| �����Carson City, Nevada's plan to legalize marijuana could be the start of something good.� Perhaps if their plan works, the other 49 US states will follow suit and marijuana will be legal all over the continental United States.� This probably would not be such a bad thing. |
| �����Everyone has their own, personal opinions about marijuana with a lot of them being negative.� What makes this substance so bad?� Could it be the mere fact that it is illegal?� Or, does it really harm the body and cause bad things to happen?� If the latter is the answer, then maybe a lot of other things should be illegal. |
| �����First of all, we have food and drinks containing cholesterol, dye, caffeine, saturated fat, and preservatives.� This is only to name a few of the harmful substances found in the things we consume on a daily basis.� Unless we live by totally strict diets, we are clogging our arteries, putting ourselves at risk for cancer, and causing obesity in our children by simply eating what we like.� But, it is not illegal. |
| ���� Next, we have a wide array of over-the-counter and prescription drugs.� Have you ever read the side affects to some of the medication we are ingesting and forcing upon our children?� Sure, some medications save our lives.� But where do we draw a line?� Tylenol�, which is an acetaminophen used for pain and/or fever may cause liver damage.� This is an illustration of a widely used drug that has mild affects compared to some.� Don't forget, these drugs are not only legal, but also recommended by health professionals. |
| �����Finally, and most in comparison with marijuana, we have alcohol consumption.� Alcohol causes extensive damage to the liver as well as the stomach in people who drink.� It also causes harm to innocents who do not drink.� For example, it can be fatal to an unborn child.� Likewise, if a drinking person is driving he can cause harm to anyone in his vehicle, another vehicle, or even pedestrians. |
| Marijuana may not be a perfect commodity but, when we look at our overall lifestyles, what is a perfect commodity?� There is no way society is going to do away with everything that brings harm to us.� On the contrary, we are busier inventing new bad habits.� Besides, legalizing marijuana probably wouldn't cause more people to use it.� It would simply help in reducing crime. |
| Legalize It |
| September 29, 2002 |
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