"A government cannot legalize an act. It can either make it illegal or leave it alone. To talk about legalization is to imply a relationship between a superior and inferior between a parent and a child. The parentalization of authority and the infantalization of everybody else." Thomas Szasz

I am of the understanding that Indian Hemp, Canabis Sativa, or Marijuana, was first made illegal in the US during the late 30's in order to help make the profits of two companies, Dow chemicals, and Du Pont chemicals, so that they could sell their new products Nylon, and Viscose, or Rayon for making fine fabric like stockings without the competition from Indian hemp. This prohibition was relaxed during WW11, in order to produce enough fabric for parachutes which were needed for the war effort. And as soon as the war was over the prohibition was reinstated. The drug values were never the reason, only the excuse for the prohibition.

CBD oil is being slowly recognized throughout the medical community for its healing properties. And it's shipped legally to all 50 states due to its lack of THC. Maybe it will lay ground for recreational herb in states still lagging on that issue. (I'm thankful to live in Washington State.) Also, as the statistics on tax revenues come out, people will see the monetary benefits. As for Sagan's essay, well... I just use herb to relax. However I do agree it makes one more contemplative and certainly less aggressive. I'd rather have stoners couch-locked in their homes than angry drunks terrorizing the highways or beating their wives.

Take away the profit from the drugs and the criminal will leave .

Tricky-Dicky Nixon, the old shriveled asshole crook, fucked up a lot of lives with his lies about marijuana.

Never cared much for Sagan, to me he had a holier than thou attitude, like he was talking down to you. Neil deGrasse Tyson, now that's someone I can admire.

He probably had something there. But the musings of an intelligent person are usually lost on people 2ith right minded thinking

I started smoking hasj about fourty years ago. Not daily, just now and then. In the first years it made me feel sad and mentaly closed. I didn't like it to be stoned. But it was a social happening with friends, so I did it. While getting older I began to like and to join hasj, aspecialy becouse I started working in a natural reserve, and making art in wood. I smoked in periods, a week or two, a month nothing, so not continiously. Many of my friends didn't smoke hasj but weed, cannabis. I saw a big difference with them when they were stoned. In most of the cannabis there is much too much THC wich is too heavy for the mind and the body. If cannabis would be legallized there should be a law to regulate the THC level, otherwise it is a kind of harddrug wich is not healthy. But I have to say that there are differences between people; some can smoke a lot without negative results, and others feel very down after smoking one joint.Cannabis and hasj are quite difficult drugs to use, users have to be sober with it.

I think people are getting on board, left and right, for legalization. Chuck Schumer just put forth a bill to decriminalize federally. I know that Cory Booker just sponsored a bill legalizing pot nationwide which Bernie Sanders and Kristen Gillibrand signed on to. John Boehner is on board since he realized he could make money on it. I don’t think we are at nationwide legalization yet but I think we keep getting closer.

I agree.

Truly ahead of his time.

I was not aware of that statement. Makes me admire him even more. Thanks.

I don't partake of cannabis. However, it needs to be decriminalized. Alcohol is many times more dangerous. Put a stoned person and a drunk person in the same room together and you will see a big difference.