Marijuana Legalization

Greetings! Have fun, good luck! There are a variety of reasons to keep cannabis at its illegal status; both moral and practical reasons. I am going to argue them as the 'contender' in this debate. In this round, I shall outline the basics of my offense. Also, I ask that readers not be biased toward the subject if they vote. I realize that there are a great many of you out there whom merely wish that marijuana is legal just so that one could smoke it and receive a 'buzz' (also, the people supporting my side are likely outnumbered). Hence, if you don't vote on the merits of debate but rather on your personal favourite, I ask that you don't vote at all. 1. My opponent argues that alcohol and tobacco are more addictive than cannabis. This is obviously a folly. "Long-term regular users of marijuana may become psychologically dependent. They may have a hard time limiting their use, they may need more of the drug to get the same effect, and they may develop problems with their jobs and personal relationships. The drug can become the most important aspect of their lives." * "Laboratory studies have shown that animals exhibit symptoms of drug withdrawal after cessation of prolonged marijuana administration. Some human studies have also demonstrated withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, stomach pain, aggression, and anxiety after cessation of oral administration of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), marijuana's principal psychoactive component. Now, NIDA-supported researchers at McLean Hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts, and Columbia University in New York City have shown that individuals who regularly smoke marijuana experience withdrawal symptoms after they stop smoking the drug." ** "These "burned-out" users are sometimes so unaware of their surroundings that they do not respond when friends speak to them, and they do not realize they have a problem." ** Now, alcohol and tobacco are obviously addictive; this is true. Due to the fact that tobacco was legalized over two hundred years ago, it is well implanted into society. It is legal and it is commonly utilized, even though the carcinogens do cause cancer. However, do cigarette smokers experience 'burnout'? Do they experience the kind of withdrawal that the medical professors discuss with marijuana? Does smoking cause inattention and consume life? No! Alcohol can consume and mould the life of a person. It has even caused suicide. Yet, this is most often in the case of those whom abuse it. In countries where fresh water is scarce, a diluted beer is/was served to children in moderation. "This was known as 'small beer' and was drunk instead of water which, unboiled, was prone to carrying disease." *** (Intoxication was viewed as a 'sin'). Beer is/was, in moderation, a generally harmless substance that does not necessarily cause intoxication (until the limit is surpassed) or addiction. In Germany it is stated that a person can drink four pints and the effects hardly can be seen, unlike the American metabolism where one pint becomes clearly visible. "Germans are able to consume large quantities of beer in one evening, but public drunkenness is not acceptable.... in Bavaria two liters of beer is an ordinary evening." **** There is no such thing as moderation with marijuana. One marijuana smoke, and the buzz caused by THC is present - the harmful effects penetrate immediately and at a far more accelerated rate than cigarettes. "Scientists believe that marijuana can be especially harmful to the lungs because users often inhale the unfiltered smoke deeply and hold it in their lungs as long as possible. Therefore, the smoke is in contact with lung tissues for long periods of time, which irritates the lungs and damages the way they work." Hence, I've proved that alcohol and tobacco, though addictive, are not "MORE addictive and detrimental to one's health" ** Also, my opponent is absurd in his claim that the founding fathers actually smoked marijuana. There is no indication whatsoever that any of them did so. It is true that George Washington and grew Hemp on their farms, as they lived in Virginia. But hemp was, at the time, utilized for a variety of practical purposes (such as weaving strong rope and ship sails - and paper) - none of them was smoking or swallowing it. Benjamin Franklin constructed the first American paper mill - the paper made of hemp. There is NO PROOF whatsoever for the ludicrous claim that the 'founding fathers' smoked anything other than tobacco. They had full possession of their faculties. I will negate the proclamation that " Many medical professionals agree that pot causing death of brain-cells is just a myth." My opponent reasons that marijuana would lower the rate of violent crime. He rules that the drug war would decline. This is obviously untrue. The drug war is being fought between criminal cartels and the Government/s. IF the Government/s legalize marijuana, they lose the power to fight the cartels and arrest serious offenders who are clever at hiding their various other crimes (murder, sex slavery, human trafficking and other drug trading among them). Yet the current cartels will just gain more power and continue fighting with eachother. furthermore, with no Government opposition, they could reign with unopposed terror in countries such as Guatemala, Mexico, Honduras and Afghanistan. Many governments are able to pin crime lords with petty theft and marijuana possession and trafficking. While these are small crimes, at least the crime lord is knocked out of commission temporarily and time gained to consolidate a better case against the criminal. Would you appreciate Mafia and Hells Angels gaining a monopoly on marijuana? More people would die than ever. Also: 1. Marijuana is a 'stepping stone' drug. Once the effects of people whom have become addicted to marijuana wear off (which, incidentally, marijuana, since it's 'harmless' would probably have become an experiment - similar to cough medicine), people will then believe that they hadn't come to harm with marijuana and then "Experiment" on a dangerous drug - meth, cocaine, heroin or even LSD. 2. Driving drugged would become just an active threat as alcoholic driving, but worse. 3. Many religions and moral codes prohibit the use of intoxicating substances. Marijuana is generally considered to fit into this category. 4. Legalization does increase the chance of marijuana being utilized by children. think about it; adults can gain it cheaply and easily. Hence the consumers turn and become retailers, not caring about their market. Or parents give it to children once they become stoned and listless on the couch, unaware of the world. 5. As aforementioned, major criminals are sometimes only initially pegged by marijuana use. 6. "Although some studies have been disputed, marijuana abuse has been tied to brain damage, cancer, lung damage, depression, amotivational syndrome, and even death. The brain damage has been shown to cause memory loss and difficulty in problem solving. It is the governments duty to protect the public from such dangerous drugs. After all, that's why the FDA was created." 7. Secondhand smoke. 8. THC is detrimental to the body and filled with carcinogens and other cancer causing substances. Furthermore, marijuana is crude and the amount of THC varies - a person who smokes a weak cigarette will not be affected as much as one who smokes one filled with THC - thus being 'stoned' and listless for veritable hours. 9. MArijuana can be laced with Angel Dust - a potent and highly dangerous substance. * http://www.well.com... ** http://www.narconon.ca... *** http://en.wikipedia.org... **** http://www.cyborlink.com... ***** http://www.balancedpolitics.org...