[Dec31,1999]

I disagree. Supression works to a varying degree. Take the WOD, for example. If we allowed MJ to be sold at 7-11, there would be a whole lot more pot smokers than if not. Wouldn't you agree?

[rb22982]

Doubtful, marijuana use has drastically increased since criminalization, and in the Netherlands barely rose after legalization and is now on the decline.

Even if use did increase, it wouldn't increase that much, and it is still less harmful than alcohol, and you wouldn't have to spend 20 billion a year on taxes and probably make a lot off taxing it.

[redrock]

"Supression works to a varying degree.."

Yep...it worked really well during Prohibition. (/sarcasm)

redrock

[tortoise]

If we allowed MJ to be sold at 7-11, there would be a whole lot more pot smokers than if not. Wouldn't you agree?

That doesn't follow. You assume that there are loads of people jones-ing for pot that can't get it now. This is false on two accounts: most people who don't smoke pot now aren't interested in it, and anybody can get it anywhere. Pot is already ubiquitous.

As with a great many commodities, relative availability does not significantly affect consumption rates until the market drives the prices to ridiculous levels. The government is utterly incapable of driving prices to a level where it impacts consumption for most illegal things. It is foolish to assume that this doesn't apply to MJ.