[dhs12345]

The important point is that without the drug addiction, many people might be self sufficient and independent. This is common sense.

Certainly, there would still be people looking for a free ride. But it is very hard to deny that drugs can be debilitating to the point where a person can’t or won’t work.

[ConservingFreedom]

even if there is a correlation, how do we know it's not the welfare that causes the drug use - or that both being on welfare and using drugs are caused by a third factor such as a poor attitude toward life?

it is very hard to deny that drugs can be debilitating to the point where a person can’t or won’t work.

Yes they can - but the question here is whether after legalization we'd be picking up the tab for many more of those exercising their rights to smoke - and the answer is that there's no evidence that we would.

[snarkybob]

“The important point is that without the drug addiction, many people might be self sufficient and independent. This is common sense.”

Exactly. Same thing with alcoholism and even obesity from too much fast food.
Do you want to regulate alcohol and cheeseburgers?