The use of cannabis by adults should be legalized in the United States.

I apologize if it was lengthy. I'm only attempting to fully explore and explain all points and arguments. I believe debate is better when more than simply tag lines and catch phrases are exchanged; so I'm only trying to make the debate as fun and stimulating as possible for you and I as well as the readers. As you say, there is a large amount of evidence for both sides, and plenty of room for debate. This will be my last arguments, and then we're on to the voting period. Good luck to Con! First I'll rebut his most recent arguments. He starts by addressing my point that legalization of cannabis would create revenue for the government. _____________"There is no money being spent specifically on fighting the drug, rather on the police."______________ The taxpayer money is allocated to police forces and law enforcement, correct. But they spend much of that money fighting drugs (and the bulk of this goes to fighting marijuana, as it is the most popular illicit drug). In fact, they spend billions of dollars (up to and beyond $50 billion). http://www.mapinc.org... http://www.drugpolicy.org... If it was legalized and taxed similarly to alcohol or tobacco, cannabis would create great revenue for the government as well as move and create legitimate jobs. Cannabis is California's #1 cash crop, and has been reported to be the #1 cash crop in America, at least in the top three. If the government taxed these billions of dollars changing hands, it would make estimated billions more. Thus legalization would move money from poorly spent budgets to increased revenue and economic growth. __________"Sure, now that the government sponsers it, its safe. Go figure."_______________ Once again, this point has been misunderstood or deliberately misconstrued by my opponent. The fact that it would be safer lies not in its legal status, but in how it is traded and in terms of purity. As I stated ALREADY, marijuana has been reported to sometimes be laced with more harmful drugs. If the government regulated marijuana as it does tobacco and alcohol, purity, and yes, SAFETY would be ensured. Also, you would not have to associate with drug dealers and criminals in dangerous parts of town to get drugs, they would be in a safe environment much like a liquor store. Thus acquiring and using the drug would be a safer and easier matter. Next he rebuts my points that legalization would afford users the rights to medication, religious practice, and personal freedom. He says that I only address the medical and personal freedom points. What more is there to say about religious practice? Some religions use marijuana in sacraments and rituals and whatnot. The government denies them the right to practice their religion by using this substance! Yes, medical marijuana was already discussed, but there are four rounds, and I think it appropriate to continue debate and conversation beyond the initial "my sources say this". My opponent has not done so. He only claims to have addressed it. That he hardly did. He showed sources that say SMOKING marijuana is bad for you. Even the MD's testimony only refers to SMOKING marijuana, not other use. When will my opponent, and the rest of the world, stop ignoring that you can use marijuana by means other than smoking! I have already stated this. Before i jump to personal freedom, i will move on to the next point he addresses, as they can easily be lumped together. "Do you still not realize that marijuana is one of those "fatal painkillers?" THIS is hypocrisy! Again, please see my sources." Do you still not realize that marijuana ISN'T fatal? It is physically impossible to overdose on marijuana! Once again, the most dangerous aspect of cannabis is smoking it, and YOU DO NOT HAVE TO SMOKE TO ENJOY WEED'S EFFECTS. Other LEGAL painkillers and medicines have more serious side effects, greater potential for addiction, and actually HAVE potential for overdose. How often are Percocet, Loratab, Oxycontin, Oxycodone, and other dangerous substances prescribed? Every single day. Marijuana would NOT be near the top of the list of dangerous medicines. Also, as several patients whose links I referenced last round confirm, many for varying reasons cannot or should not use other medicines. _____"Marijuana has been the cause of crime, and infringement of others rights due to the numbing of senses."______ Marijuana is associated with crime simply because of its illegal status. Users often must associate with criminals and other dangerous people to get the drug. If it was legal, you would not need to visit criminals to get weed. Marijuana is not the cause of infringement of others' rights. If it is, as my opponent claims, how? And if it is, so what? So is alcohol. Alcohol is associated with much worse impairment of judgment and senses than weed. Cops will attest, many a drunk person resist arrest or worse due to poor judgment from being drunk. They get in more fights and struggles arresting drunks than potheads. Even think of the stereotypical stoner compared to the drunk. The stoner is lazy and laid-back, and not violent. The drunk is rambunctious and often violent, and only calms down when he's passed out. Marijuana is less dangerous and unhealthy than both alcohol and tobacco, no matter how you view it. As I close, I would like to state that my opponent seems to only reference his first points and sources rather than seriously argue my points. He misconstrued or misunderstood one or more points twice, even after i made it abundantly clear what was meant. He failed to show that marijuana is dangerous when not smoked. He failed to show why marijuana, a safer and healthier substance than alcohol or tobacco, should be illegal while booze and smokes are legal, and kill thousands of Americans annually. Marijuana kills no one. The US Government itself acknowledges this: ANNUAL AMERICAN DEATHS CAUSED BY DRUGS TOBACCO ........................ 400,000 ALCOHOL ........................ 100,000 ALL LEGAL DRUGS .............20,000 ALL ILLEGAL DRUGS ..........15,000 CAFFEINE .........................2,000 ASPIRIN ...........................500 MARIJUANA ...................... 0 ---------------------------------------- Source: United States government... National Institute on Drug Abuse, Bureau of Mortality Statistics Marijuana is safer than other legal recreational drugs like alcohol and tobacco. It is a safe alternative to other medicines and painkillers. Its legalization would result in safer means of use and acquisition. Its legalization would result in a move of taxpayer money supporting law enforcement toward more serious crime prevention and punishment. It would result in a huge increase in government tax revenue and more jobs. It is pure hypocrisy to continue the demonization of marijuana, while alcohol and tobacco take much heavier tolls on American lives. Many legal drugs, both recreational and medicinal, have far more negative impacts on Americans. LEGALIZE IT!