No...it won't. But they are not, and should not be my problem. If they broke the law, they should do the time. And BTW non-violent is a relative, wishy washy term. A non-violent heroin user or pot smoker can cause violent consequences to themselves and others if behind a wheel of a car or in possesion of a firearm for example. A car or a firearm should not be operated under the influence of such drugs.
I smoke pot, should I go to prison? Am I that much of a threat to society when I smoke pot in my home? No more than you drinking a beer, or sipping your coffee.
Should you go to prison...yes...not due to any other fact that you're willingly breaking the law. Are you causing harm to yourself or others?...probably not...but the law is the law. What you do at home is none of my business...IMO. BUT you get into an accident on the road because you're high, or come to work high and cause harm to someone else because of it...than I got issues with that.
BTW...Equating alcohol/pot with coffee is intellectually dishonest. And I don't want to get into a tirade about legalizing drugs with you...the whole notion is useless from this small l libertarian unless you eliminate health care entitlements, government regulations on health care, have a society where people actually bare the full responsibility for their choices...all things which IMHO...are not going to happen anytime soon.
Approximately 750,000 people are arrested each year on marijuana charges. Maybe you smoke pot at home -- they don't.
People that ask questions and answer them themselves are afraid of the answer that they know is true.. instead of the answer they gave.. What answer is the accurate one ?... you know it already..
Regular pot smokers already have a prison.