Within a federated union of the several states, I see no reason why some states shouldn’t explore such a path. Colorado made the leap in 2014.
Other states should be able to look at evidence from CO, MA, CA, etc. and decide if it’s a good path to go down.
If the evidence says “this is a bad path” and the voters and politicians in a state like Illinois still insist on saying “Let’s go!” then I don’t know what you can do.
On a personal level, I advise against the use. On an abstract political level, I think people ought to control their own destiny. Government prohibition of a weed has proven difficult.
The problem, as we've seen with a number of issues in the past few decades, is that "permission" soon morphs into "promotion." Can professional organizations continue to ban pot use among member if the government tacitly endorses it through legalization? It is thus deemed a "right" that no professional organization can violate.
“On an abstract political level, I think people ought to control their own destiny”
I agree with you as long as my money isn’t used to bail them out.
I had that exact conversation with my kids. Let a couple states do something and experiment. unfortunately, politicians are generally stupid and just jump on the bandwagon chasing the new shiny red ball
States don’t seem to benchmark much at all. When they do they only cherry pick the things that make them look good so they can continue in the direction they are on. Any negatives they dismiss or wish away with flimsy excuses.
Most states are cesspools for graft, corruption and ignorance. They make the feds look like pikers in these departments.