The fact of the matter is that Marijuana generates too much money for all the wrong people. Growers, dealers, DEA, Police, Prisons...the criminalization of this substance has and will continue to make money and pump it back into a vicious cycle of fear, tickets, courts, sentences, and more fear.
This is all a shame... a big scam. Of course, there are some short and long term side effects to this substance (as with just about everything), but there are a great many advantages to its use like lower blood pressure, better sleep, alleviation of pain, and increased quality of life (which is what medicine is all about... not just treatment and cures)... If we were to discuss the legalization of "opium" there would be a public outcry by conservative and, in my opinion, uptight citizens. What they don't know is that most painkillers, like oxycodone, purcaset, vicodin, codine, etc., are actually opioids... that's right, opium based. These are HIGHLY addictive narcotics. Then, of course, there is Alcohol and Tobacco... perhaps two of the most addictive substances on Earth, which are sold en masse in very accessible places... advertisements galore.
So what's the big deal with Marijuana? It's not as if we're dealing with Methamphetamines or Heroine (legally used for medicinal purposes)... it's the money. it's the cycle. it's fear. it's conservative and evangelical tight asses who want to control every aspect of social freedom a la taliban because it produces more money which allows the ruling classes to continue their domination through fear and imprisonment and fear and hellfire.
Quit smoking cigarettes, quit drinking alcohol... true vices... a little herbs never hurt anyone. It's all these folks who don't know pain and who've never smoked that want to control other peoples' choices. F*** That!