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

Alright, lets get started. I will address what my opponent has said, while at the same time building my own case. Please note that as the affirmative, the burden of proof falls on my opponent. Lets begin. So my opponent starts out by saying that cannabis was only prohibited due to dislike of "Mexicans, African Americans, and (of all things) jazz music." Really? This is not the case. There were in fact studies done to show how cannabis is dangerous. Why is it still not legalized? Is it because we are STILL prejudice? While some radical groups are, the government is obliged to not be racist. If this were the only reason that marijuana is banned, then certainly it would not be banned anymore. Here is why marijuana is ACTUALLY banned. Smoking any drug is unhealthy. Cannabis is no exception. The smoke actually contains higher concentrations of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) than tobacco smoke. Cannabis smokers generally inhale more smoke for longer depositing more than 4 times as much tar on their lungs as cigarette smokers. http://www.thegooddrugsguide.com... http://cyber.law.harvard.edu... http://www.marijuana-detox.com... So, I hope that cleared up why marijuana is ACTUALLY banned. Now to address his "benefits." He says that marijuana has medicinal benefits. This is rash and not completely thought out. Obviously, it can relieve some pain due to its numbing effects. However, there is a great cost to these benefits that can be achieved JUST AS WELL IF NOT BETTER by alternative medicines. Please read or at least skim this article by a MD Physician. It is very eye-opening. http://www.alexarends.com... This should have addressed the medicinal benefits. Now on to the revenue. He also says that it would provide revenue and increase the safety of the drug. I will address each. First, the fact that any industry brings revenue is obvious. Yes, money would be coming in. However, we would be harming the general populace by doing so. Do we really want to sell this toxin to our citizens? Should we actively be poisoning them just for money? I think not. In the same paragraph, he says that legalizing marijuana increases its safety. "OK, so its legalized now. I am going to take it in "safer" doses now, right? I will obey all instructions on the side, right? I will do all of these things just because the government said so, right?" Here is the thing: Obviously people disobeyed the government by getting illegal marijuana. Why would they all of a sudden obey the government, just because what they are doing now is legal? "OK, well, I am going to smoke this the way the government says so." What? Ya, because that worked so well before. Right. On top of all this, even government controlled doses ARE STILL UNSAFE. Please look even further into all of the detriments of cannabis. EVEN IN SMALL DOSES, MARIJUANA HURTS THE USER. PERIOD. Lastly, he says that prohibition didn't work, so neither will the war on drugs. While this is somewhat true, should we not try? Think about it this way. The war on terror will never be won, so lets not try. What? OK, the terrorists slam a plane into our buildings. Oh well, we can never beat them. Is that the kind of thinking we should be taking as Americans? Absolutely not. We need to take a proactive stance to let the population know that THIS IS WRONG. I would like to now pose a question for my opponent. Why should marijuana be legalized for adults, but not children? (Assuming it were to be legalized) In attacking my opponent's case, I hope you saw the structure of my own case. Marijuana is harmful, and has no medicinal benefits that cannot be achieved by safer options. (If my opponent contends this, I will post several proven medications) Because of these reasons I can only oppose the resolution. Thank you. The use of cannabis by adults should be legalized in the United States. Negated.