“Prohibitions are always doomed to failure.”
How about our prohibition on murder?
Nobody thinks that the law will prevent all murders, and the fact that they still occur does not mean that the law is a failure. The law has, as I see it, three objectives:
1. To go on record with society’s disapproval of murder.
2. To deter as many murders as possible.
3. To establish the grounds for punishing murderers.
Neither are laws against pot designed to prevent all pot smoking. Further, there does seem to be less pot smoking than there was in the 1970s. I couldn’t walk across campus in the spring without smelling it multiple times. Last time I visited my alma mater, I didn’t smell it at all.
I would guess that the huge jump in prices had something to do with this, too.
Hate to point it out, but there’s a slight difference between muddier and marijuana. Arguably the unlawful taking of life is against manmade and natural law. Marijuana is only against manmade law. Who’s rights get hurt by a person lighting up a joint?
And why should we spend untold billions on a failed policy that fivers govt more power over us?
I don’t believe that engaging in any behavior that results in intoxication is good, but you tell me how to stop it. Watch Boardwalk Empire on HBO and you will see that the unintended consequences of Prohibition are far greater than the behavior itself.