The Life and Times of Bryan Sr. and Family

I was browsing some various web sites searching for arguments supporting the legalization of marijuana.  I came across the site, Legalization of Marijuana where i found a chart, Annual American Deaths Caused by Drugs. This chart gave a number of various substances and items that are said to have caused death. Marijuana had a big fat 0 (zero) next to it. The article sites the source: United States Government, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Bureau of Mortality Statistics. I immediately said, ” bologna”. I know for a fact that marijuana has been involved in the death of many people, as I have worked many fatal accidents where the driver of one of the vehicles was found to be under the influence of cannabis (marijuana). Those in favor of legalizing marijuana for personal use may be standing up shouting at me something to the effect, “see I told you so”.

I must say, please sit back down and hold your breath for a second. I admit that as I read the article source: United States Government, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Bureau of Mortality Statistics,  I was taken aback at first thinking this was truly research conducted by the government. As I looked past the immediate surface, I found that the list is put out by Drug War Facts.  This is not an organization that conducted or sponsored government research.

Looking at the source of the information that Drug War Facts got their data from, The National Academies Press,  the article starts out stating there were people that spoke to the study team citing there was an absence of marijuana overdoses, thus giving evidence that it is safe.  I say the light bulb is getting a little brighter now, going back to my Chinese proverb, ‘Hogawash’!

For those who wish to use this as part of their argument, I will give you a lot of working room to the potential fact that there may not be documented evidence of marijuana overdoses.

Moving further past this statement, if you read more of the study, you then see that it states many ill affects from smoking marijuana, such as:

• Chronic Bronchitis and Respiratory Illness
• Bronchial Tissue Changes
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
• Increased rick of progression to AIDS in HIV-seropositive patients and increased mortality in AIDS patients
• Marijuana has a higher concentration of carcinogens.

I am attempting to approach this debate with a little room for openness to reasons why marijuana should be legalized. I admit that I am still not in favor of it at all. I continually find reasons not to legalize marijuana. Some have posted that it is a decision they should have since they do not want the government telling them what they can do with their body. Once again I briefly argue possession of marijuana and being under the influence of marijuana are criminal offenses. The laws on these matters are there to protect an “innocent public” from the known actions of someone under the influence of marijuana. You cannot become under the influence of marijuana if you do not possess marijuana.

Dirty Lungs

What are the arguments that support your belief that marijuana should be decriminalized? Even if you never have or never will use it yourself but believe it is a personal choice issue, what are your thoughts. Thanks for your comments; I am looking forward to them.

Previous Post: Legalize Marijuana #3  or to go to the next post: Legalize Marijuana: A Libertarian Point of View