Fed1913

Well teamosil...A valid societal reason might well be that it's a steppingstone drug to others that are worse. It can actually be demonstrated that as a singlular habit it is more benign than alcohol. That is not a good enough justification for acceptable usage though. We have booze as an acceptable social behavior, primarily due to widespead usage as a societal norm. That doesn't mean that we wouldn't be better off as a society without it. As a societal issue I come down on the rights of the states individually to make laws to control such and NOT the federal government. The federal government's business should be restricted to the interstate commerce of such only. I also think that pricing it as a costly behavior by STATES (using states' taxation) as their option and thus their gain in taxing revenues, is the way to go. I got away from booze over 25 years ago, though I never was out of control or habitualized to it's usage. It just came to me that why bother. After a time one begins, at some point, to realize that watering holes are collection places for people regaling in self-misery of one sort or another and looking for an escape. Losers to be succinct! One may counter that it's an innocent social bonding vehicle to break down shyness or whatever, but by any measure it's a personal crutch. I don't believe in pesonal crutches OR double standards so apply the same standard to illicit drugs. One is better off without and demonstrates a great lesson for one's kids, thus improving the future of this country.

Therein lies the dichotomy in two points of view, but one reality.
There IS collateral damage to a society in BOTH behaviors.
Death and injury by intentioned and unintended accidental behaviors is a personal and societal casualty in very real and also in economic terms.

I like them. IMO it's silly to spend all this money prosecuting people for something that really isn't any more destructive than drinking. Probably less destructive. If somebody wants to smoke pot they aren't hurting anybody, so I don't see why we should hassle them.