Seeing how I always like a good debate, I've made another one.

I have my own personal opinion on this topic, but I'm going to let someone else start it off because I always like arguing rather than starting.

Debate: Should Marijuana (for recreational use) be legalized?

I think it should, it is a plant, same as tobacco, and they both have similar effects, it's just that Marijuana is a lot more severe.

Exactly. My arguement is that Marijuana, while it does affect your current state directly after using it, does little to no more harm than cigarettes or alcohol. Dictionary.com itself states that a drug is a chemically altered substance, which by no means defines marijuana.

Marijuana is grown, dried, and then consumed by whatever means you'd like. I think the only correct point the government has about the situation is the inability to test if one is under the influence. If it were to be legalized, I for one would agree that driving while under the influence would be illegal. But, since the police can't just give you a blood test right on the road, there really is no way to prove that you are indeed under the influence. If there was a method created to prove if one was high, I think the legalization of Marijuana would come about very soon after that.

Dictionary.com also has other definitions for drug, which do describe Marijuana.

Incorrect. tobacco is a lot worse then marijuana. It's also incorrect that driving while under the influence of marijuana is dangerous. I for one, have better (more cautious) driving habits while I'm high. And I'll also say its incorrect that it's "habit forming". That's a fancy way of saying you get addicted, which is complete bull. It becomes a habit in people who enjoy it and realize its benefits, but thats not the same as an addiction.

There are far worse legal drugs in this country then marijuana, but by continuing to criminalize it, the states and courts make a shit ton more money then they would by legally selling it. And as thus, it will never be decriminalized.

Yeah, entire lives get ruined by having a little bit of a plant in their house. Think about it, there's a War on Drugs that encompasses a battle against weed, but couldn't they be using their time to "fight" something that actually harms people severely?

Does this not raise questions to people?
And here, this is a funny picture that has more to do with the War on Terrorism but it mentions the War on Drugs:
http://www.crimethinc.com/tools/down...r_on_drugs.pdf

I take your post to heart, because I was a user up until recently. This may cause my opinion to be biased, but my opinion was relatively the same before hand. Also, about the driving, I personally never had a problem with, but I've heard people have, especially those new to it. Also, I quit without any withdrawal at all. I decided that it was time for me to grow up and leave the weed (until a possible later date? Who knows?) and honestly had no problems giving it up. It's all in your head.

I've always taken my father's words to heart. He claims to know everything (which he says in jest), and his view on drugs as a whole is "I think all drugs should be legal. If someone wants to ruin their life, then go ahead. Doesn't effect me." Now I know this is a bit extreme, but I found it funny when he said it.

Note - I do not condone the use of illegal substances. I personally don't think all drugs should be legalized, it was just a tangent I was thinking of while posting.

i agree with your dad actually. if it was legal i think far less would do it or be addicted... however.. as with smoking tobacco in general i don't think anything that has the ability to affect others in anyway shape or form is acceptable.

so basically im cool with you doing what you want to do on yoru own time and own place as long as it doesn't affect others that want nothing to do with it...

Free use of drugs only naturally will lead to it actually affecting other people. That's why I personally don't think that all drugs should be legalized, especially Meth and Heroine. If those were legalized, there would be a huge rise in assaults since addicts eventually resort to anything to get money. The fact is, Marijuana isn't addicting, so that's why I don't see a problem with it being legalized. If you smoke it, your really not affecting anyone other than yourself (in a very minor way).

well i think no. cause people here will surely going to abuse the use of marijuana. maybe people in other country are more responsible in using marijuana. well i think here in my country that people are not going to use that properly.