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YouDebateIt.com -- Should Marijuana be legalized?
Topic: Should Marijuana be legalized?

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Opinion #1
Debater: The Wild Goose
Legalization arguments are flawed.
I do not intend to address the issue of legalization per se, that is, I shall not state a position and construct an argument for it. I may or may not be in favor of legalization. There are, however, logical flaws in the arguments for legalization which need to be addressed. One proposition is that government is not responsible for "protecting people from themselves". The problem with this is that it implicitly admits that government is responsible for protecting people from the actions of others- and do any of our actions not affect the lives of others? This principle, derived in part from J.S. Mill, is not sufficient to defend liberty, and can actually be detrimental to true freedom. A's use of drugs can and does affect B's life. Legalization advocates also say that legalized drugs should be taxed and regulated. See my arguments on "Sin Taxes" for a full explanation, but this reg+tax model could increase drug usage, and cause more damage than the war on drugs itself.
Opinion #2
Debater: KT
Not harmful
Just as one person's use of cannabis can affect another person's life can one person's use of alcohol and other legal substances affect another person's life. It cannot be ignored that alcohol and tobacco are legal (in my country anyway) and these are not only just as harmful as cannabis, alcohol is also just as dangerous in relation to driving while under the influence and suchlike. As for the increased taxation, that will either result in a decrease in the taxation of other goods OR an improvement in public facilities provided by the Government. Sure, I would have to cut down on my cannabis use if the price increased, but to be honest it would be worth it to be able to smoke dope in pubs/cafes and not have to worry about being arrested while carrying it. I live in Ireland which has a huge alcohol culture. I don't drink, I just enjoy the odd joint. I've given up on going to pubs & clubs because everyone gets drunk and acts stupid & often violent. Cannabis has no such negative effect.
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