It does hurt other people, at least with the harder drugs. There are some drugs that make people just go completely nuts, half of the severe violent crime in New Zealand is done on methamphetamine.

But I am for the decriminilization of possession and personal growth of marijuana, despite the fact that I never have taken it and never plan to.

Driving is a poor analogy as the lack of universal public transportation makes cars a necessity to modern life for many.  Comparing something which is almost a requirement of existence in today's world to a recreational drug is overboard.  Even worse is the fact that there are thousands of car related fatalities every year proving that such laws, while not entirely ineffective, are not entirely effective either.

Also, right now drug dealers are risking a huge punishment in order to push their wares.  Making it legal and taxing it is essentially saying to them that you are not only making their business legal but also lowering the penalties of their current business methods from possession/distribution of an illegal substance to mere tax evasion.  I don't see what incentive that gives them to allow the government to tax them.  Heck, by making the penalties less severe if they get caught you're almost encouraging them to do business as usual.  Unless you'd like to talk mainstream retail distribution as an incentive to legalize that is.  However then you deal with the thought of having drugs sold in your local Walmart which isn't very comforting at all either.

i agree with this post

That's a silly reasoning for being against legal pot.  I've known tons of incredibly bright people that smoke weed.  Grad. Students, Professors, and all the way back in High School.  Sure it can be abused, but so can alcohol, but with rational and moderate use of pot you can still be incredibly bright.

Argument obviously goes whether these people would be smarter if they didn't smoke, but I don't think we can prove one way or another.

The Ghost of RubangB said:
And some people can't handle driving cars without running over kids and old ladies.  Do we make driving illegal for everybody because some people can't handle it?

Right there he brought the kid element into the conversation, so its actually on topic for a reply. He's trying to compare driving to erratic behavior via drug use, which is your source for derailment.

As for the rape stats, I don't think I need to inform you of the common use of date rape drugs amongst teens and college students. what about ecstasy or special k? (and I dont mean the cereal)

I have posted this video in every thread regarding drug prohibition. It is a video everyone should view. Friedman makes a compelling argument for ending drug prohibition.

This is just my opinion. i'm a heavy Marijuana smoker i smoke everyday. i think its time Marijuana is Legal. marijuana is supposed to be legal in Canada. but The U.S. is the reason why its still illegal. they think if we legalize it "it will disturb the border" but millions of pounds of B.C. bud cross from BC into USA everyday! the government lies about Marijuana. its not a "Gateway Drug" it should be treated as tobacco or alcohol. alcohol is worse then marijuana.
also every year in the U.S. alone 400,000 people die from tobacco. 100,000 people die from alcohol. 20,000 people die from hard drugs (Crack, meth, heroin ect) 1000 people even die from Tylenol.!!!! Marijuana:0 thats right! 0 people. There has necer been a single death from Marijuana. and there never will be. its pretty sad that the government fails to reliese this. Marijuana is NOT BAD. It helps people with (Aids, Cancer, Glaucoma, ect) even chronic back pain.... the list goes on. legalize marijuana!

@bardicverse

I have a friend who deals coke and you would have his life ended without so much as a second thought. I've said it before and I'll say it again, you're a monster.

@OP

I'm sick of the arbitrary anti-drug laws enforced by the big, obtrusive governments that supposedly foster freedom. I have experience with everything from marijuana to coke and the only drug I ever had a problem with was alcohol (absintheto be specific). I can not fathom how anybody can support a nanny-state that involves such ludicrous anti-drug policies.

Once again there is only one true progressive country in the world. Teh Netherlands.

Drugs are stupid.

That said... people have the right to be stupid. What someone does with their own body should be their own choice.

The effects of making it legal might make effects good... might be bad.

Either way it's the right call as far as personal freedom goes.