[Question_Assumptions]

If you want marijuana to be legalized (something I'm currently sympathetic to, despite the fact that I don't drink, don't use drugs, and don't smoke), you need to (A) detach marijuana legalization from the legalization of other drugs, (B) propose appropriate regulations (such as those that govern the use of alcohol and tobacco), and (C) address the concerns that those who are against drugs have against this substance without being patronizing or dismissive. And please note that most people do not see marijuana, pain killers, valium, cocaine, heroin, and other drugs as equivalent substances.

[F.J. Mitchell]

Until all drugs are legalized, sold over the counter and taxed, they will always be a source of great profits that make billionaires of drug lords, criminals of users and paupers of law abiding tax-payers who pay for the whole damn stupid thing.

Being illegal, doesn't make drug usage less prevalent, but instead makes providing drugs to the users extremely profitable for those who deliver them, while driving users into all kinds of crimes to earn the cost of their habit.

THe war on drugs is the best thing that ever happened to organized crime. The Dons of Drugdom wake up in a cold sweat after a nightmare that drugs have been legalized and taxed, and the taxes are funding education of non-users, treatment of users and for searching their vile asses down and putting them away forever.

[ellery]

Great point, great post.