As a retired lawyer you might not see "the populous running around high" just as Villagers don't see it. We live protected lives; we don't live in some of the riskier urban areas. And it's not something you would likely notice just by taking a drive through such an area.

We don't want risky behavior spreading more widely.

You could say the same about alcohol. Alcohol is legal in the U.S. and you don't see people falling down drunk in the streets. But that doesn't mean it's not a problem. That's just an example of choosing to gloss over the problem.

Didn't someone say to use common sense? Well, let's try this: Instead of telling us we should legalize marijuana so people won't get criminal records, how about telling lawbreakers to stop breaking the law? Should we stop enforcing speed limits on the roadways because too many people are getting speeding tickets?

What else should we legalize? Prostitution? Cocaine? Dog fighting? Pedophilia? Public nudity? Public drunkenness? Look at all the money we would save on law enforcement if we would all become anarchists.

Prostitution. Yes, cocaine, no, Dog fighting. No, Pedophilia. No, Public nudity. Maybe. Drunk in public definite yes to teach the young what not to do.

Thanks for all the things you needed help with.

OK, let's use common sense as you suggested. When people were told to stop drinking during Prohibition, they went to bootleggers. And that is what is happening today, drug pushers are bootlegging marijuana and often selling it to children. Better to have it legalized and restricted to adults.

I haven't seen anyone suggesting we all become anarchists.
Anarchist
1. a person who advocates or believes in anarchy or anarchism.
2. a person who seeks to overturn by violence all constituted forms and institutions of society and government, with no purpose of establishing any other system of order in the place of that destroyed.
3. a person who promotes disorder or excites revolt against any established rule, law, or custom.

I wish I had your wisdom. Nones of us want a stoned or drunk population, but sense and sensibility need to rule.

May I ask a question of those who advocate legalization of RECREATIONAL marijuana with all due respect.....

What is the purpose of smoking marijuana ? I know that society wants to rid us of all smoking, but why do people smoke marijana ?

The primary reason to smoke marijuana is to get the same buzz as one does with alcohol, but does not have the hangover; therefore can function the next day with no ill effects nor loss of productivity.

Once again "one man's opinion" - my experience, particularly with youth smoking marijuana is they may be functioning, but there are ill effects and a definite loss of productivity. Actually now that I think of it I know a guy in his 30s that smokes daily who has probably cut his potential in half cause too many times he just can't get it together enough to get the job done. Oh yeah, and then there is my good friend that was a mortgage broker that just wasn't quite on his game if he was smoked up the night before. It's all in perspective and whose eyes you are seeing this through.

I will never forget the day on of my son's friends told my husband and I that he was convinced his mind was sharper and he DROVE better when he was high. That is how a mind under the influence thinks - not real capable of rational thinking.

I believe it would be interesting to have someone that use to smoke speak up about looking back and if they felt their productivity suffered or anything else in their life. I know when I was young and smoking I thought I was in the best form ever - mind sharp and could do anything (if only I could get off the couch). Looking back I see what was really going on and it was fun for a while when I was young, but when I needed to get serious about life I got serious about life and learned to have a good time without the buzz.

That is actually a very accurate observation .... the last part of your comment that is.

Had a conversation with my son, years ago.
Asked him why some of his classmates were using meth.
He said it was cheaper and easier to get than pot.
All the ingredients were available at Walmart for making it.

Something to think about...

He, you would fund I am correct. Give it up and except reality?
Being an old cute is not helping anything.

Could you please repeat this in English??? Not sure what you are saying.

People over 65 should shut up an listen io those younger.

I'm sure people smoke pot for same countless reasons they drink beer, eat steak, cross the road, or any other activity. It's their thing I quess.

The only reason I asked the question is that I tend to "hit the books" on issues and after doing some extensive reading at various medical and psychiatric sites, I was wondering why anyone would want to happen to their mind and body was this does.

I am not speaking of heavy use....if you read that it is flat out scary, the long range proven things that happen to you, but even regular old 1 or 2 a day really plays with your mind and it has NO relationship to alcohol. Fact is, police will NOT be able to id drivers who are on it without a blood test administered and that is not going to happen without a warrant....thus will be tough to prove that the driver who hit you was stoned.

It works NOT like alcohol on a change in your personallity with just ONE.

I dont know...you folks seem like you have studied it all and got it all together and are ok with your kids and grandkids partaking....I find it rather offensive. AS DOES ALL medical groups in the USA....NOT ONE supports recreational use for the mental and phsychiatric reasons I alluded to.

Ok.....let it go....I surely do not want anyone in my family altering thier personality or damaging their pychiatric health......and I also read that ONE marijuana is equal to FIVE regular ciggs....so the lung damage etc is also there. If you read about heavy usage, it is flat out terrifying.

But, you folks are on board...remember you oft times get what you wish for !!

Oh, and ALL studies at this point lead to this FOR SURE being a gateway drug, meaning this is just a step.

Nuff out of me....