[Cerek]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca For 70+ years the government To trespass on a neighbor's freedom to enjoy a simple good herb, a fruit of the earth. Tyrany, there is no other word for it.

Sure there is - it's called "democracy". If it were tyranny, then marijuana would be illegal everywhere for any reason. It is not. It has been declared illegal by our elected officials. You don't like their ideas, vote them out of office. Even though many people do smoke marijuana, it seems the majority is either "ok" with marijuana being illegal or don't care enough to worry about it. If the masses truly demanded change, then it's possible it could be legalized. Again, that defies your hysterical cry of "tyranny". (kinda like people demonizing Bush by calling him "Hitler" when Bush at his worst couldn't come close to the atrocities commited by Adolf - but don't let trivial facts get in the way of a good hysterical rant).

LoA - if you go back and re-read my post, you might notice I mentioned several other drugs besides marijuana. Most of the side-effects I referred to are associated with those. That doesn't mean marijuana is completely innocent. Research has shown that it marijuana does affect short term memory. There have been other side effects associated with prolonged use, but I haven't read the research recently enough to remember what they are.

I also never said marijuana was any worse than cigarettes or alcohol. I'll readily admit the effects from these two substances can be far more damaging (immediately with alcohol and long term with tobacco) and it is hypocritical that these two substances remain legal. Which means supporters of marijuana need to take democratic steps to get the laws changed.

My original point still stands, however. Whether you agree or disagree with the law, the fact remains that it is AGAINST the law to smoke marijuana (not that it really slows anybody down who wants it). So, if you're going to smoke marijuana, then you have to accept the consequences of your actions if you get caught.