The recreational use of marijuana has been glamorized over the years by such on-screen duos as Cheech & Chong and Harold & Kumar, but is the drug everything that Hollywood makes it out to be? Then again, are we being hypocritical by allowing alcohol consumption but not cannabis usage? With passionate believers on both sides of the argument, it will be interesting to see what happens when the smoke clears.
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Should the U.S. Legalize Marijuana?
It's inevitable..
The answer to this question is actually no, but have we seen the winds of change? It's only a matter of time until the legalization of marijuana comes to fruition. Keep in mind that a large cigarette brand has already licensed their pack to read "Marlboro Greens" once marijuana is legalized. Just like alcohol became legal, so will marijuana. And can one think of a better reason for the government than the levies they would garner from the legalization? If you care to know, I am rather liberal, but not exactly a purveyor of cannabis either. I have tried it though, and it seems like most D.A.R.E. type organizations overexaggerate the way in which marijuana affects humans. I laughed at this absurd commercial of an Afro-wearing guy with his friends in a drive thru then speeding up and crashing into a little girl on a tricycle...which doesn't make any sense to begin with, but I digress. Anybody I have seen under the influence of weed exhibits very mellow, comatose behavior. Legal by 2015.
- Sundevil
July 13, 2008 9:57PM
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Malboro Greens Is A Myth
Although I do think you have some very valid points, I think you should do some more research next time before posting. You claimed that Marlboro has already patented the name Marlboro Greens, but that is a myth. This is a common internet rumor that has been circulating for years. Its origin was on an website called ebaumsworld and the rumor has spread ever since. Otherwise, I do think you understand some of the basic facts, although some are rather biased. Many organizations such as DARE and AboveTheInflunce have released propaganda through the media that omits much of the actual information on marijuana. For example, prohibitionists may say that people involved in a car crash had THC in their system, yet omit the fact that alcohol was also present. On the contrary, antiprohibitionists may say pot does not cause memory problems, even though the actual test conducted wasn't advanced enough to produce reliable results.
- scwalsh88 August 13, 2008 10:22PM
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Car Wrecks
Or, they also omit the fact that marijuana stays in the system for one to two weeks, meaning those people who had "marijuana in their systems" could have smoked a week prior to the accident and were not actually under the influence of marijuana, but had it "in their systems." This is but one very common way for anti-marijuana advocates color the truth to make marijuana seem worse than it is. Ironically, even for as hard as I know they try to make marijuana seem like a horrible, dangerous drug, they are failing miserably. Testimony to the fact that marijuana is NOT a horrible, dangerous drug, but is fairly harmless.
Also, what negative aspects of marijuana use that do actually occur could be prevented through legalization . For example, marijuana causes increased risk of lung disease. Yes, this is true, but only because it is smoked in order make it stretch further. Other ways of consumption wastes it, such as baking with it, making a tea out of it, etc. If it were legal , it would be a lot less expensive due to the lack of risk needed to get it to the consmer, so people would be more likely to use it in other ways. Ironically, in it's efforts to stop marijuana use, the government has actually caused the American people to use marijuana in a more harmful way.
- Samantha
November 17, 2009 8:44AM
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Good point!
Which would you rather live next door to, a house full of stoners, or a house full of drunks?
The biggest problem you'd have with the house full of stoners is that they might occasionally knock on your door at 3 a.m. wanting to know if you have any snacks. You can give them a stale box of Cheerios and they'll go away happy. But if the drunks next door come pounding at 3 a.m., you're in for trouble.
The worst a stoner ever becomes is useless. I wish the same thing could be said for drunks.
- GrannyGrump42
October 24, 2008 2:11PM
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Ummm...
So we should just add to the problem and legalize something else that leads to lethargic behavior?
- Jewelsg88
August 5, 2009 1:17AM
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Lethargic Behavior
The example the above poster gave was an exaggerated, extreme, worst-case-scenario. The great majority of those who use marijuana are hard-working, educated, professional people who would rather drop dead than admit they use marijuana because of the stigma attached to it's use. Many use it once per week or less as a much less harmful and much more pleasurable substitute for alcohol .
- Samantha
November 17, 2009 8:48AM
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The commercial example?
My best friend in high school actually killed someone while driving under the influence of marijuana . Why? Because he wasn't thinking straight. It's possible. To be honest, I agree that it will probably be legalized, and that's when I plan to quit teaching because education will go down the drain when kids have little to no motivation. I see it all the time at our alternative school, and the argument is that alcohol is legal . However, does adding another addiction (yes, addiction --> http://www.drugabuse.gov/Infofacts/marijuana.html ), really help our society ? I'm not gonna lie, people who smoke pot automatically lose credibility because they have no respect for the law and are proving to be irresponsible examples in society. The law may not be perfect, by should people really add to the drama?
- Jewelsg88
August 5, 2009 1:17AM
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omg
well duhhh...here is quick fix for that problem make the the penaltys the same as a dui..and to tell you the truth weed doesn't kill brain cells at all its a myth...and again for the 10th time where is the proof its addicting drug.........
- ihaveadegreeimalwaysright
October 19, 2009 8:19AM
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Marijuana Use and Education
Actually, legalization will PREVENT children from getting their hands on it. Marijuana dealers will go the way of the bootlegger. How many bootleggers do you see standing on the street corner peddling their wares? I have never seen one in all my 35 years in this world. Yet, I have seen many marijuana dealers selling to whoever has money , kids included. If anything, you will see a sharp decrease in our young people's use of the drug.
- Samantha
November 17, 2009 8:50AM
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OMG!!
The answer to this question is actually no, but have we seen the winds of change ? It's only a matter of time until the legalization of marijuana comes to fruition. Keep in mind that a large cigarette brand has already licensed their pack to read "Marlboro Greens" once marijuana is legalized. Just like alcohol became legal , so will marijuana. And can one think of a better reason for the government than the levies they would garner from the legalization? If you care to know, I am rather liberal, but not exactly a purveyor of cannabis either. I have tried it though, and it seems like most D.A.R.E. type organizations overexaggerate the way in which marijuana affects humans. I laughed at this absurd commercial of an Afro-wearing guy with his friends in a drive thru then speeding up and crashing into a little girl on a tricycle...which doesn't make any sense to begin with, but I digress. Anybody I have seen under the influence of weed exhibits very mellow, comatose behavior. Legal by 2015(there is no proff this was caused by weed in a controled field...as well you can penalize the actions of driveing high people also die from texting ...quick ban phones!!!)
- ihaveadegreeimalwaysright
October 19, 2009 8:25AM
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