Topic of Interest

I have to go prepare a speech on the cons of legalizing marijuana. What's the consensus here on all that? I've read so much on it the past 2 days...I could go either way. It's hard to believe sometimes that I can be so ignorant about such a potent topic. I'm pretty ignorant about a lot, though, too. Newspapers just don't cut it sometimes.

All I can say is that prohibition does not work.

I am anti drugs, but after reading a paper written by my study buddy, why prohibition doesn't work, I changed my view.

But that doesn't help you if you are arguing the opposite.
I remember one quote from the Courier mail Newspaper here that said, "Everyone who smokes marijuana doesn't use hard drugs. But everyone who uses hard drugs began smoking marijuana."

Research the legal REASONS why there is that particular anti drug legislation (if there is any) and the policy reasons behind it.

A good argument is a balanced one, so don't forget to put both sides of the coin forward, and then argue your case explaining WHY legislationis needed / should stay / should be tighter.

I would think that a basic policy reason is b/c the greater community is against the free use of any drug. Whether the community understands the issues or not, the parliament makes legislation to suit the opinions of society. You could argue that without legislation, it may create a snowball effect and open the floodgates to the decriminalisation of other softer drugs. You could argue policy reasons, that it does not send a proper messsage to the next generation and children. You could argue that legalisation would create problems in itself, eg. how far does the legislation have to go? Will they allow smoking pot in public places, medicinal use only, or private use. You could argue with the trend of anti smoking (normal cigs) it would be contrary to that...whay can't we smoke normal cigs in a public place when you can smoke pot? There is also the arguement of health issues. 80% of patients in pyschiatric wards are there ONLY b/c of drug use which has caused psychosis and sometimes this is irreversible...the main drug responsible is marijuana. You can argue that it is an anti social drug which is self destructive, and creates dissassociation from society, and these are all valid reasons to have legislation to prohibit the use.

Hope this helps.

P.S Just to clarify...my change of view is not from anti drugs to pro drugs, but in the view that prohibition doesnt work and there has to be another way

My humble opinion: Start looking at the big picture, make a model with a list of cons and pros, treat it like any other debate matter. That?s a given marijuhana must have been legal (or ignored) before somebody decided otherwise. Who made it illegal and why? Who was hurt, who gained by that legislation in the first place. Has it been justified; i.e. are less users today than before. When you?ve done this at least you should know which side you would like to present, and never forget; you can promote any matter even though you are totally against it. Just choose the one with more options for a speech!

Thanks for the opinions. They were VERY helpful. Some of the more ethical reasons to take a stand against use of marijuana that you had, Lawgoddess, are definitely striking a chord, and I have a clear direction to go in now. Of course, this is in combination with the point brought up about the ability to promote anything as long as the cons are presented in a way that does not feel balanced. Most of the websites and online resources I've found are pro-legalization, and most of the literary resources, I've found, are the kind of book or pamphlet that 'educates' 'teens' about the subject or are teachers' aides.