Marijuana Legalization

It seemed reasonable and apparent to me that we would apply a legal status similar to alcohol. I apologize for not including that in my opening round. Obviously, providing children with marijuana is not a plausible or advantageous action. 1. Other substances You provide no other opposition other than the harmful effects marijuana has on children. Since I am not advocating that kids use pot, this does not apply to my argument. Still, this is a critical point. Much of the criticism of marijuana is rooted in its harmful effects. The fact that other, more harmful substances are fully condoned and legalized legitimizes marijuana and its legality. Extend the fact that marijuana is not addictive and has some positive health effects as well, yet more harmful and addictive substances remain allowed. 2. Tax Revenue 1) Kids dont apply. 2) Drug dealers go to extravagant lengths and costs to avoid the police now due to marijuanas illegality. Saving them this trouble and cost far outweighs the fiscal impact of sales tax. Also, the privatization and mass production of weed on the open market would drastically reduce the price. Supply and demand. 3) Agreed. But, your arg works in my favor. Legalization would lead to far more pot smokers. My resolution takes your arg a step further by not only failing to decrease current smokers, but attracting new legal users as well. (Imagine the money a gas station with a doritos-pot combo would make) The tax revenue would be a phenomenal boost to our nations public budget. A conservative estimate starts at 40 billion dollars a year back in the nineties! Imagine the revenue now. Further, a new high growth industry would be born, creating jobs. 3 Criminals 1) I am not claiming that ONLY lower class people sell drugs. But, the majority of drug trafficking is done by dangerous people, rich or poor. Illegality makes casual pot smokers deal with dangerous dealers. Whether its a middle man or the smoker themselves, the gang related drug trafficking culture intersects with casual drug users too often. 2) You misunderstand my argument. I am not claiming people smoke, then go commit crimes. Rather, that the large portion of drugs that are smuggled into the country are done so by large criminal organizations that sell drugs in order to fund other criminal projects. While there are drug dealers that are not in gangs, granted, at some point down the distribution ladder, illegal marijuana generates revenue for people who partake in other, more serious criminal activity. Legal marijuana helps to solve this problem. 4. Quality While marijuana horticulturists have been able to progress the potency of the drug over time, legalization would allow legitimate companies to study, confer, and produce even better quality weed, also at lower cost. The progress that has been made now has been forced into basements and internet blogs, with the opening of the marijuana industry, real strides could be made. 5. Civil Liberites Again, I dont advocate kids using. As an American citizen, I should have the right to indulge in whatever recreation I see fit for myself, as long as I am not endangering others. Not only would marijuana make the community a safer place by limiting criminal activity and funding, legalization generates billions in tax revenue as well. Thanks. I am looking forward to hearing your response. http://www.druglibrary.org...