MARIJUANA SHOULD NOT BE LEGALIZED

There has been much talk about the legalization of marijuana in
America. I feel it is imperative that marijuana not be made legal.

The legalization of marijuana contradicts everything that this country
has worked for over the past several years. Only harm can come from
the recreational use of marijuana. Drinking and driving is already a
huge problem in our nation, not to mention that marijuana affects
common sense and reaction time just as much as alcohol does. Thousands
of accidents in America are the result of drinking and driving. The
same would be a true statistic for the use of marijuana and driving.

Some people may claim that it relieves stress and gives you a feeling
of happiness. Those same people always fail to mention the fact that
marijuana is a gateway drug to other substances which lead to more
harmful and addicting highs.

Some suggest partial legalization of marijuana, meaning that it be
restricted to smoking in nonpublic areas such as your home. Some say
that banning the use of marijuana in public places would reduce the
amount of harm the drug can cause the nation, the key word here being
"reduce."

The only thing that can be accomplished by the legalization of
marijuana is that your stereotypical user would be pleased. Marijuana
should remain illegal.

Zak Kusz

Vicksburg High School