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[The Heretic Azazel]

Sorry to say Buff, your post is mainly what I talk about when it comes to drug war enthusiasts spreading falsehoods, which isn't surprising since it can be hard to find an unbiased argument on the subject online, at least without some kind of personal agenda. There is some truth, I have smoked almost everyday since I was 18 and it takes a little bit of training to retain my short-term memory, I tend to have to pay more attention to my surroundings than the next guy. On the other hand it really helps me to smoke before a test to alleviate anxiety (I have an awful habit of going blank before I take an exam.)

There is no link whatsoever to cardiovascular problems and respiratory problems are probably equal in tobacco, BUT if you smoke weed out of a vaporizer it filters the tars and toxins and gives you straight THC (which isn't dangerous as opposed to the other possible compounds in your herb) and vaping helps break up the crud in your lungs.

People consider marijuana a gateway drug for a couple of reasons: one is coincidental, there is no cause and effect. There are people who will always grow up to be junkies, and marijuana happens to be the first drug people use (especially when they start young). The other is pot dealers often dabble in other drugs, so if you're going to your man to get some herb and he happens to sell coke on the side, yeah you're going to be exposed to that element of the game. That's all the more reason to legalize, it cuts out a certain portion of the black market and people don't have to be around that sort of thing. The problem is people who don't mind smoking bud but want a different, more sustained high. If you have an addictive personality you're better off not doing anything at all.

Edit: I also forgot to mention that certain alcohol like red wine are actually beneficial to your health if it is taken sparingly on a regular basis. I've yet to see any actual positive benefit from getting stoned.

There's always an exception to the rule, no alcohol except red wine has any useful properties so it's kind of pointless to make that relation. However cannabis is all that will relieve the pain of many terminally ill patients across the country, and the DEA tried to take that away from them too.

And truthfully I too would rather have it decriminalized than legalized. The shit would be too expensive for me.