I live in Australia and weed is illegal. I like weed, I will smoke it to im a old man if thats what I choose to do. I started smoking cigarettes at a young age and looking back on it now they have had a far more negative impact on me both physically and mentally. If I had to think about were my current addictive personality was first recognizable I would say back in the school days when I was chasing up a smoke. My whole outlook on everything started to revolve about the opportunity to have a smoke. But Im not saying this to bag tobacco but wanted to highlight how money and media influences what you think would be a logical progression towards legalization of marijuana considering other drugs legal status etc. By forcing marijuana underground it creates a divide between people that generally want to be a part of the mainstream. There are huge societal consequences on many communities due to this. I'm sure that there are many intellectuals and politicians that have recognized the hypocrisy in it all but there's no reward in it for them to speak there mind.
Politicians are weak minded pieces of shit they will not admit they were wrong ever and of course big pharma/tobacco/alcohol companies keep the government happy with their wink wink nudge nudge donations! COUGH COUGH