It's on CNN, so it must be true. Scientists have found that the active ingredient in marijuana can prevent the progression of Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease is of course a serious health concern among old people. According to the article, "those afflicted with Alzheimer's suffer from memory loss, impaired decision-making, and diminished language and movement skills." Hmm... doesn't that sound like the description of someone who's high on pot? So smoking pot protects you from Alzheimer's but makes you act like you have the disease? You just can't win, heh.

Anyway, shouldn't marijuana be decriminalized? Studies have shown that marijuana is less addictive and causes less long-term health problems than tobacco. Since the more dangerous tobacco is legal, there's no good logical reason for banning marijuana, unless they want to ban tobacco too. Unfortunately, laws are often illogical and inconsistent--almost as if they were written by a bunch of potheads.

Too bad we can't even expect to have reasonable political debate about this. In a conservative democracy like ours (as opposed to a liberal one like the Netherlands, where pot is legal--lucky them), trying to be rational on this kind of issue is political suicide. A while ago, a local congressman--I can't remember which one--brought up the possibility of legalizing medical marijuana. Right away, the rabid conservative mob started foaming at the mouth. Drugs are bad! Grrr! Never mind that he merely proposed allowing medical use. No, it's bad! Drugs are bad, mmmkay? Unsurprising, the poor dude backtracked the next day.

Hmm, why can't I remember the name of that pot-loving congressman? Am I getting Alzheimer's? Oh no! I should go smoke some pot now before it's too late.