[Krew]

Yep.

Right here in my country it is legalized and there are no real problems.

[KrisKrox]

Yep.

Right here in my country it is legalized and there are no real problems.

What country is that?

[Hoodie]

It'd save a lot of time for narcotic officers, and is equally as bad as alcohol or cigarettes. Even though I don't condone it, and wouldn't allow my kids to use it. I don't see why others shouldn't, if anything it'd probably help our hurt economy either way.

How do you come to the conclusion that weed is equally as bad as alcohol and cigarettes?
It may have short term effects such as impaired judgement, impaired motor control, and compromised short-term memory. While in a high, weed is similar to alcohol in the way that memory is impaired due to a dose-dependent fashion. "Marijuana also affects receptors in the cerebral cortex that are responsible for sensory perception, which can cause users to experience altered sensory experiences in areas such as touch, sight, hearing, taste, and smell. It can cause distorted perception, impaired coordination, difficulty in thinking and problem solving, and problems with learning and short-term memory." (Source)
These things are widely accepted as being true as most can see these things just by experiencing it. On the other had, Long term effect of it such as loss of brain cells are often believed and used to help fight the use of the drug by using it as a "Scare-tactic" but has been proven to be false. I'll put the direct quote I got from this website below.

Spoiler:

In response to many negative claims against marijuana use, Morgan and Zimmer (1991) compiled existing literature and data into a single document in order to discredit what they felt were widespread myths about the drug.
One of these myths was that marijuana damages brain cells, and that this damage causes memory loss, cognitive impairment, and learning difficulties. They report that this claim is based on a study by Heath et. al (1980), in which structural changes in several regions of the brain were found in two rhesus monkeys exposed to THC, the active chemical in marijuana. These changes occurred primarily in the hippocampus, the area of the brain known to play an important role in learning and memory, which suggested that exposure to THC in humans would yield similar negative results.
However, according to Morgan and Zimmer, in order to achieve these damaging results, doses of up to 200 times the psychoactive dose in humans would have to be given. Even studies in which subjects were given 100 times the human dose failed to cause any structural impairment of the brain. Additionally, in a more recent study of rhesus monkeys by Slikker et. al (1992), in which the monkeys were exposed to the equivalent of 4-5 joints per day through face-mask inhalation for an entire year, seven months later there was no observed change in hippocampal structure, cell size, cell number, or synaptic configuration. As a result of these studies, Morgan and Zimmer concluded that the claim that marijuana causes physiological damage to brain cells is incorrect.
A study by Block et. al (1999) yielded similar results, finding that “frequent marijuana use does not produce clinically apparent MRI abnormalities or detectable global or regional changes in brain tissue volumes of gray or white matter, or both combined”. However, the study notes that anatomical abnormalities could occur at a microscopic level that cannot be measured by an MRI, so the true results of the study remain somewhat unclear.
Despite this, Morgan and Zimmer acknowledge that there is evidence that marijuana, especially in high doses, can interfere with users’ ability to transfer new information into long-term memory. Thus, although while under the influence of marijuana, learning is less efficient, there is no evidence that marijuana users suffer permanent structural impairment.

Reading this, we can come to conclude that weed is not nearly as bad as cigarettes or alcohol which cause things such as lung cancer, liver disease, and many other things.

Now, back to the OP: I do believe that Marijuana should be legalized to it not being too bad for you. If you compare this to things that are legalized like cigarettes, it's like comparing a spoon to a knife. (Yes, I know it was a bad comparison.) It would also provide a great source of income for the government. Look at all the weed being sold by dealers each year. That all totals up to a couple million dollars each year, put tax on that and that's a nice income for the government. It would also reduce the amount of prisoners we have; many ending up there due to weed related sentences. These are a few reasons why I believe weed should be legalized.

Sorry for the long delayed response, as I've been offline. I personally came to the conclusion of comparing alcohol, cigarettes, and Marijuana because they're all categorized as drugs. Yes, Marijuana is also a herb, but you have to consider that alcohol is also a depressant. Sure two different things in many ways, as others have pointed out that Marijuana is not the same. Therefore, correlation does not equal causation in the factors of how "bad" it is for you.

I mean this in a personal manor, and scold me all you want for this, but I will stay this way. I find the methods of use of Marijuana is the problem, not the actual herb itself. Such as smoking, it's been proven smoking will never outweigh it's negatives. It's a bottomless pit of negatively bound outcomes. I do NOT condone of that for my children. That's what I was trying to address, as for eating it? In brownies, and such I don't mind. I know it numbs pain, and as long as not abused in that manor, I don't care. The herb itself isn't the problem, and that's why I'm fine with legalizing it. It's the people who use it, and their methods. If that's controlled, what's the problem?

Now you're problem a bit lost, because I explain horribly but I'll explain one more time. Marijuana is not bad in my opinion, it's the methods people use it that concern me. People abuse their rights, and it's shown within Cigarettes and Alcohol. Drunk driving, lung cancer from overage usage and so on. It's the people, NOT the herb. That is why I do not like it, but I can't rule it out. There will always be a person who abuses their privileges.

[Four]

It'd save a lot of time for narcotic officers, and is equally as bad as alcohol or cigarettes. Even though I don't condone it, and wouldn't allow my kids to use it. I don't see why others shouldn't, if anything it'd probably help our hurt economy either way.

How do you come to the conclusion that weed is equally as bad as alcohol and cigarettes?
It may have short term effects such as impaired judgement, impaired motor control, and compromised short-term memory. While in a high, weed is similar to alcohol in the way that memory is impaired due to a dose-dependent fashion. "Marijuana also affects receptors in the cerebral cortex that are responsible for sensory perception, which can cause users to experience altered sensory experiences in areas such as touch, sight, hearing, taste, and smell. It can cause distorted perception, impaired coordination, difficulty in thinking and problem solving, and problems with learning and short-term memory." (Source)
These things are widely accepted as being true as most can see these things just by experiencing it. On the other had, Long term effect of it such as loss of brain cells are often believed and used to help fight the use of the drug by using it as a "Scare-tactic" but has been proven to be false. I'll put the direct quote I got from this website below.

Spoiler:

In response to many negative claims against marijuana use, Morgan and Zimmer (1991) compiled existing literature and data into a single document in order to discredit what they felt were widespread myths about the drug.
One of these myths was that marijuana damages brain cells, and that this damage causes memory loss, cognitive impairment, and learning difficulties. They report that this claim is based on a study by Heath et. al (1980), in which structural changes in several regions of the brain were found in two rhesus monkeys exposed to THC, the active chemical in marijuana. These changes occurred primarily in the hippocampus, the area of the brain known to play an important role in learning and memory, which suggested that exposure to THC in humans would yield similar negative results.
However, according to Morgan and Zimmer, in order to achieve these damaging results, doses of up to 200 times the psychoactive dose in humans would have to be given. Even studies in which subjects were given 100 times the human dose failed to cause any structural impairment of the brain. Additionally, in a more recent study of rhesus monkeys by Slikker et. al (1992), in which the monkeys were exposed to the equivalent of 4-5 joints per day through face-mask inhalation for an entire year, seven months later there was no observed change in hippocampal structure, cell size, cell number, or synaptic configuration. As a result of these studies, Morgan and Zimmer concluded that the claim that marijuana causes physiological damage to brain cells is incorrect.
A study by Block et. al (1999) yielded similar results, finding that “frequent marijuana use does not produce clinically apparent MRI abnormalities or detectable global or regional changes in brain tissue volumes of gray or white matter, or both combined”. However, the study notes that anatomical abnormalities could occur at a microscopic level that cannot be measured by an MRI, so the true results of the study remain somewhat unclear.
Despite this, Morgan and Zimmer acknowledge that there is evidence that marijuana, especially in high doses, can interfere with users’ ability to transfer new information into long-term memory. Thus, although while under the influence of marijuana, learning is less efficient, there is no evidence that marijuana users suffer permanent structural impairment.

Reading this, we can come to conclude that weed is not nearly as bad as cigarettes or alcohol which cause things such as lung cancer, liver disease, and many other things.

Now, back to the OP: I do believe that Marijuana should be legalized to it not being too bad for you. If you compare this to things that are legalized like cigarettes, it's like comparing a spoon to a knife. (Yes, I know it was a bad comparison.) It would also provide a great source of income for the government. Look at all the weed being sold by dealers each year. That all totals up to a couple million dollars each year, put tax on that and that's a nice income for the government. It would also reduce the amount of prisoners we have; many ending up there due to weed related sentences. These are a few reasons why I believe weed should be legalized.

Sorry for the long delayed response, as I've been offline. I personally came to the conclusion of comparing alcohol, cigarettes, and Marijuana because they're all categorized as drugs. Yes, Marijuana is also a herb, but you have to consider that alcohol is also a depressant. Sure two different things in many ways, as others have pointed out that Marijuana is not the same. Therefore, correlation does not equal causation in the factors of how "bad" it is for you.

I mean this in a personal manor, and scold me all you want for this, but I will stay this way. I find the methods of use of Marijuana is the problem, not the actual herb itself. Such as smoking, it's been proven smoking will never outweigh it's negatives. It's a bottomless pit of negatively bound outcomes. I do NOT condone of that for my children. That's what I was trying to address, as for eating it? In brownies, and such I don't mind. I know it numbs pain, and as long as not abused in that manor, I don't care. The herb itself isn't the problem, and that's why I'm fine with legalizing it. It's the people who use it, and their methods. If that's controlled, what's the problem?

Now you're problem a bit lost, because I explain horribly but I'll explain one more time. Marijuana is not bad in my opinion, it's the methods people use it that concern me. People abuse their rights, and it's shown within Cigarettes and Alcohol. Drunk driving, lung cancer from overage usage and so on. It's the people, NOT the herb. That is why I do not like it, but I can't rule it out. There will always be a person who abuses their privileges.

I think you ended the debate as that is exactly true.
It's just that weed seems safer than cigarettes due to the fact people smoke more cigarettes per year than weed. (No source for that, it's just common sense really.)
Thanks for making me on that debate.

[Odd Future]

Yes, That's what people want, everyone does it anyways.

[Code]

I think it should be legalized. It's people's choice weather they want to abuse it or not. Same goes with alcohol and cigarettes.

[Abc]

Obama said that if it helped patients medical should be legal. Maybe that would have led to complete legalization? He hasn't said much about it after the interview, he said that he had more things to be worried about, like the war in Iraq which isn't really active anymore.

[Nova]

I think the most plain and simple answer is no. Specifically, Marijuana is proven to damage braincells and really make today's modern society lack in intelligence and education. I have seen a few of what we refer to as "crack heads" around, and they certainly have a thing for aggression. I could give you more keen examples of these individuals that make a commendable effort on our economy, government and society.

Though some research (a chav looking for an excuse) has been proven negative, people still insist that weed is good for you; i'd personally want to hit these people.

[Four]

I think the most plain and simple answer is no. Specifically, Marijuana is proven to damage braincells and really make today's modern society lack in intelligence and education. I have seen a few of what we refer to as "crack heads" around, and they certainly have a thing for aggression. I could give you more keen examples of these individuals that make a commendable effort on our economy, government and society.

Though some research (a chav looking for an excuse) has been proven negative, people still insist that weed is good for you; i'd personally want to hit these people.

Judging by what you just stated, you seem to be quite ignorant.
For starters, you stated that "Marijuana is proven to damage braincells and really make today's modern society lack in intelligence and education." If you took the time to read what I stated earlier, weed does not harm brain cells unless you smoke INSANE amounts in a short time span. So what you've stated about that was false. The second "proven" thing you have stated can in no way, shape, or form be proven. Even by stating that you make yourself seem like and ignorant asshole. Weed making you dumber is just a common myth like Bigfoot. I find it funny how you believe the modern society is lacking, though. Look at what we've accomplished compared to other generations. Judging by that statement you must be a heavy, heavy weed smoker yourself.
Now to your secondary statement about hitting people. Whether your incompetent mind would like to believe it or not weed does have positive effects. It helps with pain and a few other things that I don't feel like going in depth about. While it does still have negative effect (IF YOU SMOKE IT), it has more positive effects than negative.

[Front]

Regardless of legalization I'll continue to smoke it like its legal and has been.