Marijuana Not a Safe Alternative to Alcohol

I have a question for all the pro-pot people who actually believe that marijuana should be legalized because it's safer to use than alcohol. And it's this: If alcohol were illegal, would you still be pushing for the legalization of pot? Second question: Where in heaven's name did you ever get the idea that if pot were legalized, all the alcoholics out there would abandon their liquor and start indulging in weed? Really!

Perhaps pot is, indeed, "safer" than liquor, in that it does not cause cirrhosis of the liver, and fries fewer brain cells. And maybe it's "safer" because a person who is stoned on pot is very mellow and content, while drunkenness can bring out the raging beast in a person.

First of all, alcohol is a depressant, not a stimulant. Many people, when drunk, are quite passive. Secondly, if some people, when drunk, do become aggressive or violent, then it's logical to conclude that these same individuals would respond in a similar fashion, if they smoked pot. After all, perhaps a depressant drug makes certain individuals violent.

Just because pot may be safer than alcohol, doesn't mean it should be legalized, or that it's harmless. This is like saying a switchblade is safer to be stabbed by, than is a butcher knife. If you still believe that pot is safe or harmless, I suppose you wouldn't have any qualms if you learned that your dentist just smoked a joint-and he's now going to start drilling the cavity out of your tooth?

There you are, seated on an airplane, first day of a much anticipated vacation. The plane is starting up, and it's going down the runway. You go to the john and, upon entering, you overhear how the pilot just smoked some pot. Would you be okay with this? The guy who's going to fly the plane you're in, just smoked an entire reefer. Oh, yeah, sure, you'd be perfectly fine with this!

If marijuana is harmless, then should it be also legalized for children? Really now, imagine that pot becomes legal. Would you share your joint with your 5-year-old? Why not? Would you mind if your surgeon had a joint before he operated on you? Or how about your mechanic. Your car needs some major repairs. Would it be fine if your mechanic got a little buzzed before working on your car?

And while your car is in the shop, you must take a taxi home-no time to wait for the bus. You get in the cab and smell pot. The driver's been smoking it. He's about to drive you to your house-30 miles away. Would you feel comfortable?

Ask yourself all these questions before you rally for the legalization of pot. Here's another one: Imagine that pot is legal and your kids' school teachers puff up a storm before each class. How well can a person teach algebra or geometry or writing composition or whatever, if he or she is under the influence of marijuana?