Looking to see if anyone has an opinion on the matter. Take a quick look at the following observations and conclusions, thanks.
Ever wonder why marijuana is illegal? Some yes, some no, but let me assure you it isn’t why the government says it is.
Addiction rates:
Nicotine - 35%
Cocaine - 19%
Marijuana - 9%
Death rates:
Tobacco - 435,000 /yr
Alcohol - 85,000 /yr
All illicit drugs - 17,000/yr
Marijuana - 0, in all of history
* center for disease control
Effects:
*Tobacco
Yellow teeth/nails/skin, emphysema, lung cancer, etc.
*Marijuana
Obvious acute effects, bronchitis (long term) -- notice I did NOT list cancer.
** A california study observing heavy marijuana users over the course of 8 years found that marijuana smokers were no more prone to cancer than non-smokers.
Nicotine withdraw symptoms:
-Physical
* Tingling in the hands and feet
* Sweating
* Intestinal disorders (cramps, nausea)
* Headache
* Cold symptoms as the lungs begin to clear (sore throats, coughing, and other signs of colds and respiratory problem)
-Mental/emotional
* Feelings of being an infant: temper tantrums, intense needs, feelings of dependency, a state of near paralysis.
* Insomnia
* Mental confusion
* Vagueness
* Irritability
* Anxiety
* Depression is common in the short and long term. In the short term it may mimic the feelings of grief felt when a loved one is lost. As foolish as it sounds, a smoker should plan on a period of actual mourning in order to get through the early withdrawal depression.
Marijuana withdraw symptoms:
*** Scientists disagree whether there is significant withdrawal symptoms or not. A 1997 report by the Institute of Medicine stated that average users, due to the long half-life of marijuana, experience little or no withdrawal symptoms. However, they can include any/all of the following:
irritability
anxiety
physical tension
decreases in appetite and mood
stomach pain
physical tension
restlessness
anorexia
insomnia
increased aggression / anger
strange dreams
Other reasons why marijuana is still illegal:
** Police make ENORMOUS amounts of money from drug busts. If they can prove that the money was tied to criminal activity they are allowed to confiscate it. Legalization of marijuana would mean huge losses for:
Police
Courts (from fines)
** Tobacco lobbyists obviously oppose the legalization of marijuana. This would introduce competition into the market, or allow current tobacco smokers to quit and replace their habit with marijuana. Either way, the tobacco industry loses, meaning a big "h**l no" from them.
** The drug industry would be absolutely crushed by the legalization of marijuana. Currently, the only way to obtain substances legally is by visiting a doctor (paying a fee), getting a FDA-approved prescription, and getting a couple more to counteract the side-effects of the first drug. Marijuana is used worldwide as an alternative medicine for many health issues.
** International treaties make it difficult for individual countries to change their laws. If they were to legalize marijuana, they would violate the treaty, and that would cost them certain benefits.
** Consumer items would see a drop in demand, as the necessity to have more and more entertainment would decline with the introduction of marijuana. With a reduction in demand, that would mean one of two things:
-- Production would have to slow down, meaning less profits since less volume is moved through the stores.
-- Reduction in sale price, as the supply will be the same (for a while) and the demand will decrease.
It may seem ridiculous, but trust me many consumer items would see a decrease in sales.
** Pacifism would overtake america, at least in the smoking body, and would make it much more difficult to engage in conflicts with other countries, on any scale. War is the single most lucrative engagement, and a loss of money would certainly be against the interests of those currently benefiting. Not only that, but it will become much more difficult to get the american people rallied behind government-driven bills and actions. Keeping the american people gun-ho and ignorant is key for them to get their desired results. Pacifism would help reduce the "gun-ho" aspect of their success formula, and the resulting tact in their approach to political issues would likely result in many becoming educated with the fine-details of the matter. Educated decisions will collapse government corruption, which is very lucrative itself.
** Right-wing conservatives, armed with bible-in-hand (though from personal experience I can assure you they do not read, or at least interpret without distortion), will down-right refuse the legalization of marijauna.
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Final notes:
Now, for my personal opinion on the matter (drum roll ... )....
Despite whatever the health effects may be, it is my belief that it is the constitutional right of o
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