I'd just like to point out that what is being debated in Washington state is the legalization of marijuana. This does not extend to growing or producing marijuana, that will only be allowed by government approved growers. It's a slippery slope to say that legalizing marijuana would lead to the legalization of opium/heroin or cocaine. One does not necessarily lead to the next.
In the 1970's America's prison population was around 300,000 people. Today it's almost 2.3 million, largely due to "victimless" crimes such as drug distribution. That's more people in prison in the US than in China (#2 with 1.6 million people imprisoned out of a billion+ population). What's more is the US's prison population is disproportionately made up of minorities, something that is unseen in other, far more repressive regimes than the US. This coexists with the fact that whites and minorities commit crimes (including "victimless" drug crimes) at roughly the same rates. Yet, minorities are far more likely to be arrested, tried, and convicted of crimes, especially felonies. I would say that incarcerating 2.3 million people has a more negative impact on society, especially if these people are convicted of felony crimes which prevents them from voting, from obtaining future employment, and limits the government resources they are eligible for, than the legalization of the drug for which they were incarcerated.
If any drug is legalized is it's use amongst the population going to increase? Probably. But in the case of marijuana, it is less harmful than drugs that are currently legal (ie. alcohol). I've seen some raging drunks in my day, but no raging stoners. By raging, I mean violent, volatile, and angry (okay, I've seen angry stoners, but they seem to just complain rather than take violent action). Should it be regulated? Yes. Should it be taxed? Definitely. Should underage sale be prohibited? Yes, but that doesn't mean those underage will be unable to obtain marijuana, much like they get alcohol today.
In the 1970's America's prison population was around 300,000 people. Today it's almost 2.3 million, largely due to "victimless" crimes such as drug distribution. That's more people in prison in the US than in China (#2 with 1.6 million people imprisoned out of a billion+ population). What's more is the US's prison population is disproportionately made up of minorities, something that is unseen in other, far more repressive regimes than the US. This coexists with the fact that whites and minorities commit crimes (including "victimless" drug crimes) at roughly the same rates. Yet, minorities are far more likely to be arrested, tried, and convicted of crimes, especially felonies. I would say that incarcerating 2.3 million people has a more negative impact on society, especially if these people are convicted of felony crimes which prevents them from voting, from obtaining future employment, and limits the government resources they are eligible for, than the legalization of the drug for which they were incarcerated.
If any drug is legalized is it's use amongst the population going to increase? Probably. But in the case of marijuana, it is less harmful than drugs that are currently legal (ie. alcohol). I've seen some raging drunks in my day, but no raging stoners. By raging, I mean violent, volatile, and angry (okay, I've seen angry stoners, but they seem to just complain rather than take violent action). Should it be regulated? Yes. Should it be taxed? Definitely. Should underage sale be prohibited? Yes, but that doesn't mean those underage will be unable to obtain marijuana, much like they get alcohol today.