America's 2nd favorite drug

I read the other day that some of California's lawmakers want to introduce a bill that would legalize and tax (of course!) weed. They say it would bring $1.4 billion in tax revenue. I have to say that it's about time someone used their gray matter. Lumping pot in with cocaine and heroin is like saying a badminton racket is as dangerous as an AK47. By the way, I didn't know badminton had that first 'n' in it. I always heard that it was Alfred DuPont who was behind the criminalization of marijuana. He invented nylon, which was in direct competition with hemp. Since he was well-placed in high society, he was able to use his influence to aid the ban. (That never happens, right?) It is interesting to note that hemp grown for paper and rope is not the same variety as what is generally smoked for a high. Did you know that the first paper mill in the US, started by Ben Franklin, used hemp exclusively? According to USDA bulletin 404, 1 acre of hemp will produce fiber for paper equal to 4.1 acres of trees. The processing to create paper is also much cleaner than our current production from wood fiber.
Back to getting high on weed. We already have alcohol to get high on. It is fairly apparent that the alcohol industry has a pretty good chokehold on our government when it comes to regulation. Just look at the stats for drunk driving deaths and the number of domestic problems caused by alcoholics. You ever heard of a pothead going on a rampage, beating and killing his or her family? Look at all of the ads on TV! Hell, alcohol doesn't even have any medicinal use other than pouring it on your leg to sterilize it after being shot at the OK Corral. Pot, on the other hand, would not only increase revenue for the government but also revitalize the snack food industry. It would bring a new meaning the the "fourthmeal" at Taco Bell. Just imagine how much money the government would save by not having to chase pot farmers and destroy illegal crops. You ever wonder why they burn the pot instead of burying it at the landfill? I'll bet they all stand downwind of the fire. The bureaucracy involved in pot prosecution could be trimmed back, saving millions in tax dollars. Going back to hemp would also cut down on our oil consumption. It worked fine as rope for hundreds of years. This is one example of technology not necessarily being better.
Healthwise, I assume that there are certain risks to smoking pot similar to tobacco. One of the biggest problems with tobacco is the additional chemicals added during curing and processing. I do think that the number of tobacco related deaths is overstated to give credence to the current legislation hammering tobacco companies. If we keep pot in its pure form, some of these health risks go away. Also, I can't imagine anyone smoking 2 packs of pot a day. You would be a houseplant, just sitting there gathering dust and soaking up sunshine! Here is another odd fact. According to the 2006 World Drug Report, 12.5% of America uses pot but only 1.3% of Mexico uses pot. That might be caused by the fact that 40% of Mexico's population is in the US.