There are so many substances that are legal all over the country that can kill a person. Such as alcohol and cigarettes. As a matter of a fact, I know of two people that died of the effects of either alcohol or cigarettes (cirrhosis of the liver and lung cancer). But the question is..."Why does the government allow the sale and use of these substances if they can kill its users in the long run?" Few people think about things like this. Marijuana is a plant from the earth that has not been altered in any way, however, cigarettes derived from a plant but it also contains other harmful substances that could eventually kill you when using it over time. Along with cigarettes, alcohol is lethal to the body as well. It attacks a vital organ of the body that helps everything to function...the liver. We cannot survive without our liver. Another fact is that marijuana is used to treat over 100 different types of conditions. Can anyone say that alcohol or cigarettes can do that? I think not. Therefore, I am petitioning the legalization of the sale and use of marijuana, for several reasons. Seeing as how the marijuana drug trade brings in tons of money, this can create legal jobs for people who are badly in need of financial help. Not everyone can snag a job as easily as one who qualifies. Not everyone is qualified for every type of job. The only jobs that are offered to those without a college degree are just menial jobs that only allow one to just get by, living off of each weekly paycheck. The way I see it, if marijuana is legal, there would be less drug-related crime, more jobs, and also a better economy. Whether the government likes it or not, people are always going to use and distribute marijuana. What if the entire country were drug users and distributors? Would law enforcement try to lock up everyone? That is virtually impossible. The legalization of marijuana can bring forth many positive attributes. If this petition makes a difference in the state of South Carolina, hopefully we can make a difference in other states as well. Thanks for your support.