[Talik]

Marijuana does not lead to smoking crack! Lack of willpower leads to smoking crack. It just so happens that lack of willpower also leads to Marijuana, and it's easier to get pot, so most crack heads have started with it.

Sure, we've all seen a few smart people start smoking a little too much, and decide that they didn't really want to be in school, and drop out and join the Marines. But we've probably also all seen some smart people play too much counterstrike, fail all their classes, and follow the same path. So, tell me, was it marijuana that caused these lives to take a drastic turn? or was it lack of willpower? Maybe we should outlaw video games, too?

I have, at one point in my life, smoked copious amounts of gonga, I went through way more than I probably should have, and have now made the decision to refrain.. But the me that is now, does not look down upon the me that was then because of my decision to imbibe in a smokey pastime! I never felt the need or desire to smoke crack, or move into heavier drugs to escape life.

If we are going to have this conversation as to weather Marijuana should be legalized, than shouldn't we have this same conversation about cigarettes? about alcohol? both of those are just as bad as pot, worse even, but legalized, and socially acceptable(because of the legalization). There are way more alcohol related crimes than marijuana related crimes. The worse that happens when you get high, is you sit on your couch and forget to pay your bills. People get drunk, and they decide to go out and start shooting street signs. Tell me, which of these seem like more risk to society?

But my point is not that alcohol is bad, (I drink enough beers that if I said that, I would be a hypocrite) but not having the willpower to control your limits is bad.

Right now, the government can control alcohol fairly well, they control the minimum drinking age, and bars can cut someone off if they get too drunk. But there is no control for pot. I remember being in college, and it was much easier getting buying an eighth of weed, than a six pack of beers. If marijuana were to be legalized, there would be controls on it, much like alcohol and cigarettes. There would certainly still be abuse, as with any substance weather legalized or illegal, but the abuse would be kept to a minimum.

I have never seen a conclusive study either way that defined what long term damage marijuana has on your brain, if any, but I do know several people who grew up in the hippy era, and are now in their 50's who have been smoking a bowl every day for their entire lives. These are some of the most sharp, and interesting people I know.

So, In conclusion, marijuana is a personal choice, and those that can partake responsibly, have my blessing. And if your worried about potheads ruining your life, worry more about alcoholics, for it's related to way more crimes than pot.