In Pot We Trust?

Spain, Italy, and Portugal have all decriminalized every drug and with positive results. The spread of disease is down as is drug related violence. I think decriminalization is a great way of starting to get a hold on a serious problem, especially in the United States with the Mexican border being such a problem

My personal survey tell me that 90% want Pot and Cocaine decriminalized. They want the price lowered so they can afford to get high on boring weekends. The pleasure police objects on grounds of public health and loss of income to them.

Decriminalization makes some sense, as pot smokers generally pose little danger to society. But in evaluating the options, it begs the question of where to draw the line. If smoking pot is ok, then why not make opium legal too? Legalization is a risk, but it remains a question of personal responsibility versus sane public policy. A person who habitually smokes themselves into a coma will eventually represent a burden on society. I question if the whether the cost/benefit analysis of this idea from a tax standpoint really does justice to the issue. The larger issue of the cost to society and the long term harm the individual seems to take this far beyond a tax issue.

I think it's completely fine for medical usage. Who am I to tell someone suffering that they can't have something that will make them feel better? But the wide-spread legalization of marijuana would be detrimental to our youth. It would be too easy for them to get it, and they would not be responsible users.

First of all, medical marijuana doesn't have any scientifically proven medical benefits. However, I'm all for legalization. This drug is not a gateway drug, and it's safer than alcohol while lacking the addictiveness of cigarettes. Sure some people go overboard, get burned out, whatever, that's happens now and it's going to keep happening. It all depends on the individual. Medical marijuana is also not as potent as other types, and letting the country make money from it would be good.

How can we go legalizing one type of smoking while placing more restrictions on another? Is there really that big of a difference between the two, or is that just hypocritical?

It seems the examples given are really bad. Why should we consider legalizing it just because some American presidents smoked pot. Its medical usage can be defeded and done, just as it is not with morphine etc, now legalizing it is making it easier for youngsters to have easier access to it! No more drugs! We should struggle to produce food not drugs, at a time when the world is discussing food shortage and don´t want biofuel due to that, why are we considering the legalization of drugs!!! No way please! Let´s keep it as a crime!

Didn't we have this debate way back during the Prohibition? Even if science points out that it's a harmful substance (which is under debate), people are going to use it anyway. Making it illegal will just create a black market for it. It's not the government's job to protect us from ourselves. Not to mention, think of the extra space in jails when people stop being jailed for dealing. All kinds of problems solved.

At this very moment our Government is arresting and jailing individuals for laws no longer backed by the majority. This is a crime against democracy. Legalize it.

Think about all the jobs it would create. And the U.S could take back the drug trade from the Mexican cartels...I just have a hard time finding a reason as to why marijuana should be illegal when confined to your own home. I also agree that marijuana is certainly not the gateway drug, it's alcohol. Do you know how many people get drunk and try a drug for the first time? I don't see stoners doing that.

Yes, that's great that medical marijuana can help people with major problems, but what about those people that would abuse it? How would that change or be tackled under new laws?

I'm all for legalizing medical marijuana, although if you do that then you will probably end up with legalizing it completely somewhere down the line. Which doesn't really bother me.

There are two distinct parts to this story, MEDICAL marijuana and the legalization of pot in general. I will leave the MEDICAL question up to the doctors, if the benefits outweigh the detriments, then by all means... However, for GENERAL legalization, I fear it will be yet another item (like fast food, alcohol, tobacco etc) where the price and/or the taxes on it does NOT cover the TRUE cost. The most telling quote in the story is the last one - alcohol tax pays for LESS than 10% of societal alcohol-related costs. Across the board, I am disgusted by how we as a society just keep passing costs down the line, whether it is environmental, financial (social security), or health related - this would just add to it. Cheeseburgers should be $20, beer should be $10 per bottle retail, gasoline, cigarettes should be even more expensive than they already are. It is time for us to stop thinking for the short term... the only problem with this argument is that then there would be more demand for a black market... very frustrating, because I like $1 cheeseburgers and beers too...

I agree with both of you, people are going to use marijuana anyway. If legalized law enforcement can focus on keeping it away from kids, keeping it from being laced and use the tax revenue on useful things. It is a winner for all.

It's a great idea and states could save a bunch of money by not having to enforce marijuana laws. What about when it is legalized and law enforcement pulls someone over and thinks they are driving while high -- it's going to cost money to test/enforce that

I think state's might as well capitalize on decriminalizing marijuana because it will continue to be bought and sold regardless of regulation. If they are worried about pot causing similar crimes like driving under the influence, that also happens regardless. Restrictions will have to be put into place because people are always going to do stupid things.