I Think Marijuana Should Be Legalized

I think that Marijuana should be legalized but under totally different rules and regulations than it is now in some states.
It should only be bought in a drug store and no where else. You should have to be able to have a prescription from your doctor.
It is good to treat many different kinds of illnesses but for it to show up in little shops here and there no way. We are having a drug epidemic now but people who can actually benefit from it by all means they should be able to obtain it.

This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »

SW-User

I totally agree. And even as a recreational substance, it might be fine for *most* people... but is not safe for everyone. For people with latent schizophrenia or other psychoses, for example, marijuana is extremely dangerous, and smoking it is like a ticking time bomb (the bomb being a psychotic break, and worse). This doesn't happen often, but it does happen (I have a close family member it happened to). So... like any substance that's foreign to the human body, I believe it needs to be regulated, and doctors should probably be involved in the process by which someone gets permission to consume it. I have no idea what the best system would be.

Alcohol is only very loosely regulated, and causes HEAPS of health problems. Don't get me wrong... I like to drink... am not knocking it. But I also recognize what a destructive force it is in so many people's lives, as well as what a drain it is on the health care system and society & the economy as a whole. So, whatever happens with marijuana, it probably should not take the same route that was taken with alcohol. Just my 2 cents' worth.

And yes, primarily, it needs to be more broadly recognized as a substance that can treat the symptoms of people with certain chronic illnesses. It's a lifeline to so many, and has been for years (whether legally or not). Legally would be better of course. Also, let me just add that health care in the US costs TOO damned much. No one else in the world pays anywhere near that much for medical treatment. I mean, seriously??? COVID patients without insurance (and in some cases with, even) coming out of the ICU and being slapped with a US$30,000+ medical bill??? As if they didn't have enough problems already!!! Time to get out of the dark ages. Universal health care for all. It's a human right, and should be a top priority of every national government! Lol ok I'm done; rant over :-D

JollyRoger · 70-79, M

You have a good understanding of cannabis and how it can be helpful and harmful.
I live in Canada and it is now legal here. Legal 'pot' operations are licenced, regulated and inspected. Their products can only be sold to the public with that licence. The Provinces also sell pot through our Provincially regulated liquor outlets and both psychotropic (THC) pot and medicinal (CBA) pot can be purchased there.
Opinion:
As you say, using marijuana is not 'good' for everyone. It has harmful effects (many will contest this) and I can attest to it by what it did to my brother: When he was in his mid-teens, he and I used to smoke quite regularly. However, where I gave it up as it was causing me breathing problems, he did not. As he continued using it, I noticed that he changed in his abilities. Where he was one time artistic, creative and insightful, he became disorganized, uncaring of his well-being and he could not focus on a project to complete it. Over the years these attitudes and behaviors cost him many good paying jobs and he never did choose a career although he attempted many and qualified in them.