MARIJUANA SMOKERS STILL TOKE DESPITE ITS ILLEGALITY

Holy cannabis. This stuff is everywhere, so what's the big dilemma? Oh
yeah it's not legal.

There are still a lot of bureaucrats and bored politicians who still
honestly believe that marijuana is dangerous. Usually, their only
arguments pertain something to the likes of it's harmful effects on
the body or how it hurts the nation's youth. Moreover, the main beef
is that the supposed addictive nature of the substance will get you to
experiment with more extreme drugs. I'll wait until you're done
laughing before I continue.

I base my life on one philosophy: If it doesn't affect anyone else,
then do it.

More and more people, especially college students, are beginning to
see that marijuana is everywhere, and will stay that way. Weed, ganja,
dank, Mary Jane, hash; the countless slang for marijuana is just
another indicator of just how common it is. How many of you reading
this article could get some marijuana right now if you wanted to?
Better yet, how long would it take you to get it? The truth is that
it's practically easier to get your hands on some sticky green than it
is to go to the local convenience store and buy some Trident.

Now, it's gotten to the point where marijuana is treated less like a
drug and more like a joke. Smoke and Toke, High Times and the
countless cluster of businesses that don't sell marijuana, but sell
accessories, challenge legislation. And God bless them for that.

What's more dangerous than someone high on marijuana? I'll take
bar-hoppers for $500 Alex. Millions of people suffer from the effects
of alcoholism, so why not outlaw alcohol? Every possible danger that
comes with marijuana is just as possible with alcohol. Driving while
intoxicated, health problems, addiction and change in behavior are all
risks of both substances. The difference is, we expect individuals to
be responsible with alcohol, but it should also be the case with marijuana.

Amsterdam's citizens relish in the fact that they can enjoy marijuana,
even in the airport. Responsibility is key because it lets us do
whatever we want, even if it means hurting ourselves, without hurting
others. It's a brilliant concept, but there are still people who can't
quite get it. I mean, is it just me, or does anyone else cringe with
frustration anytime a truth.com commercial comes on? People choose to
smoke cigarettes like they choose to smoke pot, but tobacco is more
harmful than marijuana.

In the grander scheme of things, maybe it's just in our nature to
deviate from a constant perspective. And until we finally say yes to
legalizing marijuana, people are going to continue doing it illegally,
because it's just how we are.

President Lincoln once said, "Prohibition attempts to control a
man's appetite by legislation and makes a crime out of things that are
not crimes." Maybe we can learn from our mistakes.