Should Marijuana be legal, legal for medical purposes only, or illegal?

I am doing a term paper for my Critical Thinking class on marijuana. Among my research, I wanted to know others thoughts on the legality of marijuana. Please choose from these three options:

1. Marijuana should be legalized.
2. Marijuana should be legal for medical purposes only.
3. Marijuana should be illegal.

Please tell me, if you can, why you feel this way.

I know this is futile but if you can't give me a serious answer then please don't bother.

Thank you for you input.

Please include your age.

No, and I say this cause my Cousin Died from a marijuana Overdose!

He was just a kid. 19 years old, and a senior in high school. He was always a favorite in our family, and everyone loved him. He was a football player, and an active member in our church and community.

Well, one day, during his senior year, he went to a party. Apparently some liberal parents had gone out of town, and left their child unattended (why am I not surprised by the irresponsible parents) so he decided to throw a party. Well when my cousin arrive the other kids were drinking, and smoking, and behaving pretty poorly.

Since most of these kids were passing around a marijuana cigarette, my cousin felt a little bit out of place. At first, he refused to smoke. But the kids kept putting peer pressure on him by saying things like, "just take a puff", "all the cool kids are doing it" and "nobody has ever died from smoking marijuana." Finally, my cousin succumbed to the pressure, and he took a puff.

Immediately he went into convulsions. Then he stopped breathing. Finally, his heart just gave out. By the time the paramedics arrived it was too late. My cousin was DOA.

Kids, dont end up like my cousin. Just say "no" to marijuana and other DANGEROUS drugs.

Sincerely,
Conservative Guy from NC

He did not die from a marijuana overdose. You are either fabricating this or are twisting the facts. Report It

If this were true it would be the first reported case of a marijuana overdose. Marijuana is one of the safest drugs on this planet and this is a fact. Report It

I don't believe he died from smoking marijuana, either. It had to have been some sort of attack that was brought on, something similar to when a person has an asthma attack. Report It

hahahahahahahaha LIAR Report It

Marijuana should be legal. We spend way too much money trying to vanquish an intoxicant, when human nature is to seek it in some form. Prohibition only drives demand higher. We are incarcerating people at a much higher rate than any other civilized nation, and the price of all those prisons and the lost human potential is just unacceptably high.

Personally, I came from a neighborhood where some guys life aspiration were to be the biggest drug dealers selling marijuana and by the gov't not allowing marijuana to be legal...they make it so much easier for drug dealers to make a profit..i knew a guy who made $400 a day...and he hustles all the time..but i moved away from all that...so if they make it legal it should really be for medical purposes only but then it'll be more accessible...

it should be legal!!!!
think about it what do you think was in that peace pipe! besides it natural when you don't take it out of its true form and tobbacco legal so what's the difference! anything good thing that is taken toooo much is bad for you

It should be legal.
We waste millions of dollars prosecuting marijuana use and sales. And then put thousands of people into prison and have to support them while there.
All the money and effort has done nothing to curb it's use.
I say legalize it and control and tax the sale of it

I think it should be illegal because if it was legalized it would be so expensive because of all the taxes. So if you need or want marijuana it is much cheeper to get it now then if it was legal. Just don't get caught!

Legal. I think it is less harmful than alcohol. The expense of busting people for using and growing is prohibitive and doesn't work.
I think we should make it legal to consume and to grow for everyone and I think it should be taxed like cigarettes. Think of the revenue!
I don't smoke it either, in case you were wondering.

Answer number #1.

I think Marijuana should be legalized. Why? Because the government spends too much money on trying to crack down on people who sell cannabis. I think it's a complete waste of time and money and I think this money could be better spent else where. People are going to smoke pot no matter what the laws say. Think about when alcohol used to be illegal... now look at it... it's totally legal. And how many people made a tons of money off of that?? The Kennedy's made their millions off of boot legging.... I think they should just legalize it. The government could make so much more money taxing the hell out of it as well. They could have Marlboro Greens... and sell different levels of "pot" already rolled up... just like how they sell cigarettes. They could have Marlboro Greens (which would be the strongest pot and therefore more expensive, i.e. think hydro) and they could have Marlboro green lights... which would be like regular weed or lighter weed. They could even combine pot and nicotine. There' more to gain from legalizing marijuana ... also they'd of course have to regulate it some how like... "No smoking and driving" while under the influence... which all that stuff could be sorted out over time. OK, bottom line... they SHOULD LEGALIZE MARIJUANA!! :-]

I think it should be legalized. Just for the record, I don't do drugs, and I don't even drink.

I think it just makes sense. It has basically the same affect as alcohol does and most people who do it, do it mostly at home. They are just mellow and relaxing after a hard day and instead of grabbing a beer they grab a joint instead. I think they should install penalties though for those who go overboard just like they do with people who drink. .08 and you are considered drunk and should not be behind the wheel. I'm not very "Pot savvy" so to speak, but I'm sure there has to be a way to test someone's drug intake somehow if they were to get pulled over for speeding(the amount of marijuana in their system).

Also, I think if you had to purchase it in the store, then that would put some drug dealers(not many, but some I suppose) out of business. It's the supply and demand theory. And if it's available at the corner drug store they certainly aren't going to be running to a dealer for their needs.

this is just my opinion on the matter. I don't know if you were looking for scientific basis on this topic, but you asked so I answered.

Age 27

Marijuana should be legal for medical purposes only. It would have to be very very strictly regulated.

If it is to be given any more legalization then supporters must show more cause for legality than just it is safer than alcohol. Hell it would be an improvement if they would realize that just because it is slightly safer than alcohol it isn't perfectly safe. Things like driving within a few hours of smoking marijuana have got to stop.

Yes. I think marijuana should br legal. It is being used more and more each day. The cost is high. Legalize and tax it. Studies have shown that people with Glaucoma have benefitrd for medical purposes.(People probably wouldnt want it if it was easily obtained..

Quick answer: Marijuana most definitely should be re-legalized. Adults should not be punished for ingesting a plant. My body-My laws.

If you want the long answer, look for me on IM or drop an email. I can go on forever on this topic....and usually do ;)