what rude people rated her down without giving an answer? lazy! its a thing with western countries. the only place in australia where its legal is canberra for some strange reason... must be something about the cancer. i wonder when they'll make ciggies illegal?

The Case For Legalizing Marijuana Use in the United States stems froms the nation's deep respect for the individual. The strong belief in personal freedom appears early in the nation's history. The Declaration of Independence speaks of every citizen's right to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." The Constitution and Bill of Rights go further, making specific guarantees. They forbid the government to make unwarranted entry into dwelling places. They forbid seizure of personal property, except when very clear reasons are approved by the courts. They allow every citizen to remain silent in court when accused of a crime. Legal decisions have extended these rights, so that every citizen may feel safe, secure, and sheltered from public view in the privacy of his or her home. Americans have referred to privacy as one of the basic human rights. According to U.S. traditions, there is a strong case to be made against legislating the private behavior of adults, so long as that behavior does not in turn violate the rights of others. Some people feel that this reasoning should hold also for marijuana. A person who smokes at home is not doing injury. The marijuana user is indulging in a minor pleasure over which the government should have no jurisdiction. Marijuana is a mild drug and as for overdosing, there is no scientifically valid evidence of anyone dying of an overdose of marijuana smoke. But it is possible to die by eating too much salt. Salt is not illegal. Aspirin kills by overdose and that's legal. Many people die by drinking too much alcohol, an addictive drug. It too is legal.

I don't have a problem with Pot, however, everything in moderation, its called Dope for a very good reason. All Potheads I know are peacfull folk who don't go out and bash and rob to get their next fix, it doesn't happen. I do think the USA has made criminals out of a lot of good people through pot convictions, sure we need Drug control, but not for small amounts of Pot, but we all know that the punishment rarely fits the crime. If you deal in large amounts, well you deserve what you get,because the odds are that person will also deal class A drugs and should be dealt with so they don't have the opportunity to poison our kids, ever! FYI in Adelaide Australia you are allowed to grow Marajuana for personal use, I think you are allowed three plants, the same goes for Canberra, where I live in Queensland, the Law is different and folks have to front court and pay a fine for small amounts(personal).Most importantly, you are not convicted of a criminal offence,so your life is not ruined,although smoking will kill you. Imagine, John Howard & George Bush sitting down and having a toke, hang on, I saw a picture of Bush looking through binoculars with the lens caps on, yep, sure sign of a pothead. Nearly forgot the question,(it affects short term memory) The $ value of the medicinal marijuana crop is negligable the Government would not lose any money.

I don't think it is legal to smoke weed in most coutries, I know it is tolorated in a few - Holland, Portugal and a couple of others I think, but in most countries, it's still illegal. I don't know why any drug is illegal in any country, I don't see why Governments should be allowed to dictate to me which drugs I can and can't take. They positively advocate the use of alcohol, but will throw someone in prison for using marajuana, which has killed far less, and causes much less crime and trouble.

It is tolerated in many parts of the world along with a few states it the U.S. In my state a first offense could just be a warning, or something similar to a traffic ticket. Many states have decriminalized it's use and a handful have approved it for medical use(conflicting federal laws). The government possibly could find it hard to effectively regulate it as it's fairly easy to grow. Right now the DEA is making a killing by seizing random medical marijuana dispensaries assets and millions of dollars in cash. They don't want to loose that do they? ¤ We hand over $69 billion-a-year for the War on Drugs While the DEA's efforts to intercept the flow of drugs into and within the U.S. is less than 1% effective. http://www.dea.gov/pubs/pressrel/pr122805.html The main obstacle between legalization in many places in America is law enforcement. My state is currently working on a medical marijuana bill and the only opposing force is law enforcement. Virtually everyone else agrees that it would benefit us.

The American government is crooked on some things. This is one of those things. Is funny how television programs blur out weed and not tobacco. Simply because tobacco is legal and weed is not. I honestly think weed is illegal because is a gateway to making good money for regular citizens. The American government fear this. That's why weed is illegal. Sure you can try to sell tobacco and make some pretty good money, since tobacco is legal, right?... Wrong! You have the right to do this, but good luck in trying to make cigarettes which is kept Top Secret, by who? The good ol' American Government.

the government would gain money. the paper companies would lose money if marijuana was legal because then hemp would be legal, and hemp would be used for paper, thus taking away business from the companies. and how about this - ALL of the "above the influence", anti-marijuana commercials are made by alcohol companies. yes. it's sad.