In the absence of cohesive analysis - when competent analysts from what seem to be believable groups contradict each other - yes, I look to my own personal experience.
I trust myself.
I can’t believe you are trying to convince me that pot is benign and those who use alcohol are messed up.
The vast majority of my friends/acquaintances use alcohol. The vast majority are sane, productive, rational. I do know a couple of what I consider to be functioning alcoholics.
A plurality of my former (liberal) friends used marijuana. A majority of them went on to harder drugs, had mild to serious mental issues, and were less and less productive until they became just about inert. Except for the few that quit.
The vast majority of my friends/acquaintances use alcohol. The vast majority are sane, productive, rational. I do know a couple of what I consider to be functioning alcoholics.
A plurality of my former (liberal) friends used marijuana. A majority of them went on to harder drugs, had mild to serious mental issues, and were less and less productive until they became just about inert. Except for the few that quit.
I wouldn't claim any drug is benign or completely harmful. People are benign or harmful. That being said, the majority of people I know that imbibe in hard alcohol have major problems, while the majority of pot users I know are responsible productive citizens. So I guess my anecdotal evidence cancels out yours.