The legalization of marijuana always seems to be a constant issue. 14 of the United States have legalized the prescription of medical marijuana to patients like clockwork if you simply state certain symptoms. My favourite one is “(g) Any other medical condition duly approved by the Washington state medical quality assurance commission”. In fact, it is also legal in Canada in some cases to prescribe medical marijuana. I’ve actually worked with someone who was prescribed it for severe migraines. It wasn’t an easy process for her to get it and she wasn’t seeking it out either. After suffering with what she described as literally blinding pain and trying all kinds of medications for a 2 year period, the doctor finally prescribed it to her. She showed her “stash” to me at work one day and it was pre-rolled into joints for her in one of those little pill containers. Hilarious. I strongly believe the government should legalize marijuana and tax the Hell out of it similar cigarettes and alcohol.

Some people lose their minds over the thought of marijuana being legalized. But let’s face it, crime is actually going to decrease because of it; similar to the massive drop in crime in correlation to abortions being made legal in the United States in 1973. Can pot really be that bad if Canada and 14 of the United States are prescribing it as medication? And just think about it, not everyone is going to start smoking weed just because it’s legal. I don’t smoke cigarettes and they are completely legal. Some people don’t drink booze and it’s legal. It’s not to say that people don’t abuse cigarettes or alcohol. I actually was debating the similarities of alcohol and marijuana abuse the other day.

If you asked me when I thought it was okay to smoke marijuana, I’d tell you in social settings with your friends, family or other loved ones and in moderation. All too often you hear of these people who “wake and bake” and they need it to get through the day and think that it isn’t an issue. If I said I needed a beer or two in the morning to get through the day, I’d be considered an alcoholic. If you need to “wake and bake”, you have a problem. Also, if you spend yours nights smoking up alone in your basement frequently, it’s no different than someone drinking alone in their basement and, again, you have a problem.

And don’t give me that BS that marijuana isn’t habit forming. I don’t believe for one second that a person can’t develop a mental dependency for it just because you can’t develop a physical dependency. And I’m not even sure that you can’t develop a physical dependency, I’ve only heard this pseudo-fact by word-of -mouth. Another big issue I have with pot is that stupid joke that when you drive high you are more careful because you’re paranoid. You can’t really believe your senses are as sharp as they normally are when you are sober. Do everyone a favour and stay out of the drivers seat for a few hours if you’re high.

Anyway, go ahead, have a beer or cigarette – marijuana or nicotine – with your buddies, just not all the time.

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