While the Libertarian argument for legalizing pot is clear, the continued irrational insistence that it is harmless, or nearly so, is enough to lead one to question the wisdom of such a move.

While I disagree with many of Chapman´s "reasons", I support decriminalization for the same arguments that repealed prohibition (21st Amendment). Prohibition of alcohol, tobacco, firearms, or weed only guarantees the cartels a monopoly.

BTW: Why do we need a Bureau of ATF, if all of those substances are legal?

If smoking cigarettes is so bad, why in the world is smoking pot OK?

The contention that smoking pot is not a health risk is simply intellectual dishonesty. Studies (love using that word against a lefty) show that the number and levels of carcinogens in pot are significantly higher can´t simply be dismissed by wishful thinking.

Studies have not linked pot smoking to cancer simply because studies designed to sort that out simply haven´t been done. I am pretty sure a simple survey of lifelong pot smokers would show the same levels of heart disease, COPD and emphysema as smokers. Cancer rates would probably be similar.

I think basing the decision for legalization on a finding of "harmlessness" is a fools errand anyway. Far better to make a personal freedom argument. But that would run smack into the lefts favorite argument against big tobacco, ie we should criminalize tobacco necause it causes cancer.

Saner (or less stoned out?) peoples head would explode trying to reconcile that conundrum, the left simply refuses to see a conflict in their principles.

For the record I say legalize it, we lost this was and are now just throwing badly needed funds down a rat hole. Legalize it and deal with the fallout. Don´t preach to me that there would be no fallout, that just insults my intelligence.

I voted against medicinal pot for this very reason, I hate the intellectual dishonesty of the entire "medical Marijuana" argument.

OK - let´s legalize it. But first - where will it be sold? To whom? In what quantities? How will it be kept from children and teens, or is it safe for them, too? Since it will be taxed, we will need more IRS enforcers to make sure it´s not being sold on Indian reservations or the black market.

Things will be so much simpler.
Ramona (the Pest)

"How will it be kept from children and teens?"

as if it´s being kept from them now.

Tell me again why, other than possibly medical benefits which are questionable, does anyone NEED to smoke pot?

It might feel good to kick the snot out of a few people too, not enough to do any real harm of course, but I´m not allowed to do that. How come? It feels good and the kickee needs it so, how come I can´t do it?

Following on #5´s comments, will questions about its use and storage be asked by your doctor? Will the questions be found on medical forms? Will you be banned from owning guns if you smoke it? Will pot smoking be banned in hotels/motels?

I´m sure there are many more questions that could be asked.

All drugs should be legal- controlled, taxed- but legal. Prohibition never works! Take the profit out of it, NOW. How many trillions have gone into the impotent war on drugs? How many more? What about the destruction of lives and liberty over it? It is monstrous! Next will come prohibition against guns- taking them from law abiding citizens but like illegal drugs- criminals will have no trouble having them.

Wow. All these milennia, we´ve had this miraculous wonder-drug, and never knew! It cures everything, solves all problems, and could never have ANY ill effects, ever. Now that we know, I just can´t wait ´til everybody is high on the stuff. Mmmm... Utopia.

Pot makes people stupid, do we really need more of that in this country?

#7, you don´t have the right to tell me what I need, nor does the government. As a free person, that is my choice, and my obligation to exercise that choice responsibly.

Support is growing to legalize pot. Support is growing to legalize gay marriage. Support is growing to legalize the illegal immigrants. Support of Roe v Wade is at 70% (so they say. Support of a Leftist President is obvious since he was elected twice. Support is growing to tax the rich and give to the rest. Support for gun control is growing. How is all this working for you all? Is the Country better for all of this? Pot heads, gays, unborn killers, Liberalism, the takers, gun control freaks will not improve our society.

I, too, take issue with the author´s assertion that "it doesn´t cause lung cancer and heart disease."

How does he know that? IMO, it´s intellectually dishonest to characterize cannabis as harmless.

However, it´s not the government´s business to protect us from what might be harmful. That´s Nanny Bloomberg Government.

Colorado got it right by allowing gay marriage and pot. After all, it says in Deuteronomy "If a man lays with another man, he should be stoned."

If you are 18 and experimenting with pot, you have made bad decisions and are likely hanging out with a bad crowd.

If you are any older and regularly doing pot and other drugs, you´re a loser.

If all you ever post here is articles on legalizing drugs you´re a...well, never mind.