What is the role of government if not to protect citizens from the irresponsible behavior of others? Doesn't matter if it's external or internal.

We have laws against driving unsafely, against dumping sewage in the street, against owning dangerous pets, against bribing public officials and so on.

Now, after all the bullshit is cleared away marijuana has one legitimate effect which isn't done better by other drugs. What marijuana does is prevent withdrawal from marijuana addiction. Of course, one will feel more pain, anxiety, etc., while they are withdrawing, and that's over in about 3 weeks.

Marijuana is not necessary for living. It is not like air or water, protein or carbohydrates. It's not anything people can't do without.

And it messes with minds. Short term memory, concentration, long term memory, initiative, motivation and so on. The stoners we know from high school have generally not achieved much except to come to believe they are smarter than anyone else and they will have it all together day after tomorrow.

Marijuana affects motor skills, such as driving. Judgement.

And purchasing it fuels and funds terrorism all around the world. The US prosecutes people who contribute to Muslim charities, but not marijuana purchasers. A gross unfairness. And people who purchase marijuana are buying bullets which are killing innocent people, corrupting public officials, enriching and rewarding violent, brutal people.

The same can be said about alcohol, and I'm not talking about alcohol. You want to write about alcohol, don't respond to this. Just because alcohol is legal doesn't mean that everything should be legal.

There is no doubt in my mind that America will legalize marijuana for recreational use. And that's because our society is so screwed up that people can't stand to live in it without messing up their minds. They have not learned to live with themselves or with others without drugging out. And that's sad.

So we look to the drugs to change our brains rather than learning to live comfortably with the brain God gave us. To make us stupid instead of live.

It is the role of government to prevent damage to the citizens, to prevent the funding of terrorism, and to prevent people from harming others. Marijuana is an amazing drug - it makes folks stupid while convincing them they are smart, clever and wise.

Government can and does profit from screwing over citizens. It taxes and sponsors alcohol, tobacco, and gambling. An that's not it's job. It is to protect people from influences they can't protect themselves from. And most people aren't smart enough that they can make themselves any stupider without a grievous effect upon themselves, their family, their society and other societies.

Arf