Why is marijuana illegal while cigarettes are legal?

Can anyone tell me the difference between pot and everyday cigarettes?

Why is it that pot is illegal?

“I think people need to be educated to the fact that marijuana is not a drug. Marijuana is an herb and a flower. God put it here. If He put it here and He wants it to grow, what gives the government the right to say that God is wrong?”

Willie Nelson

Hi,

Well, I'm studying public policy and there are two possible explanations. One is a lot more cynical than the other and involves a concept known as elite theory: the idea that the government and its policies are controlled by a small group of elites, who exercises control over masses for their own good.

Applied to cigarettes and pot, it can be noted that cigarettes are easily controlled and taxable. Pot however, has many different strands that are difficult to distinguish and tax. You could make the argument that cigarettes are just as lethal (if not moreso) than pot, but the government just wants to make money any way it can, so it keeps cigarettes legal to tax it.

A second theory is that cigarettes are legal because their place in our culture is firmly established and accepted as a norm, although an increasingly politically incorrect norm. Street drugs have negative connotation, and while marijuana may not be as harmful as cocaine or heroin, it has the same negative connotation.

That's all I can come up with. Hope it helps.

Our current war on drugs began by Nixon in 1971. Drug use was part of the counterculture that was also against our involvment in Vietnam. The war on drugs was really a war on hippies, freaks, and others against the war.since they were the people most likely to use recreational drugs.

The tobacco industry is more associated with conversativism. Tobacco farmers, processors, sellers, are generally all conservative. The Tobacco lobby gives generously to the Republican party.

Mariguana is associated with minorities, hippies, freaks, and war protestors. Tobacco is associated with Southern Conservatives. That is why pot is illegal and tobacco is legal.

Dear mr_super123,
alcohol and cigarettes are illegal between the age 18-21 depending on where you live. If someone were to take your children on a school bus on a very busy highway...would you prefer someone who just had a cigarette or someone who just smoked a joint? I think it is obvious here because although cigarette is a drug it does not alter the perception and reaction time the way THC would. This is an age old question and goes way back and does have political connotations but as a mother and a person well education with drugs and alcohol I couldn't imagine our bus drivers, pilots, doctors smoking a big doobie then being responsible to carry out their duties.
Sue...good luck

That's a very good question. The health implications of both tabacco and marijuana are bad. However, the effects of THC, Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (the psychoactive chemical in marijuana), in your blood affects your thinking ability. Marijuana has a hallucengenic effect that can impair your judge and function. Cigarettes on the other hand, does not have those effects to your brain, but the long-term effects on your body is still very harmful. Because marijuana has this effect on the brain, the activities of the drug can cause people to do harmful things, not only onto themselves, but onto others as well (i.e. driving under the influcence or operating machinery while stoned.) Becasue of this, this substance is heavily regulated and illegal to use. Also, marijuana is considered an entry drug, which leads many others to use more potent drugs like Meth, Crack, or Heroin. With that said, I'm sure that the next question will be, then why isn't alcohol illegal, it's as addictive and can cause just as much damage. Ask me that question next time and I'll try to give you a good answer. Peace

well my firend mary jane makes u high were u laugh all the time and do stupid stuff beleave me i kno u kno i use to say yea that need to legalize mary jane but then i thought about it there just gonna take the thc out of it and u wont get as high then ur gonna have to pay taxes that would suck so yea

But Marijuana is Better for You Than Cigarettes and Alcohol!
Shut your mary jane smokin' mouth, pothead! It's not about your stupid health! Go ahead and screw yourself up! Last time I checked it wasn't against the law to DRINK POISON!

Marijuana Isn't Addictive or Anything Like Real Drugs!
It still makes you STUPID! This country is run by the PEOPLE, and if the people were MORONS, then we'd be totally SCREWED! But it's also about what the drugs do to the people AROUND YOU! Don't be a selfish idiot! Drugs screw you up, and the result of you being screwed up can screw up a lot of other people's lives too, like friends and family and crap! And if you're drivin' while flyin' high, or partaking in a buttload of OTHER various actions that involve HAVING A BRAIN, you could KILL SOMEONE!

But Alcohol is Legal! So Why Not Pot?
Because you're a FREAKIN' MORON! If you weren't such a reefer rectum, you'd realize there IS a difference between drinkin' and doin' dope! The purpose of drinking an alcoholic beverage (for smart people anyway) is NOT to get totally wasted! And you can drink tastey alcholic beverages without getting smashed! But the SOLE purpose of puffin' a blunt is to GET HIGH! THAT'S why marijuana's illegal, THAT'S why it's worse than alcohol, and THAT'S why takin' drags from doobies all day makes you a

Jeez, I'm sick of having to edit out bad words...

Well my brother smokes pot, and I know people who smoke pot, and they're all stupid when they weren't before. But scientists have proven I'm wrong, so I guess they're smart...

Of course it has medical properties, but that's a completely different topic. I don't give a crap about it being used medically, and I never even complained about that...

I'm sure a lot of people smoke a doobie to make their tummy feel better... What about tums or some crap? Personally, I just live with it, but whatever...

2greencats answer about the reasons it is illegal are the ones to pay attention to, Mr Super. As for Kamex- he said you can drink a little w/ out getting smashed actually people can take in a little marijuana w/ out getting totally wasted. If he has the right to relax w/ a drink, which does not a thing for me, why can't I relax w/ a puff? RESPONSIBLY-OF COURSE!! Personally, I have seen much more agression and dangerous behaviour from alcohol than from marijuana. As for tobacco, whats the point?

Easy. Cigarettes can just give you cancer. :P :P Marijuana can impair your thinking and cause you to do something stupid. Smoking marijuana can cause others injury if you get behind a wheel after smoking it. Smoking cigarettes can usually just cause yourself injury. Unless you get enough second hand smoke.

i agree. that law is incredibly stupid. marijunana helps treat cancer and glachoma. it'snor addictive and it can't cause cancer and you can't overdose.

yoo.. kamex is outta line here.. i don't understand what would make such a straight-edge person, so idiotic. maybe YOU should smoke some pot.. it'll take your panties under that bunch and maybe your attitude won't be so flaming hot. There is nothing wrong with smoking pot. cept that it's illegal. .. because of what 2greencats said. point blank.

Short-term effects of using marijuana include:

Sleepiness
Difficulty keeping track of time, impaired or reduced short-term memory
Reduced ability to perform tasks requiring concentration and coordination, such as driving a car
Increased heart rate
Potential cardiac dangers for those with preexisting heart disease
Bloodshot eyes
Dry mouth and throat
Decreased social inhibitions
Paranoia, hallucinations
Impaired or reduced short-term memory
Impaired or reduced comprehension
Altered motivation and cognition, making the acquisition of new information difficult
Paranoia
Psychological dependence
Impairments in learning, memory, perception, and judgment - difficulty speaking, listening effectively, thinking, retaining knowledge, problem solving, and forming concepts
Intense anxiety or panic attacks

Long-term effects of using marijuana include:

Enhanced cancer risk ( I did not say lung cancer.)
Decrease in testosterone levels and lower sperm counts for men (OUCH)
Increase in testosterone levels for women and increased risk of infertility (Double ouch)
Diminished or extinguished sexual pleasure ( Hmmm.)
Psychological dependence requiring more of the drug to get the same effect ($$$)

The Effects on the Male:

Marijuana is the most common drug used by adolescents in America today. Marijuana affect the parts of the brain which controls the sex and growth hormones. In males, marijuana can decrease the testosterone level. Occasional cases of enlarged breasts in male marijuana users are triggered by the chemical impact on the hormone system. Regular marijuana use can also lead to a decrease in sperm count, as well as increases in abnormal and immature sperm. Marijuana is a contributing factor in the rising problem of infertility in males. Young males should know the effects and potential effects of marijuana use on sex and growing process before they decide to smoke marijuana.

The Effects on the Female:

Just as in Males, marijuana effects the female in the part of the brain that controls the hormones, which determines the sequence in the menstrual cycle. Its been said that females who smoked or used marijuana on a regular basis had irregular menstrual cycles, the female hormones were depressed, and the testosterone level was raised. Even though this effect may be reversible, it may take several months of no marijuana use before the menstrual cycles become normal again.

Mothers who smoke marijuana on a regular basis have been reported of having babies with a weak central nervous system. These babies show abnormal reactions to light and sound, exhibit tremors and startles, and have the high-pitched cry associated with drug withdrawal. Occurring at five times the rate of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Fetal Marijuana Syndrome is a growing concern of many doctors. Furthermore, doctors worry that children born to pot-head mothers will have learning disabilities, attention deficits and hormonal irregularities as they grow older, even if there are no apparent signs of damage at birth. Pregnant or nursing mothers who smoke marijuana should talk to their doctors immediately.

Effects of Marijuana on the Brain:

Researchers have found that THC changes the way in which sensory information gets into and is acted on by the hippocampus. This is a component of the brain's limbic system that is crucial for learning, memory, and the integration of sensory experiences with emotions and motivations. Investigations have shown that neurons in the information processing system of the hippocampus and the activity of the nerve fibers are suppressed by THC. In addition, researchers have discovered that learned behaviors, which depend on the hippocampus, also deteriorate.

Recent research findings also indicate that long-term use of marijuana produces changes in the brain similar to those seen after long-term use of other major drugs of abuse.

Effects on the Lungs:

Someone who smokes marijuana regularly may have many of the same respiratory problems that tobacco smokers have. These individuals may have daily cough and phlegm, symptoms of chronic bronchitis, and more frequent chest colds. Continuing to smoke marijuana can lead to abnormal functioning of lung tissue injured or destroyed by marijuana smoke.

Regardless of the THC content, the amount of tar inhaled by marijuana smokers and the level of carbon monoxide absorbed are three to five times greater than among tobacco smokers. This may be due to the marijuana users inhaling more deeply and holding the smoke in the lungs.

Effects on Heart Rate and Blood Pressure:

Recent findings indicate that smoking marijuana while shooting up cocaine has the potential to cause severe increases in heart rate and blood pressure. In one study, experienced marijuana and cocaine users were given marijuana alone, cocaine alone, and then a combination of both. Each drug alone produced cardiovascular effects; when they were combined, the effects were greater and lasted longer. The heart rate of the subjects in the study increased 29 beats per minute with marijuana alone and 32 beats per minute with cocaine alone. When the drugs were given together, the heart rate increased by 49 beats per minute, and the increased rate persisted for a longer time. The drugs were given with the subjects sitting quietly. In normal circumstances, an individual may smoke marijuana and inject cocaine and then do something physically stressful that may significantly increase risks of overload on the cardiovascular system.

Effects of Heavy Marijuana Use on Learning and Social Behavior:

A study of college students has shown that critical skills related to attention, memory, and learning are impaired among people who use marijuana heavily, even after discontinuing its use for at least 24 hours. Researchers compared 65 heavy users, who had smoked marijuana a median of 29 of the past 30 days, and 64 light users, who had smoked a median of 1 of the past 30 days. After a closely monitored 19- to 24-hour period of abstinence from marijuana and other illicit drugs and alcohol, the undergraduates were given several standard tests measuring aspects of attention, memory, and learning. Compared to the light users, heavy marijuana users made more errors and had more difficulty sustaining attention, shifting attention to meet the demands of changes in the environment, and in registering, processing, and using information. The findings suggest that the greater impairment among heavy users is likely due to an alteration of brain activity produced by marijuana.

Longitudinal research on marijuana use among young people below college age indicates those who used have lower achievement than the non-users, more acceptance of deviant behavior, more delinquent behavior and aggression, greater rebelliousness, poorer relationships with parents, and more associations with delinquent and drug-using friends.

Effects on Pregnancy:

Any drug of abuse can affect a mother's health during pregnancy, and this is a time when she should take special care of herself. Drugs of abuse may interfere with proper nutrition and rest, which can affect good functioning of the immune system. Some studies have found that babies born to mothers who used marijuana during pregnancy were smaller than those born to mothers who did not use the drug. In general, smaller babies are more likely to develop health problems.

A nursing mother who uses marijuana passes some of the THC to the baby in her breast milk. Research indicates that the use of marijuana by a mother during the first month of breast-feeding can impair the infant's motor development (control of muscle movement). Research also shows more anger and more regressive behavior (thumb sucking, temper tantrums) in toddlers whose parents use marijuana than among the toddlers of non-using parents.

who cares.
that hasn't stop anyone

I would have to say that cigerettes are leagle is because it does not alter your state of mind as pot does. Many people belive that pot is less harmful to the body than tabacco. As I see it pot should be leagle and boos should not be. I would personaly rather have my child on a bus with a driver that smokes weed than one that drinks befor takeing my child to school. Why? Its simple Drinking alters the state of mind diffrently than smokeing pot. While drunk you can become agressive and do stupid things and pot just relaxes you and makes you hungry.

Marijuana is illegal because Hirst wanted a monopoly on newspaper production from wood pulp, and cannabis was a cheap alternative. In other words, it interfered with his newspaper monopoly. He got together with Dupont, which had a huge invested interest, because cannabis is also an alternative to cotton, which consumes most of the world's agricultural chemical pesticides. Together, they used the services of Harry Anslinger, who gave a racist twist to the whole thing by blaming Mexican daylabourers and Black jazz musicians for corrupting white women with marijuana. And so it goes to this day - mandatory minimum sentences for rock form cocaine but not powdered form cocaine, selective enforcement of marijuana laws, etc.

As to the poster who listed all the 'ill effects' of marijuana use, that is just propaganda. (If you smoke weed AND snort coke, your blood pressure goes up? Who on earth combines weed with coke, to begin with?) Also, you don't get 5 times more tar in you if you smoke weed. First of all, there are no smokers who just smoke one cigarette per day. They usually smoke a packet, which is 20-25 cigarettes. Secondly, even if sigarette smokers use filtered sigarettes, they don't smoke from a bong, let alone vaporize.

Caffeine and tobacco are legal, because they make the masses work faster at the widget factory, while mj helps you look at the world and see it for what it really is. MJ gives you the satisfaction with life that most people only think they can achieve by working 10 hours a day and earning that holiday in the tropics. Now what would that do for productivity?

Hemp itself is a great plant, one of nature's little supermarkets. Seeds are nutricious, the fiber can be used to make paper (including the US Constitution, which was written on hemp paper), cloth for shirts, rope, etc. It requires very little fertilizer or pesticides to grow, and the same piece of land can be used year in and year out to grow the crop (unlike forrested land).

Cigarettes are legal because our country, which was founded on the slave-trade, has deep roots into the tobacco industry. And I believe someone pointed to conservatism in the south during that era, which is actually ironically mostly democrats at the time, but it was whole different political scene back then.
Marijuana has long gotten a bad wrap in society, ever since the 20s when Reefer Madness was released by a religious group, if I remember correctly. The video is actually quite humorous alleging that pot would make you kill someone, but it fostered a very negative image on the drug, which was popular among Mexicans crossing the border back then. The criminalization of the drug allowed law enforcement to search Mexicans. That's the racism aspect of it, at least in it's inception.
Nixon also had a large role in modern drug laws. Further encouraging discrimination of people who were deemed as part of a counter-culture movement.
There are various medical reasons that suggest why marijuana should remain criminalized. Impairment of driving ability, in some subjects. Most pharmaceuticals in your parents drug cabinet probably have the same warning. As with any drug, you can build up tolerances to the effects. It has been said that it can affect your driving abilities. So can cell phones, loud noises, and the maturity of the person behind the wheel.
As far accute panic anxiety disorder, that happens to first time smokers, or relatively new to the game smokers. It's basically the best part of getting high, it's just such a strong jolt that it freaks out most people who've never been high before. It's considered the roller coaster around my way.
But hell, i'll go one step further into why it's illegal. The south which also used slavery to foster Tobacco also fostered a Cotton industry. Hemp, the marijuana plant with a tiny THC percentage( enough so that it would not be worth smoking to a user), was hailed as the first ever Billion-Dollar crop, in an early 1900s Popular Mechanics if I recall correctly. It would've trumped Cotton. Politicians push the pens, that make us the pawns. It's all about the greed, but hey, life isn't fair, so why should America try to be? Right? lol

i think cigerettes should be illegal and weed should be legal.why i think that is because cigerettes kill alot of people.i smoke cigerettes and its hard for me to quit.i also smoke weed and it makes me feel relaxed and good.cigerettes gives me a hard time to go to sleep cause i cant breath and my lungs hurt...thanx TiNY

There are many pros and cons to smoking ganj just as there is with pretty much everything else in life. Everyone should just try to enjoy themselves while also being informed and choosing for themselves. That said I also realize the gov is going to limit use as much as they can because it would be a cash crop that would simplify industry to the point that too many jumbo pockets would deflate resulting in a catastrophic equality epidemic. MAYBE?

I ask myself that question all the time

ummm...could you repeat the question???