I'm watching this one closely. I think there's been a tectonic shift in the public attitude towards marijuana, beginning in the 90's (the backlash to the whole 'just say no! One joint will fvck you up for life! And pot smokers are commies!!' 1980's) and I don't really see anything stopping the progressive relaxation of marijuana laws.

I know a lot of you younger people on here don't realize how many functional people you know smoke weed, because they hide that from you. When you get my age, your eyes will open: and unbelievable amount of people who you'd never think would ever touch the stuff smoke up on a regular basis. I personally know teachers, law enforcement officers, doctors, physicists, and even clergymen (well, man) who fire up at least occasionally. Of course most hide it from the eyes of the young, because it is still illegal and the young have loud mouths.

It's no big deal, and I'm glad people are finally realizing that. I look forward to the day I can walk down to the local smoke shop and pick up some dro as easily as picking up a 6-pack.

[QUOTE="MrGeezer"] I see marijuana laws continuing to be relaxed, but I don't see it being legalized for recreational use any time soon. Best case scenario: it's still illegal, but no one's gonna bust you up for it unless you're smoking it in public. [/QUOTE]

Personally, I think the government will soon drop it from Schedule I and leave it up to the individual states, but I eventually see it becoming legal for recreation in all 50. It's just some need a little more time to let the old crazies die off so they stop voting.

[QUOTE="MrGeezer"] The [i]only[/i] reason I could see it being legalized is for tax revenue or something. I mean, even if it were legalized, I'm sure its use would probably still be prohibited in public areas. And if you're smoking it at home, who cares if it's legal or not? Doesn't make a difference one way or the other. The reason I don't see it being legalized (everywhere) isn't because I think people want it to be a crime. The reason I don't see it being legalized is because...why bother? Once it's been relaxed enough that people stop getting arrested for possession, then that's enough. No need to go further. Sure, legalizing it would make it easily available, but it's already easily available. Sure, legalizing it would make it subject to regulations (like not selling to kids), but who cares? I don't think the problem of kids getting their hands on weed is such a problem that it requires much of a fix either. [/QUOTE]

I foresee it being treated like alcohol, actually. There's no dry states, but there are dry counties. That doesn't mean you can't have it in the 'dry' country, it just means it isn't sold there.

Tax revenue is one reason I think it will be largely legalized but also as you said regulation. No shops this close to schools, age restrictions, consumption restrictions (i.e. public intoxication) and so on.

[QUOTE="Rich3232"]Legalization(assuming that taxes are not ridiculously high) will decimate the often violent black market associated with illegal drugs, and for me that's enough of a reason to fully legalize it. [/QUOTE]

Yup. I mean, how many people still buy bathtub gin from Jethro for their alcohol fix? Yeah, there's a few, but they're the exception.