[realnola]

FACT: In the state of louisiana, the cost per year of detaining a juvenile in a detention facility is $100,000 per child per year.

The problem is being addressed, however, I do not think kids (under 18) should experiment with ANY substance whstsoever. The courts in this state spend a fortune on kinds that are busted with marijuana, it's NOT a gateway drug but to a developing mind and in the childs view, they know everything and usually with kids - one things does lead to another. It's sad that marijuana was outlawed because of MORAL issues i.e. smoke a joint and you will sleep with the neibhors wife. That is how it was seen in the days back when they outlawed it. It's like that old law on the books here, it's illegal to tie an alligator to a fire hydrant, that law should have been stricken from the books a long time ago like many others. The fact is, the government gets tons of money to deal with the drug problem. Marijuana is part of that problem in their eyes and the money can be better spent fighting real drugs, the nasty stuff that kills people and makes people into criminals - stealing and such to support their habbit..

[realnolawife]

Well here is my two cents .....the money the government spends on prosectuting marijuana possession cases, weather it be adult or children, could be spent on health care for the American citizens. Or even education.

Also what about all of the sick people who would die from starvation. There are several illnesses that pot is used so the patient can eat. Cancer, aids, and anexoria are just a few. Many of these people choose to eat it instead of smoking it. I am a person who believes in natural substances, which alchol is not, nor is all of the medications the government approves.