It still comes down to the age-old American debate about freedom.
We want our freedom to do what makes us happy, and makes us feel good, but we aren't shy about denying others the freedom to do what makes them happy or feel good.
Cases in point:
I like coffee. Too much of it can make my heart race, and give me an ulcer. I have tried to quit. I get headaches for days, and feel lethargic when I don't drink it. But it's legal.
I like a couple of alcoholic beverages in the evening. Me personally, I don't enjoy it at all if I have it during the day, but in the evenings I really enjoy it. When I deny myself my evening cocktail, after a couple of days I get grouchy. If I drink it at the wrong time, and engage in the wrong activity, I become a danger to others. I know people whose lives have been ruined by excessive drinking. We all have known and loved someone whose life has been ruined by excessive drinking. Period. We all do. But it's legal.
I don't enjoy pot. I did once, back in my college days I loved it. Now, either because I've changed, or the pot has changed, I simply don't enjoy it. Among the things I don't like about it, the day after I feel very lethargic. I don't feel like golfing, or playing pickleball, or doing my PT exercises....But I know people who use it recreationally, and to self-medicate for pain, anxiety, sleep problems, attention deficit issues, and they use it EVERY FREEKIN' DAY, just like I use my coffee and my evening booze. They are fine. They function well. Run businesses, make a lot of money. They are happy. They aren't hurting anyone at all, yet the government, with the blessing of many people who have their own but different ways of getting through their days (despite those ways all having the potential to make them sick, or worse), denies them that particular freedom which helps them function well, be happy and feel good. But it's OK with all of those people because it is not THEIR freedom that is being denied. It's someone else's.
It's really that simple.
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