Why Marijuana Should Be Legalized

No, I'm not a dope smoker. I have absolutely no interest in touching the stuff. I dabbled in it throughout my high school years, and the last time I smoked it I decided I really didn't like the way it made me feel. I don't like drugs or even drinking (although I have been known to toss back a few drinks on occasion) for the same reason. I do smoke cigarettes, but I hate those, too for what they do to my body and have tried numerous times, unsuccessfully, to quit. I also have small children at home, and I won't allow them to be around it. My ex-husband would tremble if he thought I knew he ever smoked weed around our daughter--I know he does, but I also don't have proof and I don't mention it because I all it will do is make him lie to me. If I notify the police that he and his friends are smoking weed in the house with my daughter, do you know what they will do? They will laugh at me. It's been done. The authorities in my area are more concerned with meth labs and underage drinking.

The thing is, I have many friends who do smoke marijuana. I have many more friends that are like me and wouldn't even consider it, I have some friends who will occasionally light one up, and I have a couple of friends who smoke marijuana like one would smoke cigarettes. I've seen the effects marijuana has on these people--their personalities, ambitions, overall lifestyle--and I say to you, they act, think and live better than any drunk I know. So my argument is this: Hel-lo, you're going to make marijuana illegal and keep alcohol legal? I don't see how this is rational.

I know people who will anger at the very thought of some "pot-head" who wishes to advocate for the legalization of marijuana. It's a gateway drug! They cry. It makes people stupid! They yell. People, if these are your beliefs, throw out every bit of alcohol you have in your house, because if you drink and say these things about marijuana you are a hypocrite.