Interesting

[Kaira]

Weed is natural, that is true, but so are various other plants which are poisonous and do, in fact, kill us. Just because something is "found in nature" does not make it good.

However, it should be are choice given what we know about the damage marijuana can cause whether we think smoking it is still a worthy activity. The government restricting us is wrong for this reason.

Don't be stupid, marijuana definately has negative effects- and all smokers have to deal with that fact.

[GooseBear]

yeah okay

Who would die first an alcoholic or a pot head???????

[Mello.as.Hello]

As far as America goes, legalization is a topic far from the headlines. In fact, under the new Bush regime, I'm sure penalties will increase, making it hard for me to use this medicinal herb. Until 2008 (which is when my lady and I are moving to Vancouver) I fear we're just gonna have to deal with these gestapo tactics and the "hitler-esque" propoganda of the Bush media empire.

And as for the argument over god's approval? I've spent years studying the religions of the world, and the bulk of Christianity builds the God of fundamental Christianity to be a pretty forgiving guy. So I imagine (If the dogma is true, which requires more debate) he/she wouldn't be too mad in the end.

I think it's a harmless plant, and SHOULD be legal like tobacco, regulated and taxed for use by responsible adults. Check out www.norml.org for the movement's position.

[koshea]

i dont think if its legalized people would just grow it, i mean, think of the millions of cig. addicts in the USA, you dont see many..if ANY people with tobacco plants growin in their back yards

[lateralus]

Ok. I've heard numerous theories about why it is illegal, but I'm pretty sure the real reason behind it's being illegal is the downfall of the economy which it would probably produce should it be legalized. The economy relies on a large part on pharmaceuticals being prescribed to medical patients. I'm almost positive that I read somewhere that weed was prescribed as a 'wonder drug' prior to it's prohibition. Since marijuana has so little side-effects (especially in relation to many phamaceuticals out there), legalizing it would make those medications far less popular than they currently are.
Since we rely so heavily on sellin' these, if weed was legal, most would probably switch to marijuana. And yes, many many people WOULD grow it, and you can't grow pharmaceuticals can you? Less money going into the system. Let's also not forget that we've tried to legalize it, and it didn't pass.. it's not only the government who doesn't want you smoking, it's your neighbor. Your teacher. Your parents. The people open-minded enough to realize the great and harmless potential of marijuana are few and far between. I'd say we're a minority.

[Mello.as.Hello]

Well, minorities get to bitch about hardship, and everybody watches what they say around them. I say we got the good end this time.

[Kid Dynamite]

Yeah...i wish i was a minority. Plus you get to use all the slurs without people giving you a hard time. Also i dont use an oil lawnmower...so im sticking it to the man already!

RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE

[lateralus]

Yea', minority was the wrong word. I just meant that if the majority of people wanted it legal it would be.

[Mello.as.Hello]

I'm sorry, man. but that's just NOT TRUE.

The smallest numbers of people make the decisions for the largest. Less than 500 mostly white aging american men make the decisions and rules for the entire country. It doesn't mean a damn thing if we wanted it, because they don't give a hit about our votes.

Look at the election here on Nov.2
Everybody went around saying "the only bush I trust is my own" or, especially, "vote or die"... but BUSH STILL GOT RE ELECTED. The point is, no matter how many people want something, the decisions are not ours.