Why would we fix a problem to start another one? Prohibition will never work, legalize pot and leave junk food alone!
Our body is the only damn thing we own, it is about time we take what is ours from big brother!

I'll get in trouble for that...maybe . but hey it's where, what, and how you do it that really matters... Booze is regulated, .08 for NY state how about doing same for GANJA !!!! the crime is that recreational or medication use is a matter of taste. I rather the occasional green organic stuff..versus chemical company horror prescriptions we are pushed day in and day out>>>>all with good measures and ur good conscience! talk to your kids! they all do it or will do it.. didn't you? like i say..a little PINK FLOYD?relax!!!!

Marijuana comes from a seed. Man makes alcohol, which do you trust. Of course marijuana should be legal.

Marijuana should most certainly be legalized for recreational use. From everything I've seen it's far less damaging than alcohol (don't get me wrong I'm enjoying a beer as I write this.) Pot smokers are not beating their wives and children, committing violent crimes to "get their fix" (or just because they are angry,) killing people with their cars or overdosing. I know few people who have never "smoked up" and many, leading productive lives, who partake regularly.
Marijuana should be regulated and taxed as alcohol and cigarettes are.

You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink. Well, finally, we're thinking about drinking from the well of prosperity...good. The flowering bud has medicinal benefits, the stalk has countless possibilities; hemp can produce clothes, paper(which could save the trees), and possibly fuel. We certainly should explore the possibilities. Free up the herb! Gen. chap. 1: vs. 28 ..."And G-d said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of the earth, and every tree, in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat."

Yes its time. Just look at all the evidence and make a rational, logical choice. I get so mad when someone has a ciggerate in their mouth, a beer in their hand, and a prescription of pain or sleeping pills in their pocket tell me not to smoke a joint. Hippocracy has no bounds!

Duhhhh!!!!!!!!!!! its been way over time for it to be legalized! They have alcohol legal which by the way is one of the most terrible and destructive drugs known to man! Its time we put the drug cartels out of business at least in this country, at the same time we eliminate the hole Bush has gotten us into!

They tried to make alcohol illegal, remember back before the Great Depression!, we all know how that ended up, it bankrupted this country and it wasnt till they made it legal again did the country start to come around just before WWII! There is no MAN alive that should have the right to tell me I cant smoke pot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you dont agree with that then I should have the right to fine your fat butt everytime I have to look at your grossness! See, simpleton thats what I`m talking about! Me smoking pot hurts no one not even myself! Eating till your a lard-ass hurts everyone that pays for health insurance!

I thought ALL federal tax dollars and stimulas money set aside for the repair of our countrys infrastructure. Well its not and not even close. Has anyone driven by a road construction site and counted the amount of hispanics working, everywhere, they are in every city, county, and state! Our agencies that are supposed to check up on all these contractors are not doing their jobs, a matter of fact they are sticking it to the American tax paying citizen! From one job site I counted approx. 20 men working, 2 were white(the county I live in is 97% white) and the rest were those wont look in your face illegal Mexicans doing jobs that Americans are willing to do but the contractors arent hiring due to the fact its cheaper to hire illegals if you can get away with it, well I`m here to tell you they are getting away with it! The govt. guy in charge of these contracts is not only getting kickbacks from the contractor to look the other way, he`s also getting tax payer dollars to complete the job on time and under budget! The contractor wins to because he can complete the job for a lot less than he bid the job for because he is hiring illegal aliens and cutting out his fellow citizens! This crap has got to stop! Wheres immigration when you need them???????????

Yeah, lets legalize pot...then 15 years we'll have a bunch of people saying we should legalize cocaine. This country is getting their way (way) to to much. Everytime someone wants something, they get it, and make this huge case that its alright. It impairs judgement, just like alcohol does. Prohibition didn't work because it was legal for so long before it. Make pot legal, and you'll be stuck with that decision until an asteroid hits and wipes us off the planet. Personally, I think this just gives a free ride to ruin peoples lives. Think of the children and teens in high school that would just go out and smoke pot because they see their parents doing it. The hell with that!

Wanna stop the wars in Mexico...? Old men get hooked on viagra, ciggaretts are more dangerous, too much alcohol can kill anyone and causes fights, and could help national debt by being taxed!1

FACTS: Marijuana= no physical withdrawals
Caffeine= physical withdrawals
nicotine= physical withdrawals
alcohol= severe physical withdrawals

Tobacco use deaths 2007=435,000{18.1 % total US deaths}
Alcohol deaths 2007=85,000{3.5% total US deaths}
Marijuana deaths 2007=0{0% total US DEATHS]

Total marijuana arrests 2007=872,720{47.4% possesion}
Total violent crime arrests 2007=597,447
what the hades?
Let the facts stand, ignorance is no excuse

If we legalize it, we need also to put stiff tariffs at the border to protect our 'infant industry' of pot growing from competition from the existing illegal drug cartels that are mostly based in Mexico. Don't let legality become a bonanza for those murdering thugs. Make it competition to cut the financial legs out from under their syndicates.

If you legalize pot, you also get back the hemp fiber industry–another good profitable crop that grows well on sometimes-marginal farmland.

I think that the tax ought to have an earmark attached so that a significant portion–like, 50%–goes directly to drug and alcohol treatment and rehabilitation programs–and that to qualify for this funding those programs have to provide evidence of efficacy.

A person who tokes a joint for their birthday and new years isn't a problem; one who gets totally stoned each weekend is going to need those services (just as someone who gets falling-down drunk weekly also needs rehab).

Let's get problem pot use out of the criminal system and into open rehab, and leave the (law abiding) recreational users alone. We'll need to set testing methods and standards for pot-DWI's, and rules of thumb for consumers to estimate when it's safe to operate machinery after using pot.

Two other requests: 1) continue limiting places one can smoke *anything* in public, so asthmatics like myself can go out without choking. 2) Please nobody use pot (legal or not) to self-medicate. There are more effective, inexpensive drugs for pain or anxiety issues. The only medical indication for pot is anorexia. See a doc to get your problem fixed, don't patch it with drugs or alcohol.

well lets see here I guess with a little common sense and a little bit of brains one could see where if Rush Limbaugh can be hooked on vicodens and morphine pills and as long as he`s got a script for it he can drive, work and do everything that ones does without any prosecution from the law. So why would we keep a well not even a real drug illegal? Why would we not tax it? Why would we not regulate it? What does the right wing bible thumper have so much against pot? All you here is either it will lead to harder drugs or that well its illegal and thats all the reason I need, well that bullsh%#! I say get over it and if the rich can be paid off by the middle class then the middle class should be able to smoke pot! I say to the no sayers that come up with a legitimate arguement as to why it should be illegal and then you might convince me, problem is I already know what you dont and that makes you mad! Too Bad get over it!

hey hillbilly, nice stats but you failed to mention in the death catagory that obese people account for some 70% of all deaths, when are they going to tax fat people? They are by far a larger strain on the health system and the tax payer! They want to come down on smokers and drinker and people who pay taxes when are they going to be fair and come down on fat people????? Is it too taboo, is there too many FAT people, just what is it when one brings up a weight condition as being off limits too discuss, its crap! Yes legalize the stuff!

so if this happens its basically setting a blow in law enforcement because the millions that have been convicted for possesion of marijuana

It is time to end prohibition once again as we did in the 1920s. It didn't work then and it isn't working now.

Ms. California is my hero. She was either brave or dumb enough to let the world know what she really thought.

Who cares about pot! Its just marijuana, give me a break people the only reason it is not legal is beacause the lame ass government couldn't find a way to tax it back in the 20's. The Harrison Act bites the dust...im out

Prohibition of marijuana, and drugs in general, forfeits our right to control our bodies to the federal government. Meanwhile the FDA takes bribes from pharmaceutical lobbyists and for all we know the DEA may be complicit in drug production and trafficking.

mexican cartels would be pretty upset if we legalized pot and violence over drug money would go down

We should be looking at more than the recreational uses of cannabis. There's plenty of other reasons, like industrial hemp. Its applications as fuel, paper, and other products could provide a lot of positive potential to everyone.

finally!!! Pot should be legal, I have fibromyalgia, and the only thing that helps is marihuana, ancient cultures knew about this medicine. I am glad that we can talk about it now

RJ your right and maybe we should because us poor people dont eat well enough to get fat. In the southern applchian mountains were to busy getting sent to wars and getting killed for rich people that we dont have time to eat properly plus there is no money here except for the little that is brought in by exploitive carpetbaggers. Maybe we should be concentrating on these problems instead of trying to stop the growth of a harmless plant!!!!

Instead of spending millions on Marijuana crackdowns, make millions on it and crack down on man made drugs that mess up society!!

If we legalized pot, that means we would have to legalized everything else such as cocaine, amphetamines, and prostitutions when it comes up . State laws cannot override the Federal laws. It is illegal, leaveis as that.

Legalize marijuana, but with the same restrictions as alcohol. Instead of losing billions of dollars, the government would gain billions to help stave off the budget deficits facing most (if not all) states.

As a person who has worked in a tobacco factory, marijuana is not nearly as harmful as cigarettes. I have seen the chemicals they add to cigarettes and I would not smoke one even if I did smoke. Marijuana on the other hand has been proven to help all sorts of nausea patients and relieve pressure on the eyes for glaucoma patients. Three simple steps: Grow it, Dry it, smoke it.

honestly, alcohol makes you violent and dangerous while marijuana makes you lazy and friendly. When was the last time someone got stoned and went home and beat up their wife? The stuff is not dangerous. LEGALIZE IT!

I am Gay and think Ms California is a total idiot (further descriptions deleted). But she should not lose her crown over a couple of photos in her underwear. What's the difference between those photos and the ones of her in her 'official' swimsuit.

Those who want pot legalized point to prohibition, let's look more closely at that argument. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death from injury—and the greatest single cause of all deaths for those between the ages of 1 and 34 in the United States. About half of all unintentional injuries occur during the course of motor vehicle accidents. It has been estimated that 44 percent of fatal crashes involve alcohol use. Furthermore, based on published studies, up to 86 percent of homicide offenders, 37 percent of assault offenders, 60 percent of sexual offenders, up to 57 percent of men and 27 percent of women involved in marital violence, and 13 percent of child abusers were drinking at the time of the offense. So PERHAPS instead legalizing pot, we should consider revisiting prohibition.

Weed is safer than tobacco and alcohol. 0 deaths per year. A UCLA study trying to link weed to lung cancer couldn't find a link, rather a REVERSE link! THC kills aged and dying cells, maybe that's why.

Violence and drugs are linked because prohibition forces people who distribute the substance to engage in an illegal activity

Keep weed out of the hands of kids; regulate it like alcohol! Ask any middle schooler or high schooler, it's a lot easier to get weed than alcohol. Why? Drug dealers don't ask for I.D!

Rudy,

Wrong. If you have studied the constitution, the federal government was never supposed to control the health of it's citizens. That was traditionally regulated by the states until the creation of the FDA. It still is – the FDA has no legal authority to regulate substances just like the Federal Reserve has no legal authority to regulate the monetary system. It just happens because Congress is spineless in the face of the powerful lobbyists. Even Israel has relaxed marijuana restrictions and legalized medicinal use.

We should legalize pot, all of the plant can be used. It is know as one of the strongest fibers known to man. In addition to that the effects stimulate the economy. What typically happens as a side effect is one becomes hungry. Which in return stimulates all types of food industries including fast food. Also people who use this substance are usually not going to start a fight or wreck like they do with the use of alcohol. But do to some political BS in the 1930's with a proganda campaign against the substance it was made illegal. Why when it use to grow all over this country before they sprayed. How can a plant that grows everywhere and in nature be harmful?

Actually, THE MOST recent ZOLGBY poll released this wendsday states. "(WASHINGTON D.C.) – A new Zogby poll commissioned by the conservative-leaning O'Leary Report has found 52 percent voter support for treating marijuana as a legal, taxed, regulated substance." There should be no more debate just change the law asap. The minority is now arresting the majority and living in a democratic society this should halt IMMEDIATELY. The ZOLBY polls have always shown the least amount of support for Legalization compared to the rest. This Poll shows that it's clearly time to legalize weed.

Yes pot should be legal. (I am NOT and never have been a user)

We culd tax it. Farmers could grow it.

We could save money and time of our law enforcement personnel by not having to bother pot users or growers.

Growers could be licensed.

If folks are willing to pay $5 for a pack of cigarettes, I am betting pot could cost more than that and STILL sell like wildfire!

The idea that pot users are going on to hard drugs is stupid. They are way too busy nodding out or pigging out!

please tell me ONE DISEASE that has been caused by the USE OF POT..........

Can you imagine how many would be driving cars,industrial vehicles or god knows what while their ability to do so is impaired by marijuana.It wouldn't be safe to leave your home.There's already to much of that going on.

It doesn't really matter anyways. If you want some pot just go see your local pizza place or go to a high school. Prohibition has done nothing but give criminals and children a way to make illicit untaxed profits.

The benefits for legalizing cannabis are enormous. We are in a recession, and legalizing and taxing it could really help the problem. Industrial hemp should be legalized!!!! it could also help the economic problem like people wouldn't believe.

yes put the drug dealears out of business

The only problem with legalizing(I'm for it) is that it won't stop the mexi cartels. Can't stop them now, won't stop them then. But look at the overcrowding in prisons that'll take a significant hit when those 800000 or so convicted every year aren't there anymore. Unfortunately the govt makes more off illegal pot than they would work it legal. How much did those 800000 get fined? On average $500. Do the math, then add the kickbacks, confiscated property, cash, and drugs that are confiscated

and also how much money would we save as a country we need to move that money some where else

WELP IF FROGS HAD WINGS.....WALL ST IS ALL THAT MATTERS TO LAW MAKERS NE MORE SO THERE FOR WE SHOULD MAKE MONEY TO PAY FOR WHAT OBAMA HAS SIGNED US UP FOR

Beer is also taxed, but it is legal to brew your own, how would the gov make $$ if individuals grew their own pot?

Rick, I'm a proud California resident and I believe that California should legalize it. It will create up to one billion a year in revenue for California. It would create competition of drug dealers and diminish crimes of possession, selling, and It should be governed the same as alcohol.

Pot should absolutely be legalized. How you do it should be open for debate but it is ridiculous for us to spend millions of dollars on law enforcement and interdiction at the border and around the world to stop people from smoking marijuana. Consider that of the three most popular recreational "drugs" – tobacco, alcohol and marijuana, pot is the only one that does not cause serious illness or harm. Find me the numbers of admissions to hospitals, death caused by, car accidents attributed to and personal illness or injury or harm of any kind actually attributed to a person smoking pot. If you can find any it will be minimal. Compare that to tobacco and alcohol. And then try explaining to a kid why one is illegal and the others not. For so many reasons this prohibition against pot needs to end.

Thanks for bringing this question to the public. If you think our attitudes have changed you are wrong. We never thought it should be illegal. Nobody cared what we thought, nobody asked us before this.

I have never heard about people high on pot abusing their spouses or children, getting into fights at bars or vanadalizing property. All of those things that happen on a regular basis with alcohol.

Yes, it should be legalized. It would put the dealers out of business, would not be overcrowding the prisons with those who use mairjuana, and it would provide safer pot. Yes, it's a winner!!! Go Arnold!

hell yeah compare to alcohol and its a no {{ BRAINER }}

it makes no sense that alchohol, arguably worse for you, and more dangerous, is legal... and a harmless, natural drug such as marijuana is ilegal. How many abusive pot heads are there? Think of all the bad things that have resulted from legalized alchohol... and think of the benefits... beyond taxing. YOU CAN'T OVERDOSE ON POT... drink too much alchohol, and you'll die!

This issue goes beyond simple legalization of a "drug," industrial hemp is the economic game changer. Cannabis has a high rate of respiration, good oxygen exchange for CO2. It grows almost anywhere and shades and protects top soil for future crops. It could save our forests and its deep root systems can hold river banks. The "drug," legalize, why not?
The plant there should be no question.

Drug abuse is a medical condition not a criminal one the legalization if drugs is the only way to control the substance and keep it out of the hands of school children. At the same time gang violence and Mexican drug lords are put straight out of business. It's a win, win situation!!

100 % YES, LETS NOT FORGET 1 OF 100 US CITIZENS ARE LOCKED UP. MANY BECAUSE OF NON-VIOLENT MARIJUANA USE/SALE.... LEGALIZE AND FREE NON VIOLENT DRUG OFFEDNERS FROM PRISON!!!!

Yes, but not for minors. Tax income can be a benefit but there are better reasons. We are putting people in prison for distributing it and prisons are overcrowded and expensive to run. It would also be easier to control if legal.

Besides, there are cancer patients who benefit from it for nausea as a result of chemo and it increases their appetite. In states where it is legal for medicinal purposes, people are arrested because the federal law says it's illegal.

Rick,

There are so many bennifits that the Marijuana plant provides. It will help us in so many ways from fiber, fuel, medical pain relief and the economic stimulus it will provide. I mean just during your commercial break there were two commercials selling a much worse drugs. With thousands of years of development it is the answer to so many problems.

Despite the economy, everyone I know STILL buys pot, there is so much potential money for our country. I have a medical card, but continue to live in fear of harassment from law enforcement. Make it LEGAL!

Marijuana has never killed anyone. Alcohol, tobacco, and hard drugs kill more people. Marijuana helps with depression, panic disorder, it slows the progression of breast cancer...it is highly beneficial.

Marijuana is a weed that grows naturally. How can you criminalize someone for smoking something like that? Show me statistics of alcohol related traffic deaths opposed to marijuana related traffic deaths.

If Conan legalizes weed, I'll move to California in a minute. Why should all you people out there who drink Jack Daniels and smoke Marlboros be allowed but I can't smoke pot?.....hypocrites

I think that we are missing the larger point on this entire Miss California debate. Why are there contests that reward "the prettiest"? Aren't they rewarded enough in day to day life? What has Miss America 2008 contributed to humanity? Where are the public service awards? Do they exist? If so why are they not on TV? Why can we not tune into the Pulitzer or Nobel prize announcements on TV?

Remember Rick that prohibition was not repealed because they discovered that alcohol was good for you!!!!

It doesn't really matter what prohibitionists say. I'm 21 and my generation is just waiting for the old fossils to die off so we can finally legalize it. It's going to happen. There really isn't anyway to avoid it. Truth cant be suppressed forever.

Legalize it.

Why on Earth would you legalize a mind-altering drug like marijuana? The people who are using it now are breaking the law. With this in mind, can anyone tell me why you would want a bunch of already criminally-inclined people smoking as much marijuana as they want? I'm sure that will cut down on crime and accidental forest fires...

hey rick yes pot should be legalized i smoke it but lets drug test congress to see how many of them do coke or better yet see how many bottles of liquor they have and see why they never read any bill passed to them because they are to drunk to read it

Rick: We hear all this talk about making pot legal. I have no problem with it. I smoke a pack of cigs a day. All the the talk about cig smoke being harmful. How about the smoke from pot?

Barry
Sunbury Pa

IF THEY LEGALIZE POT WILL WE FINALLY SEE WILLY NELSON ON THE 'IRON CHEF?

Rick, I am 76 yrs old and have never used any illegal drugs so I have a very unbiased view in that regard.I do however remember Al Capone and how the violence was gone after legalizing alcohol. My opinion is that it would help the problems with the illegal drug cartels if all drugs were made legal. It appears that a large portion of the population uses or has used illegal drugs. It probably would shut down the talibans income if drugs made from poppies were made legal.

Already concened about second hand smoke, if pot is legal, who protects the children of pot smokers. History has shown second hand smoke causes cancer I am sure that smoking pot will effect all of us who don't care to be involved with drugs.

One of the main reasons I am for legalizing pot is that it's revenues could pay for treatment of other, more harmful and damaging drugs, heroin, crack, crank, etc......
As a recovered addict I can tell you that treatment is hard to find if you have no income, and even if you can pay it is very, very costly, beyond most addicts really.
And then there is the health issues addicts face, blood diseases and geneal health deteroration.
I know most people have the attitude that addiction is a character flaw and that we deserve no special help, but our jails and hospitals are filled with addicts, which costs the tax payers untold sums of money, you do the math.

We should have the freedom to make our own decision to partake in smoking pot just as we do with alcohol. It would take the criminal element out of it and free up our prison systems for the violent criminals. Make the legal age for use the same as alcohol and tax it the same and have the same DUI penalties as alcohol. In my opinion it is less harmful than alcohol anyway. The worst thing smoking pot ever did to me was motivate me to eat a dozen chocolate cupcakes at one sitting.

Marijuana should be legalized. We live in a country where we are supposed to be able to do what we want. Why should the government be able to tell us we cant do something that has no effect on anyone but the user? Just tax MJ and make the billions of dollars back that the government wasted trying to stop it.

There is always a group who want things legalized. Most of them have been shown to be bad for your system but all of them can be taxed to great effect. That becomes especially significant when government can not reduce spending particularly when they determined that buying votes is a good way to stay in office. Tax it all but then California can legalize prostitution, meth, crack,heroin and cocaine to name a few. Then California should be in a condition to lend money to everyone since they will be so profitable.
Thanks,
George

Eating habits begins at home. Is it school a place to learn? well what about investing on healthy eating education for children as well as parents.

We can't continue to treat this public health issue like a criminal issue. We can no longer afford this law, it is a burden on us all. We have no control as long as it is not regulated. The controlled substances act should be called the uncontrolled substances act. We must realize this problem is too big to let be controlled by the underworld.

I think marijuana should be legalized for many reasons. People are not going to stop using it, so why not make mone off of it. Instead of wasting time getting pot smokers in trouble spend time getting crack heads and dealers who are making way more money, and stop putting people in jail for pot because it cost to have people in jail. Plus, it is not only about the THC it is about the Hemp in general, hemp is one of the most resourceful plants on the planet. It can be used for fabric for things such as clothes and fuels. Illegal marijuana is simply a waste of time and effort and not taking advantage of a great revenue. come on its just weeeeeeeed. it makes you a little lazy so what. your only as lazy as you want to be.

Pot smokers are criminally-inclined? I don't think so. Maybe people just want to be happy.

Pot should be legalized, but employers should have the right to deny employment to workers who test positive for drugs as it may hinder productivity and affect safety.

Of the average fines, wjat was it $500, there are over a $1000 dollars in court fees, paper work and municipal wages spent by the state. Not to mention the hundreds of thousands of dollars and man hours wasted on tracking and arresting harmless potheads. Oh and one more hidden expense of marijuana, it cost the state over $22000 on average to incarcerate someone for a year. Now weigh that against your $500 fines.

RickIf they thought that homosexuals came out of the closet and supprised the whole world-–JUST THINK OF THE CLOSET DOORS THAT WOULD BE OPEN TO POT SMOKERSThey would br supprised and the gangs and the smugglers would have 1 less thing to fight about and the taxes would be emence .

We tax and regulate Alcohol and Tobacco. Combined, these two substance directly kill almost 500,000 (thats half of one million) US citizens every year. In 10,000 years of human history, marijuana has not directly killed one (that's 1) person. Can we look at those numbers on the big board?

of rick i forgot this is to people who dont smoke if you dont smoke stay away from weed you have no right to judge on something you dont do or have any experience doing and all pot smokers have a right to get pot legaly and do your reseach why do states sell marijuana tax stanp if your not going to legalize it

I believe marijuana should be legal.Lets make the money off it and create thousand of jobs

Does this mean NEW JOBS for farmers in the south....Erin, Tn

The legalization of Marijuana would cut back on the number of people in prison (i.e. less tax payer dollars), the taxes on it would help the economy, plus there are plenty of other uses. Did you know one acre of cannibus produces the same amount of paper as four acres of trees?!?!
More money and new crops..? LEGALIZE IT

right on hillbilly!!

Let the facts show

I think we are missing other problems with marijuana. What about the fact that it is considered a gateway drug to harder and more mind altering substances. People that smoke pot are generally doing it to try and get away from reality. When that is not cutting it anymore, they either smoke more or add another substance. Then they go and operate vehicles.

It makes sense to legalize marijuana since so many people are using it. Would it also make sense to legalize protitution for a profit.

Rick,
The only people who don't want marijuana legalized are the people making money from it now, ie: large drug cartels & law enforcement. Suppliers would see the price go down and law enforcement would lose millions in funding for this farce of a drug war.

It makes me laugh when you put these straight laced, white haired, conservatives, (who have most likely never even taken a puff of pot) acting like they're experts on marijuana potency. It really is laughable. You want to know about marijuana, try asking someone who smokes it every day with no ill effect at all. I've smoked pot for the past 30+ years, and I am a highly paid professional in the television industry. Smoking pot is harmless, and what's more, there has never been a serious medical study done of it. So where do there so called "experts" get their data? Mostly from DEA propaganda and old wives tales I would imagine because not a word of it rings true (from my long personal experience).

There is absolutely no problem with marijuana!!! If legalized for recreational use, the economy would bud out just like the plant itself. We would see a complete turn around and quite possibly end the recession. Just tax it and problem solved. Marijuana has never killed anyone.. the same cannot be said for alcohol. No violence is caused from it. Once again, the same cant be said for alcohol. Marijuana is not a drug its just a plant it just grows like that. Thank you for your time.

why do they sell marijuana tax stanp if they are not going to legalize it do your resarch on your state laws

Okay so prohibition didn't work. That's a shame. Maybe if it had I and millions like me wouldn't be alcoholics today. Legalizing pot is wrong and two wrongs don't make a right. I don't like the idea of my government making money off of other people's addictions unless the money were to go for recovery programs

Prohibition is the cause of most drug violence. Look at the history of alcohol. When you keep a substance on the black market it finds its way into organized crime and gangs.

Great point Joan,

The wars we fight in Mexico, Central America, Colombia, Afghanistan and Pakistan are all against groups that produce and traffic drugs. It's not the drugs that cause the violence, it's the power that comes through controlling them.

Marijuana should definitely be legalized. It hasn't already due to two things. The first is the lack of social acceptance. Senior citizens and many Americans have been molded by society to see marijuana use as a taboo. Secondly, the government has doubts about being able to tax this drug if it was legalized due to the competition of home growers that take billions of dollars from our bank reserves every year. However, with the legalization of marijuana and the supply of the drug that companies could start producing, massive amounts of marijuana would undoubtedly reduce prices of the drug everywhere in the United States. Consumers of the drug could then turn to legitimate companies for cheaper marijuana and home grown marijuana would become obsolete. This, In turn, would bring billions of dollars to our economy. We must, as a nation, address this and see just how positive the legalization of marijuana could be for our nation. This is a new age, we must change accordingly with the times we live in. Thank you for your time.

Are you kidding me?!?! Legalizing marijuana???
Does the American society really want this to happen? I can't imagine what it would be like if our military personnell got their hands on this %$#%!. (They would no longer have their careers, for one thing)
I don't even want my fiance near this stuff and he is in the military, so are a lot of my friends. Over 80% say yes, legalize it and its my theory that its that 80% smoke it!!
Im already having problems with society oversexxing their kids/exposing them to adult situations. Now its pot??
I love my America but I DO NOT love what we have become.
I think we should all think about our military and our young ones. This is wrong!! Catherine from San Diego, CA

Legalize it, troubled economy could use the tax $, and people could have a good time legally

YES!! It's time to legalize marijuana. It's been proven again and again to be the 'safest' of all of our vices (tobacco, achohol, prescription drugs, etc). The decriminalization and taxation of America's largest cash crop would boost the budget, decrease crime, and perhaps allow Americans to 'mellow out' in these stressful times. Tens of thousands of former tax-paying Americans are imprisoned (at great taxpayer cost) and should be returned to being productive members of our society. It's time to end the madness and start the dialog.

I'm 62, been using pot since the age of 19, and have been living with the same man for the last 21 years. WHY has it taken so long to have these conversations? America is so backward, and now that I am too old to do anything about it; the rest of you are desperately focused on my life. Sheesh!!!

legalize its the only logical choice! ha its 420

I think it should be legal, and now is the time. I know plenty of people who smoke pot, that are wall street bankers, computer programmers, teachers, deans, company CFO's and all are successful in what they do. I also know a bunch of people who also smoke that are complete wastes. It's not the pot, it's the person when it comes to motivation. But, if it was going to be legal, the government would have to make sure it is properly regulated (which is an alien thing with the government). If it was legal, people would smoke in their house's or backyard and NOT have to drive around putting people at risk. I myself am pretty successful in my life, and I do smoke once a week. People need to learn self control/moderation. Plus, I'm sorry, no government can tell me what I will or will not put into my body !. We have wasted SO much money trying to fight it. I agree, drugs like cocaine, heroin, crack should be illegal ! They destroy people, but pot does not. Goodday

It is high time (ha ha) that marijuana be legalized We should also legalize and control all drugs and put the cartels and drug dealers out of business. If they want to sell drugs they will have to go to pharmacy school. Beware excessive taxation. That will open a smuggling market and cause more problems that it prevents

ok lets oust miss california for her honesty on gay marriage/vs dug up nude photos/and on the other hand legalize pot....you folks in california need her to make you seem moral...because the majority of the United States think you are immoral...think about it ...gay marriage/legalize pot/semi nude photos...what are y'ALL DOING?

of course it should be legalized, taxed, and regulated in the exact manner as alcohol.
I have had cops tell me that enforcing marijuana laws is a total waste of their time. If it was legal I would be a recreational user again and Rick you can tell Gov. Schwarzenegger he can count on regular tourism visits from me even though I just moved from AZ to MA. Trust me I'll take the plane and not just for the beach this time:)

Rick we spend about 8 billion dollars anually fighting pot when we could be making ten times that legalizing weed and the legalization of weed would decrease the demand for pushers in that the drug would be more readilly available to users and in different varieties which would send at least 90% of the current pushers out of buisness because they would not be able to compete with the national market. In other words the crime rate would decline and the 80% of prison inmate space being occupied by weed offenders could began to be used to detain actual criminals.

As a former pot smoker myself, I personally do not favor its legalization for recreational uses. BUT if we are to do so, we as a nation must take steps to restrict its use to RESPONSIBLE AMERICANS.

As such, the following conditions should be made:

1. Pot users should have to get a permit or a license.
2. Users should be at least 21 AND have a High School Diploma.
3. Users should be employed Full Time or PartTime while in college.
4. Users should have NO Criminal record of any kind.
5. Users can NOT drive under the influence.
6. Users must buy from Government approved – taxed dealers ONLY.
And Finally 7. ANY VIOLATIONS = JAIL TIME AND REVOCATION OF PERMIT!!!

Now tell me that isn't responsible?

hey cory i would like to ask you if you have ever heard of a FEMA CAMP

Catherine you need to get out of the house, smoke a doobie and listen to whatever your favorite music is.

The American people need to wake up and smell the roses!!!! This is the same way the French has controlled Djibouti, a country in Africa for years, the drug is call cought ( check Spelling) So, for those of us who want to be influence by the UNAMERICAN state of California, so be it! But, when you have a bunch of pot heads running around legal, don't draft my son's and daughters to come fight your wars!

If pot was legalized then maybe the government would make some money and the drug smugglers would be without a job like me. Maybe the crime around dealing would be stopped and many people who die unnecessarily in transactions gone bad would stop. It just makes sense. People who want it are going to get it anyway. The government would get back the bail out money in less than a year probably and possibly get close to ending a deficent in the budget.

i smoke pot, pretty much every day, id like to get a better deal on it...

When you look closely at the original rationale for the ban of marijuana, its continued criminalization is outrageous. We do much more damage to our bodies by drinking alcohol in excess. It is just another example of our civil liberties being withheld from us in the "land of the free." At some point Americans need to stand up and fight for their right to use naturally grown plants as they see fit, including the use of hemp for paper, clothing and rope.

Do you expect real dialogue from the "movie man", California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
A real man would choose to address the How's and Why's for the current crisis instead of a perceived quick fix to current financial woes.

Every one needs to get educated on this subject. The truth is that Cannabis is considered a schedule one narcotic, When in fact it is not. As long as the Cannabis plant is considered a narcotic it will be regulated by the Federal Government. If our elected officials push to have it reduced from a narcotic to a controlled substance, the States would then have the right to regulate both Hemp and Marijuana within their state.
Also, the medical strains in California are not "geneticly engineered" They are for the most part potent strains that have been imported from India and Afganistan and crossed with native strains. Some sativa strains have little to no potency and are still used as hemp.
If other, more dangerous things, like guns and alchohol can be regulated by the states, then cannabis should have the same freedom.

Yes we legalized alcolhol and tax it. But look at how much money is spent because of alcohol abuse, drinking while driving. Do we really need to add another drug to the mix? There have been accidents and deaths because of pot use while its illegal, imagine how that will increas with legalization. And how will this work? Will farmers start growing it for distribution? How about people stop taking drugs instead? Put that money wasted of drugs in a retirement fund.

Chris you don't know what America is, you are just a nationalistic zealot. You think everyone who doesn't conform to your ideas as "Un-merican" You don't care about the Constitution or Individual rights. Tell us what do you care about.

how many non-violent affenders are in prisons taking up space ....!!!!!!! MEANWHILE CHILD ABUSERS and violent affenders are out walking arould doing ..........

Concerned about health effects of smoke? Vaporize and eliminate 100% of impurities.

May 7th, 2009 3:40 pm ET
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
ok lets oust miss california for her honesty on gay marriage/vs dug up nude photos/and on the other hand legalize pot….you folks in california need her to make you seem moral…because the majority of the United States think you are immoral…think about it …gay marriage/legalize pot/semi nude photos…what are y’ALL DOING?

Sue the food companies for making their food taste better? What a great idea. I hope it works.

For then I can sue the movie industry for the money and time I have spent in theatres because they made their movies more enjoyable. I can sue CNN for televising more interesting news programs, instead of boring ones, so I could spend more time out exercising. I could sue the school system for making studying fun, when I could be out eating good food and doing more exercising.

Rick, that was one of the dumbest interviews and book ideas I have seen yet.

I have smoke some weed before. As a matter of fact, i did it all through high school. Is it bad? I don't think so, I have blackout drinking, but have never blackout smoking some herb. You can only get so high on weed, no matter out much you smoke or how much TCH is in it. Legalize it!

Miss california, seriously Rick who gives a hoot. Big deal, tell me Rick is it a slow news day.

Legalizing marijuana would create not only a taxable commodity for the federal government but would increase revenue for businesses and possibly turn around the strained economy. The legalization of marijuana could possible start a cultural revolution similar to the ninteen sixties. Everyone knows at least one person who uses this controlled substance, and we can not ignore the fact that statistically no one dies from the use of it every year

I love marijuana but i hate the government and tax's and america(usa). I think we should not legalize it but just decriminalize it. If we legalize some people might take advantage of it and get too high and drive. But I do love marijuana!.

A bankrupt country and now a bankrupt pothead country! I've never known a healthy pothead. Smoking anything, including marijuana, is unhealthy for your lungs. THC is the active component in marijuana and already in legalized prescription drugs such as Marinol.

Reasons I think we should legalize marijuana:

-We can make money by taxing it
-We can create jobs by growing it
-We can use hemp as a renewable resource
-You can not overdose on it
-It does not kill like alcohol does
-We can make it available for people who need it for medicinal purposes
etc.
etc.
etc.

Legalize it!

Not to mention it stinks horribly and it obviously messes up your lungs. Whats the first thing a pot user does when he tokes up? Coughs. The body does not want this stuff inside it. Worked for a doctor and he told me he saw more and more cases of lung problems from young people smoking pot. Its disgusting.

If marijuana is legalized, I bet anything the violence in the U.S. would go down. Weed makes you calm, compared to anything else out there. There are very few health risk if any. Watch 'Super High Me' if you don't believe me. I've never known anyone to get in a fight while high. Make some restrictions such as no driving or doing it while on the job. If legalized there's no doubt the economy would benefit greatly! Either way we will keep smoking, so why not make money off of the MILLIONS that do?!

Hi, Rick,
There are three aspects of the illegal part of marijuana use that could be greatly eased by legalization.
In jails: Would ease overcrowding; would help lessen the situation of "jail as school in crook's skills"; would ease up the widespread use of "three times and they're out", where the three offenses, no matter how insignificant call for a heavy jail sentence. Legalize Marijuana! Judith

Rick ,when you stand up for what is right, expecial gay marriage no one want to speaking out about it . It is wrong and you know it . Miss califoria is right and the churchs are not speaking out about it.

miss califor

Semi-nude?

While I think Prejean is an idiot for her answer, the picture is not "nude or semi-nude". For that we would have to see nipple or bare lower parts. We see as much of her in her bathing suit strut as we do in the picture. Was she "semi-nude" at the pageant?

Cannibus is organic. It grows naturally like lillies in the field. Of course it should be legal. Why does man screw up everyting on this planet. This is not a problem in the Netherlands. Stress is a problem in the U.S. and rising. It would help. I do not smoke it by the way.

Tina B. you don't have an argument other than that California is immoral? That's stupid at best.

Tax and regulate marijauna sounds great to me i think that people will do whatever they want, its illegal now and I smoke it daily with a wide variety of friends and people who all work at decent to great jobs not to mention that the police would be able to appoint more resources to murders, rapes, and hard drugs etc... and stop filling are much needed prison space with simple stoners

The catholic church is rich enough already not to worry about spreading the wealth to the future families of the priests if they were to get married. That was the only reason why priests were prohibited to get married in the old times. Nothing holy about it, just a financial security. Priests should again be allowed to marry.

We should not legalize. If we do, who is gonna pay the mortgage, tuition, car payments and other bill of those currently selling the stuff.

Just like every other commodity, if the distribution changes, so will the personal economy of those who are involved. who is gonna bail out a ex-pot distributor.

I do so and i i don't really have a police record, i am college educated, i work everyday, i went to college, im honest and and i am a good person by most standards,,,what im scared of is all these alcohol drinking, blacking out, alcohol-heads, running over my family members, make that shit illegal...im really not sure where you people come up with your perspectives on things..

I think people have the wrong idea about pot, I for one have unfortunately drove drunk and did crash but the thing is I know lots of people that smoke and not a one has over crashed due to marijuana. the point is marijuana has nowhere near the effect alcohol has so lets all stop lying to ourselves and face the truth the government makes to much off this being illegal than legal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I believe that marijuana should be decriminalized. I feel this way because this would take it out of the hands of gangsters (if we decriminalized small-time dealing and cultivation) and because it would be more in line with American values of personal freedom. I believe that marijuana, like all recreational drugs, legal and illegal, is a danger to individuals and to society. However, I also believe that drug laws are extremely intrusive, and I resent the Government telling me what I can and cannot put into my own mouth. Indeed, though this may seem incomprehensible to some drug warriors, I believe that the drug laws are, at best, a necessary evil. While some have said that decriminalizing pot results in an increase of its use, I've read about other studies that haven't borne that out. I hope we will one day have a more rational drug policy, rather than this uncompromising "war on drugs" where we try to control the problem by throwing everything we have at it.

We could use more research and education about marijuana's effects. Most of what's out there is turning out to be wrong; there is more and more evidence that pot has a whole host of potential positive applications with virtually no risk, given a proper and healthy mindset.

Do not believe those who say that pot is so much more powerful today than yesteryear. It is a typical mistruth by hysterical prohibitionist. In southeast Asia, Papa San has been growing pot for effect for thousands of years. As some can testify, the potency hasn't, and can't have, improved much over that wonderful product.

Rick ,when you stand up for what is right, expecial gay marriage no one want to speak out about it . It is wrong and you know it . Miss california is right and the churchs are not speaking out about it.
Do these people fair God or God instruction when it come to marriage between a man and a woman.

miss califor

Rick, my wife, myself and all of my friends have smoked pot for many years. You could run a small city just on the taxes from us. Keeping it illegal only puts that money into the hands of drug cartels. We are going to smoke, the Gov should take the money.

People say that smoking pot and driving isn't dangerous... I have had a few near death experiences because of people being high and driving.It is clear that your reaction time is a lot slower. How will we control people from not driving under the influence, MAP ( Mothers against Pot)... I doubt it.!!

What will we have, pot stores like we have liquor stores? Please, lets help feed and improve the lives of our fellow human beings instead of sitting around stoned all day.
And why are we defending Miss California? If she said she didn't want to see blacks and whites married and having children we would all have a field day about that. Allowing two people in love to marry and have the rights accorded to married people needs to be expanded to include homosexual couples. She can't hide her bigotry by claiming its a religious belief.

Will legalizing pot help the unemployment rate?

Yes legalize pot will put a lot of Chemical drug dealers out of business and a lot of good farmers in business...........

I'm all for legalizing it, I just dont think every one is aware of the effect it could really have on our society. Will it help our education system? Do you think it will make our high schools and colleges smarter?

if you think about it – how many people are killed daily by alcoholic related incidents. how many people are killed on a daily basis from smoking marijuana? weigh it out.. and the same goes for smoking ciggs – but yet they are still LEGAL – do the math!!!!!
LEGALIZE today, the ganja!

How would it stop chemical drug dealers, legalizing methamphetamines will be legal.

If you were to separately stack all the reports on substance abuse problems, you would find that POT has the smallest stack.

I think we should legalize pot, but not because I use it. It is less addictive and destructive then alcohol. Another reason is because we are facing a healthcare crisis as the baby boomers age. The rising cost of healthcare and long-term care issues for the elderly is going to be expansive. We all get old, so we could all benefit from this type of care. So, legalize and tax pot. Use the revenue to provide healthcare for those elderly who are in need of care. Provide guaranteed healthcare for the elderly, and preventative care for everyone else. Not nationalized medicine, but an entitlement as being an older citizen of the United States. We can’t afford a national healthcare system with our current tax revenues, but with tax revenues from pot there may be a chance of providing it.

However, on the flip side, if we legalize pot how do we handle those who have been jailed for it? Imagine that day, mass releases of inmates from prison. Law enforcement naturally will oppose the legalization because ultimately it will decrease their revenues gained from incarceration of those who have used or sold pot. I wonder how many people would be released from jail if we legalized it? How much revenue would be lost to every correction facility across this country? Even more to the point, what about all the money the DEA and Border Patrol gain from drug seizures? Are they really willing to give that up? Everything comes down to money, and usually it is the underlying factor for policy decisions.

ive smoked pot almost daily since i was about 15...im 32 now. ive never almost wrecked my car from smoking it....i hate pot dealers though, greedy and condescending at best. i would sadly rather give it to the government, at least they'd cut a brother a deal...

Before we legalize pot, we should look at ammending Prop 13, so that it applies only to owner-occupied single family residences. Most of the state is not rent controlled, and investment property owners are charging current market value rents, but do not payment current market value taxes.

I think legalizing pot is actually going to end up costing our health care a lot more

While I don't use pot and never have there is no point in not legalizing it. People who want to use it will find away and having the money go to honest business rather than into groups where it promotes crime will help the country in my opinion.

Cigs at least have filters... Pot's resin can do a number on a persons throat and lungs, more damage than cigs. Smoking cigs costs our healthcare billions, smoking pot will cost more.

People talk about Pot being the "stepping stone" drug. ALCOHOL is the real stepping stone DRUG.Look how many lives are ruined by alcohol EVERY DAY,EVERY HOUR.No one has EVER died from Pot.Yet,Pot is a class 1 drug, that is total BS. Pot should not be classified with PCP,Cocaine,Crack.Pot is on the class 1 list because of the paper industry so chemical companies can sell the paper co's chemicals to make paper.While Hemp paper needs No chemicals in the production of paper. hemp paper lasts longer and is cheaper to make. So you can thank the paper barons in the 1930's and william randolph hearst for getting pot on the class 1 drug list.

Nan, who cares what a bunch of brainwashed nazi cops think. They are suppose to be serving and protecting us not telling us how we should live our personal lives.

Catherine, there are places that pot, legal or not, should be prohibited, law enforcement, military etc...but the over sexing of kids and their exposure to adult situtions have more to do with home and family situations, and is a completely seperate issue.
I love "my America" too and hate what has become of her, but pot is not the cause and the legalization of pot will probably not change anything, but maybe the answer is the decriminalizing it first.

Yes I would legalize marijuana even though I am a 65 year old woman who is not interested in using it.

Look what it costs us to keep it illegal!

This is what I see as benefits from legalization and I am sure there are more that I have not even thought of at this time.

Farmers would have another crop to grow + Jobs
Processing plants would open up + Jobs
Textile and other products made with hemp and marijuana + Jobs
Small businesses would open up to sell this new product + Jobs

Would our health system be impacted?........yes...........is it impacted by alcohol?...........yes This is all just another prohibition product that does not work when kept illegal. After all it is all a matter of which part of the body we decide to destroy........lungs? Liver? Brain? We are a self destructive society whether it is legal or condoned or not!

Profits from legalization is not just income because we can make money saving money and that profit has to be figured into the equation.

1. Cut down on our border problems.... not just illegal immigration,
but drug cartel and gang activity that is creeping into the states costing us lots of money to police.

2. The cost of putting these non violent young people into prisons that only turn them into violent people and then put them back on the streets creating a bigger problem for the police and legal system.

3, Prevent the revolving door on these offenders by turning all of the non violent prisons into drug and alcohol rehabs along with job training so that when these people are released back into society they have the knowledge and ability to make other choices. Clean all of the illegal immigrants in our prisons home!

4. Put into place a work force program to find jobs for these young people when they get out. Today they leave prison owing the court system and the parole system thousands of dollars and are branded felons which means it is next to impossible to get a job.......which leads to crime and using in an ever increasing flood of hopelessness! If they had a home or car before prison it was confiscated and sold to raise more money thrown away on a broken legal system full of corruption and greed. I know it's the law but for the use of marijuana it is just not right!

I think that is enough for today.

Regards,

Virginia Krohn

Too bad that this is such a small sample of people as it will not carry enough weight to matter. But for what it's worth if I could vote on the MJ issue I would vote for decriminalization while the legalization issue was studied, I mean REALLY studied as opposed to what has passed for study to this point. There is a lot of misinformation out there. As a former daily smoker of 40 some years I have suffered few (mildly) harmful effects and when I decided to quit, I just quit. No drama, no withdrawal. I just wish I could quit tobacco as easily. I have led a productive life, am a good person otherwise lawabiding citizen who paid taxes and stayed out of trouble. Our lawmakers are sadly out of touch with reality. Lets put the drug cartels and street thugs out of business and get people out of prison for MJ related issues. I am tired of my tax dollars supporting their incarceration and going to such a fruitless pursuit as the war on drugs which is costing us millions if not billions. Hemp is a useful plant and should be put into wide scale production, recreational uses aside. I had to laugh about the comment about our military getting a hold of MJ if it became illegal. MJ use in the military is commonplace and has been since Vietnam. As with any perception altering substance, MJ should be used with some caution, but it is a fine alternative for relaxation in an appropriate setting. In reality I have little hope that doing away with criminalization of this benign substance will happen in what little is left of my lifetime, I have some hope that eventually our lawmakers will come to their senses and do the right thing. Put it to a vote of the people. That might inspire more of the people to vote if nothing else. Peace.

Have any of you self proclaimed experts on the "dangers" of marijuana ever actually smoked even one puff of pot???

I seriously doubt it. It seems that the people who scream the loudest about the dangers are people with absolutely NO experience with marijuana.

It's like someone who's never cooked in their life suddenly claiming they're an expert on cooking. Bunch of hypocrites Rick, they ought to shut up and talk about what they do know instead of spouting false statistics and aping the same old Nancy Reagan rhetoric from decades ago.

Want to know some things that are far more dangerous than smoking pot?
Driving
Drinking
Smoking cigarettes
Obesity
Walking
Flying
Any plans to outlaw any of those things? I don't think so. Let's try to keep some perspective people. There are ZERO fatalities related directly to smoking pot. All government statistics to the contrary are flawed and intentionally misleading. Why? So they can continue to waste millions of our tax dollars on Law enforcement policies that simply do not work, but make all the "do gooders" feel special and morally superior, also gives the politicians and media something to get us all riled about.

It's time to come to our senses and stop jailing people for using a substance that is no more harmful than aspirin.

The public should know about all of the uses of Industrial Hemp. CNN should do a story immediately! Marijuana legalization will open the doors for Hemp which will provide a huge capital infusion for our government.

They will never legalize Pot, unless we the American People who want it, do something, and not just sit around and write blogs on web sites. We need to "Get together right now" any suggestions??

My own openion pot its not healthy to people and the result of using it . So why we legalize it? The country already have a problem about alcohol, gun,cigaretes, war in iraq. Now if the pot legal I don't know how the government solve all this problem and what might the result of legalizing it. I guess too much to handle.

Pot should definetly be legalized. I is time to stop sending people to jail for this. It is harmless . I am a 48 year old woman and my husband and I smoked for years. It is nodifferent than having a cocktail at night to relax. You never hear of people having accidents and killing people who have only smoked pot. Alcohol is much worse but yet it is legal. Obviously, the powers that be drink.I believe that legalizing it will not cause more people to do it, they are anyway. It is not addictive, there is no withdrawal, I have stopped and started many different times with no effect at all. I f more people smoked, they would be less stressed out. Pot smokers are laid back and nonconfrontational. As far as that whole stoner thing, MYTH! You are who you are, if you are lazy before smoking you will be lazy after smoking. My husband is one of the most productive person I know and he smokes often.We have 4 kids, 3 are teens, and not once have they ever been negected, abused or effected in any negative way when we have smoked pot. Also, this theory that marijuana leads to stronger or more serious drugs is absolutey ridiculous.That is simply a choice that people make.

i've been 'using' off and on for forty years...i've never been violent, never been involved in car wrecks, been employed successfully for years, never had my head in a toilet bowl!! -i HAVE found myself relaxed, calm, laughed a lot and looked at life from "both sides now"...so where is the problem?? of course, i HAVE peed in a cup an increasing number of times...-lets' have our "experts" set down their martinis and cigarettes, and huff on a nice 'muggle'!! (50s slang for joint) then and only then, will their words be more than turds!!.............

You have got to be kidding me. Never will this happen in the United States. You are forgetting your history people.

I have been a chronic pain patient since 1993. On medicare and Worker's comp. My prescriptions average $2000 per month. All paid by taxpayers! My body suffers from side effects. 70mg morphine per day. Lidocaine patches. And the list goes on. Allthis to keep me at a 4-5 pain level. Drug tests to make sure I am taking the drugs as prescribed. Before the testing MJ kept me at a level 0-1. Im not stupid or non-responsive on MJ, but on the 'presciptions" caretakers check me all the time to make sure I'm alive. I can't walk through a grocery store without pain. How silly law makers are. They must be getting a cut from MJ. Look at the borders. Every where we go to war what ever drug they have, becomes the drug of choice in USA. Hum, makes a normal person wonder.

Hi, Rick Sanchez! My prayers go out to everyone in the Santa Barbara, Cal. area as they and the firefighters battle this latest of the wildfires in that region. It's a shame that this is happening to them AGAIN nearly 6 months after the last wildfires that was near the Santa Barbara area! Hope and pray that this fire situation will start to settle down. Not a good Mother's Day weekend for the moms out there!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL

I cant think of one good reason why marijuana should not be legalized.Tobacco is legal, prescription drugs which do more harm are legal, alcohol is legal. I mean, why not make this drug legal also.

Hey Rick, love your show ...Yes, it's past time to legilize!!...The movements only been going on what 40 -50 years now . When will Washington to listen to their voters...Obama...and it's No Laughing matter Sir...you know I mean.Youv'e smoked it. Citizens are serious we shouldn't have to be Dying to smoke.. I'm just say over 40 and know from persnal experience the dangers of smoking pot and the #1 reason is it's illegal. Everybody knows the first side effect on Weed is the giggles and the giggles don't lead to violence,now alchol on the other hand,different story. Anyway Thank's Rick I could go on for days about this subject but I won't .....Oh yeah, Rick before I go, if the republicans really want to find a new Leader for their Party they don't have to look very far. I mean if they really want to get back to the grass roots of the party,and get back in touch with the voters. You could hook them up.He's been there this whole time. He should have been the Nominee this past election...might have been a whole different outcome .[R] [Texas] Ron Paul.....You think they've got a clue yet Rick ....Thank's again....Peace @ Pot

Why allow anyone to say that the taliban exist because of the USA? A response to the USA? We need to get this clear! The taliban is a way of life against the USA way of life, period!!! It's no evil necessity that the USA deserves!!! The USA is not perfect, but the taliban is evil that wants radical islam to rule. Don't blame us for them to begin with!!!

Once they get this right, they need to also understand that to not want our aid in wiping out this evil nemesis; but to want our money is another disrepectful stance. It's cheaper and our need to go in their and wipe this BS into oblivion.

It's either us or them, we need to know Pakistan understands this and is either clear with it or part of the problem. We don't need road blocks we need to blast he who wants to blast us. We need to blast them a long time ago.

Obama said No quicker than a rabbit gets laid. Didn't even give it a second thought, which is the only thing I dislike about Obama. I feel he wanted to avoid a back lash. Arnold has shown better leadership by attacking an issue that needs to be settled. Booze is a lot worst than weed. Weed stays in the system a lot longer than coke and many people might smoke weed if it was legal and not snort coke, smoke crack or inject smack. Legal weed might help people get off the hard core drug that should never be legalize. It's past due for weed to be legalize.

make it legal.we use dogs to sniff for bombs,worry about them flying over here........here is a big secret,only few know.......i know 1st hand.mexico is shipping radioactive material over here 30 to 40,000 lbs at a time.doing it in umarked trailers,,i know how there doing it..i saw a radioactive meter jump as for right as it could go 50ft away,and make the loudest sound ever..funny thing its so easy for them to do it,and the border patrol,is so busy looking for pot,they dont even care,or know what it is,when there starring at it.that crap is so strong it will make you go blind,no one knows what i just told you.i called washington..they wouldnt even listen,said it wasnt there area.i thought craps coming thru larado tx going up north.isnt that the usa.

Yes to legalizing Marijuana, especially in California. It might bring revenue to this broke State and it might calm down the drug violence on the border.

can someone answer about if anyone ever die from smoking to much weed or from it period

After learning yet more about Prohibition, I see that it is time to legalize Pot. The wars will end over it and taxes can be paid for it and it will be less dangerous to the body than booze.

Education is the way to stop unnecessary drug use. Education, not prohibition.

Everyone is stating the financial benefits from legalising MJ. What next, when the economy takes another dump are we going to the legalisation of Cocaine. Where does it stop. We are taxing tobacco to death because of health cost, the same will happing to the taxation of MJ. Why don't we tax the hell out of alcohol. After all it costs the health care billions fo dollars in alcohol related accidents but then again I think of the amount of money it gererates through the court system. We are so contridictive when it comes to health care costs.

Everyone is stating the financial benefits from legalising MJ. What next, when the economy takes another dump are we going to the legalisation of Cocaine. Where does it stop.

Rick, the idea that legalizing pot would cause more peole to use drugs is just a lazy cops excuse to keep arresting innocent people instead of doing real police work.

The War on Drugs costs the American public about $50 billion per year. Despite that, it has failed to serve the national good in almost every way. This prohibition has had the same effect as the Prohibition of alcohol, and it's time to learn from the past.

- First time and non-violent offenders are given long mandatory sentences that force overcrowded jails to release violent criminals.
- Marijuana is already available to anyone who wants it. One study shows 14 million Americans having used it in the last month.
- Marijuana accounts for about $10 billion of sales in the US, much of which goes to organized crime and terrorists, and none of which goes to the government or legitimate businessmen.
- Marijuana is not physically addictive, and impossible to overdose on.
- The enforcement of drug laws is unabashedly racist: 70% of those arrested are white and 70% of those convicted are people of color.
- The drug trade turns enterprising youths into hardened criminals, by forcing deals into dangerous, unregulated channels.
- The "Gateway effect" has never been proven, and if weed were legal people wouldn't need to turn to more dangerous drugs.
- The tax from weed could be used to educate the public about smoking, a tactic that has proven extremely successful with cigarettes.
- Marijuana is a helpful medicine for ailments such as glaucoma, cancer, AIDS, and chronic pain.
- In the Netherlands, where marijuana is legal, the rate of heroin use is almost a quarter of that in the US.
- Alcohol is far more harmful than marijuana: it is a poison, is physically addictive, dulls your motor skills, and intoxicates you for longer than marijuana (which is especially dangerous when one has to drive home at the end of a night).

Jessie Ventura said it well yesterday; prohibition didn't work either and we learned to live and work with that, which is worse murder or marijuana

Marijuana is a free choice, and nobody is going to force people to smoke/eat/ or drink it. Hemp can be used for medicine, paper, food, clothing, fuel, I can go on, yet it is illegal, and you can't even get high off of hemp! Think of the absurdity. If you fear for your childrens lives then tell your children the truth about marijuana, because let me tell you the truth is just a click away in today's generation. Marijuana will put the black market out of business, it will be regulated for only 21 and up, and it will help the sick and dieing. Legalize something that never killed a human being, please.

Who believes that we are a nation of drug abuser ? Alcohol once banned was made legal by setting rules and stipulations for use and not all states or counties have the same local laws for enforcement. Ex. "Between January of 1920 and April of 1933, all beverages with a higher alcoholic content than 0.5% were abolished from manufacture or sale. This was because of the National Prohibition Act, also known as the Volstead Act"
Marijuana should be made legal for many reasons 1, If made legal than we can cut back on some of our border crimes such as human trafficking / mules, murders and bribery etc. 2, It can help the economy in multiple ways because of it many uses IE. clothing, strong fibers medicinal purposing etc. Also if it was to be made legal than the levels of THC in it can be monitored like nicotine or as it is done with alcohol. It Should also be treated by law the same as alcohol, 21yrs old or older, do not drive or operate heavy machinery under the influence etc.
And, maybe our young soldiers should be shown some lenience (not much, the law is the law) seeing that they are old enough to choose to be put in the line of fire for us to have these liberties.

Rick now they are putting out nonsense info about pot being too potent and causing paranoia..where is the proof. Where are the reports about marijuana smokers abusing spouse or have car crashes as much as those on alcohol. Pot should be decriminalized nationally, and legalized and monitored by "cafe distribution sites".

Dear Rick,

In a recent position paper, submitted to the American government by the American College of Physicians entitled, "Research into the Therapeutic Role of Marijuana", over 125,000 doctors mostly specialists, have called upon the Feds to re-classify the plant, due in part because of astounding research into it's role in medicine and in particular, Cancer.

Over a 50% reduction in cancerous tumors in some cases. The irony is it appears the active ingrediant , THC is what is causing this to happen.

They have petitioned the government ,so that even they might be allowed access to research grade marijuana, (basically marijuana with higher amounts of THC).

They explain that marijuana, in their opinion, is not a gate-way drug, and has an extremely low toxicity level. There has yet to be a known death in it's decades of use. So if, as recent articles have suggested, that the plant is a stronger version of what your parents smoked, that being 10% THC, than what is the big deal, and why has this position paper not made the news.

When 125.000 doctors agree on anything and take a positive position toward it, one would think that would be news worthy. Seems a little funny to me how this paper is the best kept secret of all time.

Sincerely,
Denise Julien

Haven't we been told smoking is bad for us and effects those around us, kids. Isn't smoking a joint, smoking.

Whether it is legal or not is not the question, people are still going to use it and/or abuse it.
The question is, once it is legalized, will you want to be taxed on it? I personally am not a marijuana user, nor do I condone it.

Hey Rick,
I like you posture in reporting but tell me why would I care or give 2 about what the Mexican President has to say about our Country or administration. I think he has more then enough on his plate with his country and should get work solving his local issues. I don't believe we should be asking his opinion on anything until he gets his own house in order. I also think the same about our country as well. We need to focus on getting our own house in order. If we would stop treating the entire world like Hollywood gossip story and take things a little more to heart, serious with truthfulness and responsibility we might actually get somewhere this year. What has happened to conducting yourself and being proud to be an American.
Be Well,
Daniel P. Shaw

Nancy Pelozi former President Bush. The Government (whether Republican or Democratic) are all deceitfult. This is not the 18th Century it's the 21st Century, we are very educated and don't believe half of anything they tell us.

What a shame on all of them, and what a pity on all of us.

Lois

I worked for 20 years in the Engineering and IT department of a major automotive supplier. I have used marijuana since I was 16 ( I started smoking cigarettes around 14 ).

Legalization of marijuana is the only choice. The benefits have been proven to me.

I was in a accident in 1985 ( a 4×4 pickup t-boned my motorcycle while I was coming home from work. The driver had been drinking ) and I know that marijuana is the only 'medication' that let me deal with the pain over the years. I have since tried to use legal medication and so far none have allowed me to function.

I am now unemployed, lost my house and property (We lost our jobs when our company sent them to Mexico and China). I have few chances of any job opportunities because of current drug testing and my disabilities.

I can only hope that a change of policy will give me a better chance for a better 'quality of life'. I know many people that use marijuana and work in engineering positions designing some of the greatest automation and communication systems in the world. Many started their positions before this drug testing became prevalent.

I also would like our representatives, senators, law enforcement and health care providers to be mandated to take a random drug test every month if the current drug testing policy does not change. Let them also feel the pain that these policies have caused to the hard working people of the USA.

I'm not really sure what marijuana isn't legal to be honest. I've never heard a story related to someone who was high on pot who committed armed robbery or was driving under the influence and killed someone. Yet as a country we continue to object to legalizing it. Why???

It seems to me that people who smoke pot are chilled out and relaxed, whereas alcohol has all kinds of secondary issues – people black out, have liver problems, get behind the wheel of a car and sometimes kill people and a drunk person is much more likely to start a bar brawl than a stoner.

The fact is that a majority of Americans ARE smoking pot, so why not make it legal and let our country prosper from the profits instead of people in other countries? This is not to say that we should legalize other drugs, just specifically marijuana because I can't think of any negativity about it that makes it such a bad thing. Alcohol and cigarettes are far worse for us. I think it would be beneficial for all except perhaps those drug dealers outside the USA that would lose the dollars.

I think it's good that we are at last having some open dialog about it.

Lets have a look.

It is said by government official and politicians that cannibis ruins lives. Lets break that down.

I have a friend that just got arrested for possesion of a small amount of cannibis. This is what has happened to a functional member of society.

1) Spent night in jail and has thousand plus in fines.
2)lost his job
3)lost any opportunity to get federal aid for education to get another job.
4) lost his drivers license.
5)most ikely will lose apartment due to not having income.
6) Will have difficulty getting an aptment due to criminal background checks
7)getting another job is doultful due to criminal background check.
8)can't pay child support
9) wont be paying any state or federal taxes because of no job.
10) If he had custody of child,most likey would lose that.

I'm sure there are other ramifications that I'm missing. Why take functional members of society and throw them on the streets? If this happens to a family,the kids a subject to removal from the home. Hows this good for families? I hear it already.."you shouldn't smoke cannibis around kids.." . Yes that is right. If your kids will be home in 10 minutes, DON'T smoke in the same room they will be in or around them. This goes without saying people smoke cigarettes around kids all the time, Its just common sense people. Dont do it!

So do we keep our freedom to choose for our selves? Or do we let our governmemt make all choices for us? I say its our choice.

Federal governmemt needs to shrink ..A LOT! State government needs to shrink some also. Local communities need to expand and indiviuals freedom of choice needs to expand. Government get the heck out of our lives!! You dont own US.

Leaglize cannibis for ALL use. Find a better way to deal with harder drugs,Pharma drugs included.

To sum it up ,Cannibis doesn't ruin your life. Bad choices and government interuption DOES!

Bailout 2008, a poem by David Jeffrey

Like a bloodied warrior,
laying broken and torn.

Like a dying soldier, hopeless and forlorn.

But the blood, it be green,
the color of money.

And the soldier is an economy,
and it is anything but funny.

Broken are it’s people and shattered are their dreams.

Thanks to the ultra rich and their full proof schemes.

It is a tragedy with more pain to come.

Finance will be Hell, and their wills will be done.

The cops should receive no more than a letter of reprimand. The driver was endangering the lives of many innocent people. Maybe if this video was shown more often it would keep these nuts from running from the law. He deserved what he got.

Me...77 yrs old...pot illegal...stupid!! I have two friends who had thier drs advise use for the nausea of chemo...my dad told me years ago it was for sale in local tobacco shops kinda like Bull Durham...why not now? As sick as my new meds are making me...nausea and lack of appetite (lost over 25 lbs lately) and I wasn't overweight to start with I would certainly give it a try if I knew where to get it legally. Just do not want to go looking for the neighborhood pusher. With my luck so far the pusher and I would both be doing time. When are the laws going to catch up with the world?

What happened the posts for May 21 and 22. There were some very good post about why the drug pot should not be legalized for recreational use. Are you censoring the poss CNN. Are you taking a biased position? Are you all a bunch of stoners?

Go ahead and smoke your life away. Become an addict. That should leave more jobs for clean and sober people. Addicts can stay at home or live on the streets and enjoy the high life. Pot addicts, try living life on life's terms instead of numbing out by spending so much of your time and money getting high. I love being sober and clean. My life is a hundred times better and I have lots more money. I am responsible loving person and I no longer endanger people by driving under the influence. I no longer do stupid things while under the influence, and I have my dignity today. Not many users can say that. I have learned to deal with life in a productive and healthy manner. I no longer need the crutch of drug and alcohol use. That includes the drug pot.

Pot users should watch the Australian documentary "Messing with Heads" if you think pot not addictive and harmless think again. The documentary follows several young people in rehab for pot addiction. Very sad.

http://www.journeyman.tv/?lid=18795

All the arguments against legalization have been argued and researched to death. They have been proven to be false and "the war" against we the people has failed. Instead of billions if we would have spent nothing we would have the same results. Why do we repeat a behavior that does not result in your success. The gateway drug is a lie. Drug addicts and alcohilics have their "choice". Most only like a particular high and do not try others. Most alcoholics have "choice" drink beer or wine...straight people do not get high or drink because for many reasons they don't want to, it's not because it's illegal. Murder is also illegal but most don't for other reasons. Parents would have more control if govt. regulates instead of drug dealers preying on your children. Govt. could make $ instead of dealers/cartels. The facts/information is on the internet, you cannot prevent the public from seeking information. If you believe the lies even though you can research data then admit you are saying I know the thruth and refuse to acknowledge it. It insults our intelligence to pretend we don't know the facts – $$ for pharmaceutical, alcohol, nicotine lobbys.

less harmful than liquor,or ciggs,yet its illegal,GEAUX FIGGA

I'm in favor of Legalizing Marijuana. Not only does fighting the battle on pot costs the American Tax payer tons of money but, it also goes against what many americans want and that's to legalize or at least de criminalze the use and possesion of the herb. I personally want to know why the government is not taking action on the issue. By not legalizing this herb the government is only fighting itself becuase it makes for a black market. If people would had safe and legal access to Marijuana most people would no longer buy off the streets. I have smoked pot on and off for over 11 years. I take strong affense when I see Marijuana being classified alongside of heroin and cocaine. I don't believe that Marijuana is heathy to smoke or anything for that matter but, it's everyones individual right to make those decisions for themselves. The hard working American, and tax paying citizen is always to one who suffers when things go wrong within the system. We work all day to pay the ever increasing state and fed. taxes, to put food on the table for our families, and hope that one day things will be better. I believe everyperson has the right to choose if they'd like to smoke or not.

I love these blogs. I watch your show all the time Rick and think you should get more time on CNN. I see nothing wrong with pot. The police here tend to ignore under an ounce if they find it and we in Denver voted to legalize it. That wasn't 40% and neither is this voting poll. The most upsetting thing to me is the UA's. In the United States of America how can we be forced to give up bodily fluids to prospective employers or starve. I think this is invasive and unamerican! It's right up there with illegal phone taps and watching what I use my credit card for. Maybe I should send this to my congressman along with a stool sample.

I will never forgive this country if the government legalize drugs.

Consequences of legalizing marijuana are many and can be argued either way. I read some of the comments above and while i respect their right to think and voice their opinions, I have but one thing to say to those people who want it legalized, "Smoke it if you choose to, but God help you if you get high and cause harm to one of my family members." There is no place that you will be able to hide.

I feel that if the system is unable to keep it under control, that yes it should be legalized,But nevertheless there shoul also be a consequence, If you are showing some type of action of not being able to focus, theres always JAIL TIME!!

Not only did I get fat, I developed Diverticulits and must have surgery. The numbers of Americans developing this are horrifying. Processed foods filled with poisons and toxins is a suspect. All in the name of profits. Read up people and save your lives.

Even though the federal government is still in denial about the widespread use of marijuana by millions of Americans, one fact stands out. Since it's use is illegal, hundreds of thousands of Americans are growing their own. They would rather do that than buy it off the street, where they really don't know what is in the pot they are getting.

Sorry for divert. post, new to this. It also goes back to pot. I'd rather smoke and keep my brain straight than have to rely on the pain pills that make me stupid.
For those of you who don't smoke or have never smoked. How can you judge what you don't know.

Rick, the reason that father Cutie is changing lane, is not because he has problem or wants to challenge the catholic church's doctrin, but because he got caught, if he wasn't for the pics he wouldn's say or do anything, so to me he's simply a coward and a lame, he doesn't deserve any sympathy from anyone

Who is the government to tell us what we can and can't put in our bodies? LEGALISE ALL DRUGS! Because if we don't controll our own bodies we are NOT FREE.

And if you don't buy that: pot has killed 0 people, unlike drugs that are legal.

Also banning pot because it is a "gateway drug" (which it is not) is like banning completely harmless butter knives because they lead to using steak knives, which can kill people. See how rediculous it sounds?

I think at least the U.S. government should allow federal medical use, so not only a few patients get relief of their symptoms but all patients do. This could be accomplished by designating it a "Control II" medication under FDA and USP regulations. I have personally seen a chronic pain patient, nauseated and ready to vomit due to the amount and strength of their prescription painkillers and anti-inflammatory medication, smoke not a Marijuana cigarette but a toke or two from that cigarette and have their nausea disappear instantly! I have been in the medical field all my life and have never seen any oral or injected medication (except intravenous) work that fast. It is a travesty that this country, as advanced as we are, lets people suffer from the side effects of cancer, trauma and mal-nutrition that could be easily resolved with a natural, non-processed herbal medication. All due to a stigma of the evils created by W. Randolph Hearst in the 1930's. People are suffering and this could offer relief! Is this not enough for the powers that be? That are supposed to care for the people? The free people of the United States of America?

Rick, I'm sure if the congressman was refer to as a mafia because of his background he would have seen the world diffently, to me calling the judge a racist,a bigot is completly absurd, no wonder why republicans lost the presidency

YES ALREADY!

Why was Marijuana made illegal in 1937? Capitalist interests like DuPont, Hearst, and Mellon could make lots of money on the burgeoning chemical industry IF they could have HEMP made illegal.
So, the only reason that people in 2009 are being put in prison for hemp is that greedy old white men wanted to make money 70 years ago on hemp's replacement.
Only in America!!!

raza is a kkk type organization?!?!?!?!?!?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!??????????????????.....rick should have jump across the screen and punched him in the face.......no maybe not....what a dumb statement......

Facts, SMOKES(lung cancer), GUNS(death) and BOOZE(liver damage) are legal in all 50 states almost 24/7 days a week. But our elected officals won't find a way to govern pot?

In over 79 years of anti cannabis laws, what has been accomplished?
First laws were passed against migrate workers in the Southwest, next laws against Black migration from SOUTH TO NORTH. Last set of laws were aimed to combat the Hippie movement. None of those laws had any long term effect. So why do we keep forcing people to be crimmanls? Make pot legal.

Why not. Why do our elected officials refuse to hear us? Because the lobbying groups for cannabis reform, are not as powerful as the Tobacco, Firearms and Liquor industries.

The entire Republican party needs to toke up. Instead of taking all those anger pills.

we should make it legal everyone smokes or has smokeed in his or her life

DO GOOD FOR YOURSELF

GO GREEN:)

Rick, let me start with the good stuff! You're the greatest!! Now the bad! I absolutely agree with Mr Peterson. Michael Jackson is black, well, he was born black and he has lots of money! Does this sound like anyone else? What golf club is OJ playing these days? I rest my case! Love ya Rick!!t

Rick been there and done that bought the tee shirt and then sold it at a yard sale.. Pot is by far the better -safer-relazent than alcohol that its not even funny. Isral has been doing studies for many years there was a documentary on 1 of the tv channals . There is money in it for the goverment and also for the people that like pot– Granted the duis and the arrest for violence will deminish. Let alone the gang violence -They need to put a age limit on it for sure just like alcohol. no Minors yes they will still find a way to get it just like we did as teenagers for alchol

well, everyone has not smoked pot....however that is beside the point as to " should we legalize it or not is the point...

the pro's so outweight the con's, unless, and I stress unless, one is living their life as a fundamentalist....these folks live with a long list of moral obligations and "drug" use is not one of them, it seems to me it is this segment of our populace that is having the most trouble with the concept of legalization of pot.

however, there comes a time when the morays of some groups have to be sublimated for the higher good of the many...this country is spending too much on fighting this never ending crime wave....

it's time to enlist the old addage..." you can't escape death and taxes"
TAXES.....
TAXES.........
right now all we have from this situation is death...time for the TAXES.

Let the dogs of the IRS loose....TAX the product, make the money we have been so cavalier about and keep it here at home.( after all , how much $$ goes from the lotto..legal gambling , to our education system?)

I'm sure our greedy government will find many uses for the money and pot will become "regulated"....however it seems to me the outcome will be much more positve for the nations coffers and will certainly free up prison space....

Gotta love the IRS....they will finally have something worthy to pick on beside someone who didn't file on their income of 30,000.

Stimulas $$$..just think of all the lawyers back to work, all the agri-business that will take off legally, gosh my list goes on forever...

Legalize it ...TAX & FINE the outlaws!!!

I myself think that every state in the united states should legalize pot.
I know it has less chemicals in it then ciggerettes. I myself have only tryed pot 5 different time's and I actually enjoy it.

I watch CNN from 7:00 to 4:00pm. I see WAY TO MUCH of everyone else, and NOT ENOUGH OF RICK!!! Could you please get him a secretary to do his paper work so that he may please us with his presence in front of the camera , Thank you in advance, Linda

It only makes sence tax it controll it seems to be better than booze by a long ways as far as side effects and rage crimes -probably would slow down the mexicans too-

wow ! I can't believe what I read. Some are against and some are not.
I have a son and I don't want him to use any kind of drugs that can harm his health.
As what I know and learn from my high school.Marijuana can make destroy some brain cells . The longer people use it the more brain cells destroy. When it happen it won't function right at all.
Why we use drugs that can harm our health?
Thats my own openion only thank you

I have never met a wife, child, or family member that has been beaten by another for comeing home late at night high from smokeing pot.

however i know to many to count that was a result of to much to drink!

i also have never met anyone who is dieing of cancer because of smokeing pot.

however i have met countless people suffering and dieing from the harmful effects of cigarrets.

most druggs are addictive and harmful, pot on the other hand is far less than alot of other legal substances.

worst case cinario i can see if pot is legalized is a suden national depleation of junk food!

FYI: i dont smoke anything of any kind