Quote Originally Posted by MarkCO View Post
Once, when we had a more polite society with personal responsbility, all form of things were criminalized that are now common. American society is heading in a scary direction. IMHO, legalization of pot will result in the proliferation of more designer drugs (Bath Salts, Smiles, etc.) by the criminal element, reduce our collective ability to produce and innovate and result in a higher percentage of people on the government dole. These will create increased burdens on those who try to live responsibly and earn their own way.
One flaw with your statement: Marijuana was not illegal until 1937 in the US. The main reason it was made illegal was that it was lumped in with hemp when the paper industry saw hemp as a threat. Regulation started in the 1860s, but the outright ban didn't come until much later.