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34
123
prohibition works prohibition does not work
Debate Score:157
Arguments:119
Total Votes:173
Ended:03/16/12
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 prohibition works (32)
 
 prohibition does not work (87)

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Prohibition of Alcohol and Marijuana

We have a history of prohibition in our country. What is the success and failure of these policies on moral behavior. Think of good and bad reasons to make the consumption, distribution, and manufacture of alcohol or marijuana legal or illegal.

prohibition works

Side Score: 34
VS.

prohibition does not work

Side Score: 123
Winning Side!
1 point

Like I said before, I'm not sure which side I fall on, but there are some really good reasons why prohibition does work as well. Addictions a real problem with alcohol and marijuana. It can ruin someone's life with their family, friends, and at their jobs. Eventually it works it's way to our nation. It's also not the healthiest things. Alcohol, for example, can cause a lot of damage to our kidneys and livers because those organs have to constently keep filter the toxins out. There's been a distinct line that connects the consumption of alcohol to crimes in America. Sure, if u have a few sips you won't go killing someone, but it's for those who consumes large quantities that really makes the situation go gray. If we weren't to have prohibition, there would certainly be an increase in drunk driving seeing as people wouldn't be so cautious about it. And finally, buying alcohol is actually pretty expensive.

Side: prohibition works
1 point

I agree with you here Viven addictions can tear apart familes and take peoples jobs away. So if we would put restrictions on this maybe it would help to lessen these awful results of addictions. We would have to go about this the right way and not be too extrememly strick on drinking laws. Otherwise there may be an uproar of unrest amoungst U.S. citiznes.

Side: prohibition works
hanhalt(28) Disputed
1 point

I agree with the points you make about how both substances can ruin a person's life, but prohibiton will not work. If people want to drink and do drugs, they are not going to not do it because the goverment told them to. They are going to it whether it's legal or not.

Side: prohibition does not work
bxiong19(21) Disputed
1 point

Yes i agree with you about how alcohol and drugs can take away families, friends and their jobs. However I disagree on the fact that prhibition works. Yes it does work to a certain extent at first. But soon enough people find their ways around the prohibitions, and cause even more problems. For example; people like bootleggers. People will find their ways of getting drugs or alcohol whether there are restrictions or not. Also; eventually after awhile the prohibitions will soon start to die out. People will begin to do the same things as they had been before the restrictions. And eventually, the government will end up spending more on trying to get the prohibition laws to work, like during the 1920s.

Side: prohibition does not work
1 point

I think that prohibition can be good and bad. When acochol and marijuana are prohibited i think that young people want to do it more because they want to take more risks, and i think that they know that they won't get in any trouble since barely any people get caught for anything because people are delusional. But I think that if alcohol and marijuana were legal then more people would do it and it would be more dangerous because people do stupid stuff when you are drunk or high. Such as, driving drunk, or pretty much doing anything and not being able to remember it the next day because it messes up your brain so much. Overall, i think that it should continue to be prohibited because it's good the way it is and sometimes change is worse than you think. Making it legal would cause more problems.

Side: prohibition works
1 point

OK, yes people are still going to do it while it is illegal, but we still need to be able to enforce legal repercusions on people doing it that get caught.

Side: prohibition works

The unfortunate thing about this is today people get away with doing drugs so much more. Not as many people get caught or get in trouble for it.

Side: prohibition works
0 points

You're right Meghan. People should be getting in trouble for it but they aren't. Our government and law enforecements need to enforce the laws more so people will get caught for doing drugs and everything else.

Side: prohibition works
1 point

I think prohibition can be a good thing for people's health and safety, but that doesn't mean that it works.

Side: prohibition works
1 point

Prohibition of alcohol is bad for the economy due to all the breweries we already have in the united states. Many people would out of a job.

Side: prohibition works
1 point

I can see why the government would want to ban alcohol and drugs. Both of those things are not good for your heath and if you do them a lot could casue death in some way.

Side: prohibition works
1 point

With the probation of alcohol the gangs rose and they knew where to find the alcohol and the best place to find it. With the Marijuana can be good with job creation.

Side: prohibition works
1 point

There are definatly pros and cons to both sides. Some people believe that marijuana ingestion is immoral. Some people will abuse the use of marijuana which long term abuse will be harmful to a person. Many say that legalizing marijuana will give people the idea that you can legalize other more harmful drugs. Some, not all, but some sellers of marijuana have been found to be violent and are better to be put in prison. Law enforcement officals don't want to be seen as supporters of drugs. They are worried about the image that they will give off.

Side: prohibition works
1 point

I go for both, because prohibition does work to some extent untill people start going crazy to do illegal things.

Side: prohibition works
1 point

there is no Right or Wrong Side of prohibition, basically what I'm trying to say,

Side: prohibition does not work
1 point

During prohibition it was pretty good for women they didn't get beat as much until the law was being broken and the women started getting beat up

Side: prohibition works
1 point

I think we should just let it go, most people that already do it aren't going to stop now, because they're addicted, let people do what they want to. It's there life, let them makes their own decisions, not everything going to listen.

Side: prohibition works
1 point

Being that marijuana is banned there are not as many people doing it in public as much as in private.

Side: prohibition works
1 point

Even though people still use drugs, there are many people that don't because it is against the law. Keeping it illeagal will keep the numbers of users down.

Side: prohibition works
1 point

The difference between cigarettes and marijuana is great. You don't get to that high point you do under marijuana. Tobacco is MUCH LESS impairing compared to marijuana!

Side: prohibition works
1 point

In certain cases, prohibition does work. In the case of marijuana, prohibition works. No one really see the outlaw of marijuana as a prohibition. The reason alcohol prohibition, was fought against so much, was because alcohol has been around for thousands of years. The ancient Egyptians would feed there slaves beer to give them some sort of nutrition. Alcohol is not just a drink, its part of our culture.

Side: prohibition works
1 point

The difference between now and then is in 1920s when they banned alcohol it was legal before they banned it. Marijuana was never legal, due to its harmful effects.

Side: prohibition works
0 points

I think that prohibition is good and bad at the same time. Alcoholism can be monitered and be controlled but when you bring drugs into the picture, I feel that things become violent. America will be officially destroyed if marijuana gets legalized, can you imagine?People will be robbed, or even worse shot and/or stabbed for their marijuana.Then you will go from smoking this stuff everyday and it wont get you high anymore so then you will be doing things like cocaine,crack,heroin,and whatever else there is. If you ask me this is just going to ruin the kids of our future because there will be non government control over the usage and sale of the substance. There are rules on how much beer you can buy, the age in which you can buy it and what times you can buy it. We can't just go and legalize it! There needs to be erules that go with it. I would reccomend that it could only be purchased from lisenced practioners. The buyer must be at least 21 and if they are a felon should not be allowed to purchase or use any. The laws regarding buying for minors would be the same as what is applicable for alcohol. Also, driving and operating under the influence would have the same punishments as those who do so under th influence of alcohol. I think the with MODERATION and RULES we could not entirely prohibit anything.

Side: prohibition works
MarkNovak(23) Disputed
5 points

Legalizing marijuana would not increase violence. marijuana is fairly easy to grow at home, and believe it or not, it grows everywhere. But i do agree with you that there should be restrictions about age associated with marijuana.

Side: prohibition does not work
bbachmann(27) Disputed
1 point

Mark so it is easy to grow at home. Do you have personal experience in this field? I think you do. I think that the marijuana age should be the same as the smoking age.

Side: prohibition works
0 points

I AGREE WITH MARK, I DON'T THINK IT CAUSES VIOLENCE EITHER. there SHOULD BE RESTRICTIONS ON MARIJUANA JUST LIKE THERE ARE RESTRICTIONS ON ALCOHOL. BUT IT DOESN'T MATTER WHETHER ITS LEGAL OR NOT PEOPLE STILL SMOKE WEED IF ITS LEGAL OR NOT THERE JUST SNEAKY ABOUT JUST LIKE HOW SO MANY KIDS DRINK WHEN THE LEGAL AGE IS 21 PEOPLE JUST DON'T LISTEN

Side: prohibition does not work
zbradley(22) Disputed
0 points

If the government would leagalize weed, the illeagal would be mad at the government and attack the leagal dealers. it would just be another war.

Side: prohibition works
1 point

I agree with you...Marijuanua should never be legalized because if it was more and more people would do it. The people that might want to smoke marijuana but won't because they know it's illegal might smoke it now because people know they wouldnt get in trouble for it. Marijuana should still be illegal so more people dont get into it. Even though people will still smoke maijuana when it is illegal it is better off just to keep it illegal.

Side: prohibition works
MarkNovak(23) Disputed
4 points

its true, drugs ruin your body and your mind, but its nothing thats threat to the government or the general public. if someone thinks its worth it to do drugs (provided that it doesnt harm other people) they should be legally allowed to do that to themself.

Side: prohibition does not work
1 point

I agree. If we would legalize marijuana kids would see older brothers or people they look up to doing it and would want to get into drugs right away without knowing what it does to their body. When kids grow up around smoking they tend to smoke when they get older and it would work the same way with drugs.

Side: prohibition works
1 point

I agree with Maja I think that Prohibition was a great idea but we executed it complealy wrong. if we are going to do something we should do it right. we shouldve enforced the rules like 100 times more than we did.

Side: prohibition works
1 point

There is no way it could be controlled and made profitable to the country. It could only harm the country and it would be way to risky to try. There would always be cartels and dealers. You can't make the situation work. It would also add to the driving nder the influence and add to more deaths.

Side: prohibition works
jfaust(25) Disputed
0 points

People are already getting killed over drug wars, because it is illegal. If the government can legally control trade of things such as marijuana, there won't be shady cartels and smuggling. People are already using marijuana on a daily basis, legalizing won't change that. However, the government will make a profit off of the taxes on these people.

Side: prohibition does not work
1 point

Letting the government oversee the trade of these drugs is a good point. By letting them control and regulate the trade of these items it will lessen the violence that is right now associated with illegalized drugs. Example drug wars (like Jake said)

Side: prohibition does not work
1 point

That's very true. People are going to do what they want to because they can. Just because people sign a fancy sheet of paper doesn't autimatically peope are going to stop drinking or smoking. It just makes the situation more out of control, and it may tempt people who want to rebel against the govermnent and prove they're their own individual. If we didn't prohibit it, the government could just simply monitor the situation and makes sure it doesn't get out of control.

Side: prohibition does not work
zbradley(22) Disputed
1 point

If the government took over the trading of drugs, alot of dealers and farmers would get extremly pissed and try to attack the government traders. So it would start a new war with the illeagal drug dealers and the leagal drug sellers.

Side: prohibition works
0 points

Marijuana should never be legalized because then just more people would do it. Even though a lot of people smoke it now, the numbers of people who do it would just increase if it was legalized. A lot of people who are addicted to cocain and other drugs say that the first drug they started taking was marijuana. Marijuana is the gateway drug to being addicted to other drugs that can kill you. So I think there SHOULD be a phrohibition on marijuana.

Side: prohibition works
tatertot1195(28) Disputed
1 point

Not everyone becomes addicted to marijuana. People only become addicted to it if they think they are. Marijuana doesn't create any physical dependence. People do drugs because they choose to, just because you do one drug that doesn't mean you are going to want to do a whole bunch of other drugs.

Side: prohibition does not work
zbradley(22) Disputed
1 point

I do agree that it should not be leagalized, because the numbers would explode, kids would want to smoke weed if their older brothers or sisters are doing it.

Side: prohibition does not work
jcravillion(16) Disputed
1 point

I disagree; a lot of the people who do it now do it because it is illegal. People who sell it can make more money if it is illegal. There should be freedom; legalize pot

Side: prohibition does not work
3 points

As we have seen through history prohibition does not work. If people want to do something they will find a way to do it wheather the government wants you to or not. With both alcohol and marijuana, they are substances that will only have a bad effect on your life if you use them in excess or in a non controlled manner. If the government would just legalize it they would be able to collect taxes on it and they would be able to keep much better control over it. That already happened with alcohal when it was legalized and I believe the same would happen with marijuana if the government legalized it. Also not allowing people to do something will cause people to become more curious about it.

Side: prohibition does not work
3 points

In 1920s the Porhibition of Alcohol didn't really work because clubs would still have underground alcohol parties. Families would brew their own beer illegally at home anyways. The prohibition in 1920s didn't stop people from drinking. Marijuana is illegal today and still so many people do it. There are two different sides though, some people want to do it because they know it is illegal and think it is cool while others don't want to do it because they know they could get in serious trouble for it.

Side: prohibition does not work
3 points

Why does the government even try? Prohibition didnt work in the 20's and it won't work now. There are some good and bad effects of this prohibition on the United States. One good thing is that it creates job for law enforcement that work to bust druh dealers. The law enforcement take the money that they get from the drug bust and uses it to pay for classes to teach children how bad drugs are. This makes our country better morally. Another way that the prohibition is a good thing is that in places that medical marijuana is legal the government taxes the sales tremendously. Then my final point about how prohibition is good is that there are less people running around intoxicated and making the US look like a horrible place. I have a few negatives things about prohibition though too. If there was no prohibition the government would be able to make some much money off the taxes that they could put on the marijuana just like they do for cigarretes and alcohol after the 20's. Another reason why prohibition is that I think that there would be less gang violence dealing with the marijuana sales becasue everyone will be selling it. Also, since marijuana is a stress reliever America could be less stressed out. I think that the prohibition on marijuana now is just like the alcohol in the 20's. People are still going to do it and there is nothing we can do about it. We should give up, make it legal, and tax it heavily.

Side: prohibition does not work
2 points

Prohibition does not work, because people will always be able to sneak the illegal substances into the country somehow. And this causes problems, because it causes many conflicts and casualties between the government and the smugglers, but the government will never be able to stop the smuggling entirely.

Side: prohibition does not work
2 points

prohibition doesnt work because when they tried to do it against alcohol they kept making it because it was illegal if we prohibit marijuana people will still sell it and there will be more problems. if the government just legalizes marijuana there would be less drug wars and drug problems. if the government legalized it they would make a lot of money off of the taxes like they do on cigarettes and alcohol.

Side: prohibition does not work
2 points

I dont think that prohibition ever worked or ever will work. Limiting people to something they have easy access to such as alcohol or even drugs today, makes them want to more. People are always trying to break the law and always take it as far as they can until they get caught. During history, prohibtion never slowed anyone down. I believe that their should be laws against using drugs or drinking alcohol while operating vehicles because it impares your judgement and many other things. But can we really stop people from using marijuana today? Shouldnt we be more worried about the cops catching rapists or murderers and not trying to catch someone for smoking marijuana that isnt affecting other people. I also think that doing it publically should be illegal because it can affect others around you. Even though it isnt right and morally we know that we shouldnt hurt our bodies, we can't stop everyone from doing it and it is never going to be stopped so we need to worry about other more important crimes.

Side: prohibition does not work
2 points

If they would allow Marijuana, it would help so much with the goverment with the debt. Along with maybe open up other doors to possiblities we've never tought of. I don't see why we can't try it.

Side: prohibition does not work
2 points

We, as a country, claim to be the "land of the free." Prohibition violates this sentiment. Both marijuana and alcohol shouldbe legal. Cigarettes, which are deady, adictive, and without any benefits, are legal, so pot, which at least has some medicinal purposes, should be legal. The war on drugs is a failing and bleeding cost on the American people. Pot should be legal.

Side: prohibition does not work
2 points

Prohibition, would never work. People do what they want. Smoke the green or drink. Either way they don't follow the rules. I think that people should just let it happen. Go with the flow. It's their life they shall do what they want.

Side: prohibition does not work
2 points

it is obvious that the prohibition for alcohol didn't work in the 1920 and the prohibition of marijuana isn't working today, too, because many people, even if they know that it's illegal, smoke drugs how much they want. The government should do something else to solve this problem. I believe that the solution is to legalize marijuana, and have some place where people can do use of drugs. Of course maybe you guys can think that would be the worst law ever, but think is not better to have people who use drugs in places where you already know than in the street?

Side: prohibition does not work
2 points

I trully think if the goverment would not aply all theese rules kids would not wan to break them and you wouldn't have as many kids drinking and smoking.

Side: prohibition does not work
2 points

Prohibition is a temporary thing to help give the government face. That way they can say, "oh, we did that, uh-huh, yep, no doubt about it, we have control." The junk always comes back stronger. The drug trade has its own economy, the more it is prevented, the more demand there is, and the less supply. This makes it extremely valuable.

Side: prohibition does not work
2 points

There is no way that this will work. Truly, this whole 'working progress' is stupid. People are going to die to fight over something that is part of their life. That's when the mafia comes in.

Side: prohibition does not work
2 points

And moonshiners! They saw a profit and reached to seize the opportunity. They would do anything to turn a profit. Anything morally wrong is now right for them!

Side: prohibition does not work

Moonshiners and the mafia still live to this very day. and they live up in the old days.

Side: prohibition does not work
2 points

Your darn right that the mafia will come in. The mafia will have to control the Marijuana chaos. The Mafia will try to get all the Marijuana to themselves.

Side: prohibition does not work
2 points

I think that prohibition does not work because people are always going to drink or do drugs no matter what anybody tells them. There is always going to be that group or groups that are going to grow marijuana or make there own moonshine to sell to other people in secret. I think that prohibition doesnt work because people are not going to follow the rules. There are alot of people that claim they have to have medical marijuana as a pain killer or for a medicne. Prohibiton dosent work.

Side: prohibition does not work
2 points

I’m on the fence whether I think marijuana and alcohol should be banned. There are pros and cons for each side. If marijuana and alcohol were completely legalized it would cause a lot of problems. People would start to do even stupider things than they already do. It would make everyone’s life around them more dangerous. It would be expensive for the people that develop habits. There might be a chance that if we don’t ban it though, people won’t feel rebellious and want to do it anyway. If we make laws to only allow a certain amount sold to people, that might work out, but banning it completely would be chaotic.

Side: prohibition does not work
2 points

I think that prohibition does not work. It didn't work in the '20s and it doesn’t really work now. In the '20s people could go to a bar and get alcohol on the black market just as fast as when it wasn't banned. Today people seem to be able to get marijuana just as easy because it seems like a decent amount of people do it. Some pros to not prohibiting alcohol would be that the government could tax marijuana sales. There also might be less gang activities with weed being illegal because it's a lot more easily to come by. Some cons are that people might be reckless with the weed. When people smoke the weed in public they may do dumb stuff when their high. Also if weed is legalize people might not think there is a risk to smoking it and more youth might start to smoke it.

Side: prohibition does not work
1 point

Prohibition is ineffective and makes the government look powerless. During alcohol prohibition, people drank despite laws. Today, a large amount of Americans smoke marijuana on a somewhat regular basis. The government is throwing money on the war on drugs, which is not effective. It costs lots of money to prohibit things, when there is an opportunity to make money off of these things.

Side: prohibition does not work
2 points

right. of all the things the government is spending useless money on, this isnt the only ridiculous example.

Side: prohibition does not work
1 point

I'm still uncertain about whether alcohol and/or marijuana should be banned, but there are certainly reasons that shows how prohibition doesn't work. For example. when the govermnent prohibits something that's taking away our Freedom of Choice, which is what they tried building this country out of. The United States of America formed because people wanted to say what was on their minds and do what they pleased. Drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana is considered a 'victimless crime', which means that it only hurts the person that does it. There's always the debate that it effects those around them, but they can always remove themselvs from the situation if they so pleased. If the stuff was to be prohibited, that would just make the Black Markets sky rocket for people who are addicted. it'll make the consumption more dangerous since they don't have to meet regulations and protocalls. If they were to prohibit this, it was mean that there would be loss in taxes and even some real jobs.

Side: prohibition does not work
1 point

The prohibition of alcohol in the 1920's and 30's in the United States is one of most famous, or infamous, times in recent American history. The intention was to reduce the consumption of alcohol by eliminating businesses that manufactured, distributed and sold it.

Side: prohibition does not work
1 point

I think prohibition more doesn't work. A lot of times, people will want to do something just because it's outlawed. So with prohibition, there may be more people who drink or smoke. Also because of prohibition, there may be more riots because people would be angry with the prohibition.

Side: prohibition does not work
VivienTen(27) Disputed
1 point

With prohibiting these substances, it means that the govermnents is trying to get across that these things aren't healthhy. A lot of the times drinking and smoking usually leaves to many health problems. If they prohibited it, there would be a good size of people who would stop to not break the law.

Side: prohibition works
rhernickle(24) Disputed
1 point

But if people are addicted to something, they won't stop just because it's illegal.

Side: prohibition does not work
1 point

Prohibition doesn't work because people will drink anyway. By the governement telling people that drinking is not allowed, it will just make people want to drink more anyway just to go against the government.

Side: prohibition does not work
1 point

I think this is a very good way to look at it. The fact that it is illegal makes people want to do it more

Side: prohibition does not work
1 point

This is so true and why do make drinking illeagal kids drink no matter what it not stopping them.

Side: prohibition does not work
1 point

even though marijuana is illegal people will still use it and will always have ways to hide and keep it a secret. Many people dont do it because of the fact that it is illegal, but that donsnt stop the people that are already doing it.

Side: prohibition does not work
1 point

I agree because people will ALWAYS do marijuana or cigarettes or any kind of drugs and they will always have a reason for it. Making it legal or illegal really won't stop the people that are already doing it. The fact that it is already illegal right now doesn't stop anybody. Prohibition doesn't matter in this case.

Side: prohibition does not work
1 point

It is unfortuante but true, many people were taken advantage of at the time of prohibition. Drinking was and still is a very expensive habit to feed. At the time of prohibition mobsters and others who provided the alcohol knew this and would take those adicted to alcohol for all they had.

Side: prohibition does not work
1 point

If people really want to do something, then they're going to do it whether it's illegal or not. Making things illegal is just making more problems for the police who have to try to make sure that no one is drinking.

Side: prohibition does not work
1 point

Marijuana was first prohibited in 1937. Today, between 95 and 100 million Americans admit to have trying it. A study in December 2006 found that marijuana is the new leading cash crop in the US exceeding the value of corn and wheat combined. Obviously prohibition is NOT working.

Side: prohibition does not work
2 points

I agreee so many still do marijuana and i believe that is it the leading cash crop, some people like to smoke it because it is illegal, but others would rather not get in trouble for doing it.

Side: prohibition does not work
1 point

In our history we have seen that prohibition doesnt work. They tried to prohibit alcohol and it didnt work so why would they try to do it again. People will do what they want wether its illegal or not. For some its the thrill of getting caught. Marijuana wouldnt be an issue if people wouldnt use it in an excessive amount. It can be used for medicinal purposes so why shouldnt it be leagalized its not harming anyone.

Side: prohibition does not work
1 point

There have been almost 9.5 million marijuana arrests in the United States since 1995. One person is arrested for marijuana every 36 seconds. About 89% of all marijuana arrests are for possession – not manufacture or distribution. If people are getting arrested for possession of marijuana every 36 seconds I personally don't think prohibition is working properly.

Side: prohibition does not work
1 point

The prohibition of alcohol in the 1920's and 30's in the United States is one of most famous, or infamous, times in recent American history. The intention was to reduce the consumption of alcohol by eliminating businesses that manufactured, distributed and sold it. Considered by many as a failed social and political experiment, the era changed the way many Americans view alcoholic beverages, enhancing the realization that federal government control cannot always take the place of personal responsibility.

Side: prohibition does not work
1 point

They did this to help the children of alcoholics and to attempt to eliminate drinking crimes.

Side: prohibition does not work
1 point

Lets say that the government decides to legalize pot. now people no longer have the need to be in possession of ridiculous amounts of the once illegal substance, they can just grow a small amount of their own, because it is no longer necessary to hide pot farms. You might be wondering why im such an advocate of legalizing pot, but its because the only reason it is now illegal is because tobacco companies didnt want people smoking something other than tobacco. And to me, tobacco is much more disgusting than pot.

Side: prohibition does not work
2 points

I agree. There's always two sides to a story, and companies, expecially tobacco companies, certainly want a hand in all of this legal action. If there was no prohibition, people wouldn't be driven to such extremes.

Side: prohibition does not work
1 point

I agree and think that it would be more effective to outlaw tobacco than the outlaw marijuana.

Side: prohibition does not work
1 point

the prohibition does not work because American citizens are a lot like teenage children. They are fine not doing it until the law says you cant and then everyone wants to do it because it is illegal and bad, when it is only happening because it is bad and wrong. If we made smoking marijuana legal for everyone, a lot more people would do it for a short time and soon it would become uncool and boring. This can relate to the prohibition of alcohol because during the prohibition, there was probably more drinking generally around america than there is now.

Side: prohibition does not work
1 point

Time and time again most pot smokers ask themselves why or when marijuana should be legalized. Most people haven’t thought of the effects that Marijuana can have besides the usual ones. This isn’t a cry for legalizing the sticky green but an insight on the effects of what some say is the most powerful plant on earth.

Side: prohibition does not work
1 point

In the 1920s and now, the prohibiton didn't work. In the 1920s, people sold, manufactured, distributed and drank alcohol, even though it was illegal and now people are doing the same with marijuana.

After the prohibiton of alcohol ended, lots of money was made off of it and if the prohibition of marijuana ended the same result would occur and more jobs will be created.

One of the reasons marijuana is prohibited is because marijuana was associated with Mexican Americans, and a ban on marijuana was seen as a way of discouraging Mexican-American subcultures from developing. It is also viewed as addictive and can be dangerous. However alcohol is perfectly legal and it causes more 75,000 deaths in the US every year.

Side: prohibition does not work
1 point

Another problem with prohibition is the fact that you have to smuggle it in and it causes different groups like gangs and cartels. It also causes the corruption of power in the government.

Side: prohibition does not work
1 point

Prohibition does not work. Just becasue the government says something is illegal doesn't mean people still aren't going to do it. Today, marijuana and other drugs are illegal but that doesn't stop anyone from doing it. The government can try all they want to stop people from drinking or doing drugs but people will still do it either way.

Side: prohibition does not work
1 point

The government has tried prohibiting marijuana for over 75 years now, and yet it is used by over 25 million people annually. If marijuana is legalized, the price of it would go way down, and people would not make a living off selling it, and would not want to sell it. There will be a lot more buyers, but not nearly enough sellers. Then the flow of marijuana would be stopped. Now, instead of the billions of dollars in the "underground" market, the government would be getting this money, helping the economy. There have also been studies that marijuana has no addiction or affects on the body, so why is it illegal?

Side: prohibition does not work
1 point

People will still do it and transport it so prohibition doesnt work. Even if we would legalize it there would be problems like with the alcohol after legalizing it. There would be alot of problems with people being high and drunk and not taking care of them selves or others. It would just be crazy in the cities because every one would be either high or drunk at least now they try to hide it when there high and wont cause as much problems.

Side: prohibition does not work
1 point

Prohibition has been an issue in the United States for alomst 75 or 80 years now. The government has made laws that makes drugs and alcohol illegal, but people still want/need the stuff so they do it anyways. Our government doesn't enforce the laws very well either so then no one gets caught. There is no point in having a prohiition on something if no one follows the law. The government either needs to enforce the laws more or just get rid of them because there is no point in having a law if no one enforces or follows it.

Side: prohibition does not work
1 point

I don’t think the probation of alcohol didn’t work because the gangs rose and knew where to find the alcohol, and they started to controlled the local government.

Side: prohibition does not work
tknuth14(31) Disputed
1 point

But that means that the prohibition law didn't work if the gangs went against the government. Government is meant to control/guide the people.

Side: prohibition works
1 point

Again, there are pros and cons to both sides. When the government try to control the people to that level, people rebel against it and it makes more of a drive to do it. Marijuana is no more harmful to people's health then smoking or tobacco. Both are used legally and widely and are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. Crime and violence are increased due to illegal selling and buying. Legalizing this would decrease the violence. Marijuana has a huge contribution to some states economics. If marijuana was legalized, the U.S. could save up to $8 billion a year on enforcement.

Side: prohibition does not work
1 point

Prohibition creates a danger effect, making people want to do it because it is a no. So reverse psychology shows that people will naturally do it to fight back.

Side: prohibition does not work
1 point

Devin the people will be finding many ways to get their drugs like they do already because it is illegal which being a rebel is fun. as the saying goes if someone were to jump off a bridge would you do it.

Side: prohibition does not work
1 point

Prohibition doesn't work, because when prohibit Alcohol and Marijuana, and when you prohibit Stuff it makes more people want to do it.

Side: prohibition does not work
1 point

Prohibition does not work because there are SO many people that already use alcohol and marijuana, that aren't gunna stop just because its prohibited. If they wanna do it, they will. People all over the world of all ages drink and smoke. I also think that marijuana should become legal because there wouldn't be people getting in trouble for it cuz it wouldnt be illegal. Also it can provide a job for the dealer without it having to be secritive.

Side: prohibition does not work
1 point

I don't why we try, nobody is going to listen and just stop doing drugs now, everyone that does do it is addicted and isn't going to listen, they don't care what people say. Even if it is illegal, they're still going to do it.

Side: prohibition does not work
1 point

Prohibition doesn't work, they're so many people that already do drugs, and drink Alcohol, they're just going to keep getting more and more addicted to it. Nobody that's hooked onto it isn't going to let it go now unless they get serious help, but most people don't, so I don't get why the government even tries.

Side: prohibition does not work
1 point

Most people, when put under prohibition, will become desperate for the drugs once they are deprived of it and then they will use these drugs illegally. This in turn will increase the crime rate. This didn't work in the 1920s and it isn't working very well today, but that doesnt mean that there are good things about prohibition either. Alcohol and marijuana lead to bad choices made by the user and eventually death. So if using alcohol and marijuana alot is more important than life, then go ahead and use them.

Side: prohibition does not work
1 point

Prohibition doesn't work entirely. People will always break laws! I think that the amount of speakeasies is blown out of proportion in the history books becasue it is directly camparable to the drug joints today.

Side: prohibition does not work
1 point

Prohibition doesnt work. Today marijuana is not exceppted by our government system and is illegal. But people do not seem to care because if you walk through most towns and ask for marijuana, your are able to get it within 30min.

Alcoholl makaing helps our socioty by creating jobs and making profit off of it because so many people drink.

Side: prohibition does not work
1 point

The prohibition of alcohol in the 1920s didnt work because the catholic church was able to give out wine for the Eucharist. this caused a increase of people in the church during masses, so that people could get a drink. Also there was also a black market type of thing that would sell alcohol to those who wanted it!

The same thing happens with Marijuana in todays society with the black market (drug dealers).

Side: prohibition does not work
1 point

We can see 1920's prohibition of alcohol was failure. People drink alcohol today legally and it was possible for some people to sell and buy alcohol too. Alcohol is a part of European culture and also the immigrant’s in the U.S. This movement’s result was an important opportunity that shows us that “federal government control cannot always take the place of personal responsibility”. (http://cocktails.about.com/od/history/a/prohibition.htm)

Side: prohibition does not work
1 point

Prohibition will never work. It was a failure in the 1920's and obviously still does not work in this counrty. If people want to do drink and do drugs they are going to find a way to do them. Also, they can say they are not doing drugs but actually be doing them. THere are always ways that people can around prohibition. I don't get why the country even tries. I think it is a good thing they are trying to prohibit things that have bad effects on people, but it will never work. Making alcohol and drugs illegal will make want to do it more and rebel against the rules. I think that it is good the country is trying to stop it but I don't think it will ever work becasue people will be people and go against it.

Side: prohibition does not work
1 point

I completely agree with this. I also think that it makes the country look good when they prohibit things such as alcohol and drugs, but if it does not work then it is no good. What is really the point of prohibiting something that people will find ways around? If they want it, they will go to the extreme to get it, depending on the person. Therefore I think prohibition of alcohol and marijuana do not work and won't work in our country. As much as people want them to be prohibited, it will continue to come back somehow.

Side: prohibition does not work
1 point

Prohibition does not work. When people want to do something, they will do it. In the past people have got into arguments, fights, and wars about plenty of things people wanted to end. If we put one on alcohol and marijuana, honestly people would not care. Wether they were breaking a lwa or not listening to others, they will do it anyways. People want to learn by mistakes these days. If they have to learn the hard way, most will. They wont see a bad side of it until they get hit by it emotionally. It would never work.

Side: prohibition does not work
1 point

I believe that prohibition does not work. It did keep some people from drinking but, if you really wanted to, you could find alcohol in a matter of minutes depending on your location. I do believe, however, that it was a good idea to ban it because it did stop some people from drinking. By not drinking, people were not as crazy and there was less crime.

Side: prohibition does not work
1 point

If we wouldn't have prohibition on marijuana the US could tax the profits of the weed business. It would be like a cash crop. If the US would put a tax on that was just ten percent they could make millions.

Side: prohibition does not work
1 point

I could also say that prohibition does not work, because we should just leave people's lives alone. If that is how they want to live their life, then fine. I know there is going to be people who will be influenced by their brothers or sisters or peers because they do it, but I'm pretty sure there are many role models out there to show that there are healthier ways too. Prohibition will only cause more theft and problems. It'll probably be a better way to gain the y'know "ka-ching$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$", but I'm also pretty sure that there are other ways to have money. I go for both sides. So uhh I don't know.

Side: prohibition does not work
0 points

People were going to speak easys to get there alcohol. The men were coming home drunk and were beating their wives.

Side: prohibition does not work
-1 points

Prohibtion does not work, if people want it they will get it look at the 1920s the bootlegers smugled moonshine, people still drank even if it is illegal they might as well have it legal because it creates more jobs and money because you can tax it. And now with marijuana people still want to do it even though it is illegal you might as well make it legal because it would make jobs and money for the government through taxes.

Side: prohibition does not work
1 point

And then they decided to say that moonshine has vitamins. It does, but it's still homemade and it is dangerous.

Side: prohibition does not work