Legalization of Marijuana for Recreational Use

I'm glad you thought my arguments were well made. Now, as my mom would say "time to harsh some mellow." Your arguments as follows; I shall write my rebuttal in order 1) I agree that it is not necessary, yet drug dealers do it. They use chemicals and other substances to make the plant grow quicker. This in the end ends up in the pot which can harm the user. 2) I agree that marijuana isn't "Physically" addictive, the form of addiction that becomes of the feeling is just as negative. The user will eventually start to not feel the effects and try something harder, this brings on the use of harder and more lethal drugs. 3) I think this debate should be strictly secular, so i would like to not comment anything about that verse from the Bible or YOUR opinion on it. Sorry :) 4) I agree that mandatory minimum sentencing is a horrible system. But I would like to comment on how the banning of booze is not the same as banning marijuana. The banning of booze was done for religious reasons, while the banning of marijuana is because of health reasons (the later effects of quicker decaying neurons and the slowing of synapses, not to mention depression, schizophrenia, anxiety etc.). Also even though many people have died because of drug cartels (related to the transportation of marijuana) the reason that the government has not permitted marijuana is because it is more trouble than its worth. Why would someone spend millions of dollars in an industry which destroys people mentally (yes i agree that cigarettes and alcohol do the same but weed would add to this) when the people can easily live without it. A point i would also like to discuss is the social side of marijuana. Meaning in particular the type of culture and crowd it brings. In the 60's the hippy culture (generally associated with weed so i'm going to use it as an example) was seen as a psychedelic and colorful scheme. While weed usage nowadays attracts a more sort of scummy, unclean environment. Some weed users who smoke with other people view them people as friends, but they are not, they only stick around for the drug and that's it (many past experiences to back this up) . Many users today view weed as a sort of "do it because its cool" ideal (seen also commonly in underage drinking/smoking). This however is a terrible ideal to have when using something recreationally as it defeats the purpose of enjoying something because you want to, it takes the free will out of it. Now, I must re-revamp my arguments. 1. Well, if you're a drug dealer, you're already breaking federal law. So, if you know that at any moment the feds or a rival dealer could try to shoot you and take your stash, does it really matter how toxic or non-toxic your weed is? Now, if it was legalized we could make it law that you can't treat your plant with growth chemicals. 2. It will only not have the effect if you use it at least 3 times a day, every day. Besides, the actual stats are that only 3% of hardcore stoners will move onto cocaine and heroin. 3. If you don't appreciate my verse, I can respect that and we'll keep this secular. 4. It's one of the most believed crocks in the drug world that drugs were banned due to health issues. Back in 1970, President Nixon signed the Controlled Substances Act into law, because he needed a moral battle on our soil to distract the voters from a morally questionable war in far away Vietnam. Besides, the drugs that remain legal (alcohol and tobacco) are actually MORE harmful for the body than marijuana, LSD, and MDMA (ecstasy) combined. Since you brought up the social aspect, doesn't that act the same as drinking and smoking? Drinking and smoking are both often social activities, yet there isn't a guy with a gun threatening to imprison you for getting wasted. I actually wanted to ask you, what do you think about the claim of marijuana being a gateway drug? Because the stats show that in 97% of cases, the first drug used by almost everyone is either alcohol or tobacco. So, why don't we hear that alcohol and tobacco are gateway drugs? Thanks again for debating, HoneyBadger