Pubdate: Wed, 07 Aug 2013 Source: Spartanburg Herald Journal (SC) Copyright: 2013 The Spartanburg Herald-Journal Contact: http://www.goupstate.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/977 Author: Chris Hindman LEGALIZE MARIJUANA I believe marijuana should be legalized. Legalizing pot and taxing it would generate millions in extra revenue to help provide health insurance for the poor and help maintain Social Security. Pot is no more harmful than alcohol. If it's legal for bars, stores and restaurants to sell alcohol to rake in money, legalizing pot seems logical. Marijuana users should have the same freedom as the millions of alcohol users. A person should be able to make his or her own choice. Making marijuana users out to be hardened criminals is unfair and unjust. Most pot smokers are no more criminals than alcohol users. And marijuana doesn't cause cirrhosis of the liver like alcohol. The legal system should leave pot smokers alone and focus its efforts on those who sell and use lethal narcotics. Too many police officers' time is wasted chasing pot smokers. The widespread use of narcotic drugs is a more serious problem in America today. Our government needs to get wiser and more just and legalize pot for all these reasons. Legalizing pot seems to me to be a logical and justifiable choice. I believe many would agree. It's time for Uncle Sam to get real. Chris Hindman Spartanburg - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom