Pubdate: Tue, 09 Jan 2007 Source: Kalamazoo Gazette (MI) Copyright: 2007 Kalamazoo Gazette Contact: http://www.mlive.com/kzgazette/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/588 Author: Zak Kusz MARIJUANA SHOULD NOT BE LEGALIZED There has been much talk about the legalization of marijuana in America. I feel it is imperative that marijuana not be made legal. The legalization of marijuana contradicts everything that this country has worked for over the past several years. Only harm can come from the recreational use of marijuana. Drinking and driving is already a huge problem in our nation, not to mention that marijuana affects common sense and reaction time just as much as alcohol does. Thousands of accidents in America are the result of drinking and driving. The same would be a true statistic for the use of marijuana and driving. Some people may claim that it relieves stress and gives you a feeling of happiness. Those same people always fail to mention the fact that marijuana is a gateway drug to other substances which lead to more harmful and addicting highs. Some suggest partial legalization of marijuana, meaning that it be restricted to smoking in nonpublic areas such as your home. Some say that banning the use of marijuana in public places would reduce the amount of harm the drug can cause the nation, the key word here being "reduce." The only thing that can be accomplished by the legalization of marijuana is that your stereotypical user would be pleased. Marijuana should remain illegal. Zak Kusz Vicksburg High School - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake