You're saying they DO pose a threat to the user, just not a serious one? I agree, and that's one reason to prohibit it.
As to the "threat to society" -- IF the legalization of marijuana resulted in a doubling of teen use, would that be enough of a threat to our society to maintain the illegality of marijuana? Or don't you care about that?
IF the legalization of marijuana resulted in a tripling of marijuana use among adults (with no reduction in the use of other drugs, like alcohol), would that be enough of a threat to our society to maintain the illegality of marijuana?
I'm just trying to get a feel for your definition of a "serious threat to our society", which I'm guessing is a very high bar (I thinking your "serious threat" = Bubonic Plague).
I'm saying marijuana use, in and of itself, does not pose a significant threat to its users. Its effects are so insignificant that no level of government should be concerned with its prohibition. I believe state and local government should regulate its use in the same manner state and local governments regulate alcohol use or tobacco use.
As to the "threat to society" -- IF the legalization of marijuana resulted in a doubling of teen use, would that be enough of a threat to our society to maintain the illegality of marijuana? Or don't you care about that?
See above. A reasonable marijuana "legalization" scheme would undoubtedly include certain restrictions aimed at reducing underage use of marijuana. I don't advocate underage people using drugs or alcohol at all.
IF the legalization of marijuana resulted in a tripling of marijuana use among adults (with no reduction in the use of other drugs, like alcohol), would that be enough of a threat to our society to maintain the illegality of marijuana?
Adults should be free to make their own decisions, yes? If marijuana legalization results in more adults using marijuana, why would that threaten our society in any way? As I wrote earlier, the effects of marijuana use are tame compared with the effects of alcohol use, tobacco use, cocaine use, heroin use, meth use, oxycontin abuse, etc.
I'm just trying to get a feel for your definition of a "serious threat to our society", which I'm guessing is a very high bar (I thinking your "serious threat" = Bubonic Plague).
I think meth use poses a serious threat to our society. I think heroin use poses a serious threat to our society. I think cocaine use poses a significant threat to our society. Does that help a bit?