by Christine Pettaway

Created on: June 21, 2009   Last Updated: June 23, 2009

Purple haze, Maui Wowie, Mary Jane, Reefer, Joy Smoke, Joy Stick, or the Sticky Icky. I don't remember who said it, but "Marijuana is a hell of a drug" and should be legalized. Not only is it popular, worth money, but it has helped with many health related issues as well.

I'm sorry to say, but the government would be stupid and ignorant to not legalize marijuana within the next five years. Not only would they get protesters off their backs, but the tax money would be tremendous. I also believe that since so many of the consumers of marijuana are against paying taxes the rate in the use of the drug itself might go down. Or should I just say that it would be under better regulation.

Legalizing marijuana wouldn't just make the government happy, but the patrons too. Headaches, backaches, tummy aches, cancer, ADHD, ADD, panic attacks, anxiety attacks, test anxiety, phobias, and other medical burdens could be lifted. Instead of using man made medications concentrated with chemicals and endorphins, why not offer our patients an all natural route?

So by legalizing marijuana we are killing birds with stones, and not brain cells, well maybe some of those too. However, it is no worse than consuming alcohol, smoking tobacco, or indulging in many other habits that are perfectly legal. Don't get me wrong I'm not trying to promote drugs or convince you that all drugs are harmless. I'm just saying that it's time to get realistic. People will smoke weed, eat weed, drink weed, or consume it in an way possible no matter what, but if it has good benefits along with the bad (which there aren't many) shouldn't we give it a chance?

It may or may not be a gateway drug, I think it depends on personality, but if it is regulated there will be less chance of it becoming a real problem. Many of us forget that there was once a day cocaine was legal to use for amputations and other medical reasons. Unlike cocaine, marijuana is natural, hasn't caused seizures (that I know of), and doesn't destroy your body.

So either we continue to let our nation smoke marijuana behind the curtains, or we legalize it and make everybody happy! I choose door number two. Legalize, make a profit, and most of all let's stop pretending that marijuana is one of the worst things our society is dealing with. It's not that bad and if we just accept it like tobacco and alcohol, someday we will learn to have some control over how it influences our lives.

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