First coffee, then wine, now pot, writes Sandy, and she accompanies it with this. 
Now, when all of us Boomers are scared to death of Alzheimer's and senile dementia, fearing the decline of our wits, research shows that THC may prevent progression of Alzheimer's by preserving levels of a neurotransmitter that allows the brain to function. And it prevents breakdown of acetylcholine better than marketed drugs. And it blocks clumping of protein that can inhibit memory and cognition.
This may be what it takes to legalize pot. The murky science that frightens folks about pot is usually that it leads to harder drugs. Real medical evidence shows that can relieve glaucoma symptoms, and that it improves appetite and quality of life for patients with AIDS or with nausea from chemotherapy. If studies continue to show improvements in Alzheimer's, it may be what it takes to galvanize the country (particularly a generation that used recreational pot in their youth and are now facing retirement and, for some, Alzheimer's.
Full disclosure: I believe legalization of pot would allow government regulation of quality, in addition to allowing it to tax sales and regulate it. It would substantially reduce illegal drug trafficking, go far toward emptying out our jails, and reduce our law enforcement budget. Or at least allow local, state and federal law enforcement to work on other projects.
I don't smoke pot, because I don't believe breaking the law is worth the price you could wind up paying. But I don't believe it's any worse for an individual than is drinking. And we all saw what a failure alcohol prohibition was.
Not legalizing it on principle (impractical), or on the theory that it leads to harder drug use (unsubstantiated, although buying from someone who has an interest in pushing harder drugs on you is a different issue), is ignoring or denying the known benefits of pot smoking.
By the way, I also think prostitution should be legalized and controlled. It would also be taxable, and certain health standards could then be enforced. It would help control STDs, and afford a certain security for the prostitute and his or her client.
It's amazing some of the immoral (inhumanity to people and animals, war, obscene business and political practices) we tolerate in this country, yet we refuse to allow things we know are going to exist anyway, because of our puritan and political ethic (oxymoron? you decide).
Just because we close our eyes doesn't mean it's going to go away. It isn't.
With both of these, if you don't want to use them, you don't have to.
I agree with making marijuana legal. I am not a smoker myself for fear of taking a random UA at my great job then not being able to pay for tech school. I came from smoking 1oz p/week and just don't find it appealing anymore. Frankly there would be too much profit lost if the vast majority of convicts and parolees had never been committing a crime.
Posted by: Larry | July 04, 2007 at 08:59 AM