In recent days it seems all I can hear is the talk about Marijuana becoming legal. Here in Canada that is practically a reality. And I can't help but think that this really isn't good. As I talk to others around me, I begin to feel like more and more of an island in an ocean of Pro-Pot people, young and old. I have tried looking up on the web for the opinions of people who are against the legalization, and more importantly, against the use of marijuana, and have been largely unsuccessful. I can't seem to find anyone out there who agrees with me, even when I am actively trying to. Is there really no one out there who thinks the use and legalization of marijuana sucks?

Well, if no one else has written it then I guess I will. I'm sick of turning around and bumping into all these opinions stating that marjiuana should be legal, and that marijuana is good, and that we should be "proud" to be pot smokers. You know you're already a pot smoker, and perhaps smoked a little too much when you take pride in such an inane activity. You can be proud of an accomplishment, or a goal you've reached. But if you seriously think you can be proud of being pot smoker, then you are a case example of the kind of person I am talking about.

In order to pre-emptively cut short the responses I am anticipating, let me start by saying that all statistics are generalizations, and that in all blocks of statistics there are ALWAYS exceptions. Therefore is not a valid argument to say, "I knew this college professor, and he was really smart, and he smoked pot everyday." To assume based on a sample size of one or two that Pot has no negative side affects on the human brain is a mistake in logic. I could also say that I've met many young individuals who have done nothing with their lives, and have smoked so much pot that they live in a permanent haze of dull and deadened intellect, needing to pause and think before remembering what their own name is. So please, don't tell me about Mr. X who is a genius and a pot smoker. No medical professional would tell you that smoking weed is good for your brain.

It's easy for someone who has a good life, to do stupid things to themselves from time to time with little concern that it will do any lasting damage. But what about the victims of substance abuse? For a few people, substances can be fun at a party, meanwhile the poor and the down-and-out or the mentally or emotionally abused try out drugs and alcohol and find how wonderful they are at helping them forget about their troubles. If you accept the use of recreational drugs at all you are accepting and validating an industry that feeds on the exploitation of the weak, poor, and mentally or emotionally ill. How much is your party fun really worth?

I've never smoked Pot. And I don't want to. I'm a human being, with a healthy mind, and a great sense of self worth. I have hobbies and friends, and a decent job. I like to learn, and discuss, and debate. I enjoy everyday that I'm alive, for no better reason than because life is precious. I have parents and siblings who love me, and quite frankly I don't have the time to waste puffing a narcotic into my system. I believe that properly functioning, mentally sound, and emotionally stable and satisfied people do not have any interest in smoking pot.

Pot is technically harmless. It doesn't register as an addictive substance, because it's easy to kick when life's circumstances no longer make it convenient. People usually don't smoke it chronically enough for it to register as cancer causing. And it generally doesn't make people violent like alcohol does. And this is why it's so insidious. It seems so harmless that no one who smokes it can possibly imagine why it's bad. But I think the reason it's bad is on a much lower level. People believe they need it to have a good time or to enjoy their day. This attitude is psychologically contagious and underlines the evidence that we as a society have a problem.

Why is it that our young minds aren't playing chess, or soccer? or painting pictures? or learning to play musical intruments? Or being constructive in some beneficial way? And if they are, why do they feel they can't do those things without the assistance of a drug that alters their minds? The truth is that pot is a white wash, a quick fix. It seems trivial, but it washes over a person and relieves them of all the painful but natural life processes that help them to grow. Concerns about the environment, concerns about war and prejudice, lack of self-esteem, troubles at home or at school, they all just melt away when you've washed yourself clean with a little marijuana. The underlying reasons for pot smoking are no different than the underlying reasons for alcoholism, unfortunately the side affects of pot aren't so apparent as those of alcohol. Why is that unfortunate? because somehow it tricks people into thinking that drug use is happy and good. There is nothing good going on for the individual who feels compelled to hide behind a drug. No child should feel it's necessary to drug themselves just so they can manage their day. And the truth is, there are no quick fixes in life.

We as a nation of concerned adults should be standing up and questioning the growing trend of marijuana use. We should be asking ourselves, why are our children turning to a drug to enjoy their lives. What have we done wrong in our efforts to educate and to love them?

I propose that there is a very common thread running through society that connects all the elements of dysfunctional life. From inflated divorce rates, to increase in obesity, depression and the increasing frequency of violence, the individuals' seclusion from society and this strange desire for legalizing a drug that's only remarkable quality is its ability to alter your perception. So a lot of people are clamoring for the legalization of Marijuana? Public opinion rules right? If most people want it, it must be good right? Wrong. If most people want something that is bad for them, then we have a serious problem. If we want to help ourselves, and the generations to come, we should be working to solve the problems of our society, not brushing them under the carpet for someone else to fix. It's time to wake up from our delusions that drugs are good. We have a problem and we need a real solution. A solution that will take generations to fix, just like every other problem in our society, from violence and abuse to environmental damage. Don't make a poor situation worse by giving up. Stand up against the legalization of recreational drugs. We don't need them, we don't want them, and we sure as hell don't want our children to start needing them.

My name is Greg Nacu, I'm a 23 year old resident of Kingston Ontario Canada, and I say 'No' to Pot.