Marijuana. Why is it illegal? Nobody knows. Actually, yes, I do. The answer is literally paper. Plain and simple, no if's, and's or but's about it -- marijuana is safe and should be legal.
I continuously hear from marijuana opponents about the potential dangers that come from cannabis use. I just can't take them seriously. They can't say it's dangerous and therefore should remain illegal, yet be perfectly fine with other things that are much more lethal remaining legal.
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Here are 10 things that have killed more people than marijuana.
1. Falling Coconuts
Coconuts are very dangerous. They kill 150 people a year when they fall out of their trees. That's 150 more people each year than marijuana.
2. Red Meat
The World Health Organization claims that an increased consumption of red meat will also increase your risk for cancer. Yikes.
3. Car Exhaust
5,000 people die every year from lung and heart diseases stemming from the emissions from cars.
4. Water
It's a well-known fact. If you drink too much water, you can die from it. The same is not true for marijuana.
5. Prescription Drugs
47,000 people a year overdose on medications prescribed to them. And when their prescriptions run out, some turn to other opiates on the street, like heroine. Legalizing marijuana at the medicinal level could prevent deaths from more harmful drugs.
6. Alcohol
Many anti-marijuana advocates have had their fair share of drinks. 88,000 people a year overdose while drinking alcohol, but none do so from marijuana. This is ridiculous.
7. Spoons
Yes, people have actually died from spoon-related incidents.
8. Swimming Pools
People drown in water. People don't drown in marijuana.
9. Vending Machines
37 people have been killed trying to get a snack from a vending machine.
10. Salt
48 tablespoons deep into salt, and you are done. 48 grams, 48 ounces, 48 pounds of marijuana? None of that will kill you.
It seems painstakingly obvious at this point that marijuana cannot and will not kill you. The net damage that it has done to our society is much lower than other things which are legal. But there will still be doubters, whose unfortunate and inaccurate indoctrination will serve as another obstacle to get over before the government legalizes marijuana.
But you can change that. Information spreads because people spread it. If you have a friend or family member who is misinformed about the dangers of marijuana, educate them -- with facts, studies and articles like these. Because once people discover how safe it is, it'll be hard to oppose its legalization.
