The worst thing about Pot is that using it can get you arrested and jailed. It is unfortunate that it is illegal, since it interferes with studies to determine if the drug is in fact, harmful.
If you smoke it like tobacco, for example, is there any indication of it causing cancer?
Whether you use or not, not being able to make an informed choice is a problem.
From a legal perspective, there is no apparent justifiable reason to prosecute people for using it. If you like investing in jails, however, making up reasons to put people in jail makes good sense!
From an economic perspective, legalization and regulation could turn it into a huge boost for the economy. Not only do you save on all the salaries for law enforcement, DEA, attorney fees and jail operations, you also get a new revenue source, taxing the sale of the substance. You also stop the flow of cash out of the US to the foreign growers, and put a lot of drug dealers out of business. It might even stop users from being exposed to other, more problematic drugs. And of course you create a new cash crop for farmers! I don't have any idea of the numbers, but it is possible that it might add a significant economic boost to the US if it changes it's laws.
One thing seems apparent... you don't hear about marijuana causing car accidents like you do with alcohol.
Even so, Josh's honest admission still haunts him.
