[Sangetsu]

This argument is utter nonsense. Marijuana is illegal, and those who use it are breaking the law. Those who knowingly break the law deserve whatever penalty they get. We can't choose the laws we wish to obey, and those we wish to ignore. Words can't describe the stupidity and ignorance of those who claim that marijuana is "beneficial", and that marijuana hurts no one.

Marijuana has killed tens of thousands of people in Mexico over the last few years. Smuggling pot into America to satisfy the illegal wants of America's stupid and ignorant has led to the formation of bloodthirsty gangs, who kill anyone and everyone who stands in their way.

This bloodshed is not the fault of the law, it is the fault of the lawbreakers. Yet, those who smoke pot do as weak-willed and weak-minded people often do, and reassign blame to someone else: "it's the government's fault all those people are dying, and that the jails are full of drug offenders" they say.

Others, who are equally stupid, claim that they "grow their own", or buy it from Canada, so that they aren't contributing to the mass murder occurring along the Southern Border. But that's not entirely true. At one time or another they have smoked marijuana smuggled in from Mexico.

People driving under the influence of marijuana often get into traffic accidents, and many of these accidents result in serious injury or fatalities. Marijuana smoke contains many of the same noxious chemicals found in tobaccos (fertilizer, insecticides, etc.), so smoking marijuana is not a safe alternative to tobacco.

Added to this is the increased likelyhood of mental illness which young users may contract as a result of smoking marijuana. Studies have proven a link between marijuana use and schizophrenia in young marijuana smokers, and these studies are becoming more and more frightening. It's estimated that as many as half of those suffering schizophrenia today may have had the onset of their disease caused by smoking marijuana.

Once again, marijuana is illegal, and those who smoke it are not rebels or enlightened-beings-to-whom-mortal-laws-do-not-apply, they are merely lawbreakers, and often stupid ones at that.

Tobacco is legal, and it is heavily taxed. The government collects billions of dollars in tax revenue from the sale of tobacco. Unfortunately, the cost of health care, lost productivity, and early death far outweigh the revenue gained from taxation. The argument that the taxing of legalized drugs would somehow increase tax revenue is an empty one.

Billions are already spent treating drug addiction, how much more would be spent if everyone over the age of 18 were allowed to use drugs? You might argue that marijuana is not addictive, but how many heroine, cocaine, or crack addicts have you met that have never smoked marijuana? "If you think that gets you high, you should try this!"

The road to addiction starts with a single joint, hit, sniff, or whatever. This road leads to crime, heartbreak, prison, and often death. Those who are lucky find rehabilitation, and a strong regret for ever having started down the road in the first place. The rest count the minutes until their next hit, or count the day on the calender as they sit behind bars.

Drug laws and enforcement should not be relaxed, they should be strengthened. Making drugs illegal does not necessarily increase crime. Drugs are illegal in Japan, and illegal drug use here is uncommon. Why? Because Japan enforces drug laws without mercy. There is no "slap on the wrist" for those who are arrested for using or dealing in drugs. Marijuana residue found in an ashtray in your car or home is enough to send you to prison. People in Japan take the law seriously, and give it the respect it deserves. Those who break the laws do so knowing the consequences, and they deserve no sympathy When they are caught, they usually take responsibility for their actions, and serve their time quietly.

Marijuana may have been used in China for 2700 years for medicinal purposes, but that is no longer the case. If you think Japan is tough on illegal drug use, you should see how China enforces their drug laws. In China it is far easier (and less expensive) to simply execute drug dealers and hardcore addicts than it is to imprison them, so that is the most common punishment. Execution often occurs minutes after conviction, there are no appeals.

There is no merit to marijuana use, legal or illegal. Any medicinal benefits which smoking marijuana provides can be found in tablet form, so the actual smoking is not necessary. These tablets (marinol) are available now, and have been available for many years to those who have a prescription for them. It has never been necessary to allow people to grow and smoke medicinal marijuana when they can simply go to any drug store and get a pill which provides the same treatment.