Legality of Marijuana in the US

“Junk is not like alcohol or weed, a means to increased enjoyment of life. Junk is not a kick. It is a way of life.” William S. Burroughs, “Naked Lunch”http://www.youtube.com...Adam, Thank you for your opening arguments. My purpose behind arguing for the legalization of marijuana, is not because I advocate its use, I do not, but rather because, we need, as a Country, to have our scarce resources focused on the real problems of addiction, particularly opiate addictions, which are an epidemic in every part of this Country, from the inner cities, to the most affluent suburbs. Adam you have outlined several arguments, and many seem to share the same theme that marijuana and opiates are interchangeable. I profoundly disagree I have known pot smokers and I have known heroin addicts, and to compare marijuana users to heroin addicts, is like comparing an ant to a giraffe, the differences are immense, and consequences beyond compare. Sadly, I have experienced these differences in my life. I have a close friend, Josh, who has been addicted to heroin for several years. Josh has been in and out of rehab, but every time his demons come back. Josh has much to live for, he is smart and personable he has had jobs, a home, a car, and other possessions. Beyond that, Josh has a Mom and a sister who he loves, and a 5 year old daughter who he adores., but given the choice between everything he has in life and heroin; heroin always wins. I have severed ties with him, with the tough love message to Josh that I am part of everything else, if he chooses life over heroin. I pray that I will get a call from Josh, from a recovery program, but I fear the call will come from the Coroner.Sadly, Josh’s story is not unique. Below I have quoted others who have described in graphic detail, the horrors of addiction. As a Nation, rather then spending resources on marijuana enforcement, treating addiction is where we must devote our money, time, and energy. “When you're using drugs, you're driven by this mystical black energy, a force inside you that just won't quit. And the weaker you get, the more you feed into that energy, and the more it fucks with you. When your spirit becomes dark and your lifestyle becomes dark, your existence is susceptible to infiltration by dark spirits. I've seen it so many times with addicts. You can see that they're controlled by dark energy, the way they look, their appearance, their voice, their behavior, it's not them.” ― Anthony Kiedis, Scar Tissue “No construction stiff working overtime takes more stress and straining than we did just to stay high.“ - Gus Van Sant, “Drugstore Cowboy”I caught you knockin'at my cellar doorI love you, baby,can I have some moreOoh, ooh, the damage done.I hit the city andI lost my bandI watched the needletake another manGone, gone, the damage done.I sing the songbecause I love the manI know that someof you don't understandMilk-bloodto keep from running out.I've seen the needleand the damage doneA little part of it in everyoneBut every junkie'slike a settin' sun.- Neil Young, "Needle And The Damage Done"“The junk merchant doesn’t sell his product to the consumer, he sells the consumer to the product. He does not improve and simplify his merchandise. He degrades and simplifies the client.”-William S. Burroughs, “Naked Lunch”