I am an advocate of the legalization of marijuana.

There, I said it, and I meant it.  One would probably assume, not knowing me, that I'm a smoker, but they would be wrong.  It's not that I haven't tried it, and it's not that I didn't like it, but I just don't feel compelled to smoke.  No biggie.  Lord knows, I have enough vices.  But the point is that this opinion comes from someone who is not only not a smoker but also one who has had several roommates in the past who drove him nuts with their smoking habits.  So why do I feel the way I do?

The way I see it, keeping pot illegal is pointless to the point of idiocy.  Look at the facts regarding the drug.  One might argue that the drug is addictive, but simple research would show that there is NO documented case of this.  One also might argue that smoking can lead to health risks.  Of course, this point is so infuriatingly tunnel visioned that it kills itself right out.  One look at a statistic for how many people die of cigarette related complications (15% of all causes) makes one take pause when they see how many die due to smoking pot.  None.  That's right, there are NO documented cases of someone getting cancer or anything else because of smoking weed.

Of course, I'm not saying this is a healthy habit, but it sure beats drinking or smoking, both of which are perfectly legal.  And since I brought up alcohol, how does that compare?  Both substances impair a person's motor functions, but how many times have you heard of someone getting in a high driving accident?  Naturally no one should be driving while using either, but the point is, alcohol is legal but marijuana isn't.

And what about all the time, energy and money spent to legally enforce the cessation of pot sales and consumption in the US.  Maybe all those DEA agents and so forth would have something better to do like catching murderers and stuff if they didn't have to worry about some college kid getting stoned in his dorm room.  Ah, in a perfect world...

So what brought on this rant?  I saw an article today in one of the free newspapers where I live.  It was talking about medicinal marijuana and whether or not it was actually useful or just a farce.  They had a story in there about a 64 year old man.  The guy has hepatitis C, and he's pretty much ready to meet his maker any day.  He actually doesn't expect to live for more than a year or so.  Anyway, this guy has difficulty eating, because due to the surgeries that removed his pancreas and spleen, everything tastes like dirt and he has no appetite.  Now think about that.  This man can't EAT.  So he smokes, and it helps him to eat.  So what happens to him?  He gets busted by the cops!  So they do their thing and he gets out and goes home.  He figures they'll probably make him pay some fine or something.  So he goes on trying to live what life he has left and goes on smoking to help with his condition.  Six months later, a whole team of deputies surrounds his house and finds marijuana again.  Despite his age, his condition, the fact that he can't work, and the fact that the only thing that has worked to aid this dying man in being able to eat is a little weed, local authorities are still going forward with a prosecution.  The man is dying, assholes!  Let him get high!

The whole thing just irritates me.  I just don't think it's right for somebody to deem a substance such as MJ as illegal and then go down to the corner bar and get a drink and have a smoke.  It just doesn't make any sense.

*sigh*  ranting makes me tired...