The DEA and other agencies seeking to promote the status quo claim the legalization argument is a cyclical trend that resurfaces, heats up and then dies down again, only to come back at a later date. It claims legalization would be a devastating defeat to the committment that so many have made to living free, healthy and unfettered in our nation.
Other issues discussed at the forum included the argument: legalization proponents make better use of media in getting their point across than anti-legalization proponents. This makes their side of the argument better heard and their opinion better known. Also discussed were facts such as legalization proponents are often well-prepared and credible people who use lawyers and public relations firms to help them get their point to the public. Forum attendees also discussed how the debate is often fueled by misconceptions, especially that the drug problem in America is too high.
Forum attendees talked about how they felt legalization proponents highlighted public mistrust of government and misconceptions about government agencies being fragmented and having no clear-cut direction as to how to tackle the drug problem. Anti-legalization proponents also believe the legalization issue is being fueled by social frustrations with the "drug problem" in America. Some feel those in favor of legalization seek to legalize all drugs and not just marijuana. Others feel there are ulterior motives, such as the potential for profit-making through selling marijuana. Many attendees felt that those in favor of legalization are just seeking to protect their individual rights to take drugs.
Besides government agencies, religious groups also take stances against the legalization of marijuana. According to a group called, *"Agressive Christians," "Through the innocently appearing guise of the 'natural herbal high' called marijuana, Satan has found an open doorway for invasion into the minds of millions of people." OK, so this group may be a little extreme. In general, very few religious denomenations or groups support the legalization of marijuana. They basically oppose it on moral terms believing drug use is against the will of God. But there is at least one church that does support the use of marijuana in its religious rites. See Religious Use.
There is definitely at least 10 times more information about why marijuana should be made illegal than vice versa. Maybe the forum attendees were right. It definitely seems as if legalization proponents are making their voices better heard. Other than government agencies and religious groups, there are not many other groups taking an active stance against legalization.
Physical and Psychological Effects