No, the government can tax anything it wants to. I think the some people in the government feel it is detremental to consumers health.

Yes, but I also think it's about productivity and consumerism.

the government can tax what it wants. the reason for the non legalisation of marijuana is the growing body of scientific evidence that it is every bit as dangerous, physically (as in lung cancer, heart trouble etc) as tobacco, plus affecting mental health, fertility, passive smoking etc. The government is being urged to ban tobacco ...why on earth would it legalise something else ?

The government hasn't legalized pot because voters haven't raised hell. They are the ones who matter. Pot smokers aren't likely to vote [<--- I disown this claim. July 2009]. It has nothing to do with the health effects whatsoever. There has NEVER been a recorded death from pot use. Cigarettes and alcohol, although legal, are far more deadly than pot. And the "gateway drug" argument has been widely refuted. [edit for last-second addition] Think of the money that the government seizes from "drug dealers." Then picture it gone.

I think the alochol and tobacco industry play a big part in why marijuana hasn't been decriminalized nationwide. I also think it's good news that individual states are taking an initiative to decriminalize marijuana. Even though the federal law still stands, most local cops are not going to hand every two-bit pothead "criminal" over to the Feds for possession charges. I think that's a huge step in the right direction, and that if enough states decriminalize pot - it's only a matter of time before the federal law goes down the tubes, too.

One possibility is that in the sixties some hippies that used marijuana and other psychedelics began to tune in to a very peaceful and loving place and began to drop out of society and campaign against nuclear weapons and other such things. Now would the government really want a lot of us to drop out and challenge the status quo ? Which is what marijuana can do to some people.

its all about control. look how long they controled it so far if they gave in now then who knows wat they think will happen is runnin thru their minds. but mostly yes i agree it has to do wit taxes an money and that stuff mostly. look at all the money taken in nation wide annually due to just marijuana busts/convictions. they know it never hurt anyone. hell look at me for instance. i smoked pot from 14 til 18 i quit for a job i took then took up drinkin to take place of one habit for another i got dui's fights assault chargess burglaries etc then went to prison for 3 years then got out drank again cuz couldnt pass UA's for parole. got into another fight in the bar and a dui. got violated went back for 2 more years. now i've managed a way to beat my UA's for paole again now and i been straight and holding a good job and have a wonderful family which i say after 15 years after we smoke at night opur sex life is still fantastic as when we were kids when all or married frenz are drunks and fight and divorse etc etc... lol... hell who wants to argue and get violent when ur high? i sure as hell dont. i have to say since i quit drinkin and started smoking again 10 my marriage was on verge of divorce then for old time sake i went to my teenage nephew and confronted him bout finding me a bag. man his head spun it bein me uncle n all. but it was a bonding experience so he found me my first bag in years and that night i put the kids to bed told the wife to relax and then pulled it out an we smoked and life has been great since after the kids r in bed for years ago. wow sorry im stoned right now. haha jus went off there. but yeah hahathe money bit... plus with the drugs they seize they put back out on controlled buys get more money in the bust plut convictions and it keeps on repeating til one day our government is gonna be they're own drug cartel them selves. hell, in a way they are they just control the whole trade on drugs. just with different motives but involve the same product. kinda like the government is a gang and they're haters and butt hurt that the drug lords gangs steppin on their turf takin away their business an such so they go bust em strongarm em for their money and shit. take em out the picture so the govt. can sell it back on the streets and just follow the flow of it so they can find others who steppin on their ground. something else i gotta say to all the people who wanna voice their opinions about pot smokers and downgrade us... well heres the deal ask urself and tell me if u've even FUCKIN tried the shit even dammit. thats my biggest pet peave.people against it who havent ever even tried it or even gave it a chance to notice the actual theraputic effects it has on everyone and every situation. fuck i could be locked in a goddam room for days so long as i had a bag id find ways to ebtertain my self.. another thing to all u pot smokin haters. heres my fuckin opinion. "IF I NOR ANY OTHER POT SMOKER HAS NEVER DONE ANY HARM TO U THEN JUST SHUT THE FUCK UP AND GO GRIPE AT SOMEONE ELSE FOR LIKE ABORTION OR SOME OTHER REASONABLY DEBATEABLE TOPIC" thank you and have a good night heads up[ to all u smokers. die hard...

I believe they don't legalize marijuana is because everyone who used it would grow their own and there wouldn't be anything to be gained...Like all the rediculous pot bust they make and all their stupid charges they put on it..That way our crooked goverment couldn't stuff their own pockets!!!