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On the other hand, millions of adults smoke tobacco, and they are not doing it to rebel. Millions of adults drink alcohol, and they are not doing it to rebel. So if marijuana is available at every corner drug store, the total usage will go down or stay the same? Sorry, still not buying that. I believe that the most likely outcome of legalization is that the big two (alcohol and tobacco) will very quickly become the big three (marijuana), or the big four (pot and coke). I have met many many people over the years who don't smoke pot simply because it is illegal. Holland aside, how come nobody ever mentions the idea that drug use might (would probably) go up in the U.S., and that the costs to society would exceed the savings from the drug war. I have smoked pot all my life, and I have never, at any time, advocated legalizing it. I think it should be way decriminalized, but legal? No. I just can't see how the wholesale introduction of another drug into society can have any positive net result.

"...wholesale introduction of another drug into society can have any positive net result."

That introduction took place long ago.

It is readily available in spite of your best efforts.

That is simply a fact.

I choose not to use them. I'd like not to be robbed, car jacked, shot, raided or otherwise be harmed so someone else can get a fix.

Pot use might go up by a moderate amount. But you got to consider whats worse for society, a constant war that makes criminals rich, costs tax payers billions upon billions, and throws people in jail who have done no harm to anyone, permanently ruining their life, or 20% more people trying dope?

I just can't see how the wholesale introduction of another drug into society can have any positive net result.

Sigh. Oh yeah - it's real tough to find pot these days.

What is overlooked in the discussion of pot laws is the effect of decriminalization - why buy it when you can grow it? Its called weed for a reason. If it wasn't for the threat of police helicopters snooping at folk's backyards the smuggling of pot from S.America would plummet.

Probably not a good idea to expect a lot of tax revenue from legally sold pot - not when it grows so easily.

"I have smoked pot all my life, and I have never, at any time, advocated legalizing it. I think it should be way decriminalized, but legal? No. I just can't see how the wholesale introduction of another drug into society can have any positive net result."

Are you afraid you might start smoking it if it becomes legal? Oh, wait, you already do smoke it, as do millions and millions of others in this country. In fact, most adults under 60 have in this country have already tried it, at least that's what the government surveys say. I guess it's a little late to worry about "wholesale introduction" of marijuana into this country. That introduction took place decades ago.