. Illegal. Agree or Disagree?

By Jose Langston, kingoftheill.tumblr.com, @JoseLangston, Published: 02 April 2012

Go outside and go talk to four people. At least three of them, including yourself, either has smoked, still smokes, or know someone who has/does smokes marijuana. That is not a real percentage, that is just something I believe. The opinion that “everyone’s doing it” is not a strong argument in the legalization of marijuana. Everyone lies but the Bible should not get rid of that Commandment. So why should we legalize marijuana (or keep it illegal)?

Marijuana users who go past the 30-day mark of use of marijuana by Americans ages 12 and older in 1979 was 13.2 percent. In 2008 the percentage dropped to 6.1 percent, despite the ever-growing population by marijuana. The technology has well advanced since the late 70s, as we step into the second decade of the millennium. Internet, text and picture messages, more music, etc. makes it difficult for it someoe not to know about marijuana.
Let’s break it down. Marijuana is classified as a drug. By definition, illegal drugs are “chemical substances that people may not lawfully manufacture, possess, buy, or, sell.” Marijuana is a plant, not a chemical. The Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) that it contains is classified as a chemical, though. Dr. Robert L. DuPont argued that “if the U.S. were to legalize marijuana, the number of marijuana users would increase.”
This is a redundant statement. Mainly because if Skittles were illegal, a lot people would not eat them. not because it is against the law, but because it is harder to access, but, then again, we are not talking about colorful treats. Marijuana is more accessible than any other “drug”. During the Prohibition, there were more alcohol consumption than before the laws were made. Prohibition began in 1920. Alcohol use was at its lowest from 1914 to 1922. So, if we take the same point of view that alcohol had on the country, marijuana use will actually decrease by legalizing it.
One online newspaper suggested that “certain corporations will take over this new green machine”. The corporations they were refereeing to are tobacco companies. Tobacco companies do not have the equipment, people or knowledge about selling cannabis as a product as they do of cigarettes. They have to hire thousands of people to make this happen. Also, people can buy the product right out of the store if it is legal. More people working plus more people buying products equals stimulation of the economy.
This particular newspaper article was titled “Marijuana is a poison” but he never supported this, it was just five paragraphs of marijuana is bad. The writer went on to say marijuana users homes are often “the power is off because no one has had the brains to pay the bill for three months, and the kitchen stinks of smoke and rotting food, and most of it is already unhealthy to eat.”
Attacking the issue and cannabis itself is okay, but how is attacking marijuana users supporting this fact? This is broadcasting a stereotype that if you smoke weed, you are lazy, stupid and unsanitary. The writer has failed to get their point across.
People often call marijuana a stepping stone or gateway drug to cocaine, heroin, etc. I disagree with this because marijuana is usually smoked or eaten (via baked inside something else).Coke is snorted, heroin is shot. They give you a different type of high. People are going to do those drugs if they want, regardless. Marijuana is not to blame.
But, maybe stimulating the economy and letting people do what they want within reason is a bad idea. (as far as the pursuit of happiness ; excessive amounts of cigarettes, fast food and alcohol are way more damaging but people will not stop) So we need to make everything in the Cannabaceae family illegal. Chop down every American hackberry tree (Celtis occidentalis)
People also bring up momentarily damages of short-term memory, which is true. But, since we are on the subject of memory, studies proves THC can prevent Alzheimer’s Disease. There are articles that say that marijuana does not help cancer patients, there are others that say it does. A 1975 study paints the picture that tumors actually became smaller by marijuana users.
So is marijuana bad? Is it good? That is all to the person who is having the discussion. Do not be easily swayed on the topic. Do research on what it does to your body. Hopefully laws change to similar to cigarette use in the United States. Not in public places, at least 18, and Surgeon’s General warning on the side of any bad side effects it could hold. But, unlike cigarettes, (if companies add to the product), ingredients should be posted on the box (or bag, or whatever they would sell it in). I’m just saying, you never hear people say “Legal Crack”. That isn’t even a debate. So, the fact it’s even a discussion is good.
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