Why is it that marijuana is illegal?

Question

In virtually every scientific study I've read, I've seen that marijuana is proven to be less harmful than your typical menthol cigarette and in massive doses even, about as bad for you as getting drunk.

Now, I'll admit that neither one of those two statements shows a good side of marijuana, but nor does it show one to alcohol and cigarettes (which, bare in mind, are perfectly legal if you're of age). At least from marijuana we have painkillers, medicinal benefits, and one of the most economically and enviromentally friendly building materials, hemp.

With all this, I need to ask, why is it that in the United States of America, marijuana is still illegal?

Answer 1

For a number of reasons. First off, like everyone else said, they can't make money off of it, as it would grow easily in someones back yard. (like a weed- they used to be up and down the sides of interstates like weeds)

Harry Anslinger was one of the forerunners in illegalizing marijuana. Actually, "Marijuana" was a mexican slang word, it is actually "Cannabis" But back in the day, Hemp (which is cannabis' sister, same thing just without THC)  was at that time the primary use for clothes, rope, food, plastics (yes there is hemp plastic which is actually much more durable then current plastic and biodegradeable). When they discovered that they could use synthetic oils to make plastics and such, they realized that it would never fly with the people because it wasnt biodegradeable and more expensive than hemp. Actually the first car, the model t, was made COMPLETELY from hemp, AND RAN ON HEMP FUEL. but they don't tell you all that information now do they? SO anyways, they brought forth a "marijuana" propaganda campaign, and nixon started the "full on drug war". They instilled it in peoples head that "marijuana" was a terrible new drug that noone should mess with. It was not until AFTER IT WILL ILLEGAL that the people REALIZED that hemp and "marijuana" were the same thing, but by then it was too late. And now you see how big the oil industry is now, so does that answer your question?

EDIT* IN RESPONSE TO "J T"

First off, "Marijuana is a KEY cause of Schizophrenia."

Are you KIDDING me? Do you realize HOW many people smoke weed and live perfactly normal lives? It MAY have caused it with someone who never smoked and then ate some brownies or something in the past, but that doesn't mean if you smoke you will automatically become schizophrenic, thats like saying one person got into a wreck and now has panic attacks when they drive, so from now on noone is allowed to drive after they get into a wreck. Give me a break. The only thing true is that yes, it MAY impare your motor skills if you are not used to it, but doesn't alcohol? And that is perfactly legal. It obviously is not illegal for that reason!

Answer 2

Because ONLY THE STATE can create a POLICE STATE... and to create police state, the State needs a reason... so they use Marijuana and other drugs as a reason.

Answer 3

I have wondered the same thing.  There are lots of factors, but part of it is that unhappy people buy more stuff and give more of their power to the government.  And marijuana makes you happier.  so it is a challenge to the political corporate system.

and also there is this idea based on religion and superstition that you should not change anything that supposedly god has made.  like, conservatives don't support education funding for college for poor kids because the unspoken logic is, god has made you poor, you should stay poor.  likewise, marijuana makes you feel better, but they feel like you don't deserve to feel better.

and also, it's relatively new in Western culture and people are always terrified of new things.

Answer 4

Because Jah said it was good , every green herb with seed he said we could have..   the gov man doesn't like Jah or us.

Answer 5

because the government can't put a tax on it.

no tax on it = no money for the government

Answer 6

I dont exaclty know why..but I read somewhere that they basicly tricked everyone into voting it illegel. They changed the name from either cannabis or mari(j)uana to mari(h)uana and told the citizens that it was bad and blah blah so they tricked them into voting against it. Just something i read somewhere, u should look into it more to verify tho.

Answer 7

Bella has the best answer so far but I would like to add another reason why it is still illegal. Many state prisons are becoming privatized, meaning that corporations are running them like hotels with state funding. The more people in prison, the more money the corporations make so they push for stricter marijuana laws to fill up the prisons.

Pot is not as bad as getting drunk since getting drunk requires you to drink alcohol and risk alcohol poisoning, and it's MUCH less harmful than any cigarette, not just a menthol cigaretted, since there is no scientific evidence that it causes cancer and it's less addictive than caffeine, unlike nicotine which is highly addictive.

Answer 8

yeah "mariguana" should be legalized...

-its not a drug its just nature

-money is being wasted by it being illegal

-money is being spent catching stoner while it could be spent and more focused on catching vandals, gangsters, major drug dealer(cocaine, crack etc.)

-Has countless AND scientifically proven medical uses and benefits

-Also proven to be much healthier than Over/Behind the counter medications, Tobacco, Alchohol etc.

-Your in complete control (if not more) when stoned...unlike REAL drugs

Anti-marijuana people i talk to never have any facts to support why there against it...or atleast facts that have no relevence to the subject at all. Its just that theyve been raised and have been taught the stereotype by surrounding people or non-sense government propoganda that Marijuana is a harmful and addictive Drug.DONT give in to that and dont be another American Zombie following and supporting the bad decisions our government makes. Why do you think that drugs that people get legally and perscriptions people over dose in the thousand EACH year(AND THERE LEGAL!!) But MArijuana where NO ONE has ever overdosed or died from is ILLEGAL!!!!! Its all a conspiracy and anyone with there right non-ignorant mind should clearly see those facts as the truth. Deadly things are Legal, while Nature is Illegal...Makes me sad to be an American sometimes...

Answer 9

because the government will not make money off of it because its been imported but hopefully it will be soon

Answer 10

Some of our states have different laws.  My experience in the past is that it makes me want to sleep and eat too much.  I think it would be great for people with cancer and AIDS. It is harder to control and with the pills being used for pain it is a good question.  If you want to keep a good job pot stays in your system a long time.

Answer 11

Cause drugs are bad......M'kay.

Answer 12

I'll tell you why...   The US can't figure How to control the growth and How to Tax it...   Because you make that legal and Charlie and John down the street will make millions and the US Gov. won't have control....  That is the only reason, I promise you...

Answer 13

blame richard nixon.. its illegal cause no one is allowed to have too much fun.. its against the law

Answer 14

God i read that first answer and got so mad. People have been so badly brainwashed by television and the government that just because it is illegal must mean its bad. I believe that the government has illegalized marijuana because it can be grown any where and moved around easily. This means they cant tax it. I have already seen places in L.A and San Francisco that have stores that openly sell marijuana to people with perscriptions. The only difference is that this marijuana is taxed.

Answer 15

Because the government dosnt get money from it.

and never will, it can be grown at home.

Answer 16

Marijuana has negative social implications in that it creates dangerous situations for those consuming it.

Someone is not in control when taking marijuana and this is dangerous to other people around them when they are driving, working with machinery, or preparing something boiling on the stove, or trying to advance up a flight of stairs... soo many horrible outcomes that i'm not even going to go into them...

Marijuana for palliative care is a good thing i will admit... but palliative care is just that... someone nearing the end of their lives without hope of reprieve from their underlying pathologies.

Marijuana is a KEY cause of Schizophrenia.

The damage done is irreparable... i've personally seen the effects of this long term... and once you've lost your mind..

The term is exactly that... you've lost your marbles.

This returns to the danger's posed on innocent people around them.

I was amazed during my time at college and school at the short term effect of marijuana; kids started to hear voices only after using it for a period of 6 months or so... most of them stopped after a few kids experienced that.

The danger posed to other citizens is the major reason against it's use although the stigma attached to an illegal drug certainly does it's fair share of making it social unacceptable.

Answer 17

LOL at JT.

Bella sums it up.

Marijuana can bring on schizophrenia but does not make you schizophrenia. You have to be schizo first.