[rebel mom]

[quote author=BelfryJustice link=topic=20793.msg212015#msg212015 date=1142464377]
I think it is time for me to give my opinion on this subject!  I feel as if it should be legal for adults.  It should be regulated by the government and taxed.  Yes people would be able to grow their own, but they can make personal use alcohol now also.  Here are some of my reasons:

1). It would create a great deal of taxable income for the state and would put many farmers to work. 
2). It would save millions of dollars from court cost, jail cost, and police cost. The marijuana ratification program does little to solve the problem, but cost a great deal.
3). The product would be regulated and controlled.  If my daughter ever decides to try it, I would rather her get it from the ABE store than some punk down the street.

If it was legal, laws would have to be put in place much like the alcohol laws of today.  It would be illegal to operate a motor vehicle while under the influence.  It would be illegal to smoke it in a public place were other would breath the smoke (much like some of the recent cigarette laws).  It would also only be sold to adults that are 21 or older.  Anyone that gives any adult substance to a minor would be penalized.  You would not be aloud to go to work under the influence and you can be tested for recent use as noted on one of my post.   

I will never buy in to the gateway drug theory.  Most will tell you that they tried alcohol before they tried anything else; therefore, alcohol would be just as much of a gateway drug as pot.  Most people say that they commit crimes due to drugs and alcohol, but in most cases they never had any drive to do anything while they were sober.   For the record I have smoked pot and enjoyed it much better than alcohol and say very little difference in the two other than the fact that I never black out on pot.  I completed college and smoked some during that phase of my life.  I am very successful and hold a full time job.   I have never received a welfare check or an unemployment check.  I started working at a very young age and worked the entire time I was in college.  I was mowing about 20 lawns at the time. 

I would like to state for the record that I don’t smoke pot today due to the fact that I put my family and career before alcohol or marijuana.  I will not support any young person using any type of mind altering substance.   Life is much better when you are sober and enjoy it.  I feel as if I live in a free country and should have the right to do what I want at my home as long as I am not harming anyone else.       

[/quote] :thumpsup: