I dont blame you if you dont read this. But I wrote it so I'd be flattered if you did.

[trombonesrawk]

In states where medical marijuana is legal and marijuana in general is decriminalized, people can still be arrested, prosecuted, and sentenced because of marijuana distribution and possession. How is this possible? It’s possible because, according to federal law, marijuana is still illegal. This seems like a blatant disregard of democracy, because

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[lovesacoustic]

I've also been in a car with a drunk driver (unfortunatly) and they drove just fine, as well. It's not a matter of how well the driver concentrates or actually DRIVES correctly, it's a matter of responding if something were to happen. It's a fact that marijuana slows your responses, affects your alertness, and takes away greatly from your motor skills. A sober driver wouldn't have to think through the cloud of smoke in their head to swerve in time to miss an accident. Also, even if smoking does less damage than alcohol, that still doesn't make it okay. Why add another reason and cause for possible accidents when we have so many already?

And it's a possibility that it doesn't cause the crimes, but even if it doesn't - it's pretty obvious that they go hand-in-hand. Why encourage something that criminals find rebellious? If they did it solely because it was against the law, it's like giving them a pat on the back and a handshake for doing something they knew was wrong. It reinforces their negative behavior.

You don't hate me now, right? haha 'cause I still like you. :D I find this a lot like my 10th grade debate class. It's interesting to actually hear both sides and express your opinions and beliefs. What would the world be like if everyone had the same view?

[trombonesrawk]

So we're putting people in jail because of a possibility? Marijuana and crime do not go hand in hand. There are plenty of people out there who smoke in their free time that are decent, hard-working people like the rest of us, do they deserve to go to jail too?

Legalizing weed wouldn't reinforce their behavior, its not like we're making murder and rape legal too.

And no, I definitely don't hate you =P This is the first time I've actually gotten to debate the topic. Most people are just closed minded and are like "Nope, you're wrong, later."

You do make alot of good points, but regardless, I still don't think people should be punished as severely as they are for posessing weed.

If weed were legalized then yes, there should be some strict laws that go with it, including laws against impaired driving and an age limit. People are going to smoke regardless of the law, so legalizing it would be doing alot more good than harm.

[lovesacoustic]

They're breaking the law... which is the definition of a crime. So yes, they should. I mean, regardless of their own opinion on the matter, they're doing something they know is illegal and they're fully aware of the consequences. lmao would it be cheesy for me to say "do the crime, do the time"? :P

And no... it's not just reinforcement. It's just saying that what they did was okay - when it was against the law. That's like telling a little kid that was doing something that was against the rules at the time, that he's not in trouble now even though he was bad. Mkay. That was a really bad example. But you know what I'm saying, right? I just got done working from 8-5 so I'm a little braindead. Ugh.

Yeah, there would have to be age restrictions and strict laws... but of course, that's just setting more rules for smokers to break. Regardless of these strict laws and anti-impaired driving rules, these people are going to do it anyway. As you said, people are going to smoke regardless of the law. And even that some do it solely because it's against the rules. Make it legal and more accessible, and it will bring more people to try it and start smoking on a regular basis... the outcome is more wrecks and people trying to function in society while under the influence. I think there are enough problems with the many people who do it already. To broaden the amount of people using the drug will only make matters worse.