Why Marijuana is still illegal?

I found this on a Japanese web site and thought it was interesting.

Marijuana is not illegal because of what we know about it but because of what people can be made to believe about it. Most people have no personal experience with marijuana and rely on what they are told by the state and the mass media. Those who know better from personal experience do not stand up and speak out, for fear of being prosecuted for breaking the law.

The government doesn't want to change the law either, since the fear of arrest is useful. It makes many citizens stay quiet. Politicians like citizens who don't cause them trouble and so does the police. Politicians can always use drug abuse as an excuse for all kinds of social problems that they are unwilling to address. By playing on people's fears of drugs politicians can justify new laws that ristrict civil liberties and give the state more power. Simply put, drug prohibition creates fear and fear helps to manipulate and control people. That's why this sad situation has become self-perpetuating.

We need to break this vicious circle. Marijuana prohibition in Japan will only end when scientific facts replace ignorance, propaganda and prejudice. That's why we have created this website.

Marijuana