Marijuana should be legal

Introduction Pro seems to have ignored many points posted in my argument, including his initial point that much taxpayer money is spent to prevent marijuana use. In fact, pro also completely disregarded my entire argument, which highlights marijuana's negative impact on individuals, families and society. In addition, Pro still has not included a single source. I ask that Pro make rebuttals to all of my points and provide sources next round. The Caliber of Cannabis (and Killing) Pro claims that because marijuana is not as bad as murder and that because it is not harmful, it should be legalized. However, there exists many crimes, such as theft, that are outlawed even though they are less severe. Also, marijuana has been shown to be harmful to the individual that smoked it, his/her family and society. Marijuana as Medicine Pro's next point is advocating the pain relief benefits of marijuana. However, Pro is not pushing for the legalization of marijuana with this point, but rather the legalization of medical, prescribed marijuana. Unless Pro can show that marijuana must be used to treat pain in all cases (not just extreme examples, like cancer) this point is moot. Money in Marijuana Once again, Pro fails to cite a source and instead makes up his own number. I do not believe I need to address an issue that remains unsourced and I ask Pro to attach evidence next round. "The Land of the Free" Pro brings up the point that this country was built on the foundation of freedom and therefore people should be free to use their money on whatever they want. This is extremely idealistic and moot at best. There are great limits imposed by the government on what one can or can't do with his/her own money. A government aims to protect it's people first, and if something is harmful to the citizens of its country, it has the responsibility to mitigate that threat. Marijuana, which I have shown to be harmful to citizens, should be barred as it is harmful to others. It is true that the United States is referred to the "land of the free," but once your "freedom" imposes on the freedom of others, it has to be controlled. Cigarettes vs. Sinsemilla "Cigarettes are much more likely to cause cancer, so do you think cigarettes should be illegal too? " Personally, I think they should be illegal, but that's another debate entirely. However, marijuana is arguably worse than cigarettes. Marijuana not only has serious side-effects (cancers, lung and immune system complications, etc. ), but also a mind-altering aspect, which makes it as dangerous as alcohol in the short run and cigarettes in the long run. The Source Situation Although the website title might have the word alcoholism in it, the article is indeed about marijuana. Why is the source, then, invalid? The Advil Argument Pro asserts that Advil is not as potent as marijuana. I ask him to cite a source. I would like to remind Pro that anecdotal evidence is not proper in a debate as it is a fallacy to use anecdotal evidence for generalizations [1]. Conclusion Pro has still unfulfilled his burden of proof. His lack of sources, underdeveloped points and lack of acknowledgement for marijuana's harmful effect on society leaves his argument shaky. With an understanding of marijuana's negative impact to every element of society, it should be the responsibility of the government to keep it illegal. Sources 1. . http://www.fallacyfiles.org...