# Will Marijuana Ever Be Fully Legalized In America? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [November 26, 2005, 8:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-marijuana-ever-be-fully-legalized-in-america/332793 "2005-11-26T08:42:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2005, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-marijuana-ever-be-fully-legalized-in-america/332793/41 "2005-11-30T03:16:23Z")
> [@treis](#): > > The idea that marijuana would still have a black market if it were legalized is well frankly bizzare. A pack of cigarettes is 4 bucks and though I don’t claim to be an expert on marijuana they don’t call it “weed” for nothing. Its an exceedingly easy plant to grown commercially and has been done so for millenia (as hemp). Some schmoe growing marijuana in a clearing 100 miles in the woods has no chance to compete against an industrial farm with mechanical equipment, economies of scale and modern farming methods. I see no reason why we wouldn’t see packs of MJ cigarettes for 4 bucks and loose MJ at an equal price of loose tobacco. I disagree that legalization will remove the black market from the equation. The first characteristic a legal drug takes on (in the over-the-counter market) is regulated potency. Whatever wussy joint hits the street will be immediately pounced on by a black market Colt-45 dooby. If and when such an event happens the venerated reefer will have to play to a smoking audience that has been brow beaten out of every public space. You’ll be consigned to the darkest reaches of your castle in the hopes that your neighbor doesn’t sue you for any second hand smoke that may waft from your window. IMO the best you can hope for is to strike up friendship with the North American Wood-Schmoe in the hopes of starting a community garden. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_stamos_left_ear/32/3198_2.png) [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2005, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-marijuana-ever-be-fully-legalized-in-america/332793/42 "2005-11-30T04:52:23Z")
> [@firespinner](#): > > The reason it is a gateway drug is that it puts experimental middle-class youths in touch with drug dealers. That’s like saying that playing darts is a gateway to alcohol because most people play darts in bars which puts them in tough with bartenders. IOW, pretty tenuous at best. ---
**Author:** ![treis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc79bd/32.png) [@treis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/treis)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2005, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-marijuana-ever-be-fully-legalized-in-america/332793/43 "2005-11-30T05:02:56Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > I disagree that legalization will remove the black market from the equation. The first characteristic a legal drug takes on (in the over-the-counter market) is regulated potency. Whatever wussy joint hits the street will be immediately pounced on by a black market Colt-45 dooby. Marijuana won’t be treated as a OTC drug. It will probably be subject to similar regulations as tobacco and alcohol. I don’t know anything about the nicotine levels in Tobacco but I know I can buy liquor with as much alcohol in it as possible (some states may have laws that vary). I doubt the THC in marijuana will be limited to a level below what some two-bit criminal can muster. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2005, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-marijuana-ever-be-fully-legalized-in-america/332793/44 "2005-11-30T05:13:06Z")
> [@treis](#): > > Marijuana won’t be treated as a OTC drug. It will probably be subject to similar regulations as tobacco and alcohol. I don’t know anything about the nicotine levels in Tobacco but I know I can buy liquor with as much alcohol in it as possible (some states may have laws that vary). I doubt the THC in marijuana will be limited to a level below what some two-bit criminal can muster. Time will tell. We’ll just have to fling opinion on the subject until it but by that time cigarettes will be gone from public view. Don’t hold your breath waiting to get high at a bar. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2005, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-marijuana-ever-be-fully-legalized-in-america/332793/45 "2005-11-30T05:15:42Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > Time will tell. We’ll just have to fling opinion on the subject until it but by that time cigarettes will be gone from public view. Don’t hold your breath waiting to get high at a bar. That would be"until it HAPPENS". I know I typed the word but somehow I managed to delete it. ---
**Author:** ![Stormfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@Stormfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stormfield)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2005, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-marijuana-ever-be-fully-legalized-in-america/332793/46 "2005-11-30T17:33:52Z")
I doubt that legalization, or even de-criminalization, will ever occur in the U.S. There are simply too many people who believe that anything pleasurable must be immoral or sinful. These people keep the “War on Drugs” mentality alive, and government officials pander to them by continuing the WoD. It’s a vicious cycle that continues from generation to generation. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-marijuana-ever-be-fully-legalized-in-america/332793.md?page=2)