Should Marijuana (weed) be legalised in Ireland?

Lots of people have contrasting and engaging opinions on this topic. I'm going to express my thoughts on the subject but that's all it is, an opinion. Last night I researched the benefits and effects of smoking weed and there are genuinely persuading arguments for both. From my point of view, no, weed shouldn't be legalised in Ireland. Obviously this may not be the cool, hipster and inventive answer, especially coming from a 20 year old who does love a good time.

Kids start smoking and consuming alcohol relatively early in this country. By making weed legal, young people under 18 would be even more encouraged to smoke it along with tobacco and drinking alcohol. Weed is the least harmful drug out there but it will have effects on children. Yes, this is against the law, but legalising weed will result in people taking it up at an earlier age.

Some will disagree and dispute that weed is just as accessible as buying a packet of Tayto crisps, so it might as well be legal? Yes weed is easy to get your hands on but that's against the point. It's not a valid reason to make it legal. There are hard drugs that are in reach but that fails to justify legalising heroin or cocaine.

Recreational drug users will claim that alcohol is just as harmful as smoking weed, their correct. Alcohol can be even more perilous and can have devastating effects. People take weed regularly and have successful lives and don't encounter any of the consequences. But legalising getting stoned would be sending the wrong message out to young Irish people.

Drugs.ie outlines short term and long term effects of smoking week. After initially getting high you will feel sedated and happy. Getting the munchies is also expected. It gets slightly more worrying as your pulse rate speeds up and your blood pressure drops. In terms of future consequences they include paranoia, mental health problems, low sperm count, poor coordination and breathing problems. http://www.drugs.ie/drugtypes/drug/cannabis

I'm not attempting to spread an anti-weed message. You only get one life and trying it occasionally should be harmless. It might even be extremely fun. It's not a terribly hazardous drug for the most part. But legalising it would be irresponsible. Taking into account Irish politics conservative approach, it's unlikely to be made legal. Just to be clear, so I'm not misinterpreted, do I think people are totally wrong to smoke the occasional weed? No. But should it be legalised? No. Legalising something is a form of encouragement, and although it is not as harmful as other drugs, it's still not something to be promoted.

http://www.perkel.com/politics/issues/pot.htm - Good argument for the benefits of weed

http://alcoholism.about.com/od/pot/a/effects.-Lya.htm - Interesting counter argument

Many thanks for reading. Feel free to add your opinion in the comment section or via Twitter or Facebook.
@LM1794