I think the problem is the views on legalization are so polarized.
Look at cigarettes and alcohol. These have been legal (except for a few years) in western society for a hell of a long time yet we still have troubles with them. We don't fully know how to help alcoholics properly. We have trouble figuring out how to protect the majority without infringing on the rights of the individual.
If it were legalized, some people would still abuse it just like they abuse cigarettes and alcohol now. These people would slip through the cracks because of the old polarizing opinions. Many legalizers would, in their triumph pretend that nobody was suffering; while many prohibitionists would petulantly cross their arms and declare that, "īt's your problem now hippies!"
It would take a lot of cooperative effort and clearheadedness to make smoking a joint just like going to the pub for a quiet drink.
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