Just remember -- Legalization and Decriminalization are two different issues. While decriminalization may be prudent on a number of levels, legalization would be a tremendous mistake.

They are going to tax weed at $35 an ounce, they are paying only $50 to $70 without tax in California. Once you add that on you will see the black market expload. And then the Government is left holding the bag for health care, rehab and all the othe stuff that these criminals don't want to pay for. Why are we dealing with people that violate the law anyway. If they were jaywalking and were trying to pass a law to allow and tax jaywalking would we listen.

It is a bad law in the first place, that is why civil disobedience is the right course of action until the law is changed. Investigate the means by which cannabis became illegal. The tactics used by Anslinger and his ilk are nothing but lies, civil rights violations, and were unconstitutional.

So if it your constitutional right, why do you wish it to be taxed. Makes no sense to me. There is no tax on air(Yet). There is no tax on going to the bathroom. It's funny what laws you marijuana advocates pick and choose to obey. R.I. doesn't need laws like California, they need to be clearly defined, at least look at N.M. law before they just leave the door open for the general population.

Marijuana is not physically addictive, it is safer than alcohol, and legalizing it would be better for society than the alcohol prohibition's end. Most people can actually function when they are high (unlike when they are drunk), and many honest people get put away for life, and their lives are ruined just because they decided to use a substance that's safer, and less harmful than alcohol. I'd definitely rather be around a pot-head than an alcoholic. Marijuana calms you down, and has medical use, unlike alcohol. I'm doing so many comparisons to alcohol, because if we legalized this man-made substance, that causes car-crashes, fights, addiction, and unreasonable activity, why can't we legalize a calming, mellowing, hang-over free, all natural, non-addictive WEED? Weed is a weed, it grew wild. Man made alcohol. To all those holy rollers who support alcohol, and oppose legalization of marijuana for religious reasons- God made marijuana. It grew wild, man did not make it. Man made alcohol. God made a non-addictive, non-destructive plant that has medical usage. Man fermented alcohol, which has no medical use what-so-ever when ingested, and can kill you in large doses. People die all the time from alcohol poisoning, NOBODY HAS EVER OVERDOSED ON MARIJUANA. In the bible, God says all seed-bearing plants can be used by man. Guess what bears seeds? Mary Jane. The only thing that the opposing party has on Marijuana that is not the same with alcohol (even though Cannibis is scientifically proven to be healthier) is that it's a gateway drug. Legalizing it would solve that problem by moving the sale of Marijuana to stores instead of drug dealers.

I would not encourage my son to choose a college in Rhode Island if this passes--he had planned to apply to one there this year.

Robert, In dispute of your pro-marijuana argument. I doubt there are any people in prison doing life for simply smoking marijuana. That might have been the start of their problems, but I'm sure they did something else, like kill someone in a car accident. Rob someone to pay for their weed. But I can't find any story where someone got a life sentence for smoking pot. True it grew wild, and if you think the pot on the street is not man made, your wrong. It has been cloned and fertilized and sprayed with all kinds of stuff. It has been documented that marijuana is addictive, so nice try. And why do you want to compare it to alcohol, we want stricter laws against alcohol too. Alcohol is just as natural as weed, and was documented in the bible as being acceptable. But we need to change that as well. Any drug that alters your level of conciousness is going to cause problems. One is not worse than the other. In reference to your bible quote, I believe the opium poppy produces seeds as well, so should we allow heroin to be legal as well. If you think you are going to get rid of drug dealers by legalizing it, you are wrong. There will be more drug dealers and they will be focused on selling to our kids, unless you were going to allow kids to buy it from the store too. Get real, Stay sober!

Robert, you are correct sir! Your statements make good sense. And Verde, I believe Robert was referring to when stoners get busted, their livelihood is shot. Some do real jail time and no jobs when they get out. And believe this, no stoner would "rob someone to pay for their weed". They would rather share if they had some! You can not compare alcohol, opium and MJ...only MJ can be used without any processing. You can suck on opium leaves to get a buzz (like people who grow it), but it is grown to be processed into powder. So MJ wins! MJ is the most natural plant on Earth. It's helped many people, in many cultures, for thousands of years. What we have now are old pot laws made from fear and greed. That's why the US is the only industrial nation that will not produce hemp products. We are that afraid of the pot!! Verde, check your facts & history. If legalization of MJ will make more dealers...how come that did not happen when alcohol prohibition ended? The bootleggers stopped because alcohol became legal and more available. Same can happen with MJ, plus more jobs and revenue would become available. Seems like a no-brainer to me.

How amusing that some people believe the black market for cannabis would "explode" if it was taxed. For heaven's sake. It will grow in a flower pot on your window sill. The only thing that will explode when cannabis is finally legalized are the myths about its danger (and of course, the heads of all the erstwhile drug warriors).

If you take out the black market like when it was prohibition tax it regulate it that will be fine police can only get so much anyway! people who want get it so make it where it can benefit people the most. stop using jail 4 this purpose there were people against alchohol& they will be against this 2 someone asked me if my kid got weed & smoked some how would i feel? i never smoked but life is about choices folks will have 2 learn the right ones 2 make

I consume marijuana. It makes my life more meaningful. I've noticed no adverse effects. It is my choice, not my addiction. I decide whether I want to use marijuana or not - not the government or anybody else.