Us marijuana advocates are no strangers to haters, or the ridiculous arguments they employ to try to convince anyone that will listen that marijuana is indeed Satan’s lawn clippings and will ruin every aspect of your life. Wild and unfounded claims have been thrown around for the better part of a century since Madness hit […]
Us marijuana advocates are no strangers to haters, or the ridiculous arguments they employ to try to convince anyone that will listen that marijuana is indeed Satan’s lawn clippings and will ruin every aspect of your life. Wild and unfounded claims have been thrown around for the better part of a century since reefer Madness hit the market. Maybe there are some arguments against legalizing recreational use of marijuana that actually qualify as “rational,” but the fact is the arguments that get tossed in our faces over and over again are usually the most absurd. Here’s ten of them.
1. “Marijana is addictive.”
Ah that old gag. One of the oldest myth’s about marijuana is that it can lead to addiction and dependency. In reality, studies show that nicotine, alcohol, and even caffeine are all more addictive than cannabis. Put that coffee down. RIGHT. NOW.
2. “Marijuana is as dangerous as LSD or heroin.”
Wait, what? You’re telling me marijuana is as dangerous as the chemical making that full-grown adult lick the wall over there? Just as deadly as the drug that requires you to prop yourself up with a pillow so you don’t choke on your own vomit? Come on, now.
3. “Marijuana is a gateway drug.”
I love this one. People love to tell you that if you use marijuana you’re more likely to try much more harmful drugs. Please try to understand that just because the guy smoking crack in a squat house may have started his drug career with marijuana, does not mean there is a direct correlation. It’s no surprise that said crack head dabbled in weed before he made the plunge into heavy drugs. That doesn’t mean marijuana caused him to smoke rocks.
4. You smoke marijuana just like tobacco, so it must be as harmful!”
Yes, it’s true, cigarettes kill over half a million Americans every year. But have you ever seen anyone smoke two packs of marijuana cigarettes in a single day? No. Because marijuana doesn’t have nicotine in it and isn’t nearly as addictive. Marijuana also doesn’t have tar in it. Or carcinogens (the stuff that gives you cancer).
5. “Pot will make you go insane.”
No it won’t. Studies show that any psychological effects marijuana may have on you are short term and reversible. In fact, studies also show that legalization of marijuana could lower suicide rates. Next ridiculous argument, please.
6. “Marijuana leads to criminal behavior.”
Uh no it doesn’t, alcohol does. A report from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism showed that 25-30% of violent crimes could be linked to alcohol use. It’s well known that thc actually reduces aggression and violent behavior.
7. “Marijuana makes you lazy and unsuccessful.”
Alright, this is the one argument on the list that actually holds a candle to actually being considered seriously. Let’s not deny it, smoking marijuana can tend to make you want to stay glued to that big comfy couch. But if you’ve been on this site before you’ll know that there are plenty of successful men and women in America who have and still do smoke marijuana, including over half the NFL, according to a former player.
8. “Legalization will cause mass zombification!!!”
Stop it.
9. “I tried it once and didn’t like it.”
Congratulations. You have an opinion. Everyone is different, and marijuana certainly affects people differently. But as a proud American, do you really think your personal opinion should stand in the way of the legalization of a substance that can make a whole lot of people’s lives a lot better? Do the right thing.
10. “But what about the children?”
What about them? They have parents, don’t they? Unless they’re orphans, but last time I checked weed is hard to come by in an orphanage. The point is, the only thing that will keep marijuana out of a child’s lungs is good parenting.
The more progress made towards legalizing recreational use of marijuana, the crazier these arguments get. Maybe people are just getting desperate because they know it’s only a matter of time. So next time someone tries to pull one of these tired arguments on you, just take a deep breath and know they’ll be eating their words sooner than they know it.
H/T: The Huffington Post