First off, let me say that I do not use marijuana, but like everyone I know people that have. So this is a combination of facts and various opinions.
In the United States, the legalization of marijuana has been a huge topic of debate and controversy for decades. I took a look back in human history and found out that marijuana was completely legal right up until Ronald Reagan was a boy. So another words marijuana has only been illegal for less than 1% of it's time in use. The usage of it is known to go bact further than 7,000 B.C. I was surprised when I read that. Interesting though...
Now get this people, in 1619 the first American marijuana law was enacted in Jamestown Colony, Virginia. This was a law"ordering" all farmers to grow Indian hempseed. Then in 1915 in Utah the first actual law outlawing marijuana came about due to the fact that Mormoms were using it and the church didn't approve. Yes, you read it right, Mormoms..
Then in 1937 the Marijuana Tax Act happened. This only came about because of two men. The first was Harry J. Anslinger, director of the Bureau of Narcotics. The second was William Randolph Hearst, who was an owner of a huge chain of newspapers. These two made up a complete scarpbook full of Hearst editorials that were stories of ax murderers who had supposeably smoke the drug. Now this scrapbook also contained racial slurs and other things, that turned out to be lies mostly. However, because of these lies that were told back then on August 2, 1937 marijuana became illegal at the federal level. Isn't it amazing what a few lies can accomplish?
There have been and still are many myths and lies when it comes to marijuana. There are three of them that Anslinger and Hearst made up that I find to be completely stupid so I'm going to share them with you. This is to give you an idea of how dumb people can be. Anslinger once said "This marijuana causes white women to seek sexual relations with Negros, entertainers and any others." Ok this just made me laugh when I read it. There is no real evidence of this first off. Secondly, who women decide to have sex with has nothing to do with smoking pot. The women he was referrring to are going to have these relations wither way, if thats what they want to do, choose to do or are attracted to these men. Hell they could even being doing it out of fear from them. Back when Anslinger made this statement women didn't always have a choice or voice when it came to certain things. They normally did what was told to them. It's not like now a days where women have rights. Smoking pot does not make you do something you wouldn't normally have the desire to do.. Proven fact people!
Anslinger also said "You smoke a joint and you're likely to kill your brother." Again this is unproven and very unlikely. Most people that smoke pot tend to get calm and relaxed even to the point where they fall asleep. This drug is not something that makes you hyper or violent. If a person has a violent streak it will not be enhanced using pot. Again these man don't have a clue.
Now here is the one I hate the most, Anslinger said " Reefer makes darkies think they're as good as white men." It is so clear that this statement was made out of pure fear and racism. Marijuana isn't going to make someone think they are better than or less than someone else. That is just called self-centered or arrogant.. All people were and are created equally and the color of someone's skin does NOT change that fact!
I personally feel that marijuana should be legalized, but not til the government gets a better control of drunk driving issues and some of the harder drugs. We as a society are NOT responsible or mature enough to handle this drug being legalized at This time. However, there are plenty of people that do use and need this drug for medical reasons and making it legal would make it easier for these people to get the help that they need and that the drug supplies. So yes, it the near future it should be legalized again.
Here are some opinions from normal everyday people of all ages. Tom feels that the government would make more money by legalizing pot. Nancy thinks it should be legalized after testing, so that they have conclusive evidence ot it's affects. She also feels it should be strongly regulated as to where it should be sold and to who. Nobody under the age of 21 and have it taxed and regulated like tobacco and alcohol. She also feels that if legalized, parents who use or buy MUST be held responsible for the safety of their children, being sure to keep it out of their hands. Jen a college graduate also believes it should be because it's used for more than just recreational use. She feels that if legalized it would cut down on the useage by teens and young adults because the "fun" of tryin to get it and doing something"dangerous" and illegal would be gone. Plus she believes it would cut down on smuggling and other illegal activities.
Some people say and believe that pot is the stepping-stone into harder drugs. They say it is morally wrong and physical damages could occur from the use of this drug. Here is what I say to that. If someone is going to do harder drugs, whether or not they smoked pot is not going to factor into it. I know people that have never smoked pot in their life and are doing heroin and crack. I believe that children would have less access to it because it would be a controlled drug with regulations, so they wouldn't be able to get it anywhere like they can now. How can other people tell you what is morally wrong? You have the right to decide that yourself and nobody including the government should be allowed to take that away from you or decide for you. As for their theories on it causing physical damage, they are just theories. There is no actual documentation of this and there are foods and other things out there that can cause physical damage as well, they aren't illegal..
So to you readers out there, here is just some interesting facts and opinions and you are free to voice yours as well. What do you think, should it be legalized or not??
