Well....I figured after all the press, both good and bad, in reference to Marijuana, I figured I'd throw my 2 cents in..

I feel pot is good. Under most circumstances, it is by far more healthy than tobacco. It is only illegal because of the government being bought off by the tobacco lobbyists. Think about it, the Declaration of Independence - written on hemp fibers.....the Native American peace pipe....yeah....it was tobacco....sure. George Washington even said to grow the seeds of the hemp plant across the country...
Studies have been done on the harmfulness of marijuana, specifically, Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). It has been determined that smoking through a water pipe or bong reduces the carcinogens of marijuana, much as it would those of tobacco, yet we know that almost noone smokes tobacco through a bong. Also, since most people tend to smoke less marijuana than tobacco, it further reduces the harmfulness.

Ok....now, lets be real. I have heard a lot of people saying that pot can break friendships apart. From what I have seen, thats not true. I have met more people, and become closer with more people through pot than I have lost people. It makes you more creative, especially when it comes to the written form. There have been quite a few papers I have written while under the influence, and have received higher grades than I might have straight. You might disagree with me, and that would be your right, but I feel that we could probably balance out the US debt in 5-10 years if marijuana were legalized, and taxed, keeping the prices the same. As a matter of fact, Marlboro has a warehouse packed with "Marlboro Gold" brand - joints per se, and all that needs to be done is pack them with marijuana.


Now....to talk about the medical uses. It has been proven that marijuana, even if it doesn't cure, can be used as a painkiller, with less side effects than commonly used painkillers like morphine. For people with terminal diseases, like end-stage cancer, and AIDS, marijuana would be the perfect medication for them. The patient decides the dosage by smoking what they wish, and there is no problem. Furthermore, most drugs on the street today indirectly promote violence. Drugs like crack fill a person with rage and anger, and superhuman strength, clouding the mind. Now, if you have ever seen someone high, you know they wouldn't hurt a fly. Someone who is high, is so mellow, that they see no need to fight. On the occasions where I have consumed marijuana, I was extremely relaxed, with no desire to do anything but chill with a couple of my close friends.