Um, what did I come here to say..  Oh yeah, now I remember.

All across the country people are talking about getting stoned and doing it legally.  Those most happy would seem to be those who did it before and did it therefore illegally.  I would imagine that legalizing it for someone who did it illegally would not in any way prompt them to increase usage right?

And I also suppose that legalizing it would in no way encourage or entice someone who has never tried it to actually try it.  Maybe on their own or more likely at a party or somewhere else completely out in the open and no longer considered taboo.  Doubt that would happen, no way.

Legalization makes it much easier for me as a parent to keep drugs away from my kids.  Or, perhaps more correctly stated, to keep my kids away from drugs.  Those parties that they will inevitably attend in which alcohol is illegally provided and consumed will, I’m sure, block the provision and consumption of the weed.  And once they have consumed alcohol and tried pot I’m sure they will immediately become better people, citizens, and members of society.  It’s a natural transition.

Gateway drug?  Ah, c’mon.  Anyone who has ever smoked dope in a social setting, where a number of other like-minded folks are present (and especially those wonderful friends of friends), absolutely know that no other drugs are ever introduced at those get-togethers.  Ask those who have ever done coke or crack how it was introduced to them?  I’ll bet it was the very first time they were in the presence of drugs and also the very first drug that they ever tried.  Yep.

I would never say that alcohol or cigarettes were good for people, especially for kids.  Yet reefer seems to me to be a combination of those two.  I would never condemn someone who smoked a joint here and there but it seems to me that casual use when it is legalized would be far from the norm.  I would not so easily believe how much a simple drug could completely control a life if I had not seen it time and time again.

I guess that cigarettes are worse for you than marijuana.  And they are definitely addictive.

I guess that alcohol is no better or worse than marijuana and it is in no way addictive.

I guess the only truly addictive drugs then are the ones that smoking pot in no way leads to.  And legalizing reefer would not in any way make that access easier.  After all, you get to choose who you hang out with don’t you?  Buy it legally.  Learn how to roll a joint and then, while sitting all alone in your house or apartment, smoke it.  Don’t forget to hangout the “No Other Drugs Allowed Here” sign on your front door.  And ignore the doorbell when it rings.

Look at these hangouts in the states that have already pursued the legalization path.  If you are young look at the older smokers and talk to them and try to fairly gauge what they have done with their lives.  Ask them if they smoke every day.  Ask if they have ever done any other drugs.  Can you even recognize an old stoner or might you already be a bit too stoned?

Take a look while you’re at it at the younger folks at the same hangout and tell yourself these will be the most successful or otherwise outstanding patrons of our society.  Do you really believe that?  Like, wow.

Making it legal will drive away the illegal trade.  Right.  Not unless you also legalize the next-step drugs that it will surely expose new (and old) users to.  Oh, that’s right, we don’t believe it is a gateway drug.

Making it legal will generate revenue for the state.  It will be taxed but not so heavily as to make it too expensive.  Not like gasoline, alcohol, or cigarettes.  Trust those who tell you that and take another hit.

Making it legal and not taxing it too heavily as time goes on and people get inevitably hooked (note that I did not say addicted) will in no way increase the illegal trafficking of lower-cost alternatives and it will not drive more illegal trade to younger users.  That would be simple economics which we no longer believe in anyhow.

It does not and will not lead to the trying or using of other narcotics.  Not a gateway drug, not a gateway drug, not a gateway drug, not a….

It will allow you to free your mind to think great thoughts.  You can always hire someone who is not stoned to actually put those ideas into some sort of motion.

It is not harmful to your health in any way, shape or form.

It, like all of the other social exceptions we have made the last 50 years, has only led to a better country in any way that you care to measure it.

If it’s legal then I guess we had all better tell our kids it’s okay to do it.  At least when they are old enough.

Who knows, rather than having that “first beer” (right!) with dad at your high school graduation party you can share a bong or two.

And, while you’re at it, fill a bowl and pass it on to grandma- after all, it is a special occasion.

Party on!