Representatives Urging Congress to Change Marijuana Laws [POLL]

An effort is building in Congress to change U.S. marijuana laws, including moves to legalize the industrial production of hemp and establish a hefty federal pot tax.

Think about what a world would be like if marijuana were finally legalized. There would be something on the market that people could get to relieve their pain , both physically and mentally. How much would you pay to be able to get high legally? Would it be worth any tax to know that what you’re getting is top quality?

We live in a world where you can get as hopped up as you want on energy drinks or drugs loaded with side effects but could go to jail if you smoke a joint that could actually relax you and put you in a better mood after a tough day without any side effects.

Democratic Representative Earl Blumenthal from Oregon says “We’re still arresting two thirds of a million people for use of a substance that a majority feel should be legal…It’s past time for us to step in and try to sort this stuff out.

Washington state officials have estimated that its legal marijuana market could bring in about a half a billion dollars in state taxes.  Imagine what it could bring in New Jersey.

There is another side to the legalization of marijuana argument. Kevin Sabet, a former White House drug policy advisor who joined former Rhode Island Rep. Patrick Kennedy and former George W Bush speechwriter David Frum in forming a group called “Project SAM- which means “smart approaches to marijuana” says that previous federal legalization measures have always failed.

“These are really extreme solutions to the marijuana problem we have in this country. Sabet says “The marijuana problem we have is a problem of addiction among kids, and stigma of people who have a criminal record for marijuana crimes.”  That stigma would go away if pot were legal.

From EdNews Colorado where marijuana is legal comes…

“Doctors say marijuana is especially harmful to kids for two key reasons:

First, new research shows adolescence is a crucial time for brain development and marijuana use can permanently change the teen brain. Second, young people who start using marijuana before age 18 are much more likely than adults to become addicted to the drug.”  A simple solution would be to make marijuana at least as hard for minors to buy as tobacco.

What do you think?  Take our poll and let us know where you stand on the issue.