In legalizing recreational marijuana, the values of financial gain, popular opinion, and personal freedom are apparently more important than the values of physical, mental, and emotional health

In Colorado, teen pot use has actually declined since legalization, accompanied by drops in the use of other drugs (including alcohol) in the same time frame in other age demographics. Here is similar information about Portugal, which has decriminalized almost all drugs.

Against intoxication? Great. Let’s talk about legalization.

Why does it work? Simple; when you have a ban, you tend to get a few suppliers with captive markets who don’t need to care about the purity, quality, or strength. They get their money no matter what, which is why you read about bathtub gin blinding people, household cleaners in street drugs, and the like. You also prevent users from forming communities to share information about their product of choice.

End that, and suddenly everybody involved is able to keep track of all this, and you end up with fewer addicts, ironically.