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Jumping in here late, and not having read every post in detail...
Arguing that MJ should be legal because there are other legal substances that have similar or equally bad effects is just a weak argument.
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Ok... says you.... I guess. What you call a 'weak argument' I call massive hypocracy. I have no idea where you justify that point of view. Just because? Sounds familiar...
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If that argument ruled the day, then the fact that cigarettes are legal would mean that it would be wrong to prohibit the use of asbestos, DDT and the mountain of pharmaceuticals that weren't given approval because they posed a significant risk of cancer or other diseases.
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Correct, you've hit the nail on the head. Cigarettes should be outlawed, or cancer-causing substances should be allowed... one way or the other, no double-standards.
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If you want to argue that MJ should be legal, you have to show that the benefits of legalizing it outweigh the harms.
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Why?? First you argue why alcohol 'outweighs the harms', then I'll say why weed does. Oh, wait, alcohol is legal, and weed isn't. That's the difference... any others? What if they were both legal? If I debate that the benefits are the exact same as those derived from weed, would it be clear to legalize??
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However, it's already been acknowledged that there are harms associated with use, and these harms would likely become more prevalent if anyone could pick up a pack of joints at 7-11.
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In the States, you can pick up booze from the 7-11. You acknowledge that there are harms in the liquor sales there, and I'll acknowledge that there could be marijuana harms. Same type of drug, different standard... hence the 'double-standard'.
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The fact that these harms are no worse than alcohol or smoking is moot. Society would still worse off if we legalized another substance that causes cancer and emphazyma even though we already have cigarettes.
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So you fully admit then, that weed is illegal and alcohol/cigarettes are legal, 'just because'. And that's it... If you truly believe that marijuana was 'another' evil in society, then you'd already be against booze and cigarettes. I assume you are an active crusader against both... Are you?