But if you were in the USA you couldn't smoke a cigarette or vote for another year, or have a drink for another four years. However, you can lawfully drive a car in every state (with a few restrictions in some places), drop out of high school in any state and get expelled in most of them, be sent to prison for life without parole in any state, and get sentenced to death in about half the states, although you won't be executed until you turn 18. You can also lawfully get laid in about a dozen states, and get married in almost all of them, although you will need your parent's permission to do so. Getting married, that is. Also, you can join the U.S. Armed Forces, provided you have a high school diploma and, once again, your parent's permission. Happy birthday!