I read an article today that I found interesting and almost amusing, about some legislators who are trying to change marijuana laws. You can read it here. Basically they're saying it's too big a burden on the justice system and it's wasting time and money to penalize the casual user and/or people with medical conditions.
Historically, marijuana was once very legal in the states. It was imported from Turkey, if I remember correctly - but other countries were already starting to make it illegal and by 1936 the movie "Reefer Madness" was released to scare American young people straight. Now I'm not here to advocate smoking pot by any means. But let's think about the legal alternative, for just a moment... alcohol. We all know about prohibition and it was considered this horrible thing that ruined lives and corrupted the young. Now we're bombarded with its marketing, we tax the crap out of it and we have a gazillion rehabilitation programs for alcoholics (some of which our tax dollars are paying for). It goes without saying that alcohol has killed innocent people, ruined families and cost a lot of money in medical treatment and rehabilitation. However, those who drink socially and responsibly? Not a problem.
So what's the answer? Do we make marijuana legal - regulate and tax the crap out of it too? Are we willing to take on the repercussions with rehab programs? Oh wait, we already have those, although I'm sure rehabilitation programs would grow if it were legal.
There are arguments that state that marijuana is not addictive, and some that state marijuana just leads to other more dangerous drugs. Personally I don't believe marijuana is any more dangerous than alcohol. They are both potentially dangerous and possibly detrimental to those who use. I don't have all the answers worked out as far as legalizing it, but honestly I see potential for the benefits. On that note, I agree with those politicians cited in the above article - it's wasting jail space, tax dollars, and law enforcement is burdened with dealing with it instead of focusing on much larger crime issues.
Tell me internet, what do you think?
Historically, marijuana was once very legal in the states. It was imported from Turkey, if I remember correctly - but other countries were already starting to make it illegal and by 1936 the movie "Reefer Madness" was released to scare American young people straight. Now I'm not here to advocate smoking pot by any means. But let's think about the legal alternative, for just a moment... alcohol. We all know about prohibition and it was considered this horrible thing that ruined lives and corrupted the young. Now we're bombarded with its marketing, we tax the crap out of it and we have a gazillion rehabilitation programs for alcoholics (some of which our tax dollars are paying for). It goes without saying that alcohol has killed innocent people, ruined families and cost a lot of money in medical treatment and rehabilitation. However, those who drink socially and responsibly? Not a problem.
So what's the answer? Do we make marijuana legal - regulate and tax the crap out of it too? Are we willing to take on the repercussions with rehab programs? Oh wait, we already have those, although I'm sure rehabilitation programs would grow if it were legal.
There are arguments that state that marijuana is not addictive, and some that state marijuana just leads to other more dangerous drugs. Personally I don't believe marijuana is any more dangerous than alcohol. They are both potentially dangerous and possibly detrimental to those who use. I don't have all the answers worked out as far as legalizing it, but honestly I see potential for the benefits. On that note, I agree with those politicians cited in the above article - it's wasting jail space, tax dollars, and law enforcement is burdened with dealing with it instead of focusing on much larger crime issues.
Tell me internet, what do you think?
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