15th November 2004, 8:34 PM
Quote:As I have said before, I think that cigarettes should be illegal too and that alchohol... I guess it could stay legal, but within limits and we need to do a better job of limiting the bad effects of drunkenness.
My point is that marijuana is no more harmful than alcohol, and it's therefore pointless it keep it illegal. What makes you think it's so much worse? D.A.R.E? Perhaps other groups that sensationalize it's adverse effects, implying that by doing so much as taking a puff will make a person instantly hooked and become a lazy, apathetic loser? Not everything you hear about marijuana is true. Don't get me wrong - much like alcohol, it isn't harmless and certainly has the potential to be abused. However, much of the dangers of marijuana you hear from government programs and some of the media are greatly exaggerated.
The gateway drug theory, for instance, is complete bullshit. Many prohibition advocates reason that many hard-drug users "started" with marijuana. On the other hand, if you look at statistics, you'll find that a vast majority of people who have tried marijuana do not move onto harder drugs. I'll find figures, if you want them.