One Libertarian trying to make you think harder about the world.

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Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Marijuana Legalization

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Apparently some politicians may be coming around to, at least what I think, is the logical side of the drug debate. Surprisingly, these politicians are from California. I guess being in massive debt will make you change your mind on certain issues although it is sad that money changes people's values. While my reasoning may be different than some of their reasoning, in the end we can come to the same conclusion. I will not turn this into a debate for the legalization of all drugs; strictly marijuana. While this article may be talking mostly about medical marijuana, I will expand the debate to include all uses.

The good:

-Tax on marijuana sales can be done just as cigarette taxes are and it would bring in a massive amount of money to whatever government level the taxes apply to.

-Legalizing marijuana would free up large space in our prisons since it is probably the most widely used illegal drug. If someone can find otherwise, please post.

-There is nothing in the Bill of Rights that denies you the right to use substances that only hurt you. The government's job is not to protect people from themselves.

-Legalizing marijuana allows the mass production of the product and allows competition to take place. Drug cartels, although marijuana may not be as profitable as others, thrive off of the fact that they can control supply since they operate on the black market. Legalizing marijuana and other drugs would instantly solve Mexico's problems with the drug lords that we are responsible for because we are the number one drug buyer in the world.

The bad and the solutions to the bad:

-More people will smoke marijuana and hurt themselves. Firstly, this may not be true. At first, this would probably happen. In the long run, if we don't think of it as a big deal, less people will do it. Secondly, if a person wants to harm themselves, it is totally up to them to decide. It is your fundamental right as a human being to control your life and also reap the consequences of what you do.

-People that are driving while high on marijuana put others at risk. This is true and it needs to be dealt with harshly. The penalties for drunk driving are a joke and barely stopping anyone from doing it. This is where the government should be doing its job and protecting people from others. I see no problem with giving someone a five year license suspension on first offense and a lifetime ban on second offense. If you want to be a marijuana user or alcohol drinker that is fine, but you need to do it responsibly. With freedom comes responsibility.

If anyone can think of anything else to add to either one of these sections please post. I will attempt to defend my side against whatever posts I have time to answer.

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