Why are cigarettes legal, but marijuana illegal?

[GhettoDogAllStars]

Originally Posted by Beemnseven

Beemnseven, the libertine says that everything should be legal ... cocaine, heroin, you name it - have at it.

ya know, there are definitely good arguments to be made to support that position. Basically, I just try to keep an open mind and remember that people will do what people will do (mostly regardless of anyone else telling them not to).

onlydarksets: you're right shrooms can be dangerous, and they are totally natural. The only difference I can see between pot and shrooms is that one can kill you immediately, and the other takes much longer (if at all). But really, that difference is not very significant.

Really, the only legitimate justification for illegal drugs is safety. Then, the whole argument about whether this drug or that drug should be illegal, comes down to this question: does the government have a right to protect you from yourself?