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

We've agreed to go again, even tho this will be the third time! Good luck! To clarify the resolution: simply, use of marijuana (both medicinal and recreational) be completely legalized in the US. Use of marijuana would thus no longer be against the law and would be allowed for adults over a certain age (Yet to be determined). My arguments: The use of marijuana has been prohibited and demonized by the federal government (as well as state governments) since about 1914. Many people assume that marijuana was outlawed in a very careful process that went something like this: Scientific proof of danger in use + Congress = Reasonable Law protecting constituents They assume that there were extensive studies, hearings by the government, as well as experts in the fields of Science and Medicine. In truth, none of this happened. Marijuana was outlawed for many reasons, few of them legitimate. Here are some of them: Racism Fear A young government officer looking to further his career Money and greed. Government officials actually thought (or at least told their constituents) that marijuana made Hispanic and African-American people go crazy, having fits of violence. Here's an actual quote: "I wish I could show you what a small marihuana cigarette can do to one of our degenerate Spanish-speaking residents. That's why our problem is so great; the greatest percentage of our population is composed of Spanish-speaking persons, most of who are low mentally, because of social and racial conditions. " Harry J. Aslinger, who was the Director of the Bureau of Narcotics, used marijuana as a scapegoat to further his career. I don't want to go that in depth into the prohibition of marijuana in the first round, but keep in mind that it was banned essentially because some white government officials didn't like Mexicans, African Americans, and (of all things) jazz music. . http://legalizepot.wordpress.com... . http://civilliberty.about.com... . http://www.encod.org... . http://www.drugtext.org... Now I'd like to point out benefits of marijuana and its legalization. First, marijuana has medical benefits. Marijuana and its active chemical, THC, have been shown to help patients suffering from glaucoma, eating disorders, nausea, loss of appetite due to AIDS or chemotherapy, Multiple Sclerosis, Epilepsy, and pain. Second, legalizing marijuana not only provides tax revenue, but decreases danger associated with its use. If marijuana was legalized and taxed similarly to alcohol and tobacco, it would create billions of dollars in revenue for state and federal government. This would be especially appreciated in our economy's current poor condition. Not only would it stimulate government revenue, but it would create jobs. Legalization would also allow for safer use of marijuana. If moved into the realm of legal commodities to be bought and sold, government could then regulate it (similar to alcohol, tobacco, or any food! ). This means marijuana would be safer for users. This means you don't get bags of weed laced with more dangerous and addictive drugs like PCP. Furthermore this means that a user no longer has to associate with criminals. You would not have to go near a drug dealer who most likely deals with harder drugs, as well as other crimes, to get marijuana. You could get it in 7-11, or in a more regulated environment like dispensaries. Third, prohibition and the "War on Drugs" have not, and will not work. Millions, even billions of taxpayer dollars go to the war on drugs. Your money is spent to put small time users in jails and prisons, to prosecute people for a victimless crime. And for what? Marijuana is still the most common illicit drug in America. 40% of Americans have used it. The President of the United States used it! Millions use marijuana. Prohibition has not worked. If the government wants any control over use of cannabis, then it needs to legalize and regulate it. At least when it is regulated the government can keep an eye on things to maintain safety! In its current state of prohibition, as long as you can get the goods, anything goes! Those will be my points for now, I await with eagerness my opponent's arguments. And good luck to whomever that opponent may be!