Quote Originally Posted by MarkCO View Post
So I take it you don't have kids...

For many, the "forbidden" IS the drive. Legalization, in total, probably won't change the total use, but it will likely change the demographics. The number of people who "start" using pot under the age of 18 is staggering, and significantly higher than alcohol, so there may be some merit there.

However, the one thing we have all left out of this discussion is the "why". A kid does not take a drink or a hit to "escape" the first time, it is usually peer pressure. Continued use of drugs, for most, is the escape from reality, a reality that is not attractive. The greater the social decline, the more drugs will be desired, used and controlling of our society. If parents would spend more time with their kids instead of chasing the drug of money and consumerism, maybe drug use could be curtailed. A person who respects others and treats them with dignity does not desire nor pursue recreational drug use, legal or otherwise, because that person values others and their future.
If what you are comunicating is condoning addiction and its root causes is not OK I agree with you. If what you are comunicating is its not OK for everyone to be stoned and not give a shit I agree with you. I think i understand your opposition to legalization of marijuana. It is indeed a complex problem. I dont have the answers only observations. It seems apparant to me that criminalization of drugs is perpetuating multi generational career criminals by allowing profit. It seems apparant to me that the "why" is not helped by incarceration. It seems apparant to me that the criminal justice resources we are using on this would be better allocated on violent offenders and the "why".