If the Government legalizes marijuana, then the Government should also pick up the tab for the 1 in 10 that becomes addicted to it, and uses marijuana for a "gateway" drug to other much more serious drugs, like cocaine/crack, heroin, and homemade horrors like meth.
And by pick up the tab for the 1 in 10 who uses, I also mean pick up the tab for all the robberies, rapes, and murders that some of these people commit because of their addiction. The general public has simply NO idea of how expensive these drugs are to society.
To my knowledge, there hasn't been a comprehensive study done that outlines all of the crimes committed by people under the influence of these much more serious drugs, and the cost, both emotional and economic, to the entire community.
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I am however, much in favor of using marijuana when necessary for medical pain relief if both the Doc and the patient think it is necessary.
We seriously need to explore that 10% of the population who become addicted to marijuana, and then go on to much more powerful and terrible drugs.
Edit: Just thought of something....IF the Government decides to legalize marijuana, then it could be taxed HEAVILY (unless for medical use), and the taxes from the 90% of users who aren't addicted to it, could be used to care for the 10% who become addicted, and use it as a gateway to other much more serious drugs |