"If I Don't Do it, You Know Somebody Else Will"
Legalization of marijuana will mean no control over whom will have access to it....like teens and children. Underage drinking and alcohol poisoning happens a lot. Imagine the legalization of marijuana, the other numerous associated problems. This don't include the "young" who will obtain marijuana by theft...or other illegal means.
It is one thing.....in my belief to have underage people drink, it is another to let them have access to marijuana.
When I was in high schools, underage drinking occurred, but it never got out of hand, and there was never an incident where an ambulance had to be called. I guess as future generations happen to make their way up the seniority ladder of society......they are less careful. Underage drinking when I grew up, but people enjoyed the party and either crashed at the party location, or crawled in their tent and went to sleep.
I lost one classmates my sophomore or junior year to D.W.I - her brother was at fault, but he was over eighteen, and knew better. As I recall, he was driving, and he survived. His sister in the passenger side seat ( my classmate ) was pronounced dead on scene. She happened to be one heck of a ball player.
Legalization of Marijuana is not the answer. Although it is not as potent as other drugs, it still creates and mass produces problems.
And although marijuana is a problem...it is not the "big" concern that it was in the 80's and early 90's. PCP - Heroin - Cocaine - Meth....and a host of others catches the eye of Law Enforcement now. Local and Federal Law Enforcement have bigger drug problems than "Weed". Legalizing marijuana would create a larger headache that is not needed for citizens and police.
FF - Medic !!!
In my opinion, there is a significant difference between a child being allowed to smoke cannabis and drink alcohol. The latter is a physically-addicting substance. Both, are highly inappropriate for the underdeveloped brain.
There are many myths surrounding cannabis, particularly the one about it being a gateway drug for harder drugs. There is no "necessary" or "sufficient" condition compelling someone to ingest harder drugs.
But, you would find it hard to convince people of the facts. I cannot tell you how many individuals in the medical & law enforcement community believe in the urban myth of there being any functional relationship between the cycles of the moon & mayhem. The facts do not back up this contention.
Moonacy - CSI
In the absence of legalized cannabis, we can only speculate what may or may not happen. Now, we have two states that have legalized cannabis for further study. It will take many years to gauge the impact of cannabis on society should it become legal in many or all states.
In the mean time, Cartels step in with unethical business practices, something not dissimilar with the movers & shakers on Wall Street.
Truthfully, I don't see any difference in the Cartels & Wall Street. Both business practices are not kind toward the human condition. Like you suggested, I would prefer LE to address other problems in our society. Drug addiction and/or alcoholism should rest on a medical decision by an adult, not the government.
So, until legalization occurs, I suppose America will have to deal with those who favor profit over social consciousness, the Cartels. Drugs are here to stay.
Most advocates for legalization are totally against children obtaining access. This becomes a parenting & community issue.