>>>>>>>That's the same argument my pothead daughter gives me when I question her use of MaryJ... My response is that its a statistic made up by dopers to prop up their position. My point and response? Alcohol is legal, pot ain't....
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>>>>>>And when alcohol was illegal what happened? Violent organized crime.
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>>>>>>Making alcohol illegal was actually worse for society. That is established fact!
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>>>>>>Why can't the anti-mj people understand that is exactly what has happened with marijuana?
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>>>>>>Just because something is illegal doesn't make the activity worse for society. In fact, making it illegal has actually made it worse for society. That's the only point that matters!
>>>>>
>>>>>Brandon - I'm curious if you have kids. Same with Victor. I think you would look at this in a very different light if you did. Of course, if you have kids....kindly disregard.
>>>>
>>>>I have no kids of my own...but Ahh yes the old "you don't have kids so you know nothing" statement. Let me point out that in places where they've opted to legalize mj the usage among kids and young people DROPPED (along with all other demographics)...so if you really care about the children then you would want to treat mj as a heath issue not a legal issue. Get them educated about drugs and if needed some sort of treatment instead of tossing them in jail...yes?
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>>>I did not pose the question to imply that "you dont know nothing". I just think that peoples attitudes change as a result.
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>>Understood.
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>>>I consider it as both a health and legal issue.
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>>At the moment it's considered far more a legal issue here in the USA than a health one - but part of what I'm saying here is that I feel this is wrong and it should be treated as a health issue. What benefit do you see treating it as a legal one? And did you read the report that started this tread?
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>>>I am surprised to hear that usage dropped after legalization, not that it changes my opinion.
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>>So you don't want kids on dope and here is a proven way that reduces that and you're against it? You realize how ridiculous that is right?
>>
>>>Where did this occur?
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>>Interestingly EVERYWHERE marijuana has been legalized. Do a little bit of googling and you'll find out what I mean.
>
>The US Law Enforcement industry hugely benefits from the war on drugs. And they will fight the legalization of “soft” drugs with all the powers they have.

Correct. But each year more and more people 'see the light'. California came very close to making it legal and I expect to see it happen eventually. I'm sure that some aw enforcement (not all - some have figured it out) will jump up and down saying we're all going to be over-run by psycho-drug-crazed killers but I guess some groups will remain with head-in-sand 'the earth is flat' until the bitter end. Doesn't matter how it worked for the rest of the world or what this panel and report says.