Victimless crimes: Marijuana and Prostitution. Should they be legalized?

They should be legalized and taxed, regulated by gov't.

First of all, marijuana should be legalized. It is much safer on the individual and the public. Lets face it, not too many folks high on pot driving fast enough to cause any major damage to anyone if they accidentally "coast" their car into them! Prostitution on the other hand (forgive the pun) is a different matter all together. With the advent of AIDS and some of the Hep. viruses out there prostitution does pose a very real health risk to the general public. Let's face it, there have been, I am sure, over the course of several years some innocents who have directly been adversely affected by diseases spread as a result of prostitution.

So, while I am inclined to agree that a good joint never really hurt anyone, prostitution does need to be regulated.

But they can be dangerous- smoking and drinking alcohol are technically "victimless", but what about drinking & driving or lung cancer? What about prostitutes that have been forced into the sex trade or what about the spread of STDs? Marijuana I actually have less of a problem with than any of the others, because people who are high tend to just sit around and not do much- the only problems I can see with it are when people try to drive high and kids who fail out of school because they are high all of the time. At the same time, simply outlawing any of those things won't get rid of them; they will still be done and sold behind the back of the law enforcement, or sometimes with the help of the law enforcement, as happened during Prohibition. I guess the best solution would be to have them regulated, as we do with alcohol & cigarettes- to make sure that nothing besides marijuana is in your joint, or to enforce regular STD tests & use of condoms with sex workers.

Yes, both should be legalized and regulated by the government. Prostitutes should file as independent contractors--and pay taxes in that form. Everyone growing marijuana would suddenly be eligible for subsidies from the government!!

On the down side, major corporations would patent marijuana seeds and start to file lawsuits against independent growers and such...just like with corn and soybeans. This would result in chemical tampering and non-organic marijuana.

I wholeheartedly agree. Of course, the opposition would contend that marijuana is a gateway drug, and that prostitution contributes to the spread of disease, crime, and the undermines family values.

Personally, I'm a firm believer in personal responsibility. Make laws against hurting others - and enforce them. Don't worry about why a crime was commited, just that it was (one reason I think hate crime legislation is a farce).

The money spend locking up people that smoke a little weed or sleep with a hooker could be better spent on educating the masses and letting them make up their own minds.

I think the only reason marijuana isn't legal is because anyone, anywhere, any time of year can grow it and thus it can't be taxed or followed...prostitution is kind of the same way...too many people could get away with it without being able to be taxed...and so there we stand as our American Gov't wants us to...if it can't be taxed, regulated and strangled by the gov't then it will be illegal...

Yes !!! time came to be legalized...but under State Supervision, like the way the State controlls the tabaco Industry...and the State has to create mandatory laws for the Prostitutes to up keep their licences..to pay taxes..and pass through Mandatory periodical Medical Examination...and Eliminate the PIMPING INDUSTRY, through severe long term JAIL terms.

100% agree

yeah it should,may be we would have less p whipped guys walkin around