Should the U.S. Legalize Marijuana?

• “No”

  

  “Legalization Advocates Never Answer The Hard Questions”

• “Objection”

  

  “Okay Then, Let's Schedule the Debate!”
  

  Response

The Biggest Myth of All is That I Don't Debate

Dr. Kevin Sabet

Drug Policy Consultant

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How NORML can actually write that I don't debate this issue is beyond me. I am in favor of any forum where ideas can be discussed and exchanged openly and respectfully.

In fact, I have debated almost every major legalization advocate -- either on national television or before audiences of hundreds of people -- and I relish every opportunity to do so! Here is a partial list of the people I have debated:

Keith Stroup (Founder, NORML, debated in 2003 as part of a National Youth Leadership Conference in front of a crowd of almost 600 high school students)

Rob Kampia (Former NORML official, broke off to form Marijuana Policy Project, debated also at National Youth Leadership Conference, as well as on numerous media outlets)

Kevin Zeese (Founder, Common Sense for Drug Policy, debated on CNN's now extinct "Talkback Live" in 1999)

Mike Gray (Longtime legalization supporter, writer of several legalization books, debated also on CNN's "Talkback Live" in 1999)

Judge James Gray (Superior Court Judge from Orange County, debated in front of grand jury in Orange County in 1996, when I was 17)

Others include: Drug Policy Alliance Director Ethan Nadelmann, High Times editor Steve Bloom, activist Don Duncan, etc.

Next Argument

"No" Dr Kevin Sabet

• It is a Myth That 'Everybody is Doing It.'
  1
• Where Legalization Has Flourished, Drug Use Has Increased
  1
• Experts Agree That Marijuana Contributes to Mental Illness
  1
• Marijuana Use Can Be Addictive, While Also Damaging the Lungs
  2
• It is a Myth That Small Time Marijuana Users are Crowding our Prisons
  1
• Legalization Advocates Never Answer The Hard Questions
  2
• There are Ways To Make Current Policy Better
  1

"No" David Evans

• Marijuana Use Poses Severe Health Risks
  0
• Marijuana is Addictive
  0
• Use of Marijuana Leads to Other Drugs
  0
• Marijuana Use Contributes to Crime
  0

"Yes" NORML

• Remember Prohibition? It Still Doesn’t Work.
  21
• Humanity’s Medicine Chest
  14
• It’s the Economy, Stupid!
  16
• Industrial Use
  15

Most Objections

• Marijuana Use Poses Severe Health Risks
  0
• Marijuana is Addictive
  0
• Use of Marijuana Leads to Other Drugs
  0
• Marijuana Use Contributes to Crime
  0
• Remember Prohibition? It Still Doesn’t Work.
  21
• Humanity’s Medicine Chest
  14
• It’s the Economy, Stupid!
  16
• Industrial Use
  15
• It is a Myth That 'Everybody is Doing It.'
  1
• It is a Myth That Small Time Marijuana Users are Crowding our Prisons
  1
• Marijuana Use Can Be Addictive, While Also Damaging the Lungs
  2
• Experts Agree That Marijuana Contributes to Mental Illness
  1
• Where Legalization Has Flourished, Drug Use Has Increased
  1
• Legalization Advocates Never Answer The Hard Questions
  2
• There are Ways To Make Current Policy Better
  1

Legalize Marijuana?

• Yes
• No

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