From what I can see we are already in a mess, I can't see how legalizing more things is going to help. I have always had the impression that alcohol, tobacco and now this weed stuff are essentially gateway drugs for lots of folks. We live in an area where sometimes it looks like you are almost in a zombie movie. It seems almost everytime you go to town you encounter somebody intoxicated by something.
Its sad to see so many lives ruined or at the very least altered by the various types of drugs.
We were involved with ministry work for several years, and through those programs we saw first hand some of the details of lives forever changed by drugs and alcohol, and yes the health conditions that tobacco can cause as well as the financial hardship addictions to each of those put on folks. Usually where one of those vices is there are more. If I had had a dollar for ever time I have said if so and so hadn't got on whatever, they could have done anything they wanted to. So many talented and capable young folks have become pickled by the time they are still fairly young, it is just devastating to see the lives affected. Children being raised in homes where those things are going on and accepted are much more likely to go down the same path. Granted peer pressure and the need for something more so to speak can also lead to addictions.
I guess I have said all of that to say that my fear is the acceptance of one more thing will eventually lead to the desire to accept the next thing. I honestly don't know how it will play out, I hope for the best. I still believe that on a personal level the just say no slogan is still the best for me.