There are many drugs that have many serious side effects and that are harmful to people. Marijuana is no different than that. And especially we should try to discourage young people from using marijuana.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
In recent years, we have been sending a clear, consistent signal about the harms of drugs, particularly marijuana, which for most young people is the first illegal drug that they are exposed to.
I agree with my colleagues, even the one who just preceded me, that marijuana is probably a dangerous drug, and I would not suggest that we do anything to encourage its use.
There are now more teens going into treatment for marijuana dependency than for all other drugs combined.
Marijuana is a much bigger part of the American addiction problem than most people - teens or adults - realize.
Educating young people about the harms of drugs is essential.
Even if one takes every reefer madness allegation of the prohibitionists at face value, marijuana prohibition has done far more harm to far more people than marijuana ever could.
I've used drugs that I do consider to be dangerous, drugs that are potentially detrimental to kids and society at large.
I think the reason kids get into drugs and smoking is they don't have anything to do.
By regulating marijuana, we can put black market drug dealers out of business and eliminate the rebellious allure that attracts young people.
Considering the fact that I've used it in the past, and know what it is, and seen the results of it, I don't view marijuana as a dangerous drug.