Legalize it!

Just curious Schneed, but are you a bible thumper? No disrespect, but the people that only see the black and white of the marijuana issue are usually very religious or military.
I know I'm way late commenting on this one, but I think you are totally wrong here. My senior thesis in college dealt primarily with the racial issues behind anti-drug laws in this country, and I'm a white agnostic.

Historically speaking, it's pretty clear that anti-marijuana laws were racist in nature when they were first created.

**EDIT** Took Southpaw's comments out of context. My mistake.
However, I still stand by the fact that the laws were originally made for BS reasons that wouldn't float these days. The problem is that weed as been demonized so much that some people can't separate it from other 'drugs.'

Although I've never smoked weed myself, I have been around it on a near constant basis in both my teen and young adult years. I never bothered asking my friends as they lit one up next to me why they smoked. So, I ask now. Why do you smoke weed? What is it about the effects that cause you to want to smoke it?

I don't smoke anymore simply because of the legal problems that it can cause. But, when I did smoke, I did it for the same reasons that I drank to get drunk (as opposed to drinking for just the taste). Basically, I had a better time smoking weed and watching a movie or just hanging out with friends than I did when I was sober. It's dumb, but that's kind of the point.

decriminalized yes, legalized no - they've had nothing but problems in areas like amsterdam where they've legalized it. heroin addicts there are buying legal weed and selling it for more to underaged kids. the same thing would happen here on a much larger scale. i think here in the u.s. if your caught with an ounce or less it should be a fine and thats it.

I want some BBQ without beer or weed. Hurry up and open a joint in NOVA =p

Yes it is sending mixed messages, but legalizing marijuana and profiting off of it would reinforce a BAD message.

Just because one bad thing is legal doesn't mean they all should be.

Personally, I don't give a damn what message the government sends to our youth. If they legalize it, don't legalize it, what the hell ever. It's the PARENTS' job to send the ultimate message to our kids.

All the sudden you dont give a damn about what the government says, yet earlier you said it is a "parents responsibility to make sure your children ahead to the laws of this land". So you dont give a crap about the law and its messages yet you expect parents to teach it blindly otherwise that is wrong??

That seems to be a huge contradiction in your argument.

I dont want to promote it but in essense alcohol is just as illlegal as pot. Only difference you can buy alcohol. You can not drive with alcohol. You can not walk in public with alcohol. You can not be drunk in public. I have not tried pot myself and dont really want to for the fear I may like it and want to do it again or something. Plus not that I have since I got hired but I could get drug tested and loose my job so it is not worth it. There are just as many potheads as there are drunks.

Something tells me you probably don't have much experience with drugs, not that it's a bad thing mind you.

But some of your thoughts here are ridiculous and sound like some sort of anti-drug propaganda. Dealers don't waste drugs on lacing weed. Weed is so potent nowadays it doesn't need anything added to it. Dealers don't push either, they have plenty of customers and business as it is. Drugs sell themselves.

And on a side note, you probably come in contact on a daily basis with plenty of people you would have no idea smoke weed and are highly functional and successful people.
The first statement is true. The majority of the time dealers aren't just gonna waste time and resources to lace weed all the time. It happens rarely though.
Matty's last point is excellent, although I am in the enclosed environment of college, you would be surprised who smokes and who doesn't. If anything the people who drink hardcore are the biggest LOSERS not the potheads.

Although I've never smoked weed myself, I have been around it on a near constant basis in both my teen and young adult years. I never bothered asking my friends as they lit one up next to me why they smoked. So, I ask now. Why do you smoke weed? What is it about the effects that cause you to want to smoke it?

I used to smoke several times a day from the age of 16 to just a few months ago (I'm 25). I guess I did it for social reasons at first, and then after a while I did it just out of habit. I wouldn't say that I've quit smoking, but now I only smoke about once a week at most.

The reason I smoke now is to relieve anxiety, or relax. Sometimes I feel like I can't calm down. I have so many things running through my head that it spins. Smoking pot stops that.

Another real benefit of smoking is treating nausea. If I am nauseous, or I don't have an appetite, smoking will fix it every time. Usually when I travel, I lose my appetite, and I can't relax for about a day afterwards. Smoking helps a lot for that.

All the sudden you dont give a damn about what the government says, yet earlier you said it is a "parents responsibility to make sure your children ahead to the laws of this land". So you dont give a crap about the law and its messages yet you expect parents to teach it blindly otherwise that is wrong??

That seems to be a huge contradiction in your argument.

Not really, I believe he's saying that the government's message and the parent's message may or may not be the same. Ultimately the parent's are responsible for how a child grows up and how his/her regard for their society's laws are a direct reflection of his parent's guidance. The government can use fear tactics like "this is your brain on drugs" or whatever as their message for not doing drugs because they conclude that drug-use in general is directly related to more criminal behavior. Parent's can try different methods to show their child that putting unknown/unregulated chemicals in their body for the sake of personal/social gratification is typically not a good thing. Teaching your child to use good judgement is the parent's job as well as teaching them to respect society's laws.