END THE DRUG WAR

On Tuesday, April 7, 2009, the article [editorial] "Finance the
bailout: Legalize Weed" simply stated that due to millions of dollars
spent every year, marijuana should be legalized.

I have many mixed feelings about this being said. It may be true that
law enforcement spends too much money on drug control (almost 8
billion states the article) but is it worth the fight. No matter the
consequences illegal use in its many forms will continue to be a problem.

Legalizing marijuana may lower enforcement costs but I don't
understand how it can be a healthy alternative. Marijuana is clamed
to not be an addictive drug, so what's the big deal. The article says
it's a gateway drug, that leads to other drugs, some more
consequential than others.

This could be true but in many cases a person is willing to do a
hardcore drug even if they have never smoked marijuana. In my opinion
we should stop the fight and end the war. It's been an ongoing issue
and the easiest escape and the best decision would be to legalize it
and let people decide for themselves.

In many ways do we accept marijuana; products are sold for marijuana
use along with a recent medical advancement that marijuana will help
with. Marijuana has gotten a bad reputation for the fact that you do
get a "buzz" per say, but in reality it is no different from alcohol
or cigarettes, two things that also can be legal to a certain age,
and that involve in the increase of tax revenue.

Marijuana is an issue that will continue to cause problems, just as
many other things. To pass a law would cause much commotion, but this
reminds me of recent bans of cigarette use in certain states.

Jessica Wheeler