Now ya all got me off on a "tangent" again.. So I think I will talk about "Marijuana laws".

Before I even "weigh" in with thoughts, I want to say a few things. If your one of my "blog" readers in the "legal profession", or even if you "know" someone in the "legal" field.. direct them to this blog. I want to hear "their" opinions. For or against, the legalization of "Marijuana".

I don't smoke "pot now". I did daily like "20" years ago. I did for like "6" years. I still support the "legalization" of "Marijuana" today tho.

Those "6 years" I probably met some of the biggest dealers around. I've seen "pot" fields as big as corn fields. After that, I've set up weekly at "Biker events, fairs, everything really". Although I don't do it now, I still see it alot.

Anyone here that has "smoked a joint, and drank" a beer. Knows this fact. Pot is "way less" then booze. If there's one person in the "crowd" that "disagrees", I'd like to hear from them. Likely they haven't "tried it". I promise you, I had the "best around" (I was hanging out with Rock stars). I still find "Alcohol" worse.

I support "legalization" for many reasons. One would be.. they are gonna do it anyway. Do you know that when I was "18" getting a joint was so much easier then getting a beer? Pot was "everywhere". Everyone has it. Even when I moved to "Florida" (maybe it's how I look.. I don't know) in the first week 3 people offered me to smoke a joint for free. I was 39 then. So it's still all over. Would've been easier to get a joint, then going to the store for a beer.

I think the main problem is this. The "government knows" it's kinda "hard" to tax at this point. I don't think it has to be that hard. If they thought about it deeper. When I was "18" an ounce of weed was $60. Good pot too. It's now 5 times higher.

I don't really think most in office see it as worse then "booze". They find it a "gateway drug" to other things. But "why" do they assume it's a "gateway"? Lets think about that for a second.

There is a "Liquor" store on every corner in the "USA". Nobody says "Beer" is a "gateway drug". It's "legal". How many people have told "you" drinking beer will lead to "cocaine or Meth". Probably none.

Marijuana is a "Gateway Drug"! It sure the hell is! Not the reason the "government believes" or the public is led to believe.

So here's what happens. Since "Marijuanna" is illegal. People that like to "smoke it", tend to hang out with "other people" that do "illegal stuff". The "counter culture" as it were.

Now, your "average" pot smoker is now "exposed to cocaine, to meth, to crack. Is your grandma that likes a "drink" now and then exposed to "Meth"? No.. because "alcohol" is legal to her. She doesn't have to hide anything. She doesn't have to live a "hidden" life. She'll take a "sip of Vodka" now and then, when her grandkids are now around "coke dealers".

$$$$$ Money, Now you brought something "bigger" to this. Pot prices are going up at an incredible rate. Guess what, you now added "guns, and gangs" to this mix". Now kids are killing their friends for an ounce of pot.

Remember "prohabition"? Wasn't it "outlawed" because they felt "all these problems" would occur? There will always be a problem with "legalizing" any substance. We still got "drunk drivers" and such. But the "huge money" was taken away. The "gangs that shot people" disappeared. Like "when" was the last time you heard of someone shooting someone for beer control? I haven't heard of it in awhile. The same thing will happen if "Marijuana" is made legal. Plus it will be "taxed" and that money could be used "elsewhere".

I just can't "support" making "pot" legal (you say). I just can't. Do you "bitch and complain" about your "80" year old neighbor that has a "bar in his basement"? The guy that goes out and "works on his garden" all day? If it was still prohabition times, would he be a "terrible" person? When you don't consider him now? Pot is "way less" then that.

Pot is "way less" then "alcohol". I know this, cause I've done both. If it wasn't for my "breathing problems".. I'd certainly choose "pot" over drinking.

There "IS" a way to "legalize". There IS a way to "tax it", their is a way to get the "gangs away", and IS a way to keep people getting "shot" over it.

I 100% support the "legalization" of Marijuana. I'll just say that for the "record"..

Gary