Should Marijuana be legalized? 
There are other considerations beyond it's harmful effects when smoked. The cannibis plant produces hemp seeds, a very strong fiber and has even been used to make synthetic fuel. Hemp seeds can also produce a cooking oil superior to olive oil in nutrition and high heat qualities. Hemp clothing is strong, attractive and hypoallergenic. The practical uses of hemp far exceed the synthetic fibers that replaced it. A short film produced in 1942 provides an interesting historical perspective. It's production was crowded out by corporate giants like DuPont and the dangers of addiction were trumpeted nationwide. Since the production of hemp does not require agrichemicals harmful to the environment and has so many positive uses, shouldn't we consider legalizing it and taxing it like tobacco, which is shown to be more hazardous to health?
The misleading war on cannabis
We are all born with our body’s own form of cannabis. The endogenous cannabinoid system, which is named after the plant, is one of the most important physiological system involved in establishing and maintaining our health. Mother’s milk actually contains naturally-occurring cannabinoids, which have a biological purpose. The cannabinoids, in mother’s milk, bind to the baby’s cannabinoid receptors in their brain. These cannabinoids trigger a hunger response in babies; and helps babies to nurse frequently and improves coordination of the muscles used to do so. We are told only the pharmaceutical companies can make synthetic versions of cannabinoids – that will not make you high. This is another big bold lie. There are different varieties of cannabis and various natural ways to use it – without any of the so-called negative effects. When you smoke a joint for medical purposes you are leaving behind 90% of the healing properties. There are different cannabis strains, and by choosing the correct one and using it correctly you can help most painful health conditions – without getting high.
Cannabinoids have been found to have antioxidant properties, unrelated to NMDA receptor antagonism. This new found property makes cannabinoids useful in the treatment and prophylaxis of wide variety of oxidation associated diseases, such as ischemic, age-related, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.” The government knows that cannabis has health benefits. This patent lists the use of certain cannabinoids – found within the cannabis sativa plant – as useful in certain neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, HIV and dementia. And, yet, this is the same U.S. federal government that steadfastly denies that cannabis has any medicinal value. Gee, I wonder why? - See more at: http://www.naturalhealth365.com/politics_health/0909_cannabis_patent.html#sthash.9tU7AFLC.dpuf