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Question:

Why is marijuana illegal?



Answer:

Something is illegal when laws are passed prohibiting it. Marijuana is against the law because there are specific laws which make it illegal.

 

To understand why certain things are illegal, we should understand two basic principles: (1) where laws come from; (2) why one thing, rather than another, may have a law against it.

Laws are rules which are enforced by a controlling authority or Government. In the United States, we have a Constitution, which is considered the highest body of law, or rules, in the land. The US Constitution creates three areas of government: 1. a President to oversee the country; 2. a Legislature to enact and create rules of law; and 3. a Court system to test and enforce the rules and laws enacted by the legislature.

Laws are usually made with the idea of protecting people or things. For instance, laws against driving too fast are safety-oriented and are intended to protect people. Laws against chopping down native cactuses are intended to protect the desert plants, rather than protecting people.

Before a law on anything is created, people must agree that a law is necessary. For some things, most people agree there is no need for a rule or law to control it. On the other hand, when enough people agree that a law is needed, then one may be created by the legislature. Legislatures are made up of representatives elected by people.

If something is determined to be dangerous, and people are doing it in spite of its dangers, then the legislature may create a law to prevent people from doing it and the court system may punish people who break the law.

So, marijuana, like most things which are illegal, has been determined to be a danger to the people, and because some people use it, sell it or possess it in spite of its dangers, laws were created by the legislature to prevent people from using, selling or possessing it and to punish people who violate the law.


Comments
166 thru 170 of 791 comments
On 11/13/05
ryan from GA said:
i get stoned alot and i think weed should be legal i think it being illegal is a bunch of bull and since the stupid government cant tax it is illegal which is so stupid they could make so much money off of it...
On 11/13/05
becca from CA said:
My b/f is 21 and he had some mj plants ,a book on growing and a black light the plant were not budding and its a first time offense what will happen to him
On 11/11/05
Kristin from TX said:
Hey all. I've done my research, and marijuana should definitely be legalized. It was made illegal for a couple of reasons, but health dangers was NOT one of those reasons! For those of you against legalization, check out and do some research of your own before putting it down. I know you all are a bit young, but you should know by now that the government does not always tell the truth...it tells us only what it wants to make sure we see things their way. If more people knew the REAL FACTS about weed, there wouldn't be such a huge controversy!
On 11/07/05
zach from FL said:
weed helps cure thats why indeans smoked weed the government is only keeping weed off the streets cause they dont get any money if they were to sell it in stores weed is not like any narcotic it dosent make you think you are better than any one or strong as an ox nor is it as addicting it dosent keep you from thinking correctly and people have a better chance smoking and driving than they do drinking and driving beer is more harmfull to the body weed dosent make it to were you dont have any control well the conclusion to the point is the government cares about taxes thats why weed is illegle
On 11/07/05
Bri from PA said:
jordan was right about the marijuana effects. its not as bad as alcohol. the only reason i believe alcohol is legal is because of tradition. Alcohol's effects are so much worse. They mess with your vision, you cant drive, you do things you normally wouldnt do. While high, you laugh and eat and yah, your reaction time is a bit slower. Marijuana should be legalized. There are so many potheads in this world, and selling it would make so much money.
166 thru 170 of 791 comments



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