We spend millions and millions of dollars trying to repair the effects of alcohol and drugs on our society through detox centers, crisis centers and rehabs.and professionals. We should distinguish that alcohol is a "desease". To be classified as a "disease" it must have a) symptoms and b) be predictable. And alcohol and alcoholics falls under this definition. It is unclear that marijuana has ever been identified as a disease and from all of the data I have seen it has not.
I wonder how many that would like to see pot decriminalized have visited a detox center or a crisis center or a rehab. How many have tried to give therapy to someone who is in the last stages of their life because of drug or alcohol usage and abuse. Or have seen the effects on the family.
Having said this I have a hard time understanding why we would want to unload another drug on the already stressed out next generation and set up more detox, rehabs and professionals to handle the influx of abusers. I hear the argument that trying to police it is costing a great deal of money. I believe it is folly to think it will not have to be policed if legal and the costs of treatments will mimic those of the other drug users and health costs will be significantly impacted.
I am not a do gooder and not fanatic on the usage of alcohol but I am practical and am a believer that somewhere all this "lets distort reality" should be controled.