Marijuana\Cannabis should be legalised for both medical and recreational purposes in the U.S.

After looking at his links, [2] and [4] can be discarded as irrelevant. [2] simply cite some short-term effects of Marijuana, some of which (Feeling of well being, increased Appetite) are positive and some are irrelevant or trivial (Reddened eyes. Talkativeness). [4] is a UN report on Marijuana potency, which does not seem relevant. Now, onto Con's arguments. "The short term effects of cannabis use include loss of memory. .. .. .High doses of cannabis can induce short term effects of confusion, restlessness, detachment from reality, hallucinations, anxiety and respiratory problems. those are only the short term effects. " --> My opponent has not cited any evidence showing such effects occur through the use of Marijuana. However, if even we assumed such effects were true, these are short term effects, and do not last. Not only would they only be in effect for a few hours at most, but all these effects have a detrimental effect on the user. "Marijuana also has a lengthy list of long term effects. these include, bronchitis, lung cancer, increased cancer risks, learning problems, memory problems, dependence, libido problems and hormone problems" --> My opponent has again not shown any evidence to support such claims, and indeed I have extreme doubts about these claims as there have been several sources that negate this, which show lung damage is in fact lower for Marijuana smokers, and that heavy marijuana users do not have an increased risk of lung cancer [1]. Furthermore claims of Marijuana causes damage to one's memory [2] and libido\hormone problems [3] are untrue. However, even if his other claims were in fact true, it still does not warrant a ban of Marijuana, seeing as all harm is to the user and the user only. "A study of 450 individuals found that people who smoke marijuana frequently but do not smoke tobacco have more health problems and miss more days of work than non smokers. Many of the extra sick days among the marijuana smokers in the study were for respiratory illnesses. " --> Firstly, this source states "health problems" which in itself is extremely vague. What health problems is it referring to? The extremely low risk of heart attacks I stated in first round? I would ask my opponent to clarify this. Secondly, while I will not dispute the claim Marijuana can make one more unproductive, it is to the detriment of the Marijuana user if his employer fires them over missed days or productivity issues. "Cannabis is a plant that is known to produce three types of drugs. marijuana, hashish and hash oil. .. .. .Abusers may move onto other more powerful hallucinogens like PCP and LSD. " --> Firstly, Con's source, [4], does not claim that Hashish is 4 times more dangerous than marijuana Hash Oil is 12 times more dangerous than Marijuana, so this claim holds no weight at the current time. "Therefore, although marijuana may have never been recorded as a direct cause of death, it has many serious health risks and may indirectly lead to a death as marijuana is a gateway drug. " --> Con is incorrect when he cites Marijuana is a gateway drug. As explained here: "What the gateway theory presents as a causal explanation is a statistic association between common and uncommon drugs, an association that changes over time as different drugs increase and decrease in prevalence. Marijuana is the most popular illegal drug in the United States today. Therefore, people who have used less popular drugs such as heroin, cocaine, and LSD, are likely to have also used marijuana. Most marijuana users never use any other illegal drug. Indeed, for the large majority of people, marijuana is a terminus rather than a gateway drug. " [4] There are many other sources which debunk the gateway theory [5] [6] [7]. "Therefore, although marijuana may have never been recorded as a direct cause of death, it has many serious health risks and may indirectly lead to a death as marijuana is a gateway drug. " --> I have disproved that Marijuana has many serious health risks, if any, and that all are to the detriment of the user. Furthermore, the gateway theory is a study which misuses statistics. "I-am-a-panda explained the medical purposes of cannabis in the previous post. However, this information is useless as panda is proposing that all forms of marijuana be legalised, not just medical marijuana. " --> The resolution is "Marijuana\Cannabis should be legalised for both medical and recreational purposes in the U. S. ". The resolution clearly states that we are contending whether or not Marijuana should be legalised for it's health benefits, as well as it being legalised for recreational purposes. "Legalising marijuana due to curative powers would be akin to handing out morphine or prescription drugs on the street. It would be a completely unnecessary step as the use of medical marijuana can be simply legalised in a sterile and risk free environment of a hospital rather than being allowed free rein on the streets. " --> I never stated once in my above argument Marijuana would be handed out in the streets for usage. Indeed, my opponent has admitted that medical marijuana should be used in a hospital environment which I completely agree with. Legalising ANY medicine does not mean allowing anyone to hand out that medicine for usage. Medical Marijuana is prescribed by doctors to patients who need it, however, this does not mean restricting the sale of Marijuana to prescriptions. My opponents analogy is therefore wrong. Unless he changes his stance on this and refutes the many medical benefits of Marijuana I have cited, I have won the medical side of the argument. "I also pointed out that cannabis abusers were likely to take more sick days than non abusers. .. .. and is money really meant to be compensation for all those people caught in the grip of a harmful drug. " --> Firstly, because Marijuana has health risks to the user does not mean it is not a victimless crime. The effects are restricted to the user and the user only. Secondly, Marijuana is used by a large portion of the US [8], and while Marijuana usage would probably increase with legalisation, the effects of the economy by Marijuana aren't detrimental as it stands. Furthermore, should a Marijuana user be unproductive and unpunctual they can be fired by their employer. "legalisation of cannabis would only allow drug lords to make more cannabis without fear of the arrests. .. .. The legalisation of marijuana will only help drug dealers further their trades and fund their other criminal activities. " --> Not true. The reported number of deaths linked to the use of drugs in the Netherlands, as a proportion of the entire population, is lower than the EU average [9]. Furthermore, if Marijuana ales are regulated then these "drug lords" have the choice of entering a taxed, legitimate form of business, or remaining in an illegal business with risks. My opponent assumes drug lords will have a monopoly on the Cannabis supply, which they won't. Marijuana can be imported by anyone to be sold in a business. As an example, see the rise of "Coffee" shops in Amsterdam, which sell Cannabis. In conclusion, my opponents claims of health risks are wrong or irrelevant, as re his claims involving the gateway theory and crime increases. I await his response. [1] = . http://www.drugpolicy.org... [2] = . http://www.drugpolicy.org... [3] = . http://www.drugpolicy.org... [4] = . http://www.drugpolicy.org... [5] = . http://www.nap.edu... [6] = . http://www.drugscience.org... [7] = . http://www.rand.org... [8] = . http://www.marijuana-addiction.info... [9] = . http://www.emcdda.europa.eu...