<< <<It really is a harmless drug, IMHO. Alcohol does more damage, why ain't booze Illegal?? >>
us has before but alot of smuggling went on (mafia) so thats why >>
Just thought I'd point out that "smuggling" is going on with pot right now. In fact, it's going on with all drugs. You just have to step in the projects or the wrong side of town to see that the same thing that happened with alcohol is happening with all other drugs, which is organized crime. However, it's always been my opinion that alcohol was accepted by the rich and those in with political power. When it was prohibitted, it was these people that were using it. Eventually, after they saw all the crime it was producing (ex. Al Capone), they decided that they would legalize it to alleviate this problem. But, fast forward some years, and see the situation now. There are the rich and politically powerful people that have been taught weed was bad. All "drugs" are bad. They have been taught this because there are several large lobby groups that have been spending large amounts of money to stop production of competing products (ex. hemp). So, the government just pushes catchy slogans like "just say no" because there isn't any better reason other than the government says so. It doesn't kill brain cells, long and short term memory is not affected, and just about every government study done on the plant has come back that it's far less addictive (if any) and destructive than alcohol or cigs, and that it shouldn't be illegal due to any health risks. But, the money that the cotton and paper industry are throwing around lining pockets in the government is a powerful tool. It grants industries the right to monopolize when better solutions and products are known to exist.
That said, whether one smokes or not is a personal choice. Man, since the beginning of time, has searched for new ways to "open" his mind and alter what he thinks and feels. Look at how we've spent centuries trying to refine alcohol. Even Jesus is said to have drank wine when given the choice. He even turned crap into wine because he liked messing with his brain. I realize that is stretching the argument, but it's just pointing out that it's somewhat natural for people to want to use some sort of recreational drug.
I smoke now. I don't drink. I personally don't like waking up with a hangover or feeling slow and groggy the next morning as I do with drinking. I've never puked from smoking too much...never been hungover from using pot. I prefer it because it's quicker and easier than throwing down a bunch of alcohol. However, there are plenty of people that prefer other things. AMD vs. Intel...GCN vs. XBOX vs PS2...pot vs. drinking vs. coke. It's just personal preferences.
Education is where we need to see improvement. A quick example of this in action is looking at European countries and religions that bring their kids up in an environment where drinking isn't prohibited. Young kids are given wine and allowed to drink as they grow up. It's shown to be a religous experience or something that is accepted at the right time and place. Then, look at the US where we have tremendous drunk driving death tolls and a horrendous amounts of underage drinking problems. It's illegal so kids want to try it more...or it's illegal and kids do it spit their parents or appear cool.
It's absurd that most people still think drugs are the problem.
And legal weed would mean better weed wich is medically proved to be better for you (still bad, but better for you than mexican brick weed). So, legalizing would actually help current and future smokers.