| Carson City, Nevada's plan to legalize marijuana could be the start of something good. Perhaps if their plan works, the other 49 US states will follow suit and marijuana will be legal all over the continental United States. This probably would not be such a bad thing. |
| Everyone has their own, personal opinions about marijuana with a lot of them being negative. What makes this substance so bad? Could it be the mere fact that it is illegal? Or, does it really harm the body and cause bad things to happen? If the latter is the answer, then maybe a lot of other things should be illegal. |
| First of all, we have food and drinks containing cholesterol, dye, caffeine, saturated fat, and preservatives. This is only to name a few of the harmful substances found in the things we consume on a daily basis. Unless we live by totally strict diets, we are clogging our arteries, putting ourselves at risk for cancer, and causing obesity in our children by simply eating what we like. But, it is not illegal. |
| Next, we have a wide array of over-the-counter and prescription drugs. Have you ever read the side affects to some of the medication we are ingesting and forcing upon our children? Sure, some medications save our lives. But where do we draw a line? Tylenol®, which is an acetaminophen used for pain and/or fever may cause liver damage. This is an illustration of a widely used drug that has mild affects compared to some. Don't forget, these drugs are not only legal, but also recommended by health professionals. |
| Finally, and most in comparison with marijuana, we have alcohol consumption. Alcohol causes extensive damage to the liver as well as the stomach in people who drink. It also causes harm to innocents who do not drink. For example, it can be fatal to an unborn child. Likewise, if a drinking person is driving he can cause harm to anyone in his vehicle, another vehicle, or even pedestrians. |
| Marijuana may not be a perfect commodity but, when we look at our overall lifestyles, what is a perfect commodity? There is no way society is going to do away with everything that brings harm to us. On the contrary, we are busier inventing new bad habits. Besides, legalizing marijuana probably wouldn't cause more people to use it. It would simply help in reducing crime. |
| Legalize It |
| September 29, 2002 |
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