To some people, this was a good idea. It meant to them that the government will let people decide for themselves how to live their life. Unfortunately, today’s pot is much stronger than it was thirty years ago, the abuse of it is starting at an earlier age, the odds of addiction are going up (something like one in six, I’ve read), a mixed message is sent to all young people about drug abuse. Instead of encouraging self-control and virtue, the government itself in Colorado says it’s fine to be wasted and stoned; it’s recreational. So along with all of the problems that come from alcohol we’ll be tackling even more with health and social problems with marijuana in the mix.
That just means it takes less unhealthy smoke to get the same effect.
the abuse of it is starting at an earlier age
Since well before any state had legalized pot, teens have reported that they could get it more easily than beer or cigarettes ... which is to be expected since legal sellers card and illegal sellers don't.