Pubdate: Thu, 22 Dec 2005 Source: Windsor Star (CN ON) Copyright: 2005 The Windsor Star Contact: http://www.canada.com/windsor/windsorstar/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/501 Author: Kyle Lundy Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization) LEGALIZING POT PRACTICAL Should we legalize marijuana? I think it would benefit us if we did. Marijuana or weed is known to most as the gateway drug because most drug addicts start by smoking weed. Their drug dealers try to get them to try different things and things that will get them more money and, by doing so, they will make them addicted to other, more harsh drugs. I think it is the drug dealers they need to crack down more on because weed isn't making people want to do worse drugs -- it is the drug dealers trying to make more of a profit. Another benefit is that if we legalize it, then we would reduce violence and crime as a result from the black market. Some people say that people will become physically dependent on marijuana and that everyone will be drug addicts, but it is not true. Studies show that it is almost impossible to become physically dependent, so that's out of the question. Others say legalizing pot will only benefit drug dealers, but if the government were to legalize it, they would put a tax on it. People pay a tax when they buy it and this would benefit everyone because everyone is happy. One big thing that people talk about is how marijuana alters your state of mind. Studies have shown that alcohol is much worse then marijuana. Though you still should not drive while under the influence, subjects showed that they were more alert and aware when they smoked weed. I would like to say that I think crime would go down and things would be better if marijuana was legalized and taxed. As a result, there would be more money and less crime and good things can only come out of that and, with a small problem like marijuana out of the way, police can take care of more important drugs. Kyle Lundy Windsor - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom