[WildTurkey]

Marijuana use dropped over 60% from its high point in 1979.

Alcohol use dropped substantially during the same period with no preceding significant change in its legal status.

Except for:

1. Higher minimun age limits
2. Lower BAC driving limits

[robertpaulsen]

Well, yeah, other than that, sure.

Plus the court's definition of liability has been expanded in civil suits to include anyone and everyone who had any contact whatsoever with the drinker. Plus the penalties have increased.

Legal status aside, there are many other reasons (price, taxes, social stigma, etc.). Don't let Know your rights (aka MrLeRoy) define and limit the scope of the argument -- a favorite tactic of his.

[Know your rights]

I didn't say "no change," I said "no significant change." The 18-to-21 bracket wasn't drinking nearly as much as all the over-21s; and lower BAC limits deterred somwe drunk driving, but not obviously much drinking.