Campaigns That Matter - 8 Reasons Marijuana Should Be Kept Illegal

8 Reasons Marijuana Should Be Kept Illegal

jonebot written on Jul 01 2010 | Topic: General

With all the discussion about legalizing marijuana with its supposed economic benefits we rarely hear about all the problems legalization can cause. Just with anything, there are going to be pluses and minuses. In the case of marijuana, the minuses outweigh the pluses.

Many prominent groups have come out against legalization such as the California Sheriff's Association and the California District Attorneys Association. This essentially tells the citizens of the state that our law enforcement community feels that legalizing marijuana poses a serious public safety threat. Marijuana should be kept illegal and here is why:

No real impact. Past legalization of other ‘drugs’ such as alcohol and tobacco have not lowered the amount of consumption nor has it significantly changed the outlook of people who do use these substances.
Health effects. All forms of marijuana are known to be mind-altering drugs. Studies by many experts and psychiatrists have concluded that regular consumption of marijuana does lead to an increase in the potential for mental health problems. In fact, it has been known to lead to the development of schizophrenia in young adults and repeated and concerted use has proven to cause psychosis. Marijuana has also been linked with depression.
Youth encouragement. The legalization of the drug will encourage usage among youth and young adults. It has been proven that early usage of marijuana is far more debilitating that alcohol as marijuana severely retards mental development. It can not be guaranteed that restrictions on legal usage would ‘curtail’ or ‘regulate’ or even ‘educate’ young people.
Taxation issues. Sure, advocates can say the government can regulate the usage of marijuana and would impose taxes on users and retailers. However coming up with the right tax structure and regulatory conditions is a monumental task. Just by levying too high a tax it could easily encourage growers to once again sell it on the black market and thereby render the move to legalize worthless.
Chemically altered products. Much like the hazardous chemical cocktails that cigarette companies turned their products into, marijuana growers and manufacturers could be encouraged to do the same to increase sales and get customers addicted.
Increase in crime. With legalization comes the additional burden of having to deal with people driving their cars while high. This is already a problem with alcohol. Why compound it?
Violation of Federal law. State level legalization will be in contradict Federal laws and jeopardize California's ability to receive Federal aid and tax dollars.
Adverse economic impact. By no longer having drug-free workplace rules, private and public California companies and colleges will lose their ability to bid for Federal contracts and obtain Federal grants.

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AFreeWorldsays:
Jul 03 2010

People like to think that after legalization the public opinion of Marijuana is going to drastically change. That somehow... everybody but you is gonna be smoking it, and nothing will get done.

1 No Real Impact. umm... so? The objective isn't to lower the amount of users of marijuana. Legal availability (which does NOT mean increased availability) has shown to decrease the number of hard drug users, as marijuana helps ween off addictions to harder drugs. Which is certainly true.

2. You couldn't back that up if you have to use words like "linked to". Also.. concerted use has not PROVEN to cause psychosis. We don't say concerted use of coffee can cause death even though you can die from too much caffeine, quite the contrary to too much THC.

3. Keek was on point.

4. Why wouldn't we buy it legally? and if taxes were too high for the government to make profit, why would they keep the taxes at that point, when they could lower and profit. Faulty, not well though out 'excuse'.

5. Nicotine is the prime addiction in Tobacco. And Tobacco is often subject to these chemicals to help aid the growth cycle of the plant. Cannabis does not need this aid, being a very sturdy and healthy plant already. Radioactive chemicals would fuck with cannabis yield, not increase it. The two plants are different. Aside from that, I know your cannabis being made physically addictive is bullshit. Stop lying to people.

6. HAHAHAHAHA no. Drug related crimes make up the weight of our failed law enforcement agenda. That's why State Prisons that take in REAL offenders (murderers, psychopaths and the like) are losing money and privatized prisons are banking crazy money off drug related "criminals"

7. Well duh, but back when the constitution was written, I think it said the PEOPLE were to be sovereign. Do you feel more powerful than your government right now?

8. Why wouldn't we 'no longer' have drug free workplace rules? Where did you even get that idea?

Keeksays:
Jul 01 2010

1. Amsterdam has less marijuana smokers than the United States, percentage wise if I'm not mistaken.

2. It doesn't matter what these drugs do to me. It's my body and I should be allowed to do whatever I want with it as long as I'm not harming anyone else in the process. Besides, prohibition is not stopping me from smoking marijuana.

3. Prohibition makes it easier for children to obtain marijuana, because drug dealers do not check ID.

4. I know PLENTY of people who would still buy it legally even if a black market existed, myself included.

5. We could grow it ourselves in our backyards.

6. Actually, there would be an incredible decrease in crime because you wouldn't have people being arrested for marijuana related crimes.

The whole "people will do this or that while high!" argument is absolutely stupid because A. People already do those things high. Prohibition is not stopping them and B. It's legal for responsible use. Driving while intoxicated will NOT be legal, or encouraged by legalization, and I'm sure your boss would still fire you if you showed up at work high.