Marijuana is one of the most widely used drugs on the planet, second only to alcohol. In almost every western country there are laws prohibiting its use, yet, just like the days of alcohol prohibition, most people ignore those laws.
Many claim that Marijuana is dangerous, and it can be, but then so is alcohol. Some people promote its medicinal values yet, due to prohibition, there has never been a true and honest examination of the medicinal claims. There are probably just as many people who simply ignore it.
Those countries that do ban Marijuana seem to classify it in the same category as heroin, cocaine and many of the other dangerous substances. I am not going to argue one way or the other. The reality is that research has been stifled and we have no ‘real’ answers.
What we do know is that the US, UK, Europe and Australia seem to use it a lot – enough for the US to be labeled the Marijuana Nation (there has even been a documentary to this effect). Scientists who study this plant consider it among the most complex in the plant kingdom with 400 active chemicals and compounds.
Marijuana is the largest cash crop in the world. The time perhaps has come to consider controlling the supply, as we do with tobacco, rather than trying to wipe it out. Remove the criminal aspect and the price will drop to a point where many growers and middle men will fail to make any money – they will of course move onto other endeavors. Take the crime out of the problem and you take the criminals out of the solutions.
Personally, I’d rather have most of the world getting smoked out than getting liquored up. I can’t remember the last time I met a stoner who tried to start a fight, but I remember plenty of guys in bars that did it.
I tried marijuana daily in my teens and Inhaled deeply
I would probably do it today if I wasn’t a Dad, a Grandpa and a control fanatic when it comes to clear thinking. Michigan, where I live, just passed a medical marijuana law but I don’t think it will amount to anything. I say let business grow it, have the FDA regulate it then tax it like everything else. It will become as safe as cigarettes and alcohol – what?