Legalizing Marijuana and Making America Better

Marijuana, the age old soul-soother, has never been proved concretely by scientific studies to do damage to the brain. Yes, it can cause lung cancer, but so can secondhand smoke from sitting in a Pizza Hut too long. Marijuana is not actually physically addicting (meaning no with-drawl symptoms), rather only a mental bond is formed (just like a bond is formed between yourself and your favorite flavor of ice cream). It is legal in Holland (not all drugs are (i.e. hard drugs - heroine) - only soft drugs (i.e. pot)) to smoke pot. Bringing this kind of drug market to the ground level instead of doing underground trading decreases the risk of homicide where there is no longer a need to be secretive about hiding the ganja. If the government were to distribute and sell marijuana as a growing economy in the way that they do the same for cigarettes and alcohol, it would stimulate the economy and lower taxes (as brought up by my friend, Shana). Interesting to know - In Holland, they have menus in most restaurants/coffee shops called a "Joints a la Carte" menu where you can choose from a selection of potent joints to be rolled for you on the spot and served to you while you sip your coffee or enjoy a flapjack. Also, they have pre-rolled "singlets" - you purchase one, rip off the top of the package and the joint slides out, ready and easy for your convenience. Holland brings up another point - Prostitution, which is legal there as well. These woman (I suppose men as well) are specialized in this profession which is the oldest occupation known to man (selling sex). Making prostitution legal means better working conditions, they pay taxes, they are cleaner and healthier. The government better start thinking of how much better America could be if we looked to other countries as role-models rather than trying to set our own trends which end up crashing and burning in the end anyway...This comes straight from the Microsoft Encarta Reference Library 2003 Edition:

The effects of long-term marijuana use on the intellect have not been established, and there is no evidence that marijuana causes brain damage. Smoking marijuana can damage the lungs, however, and long-term use may increase the risk of lung cancer. Although marijuana is not physically addicting and no physical withdrawal symptoms occur when use is discontinued, psychological dependence develops in some 10 to 20 percent of long-term regular users (see Drug Dependence). Microsoft® Encarta® Reference Library 2003. © 1993-2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.