And, there are a lot of places where you cannot have an open alcohol container. Many parks, etc. ban alcohol. Just because it's legal doesn't mean people are going to be smoking it everywhere and anywhere.
I think the strongest arguments for legalizing it are:
1) Being able to regulate what people are actually getting. When you buy from someone on the street, you really don't know what you're getting.
2) It's another "sin" that would be taxed and therefore would be a revenue maker for government.
3) Our penal system is busting at the seams and it seems like a better use of resources to focus on those committing violent crimes or crimes against society.
I've said before that I pretty much ascribe to the idea that if it doesn't infringe other people's rights, it should be legal.
Those who say that marijuana is not harmful to your body though are fooling themselves. There is plenty of research that shows that it's harmful to the lungs, brain and liver. My next door neighbor died of liver failure related to his marijuana use. The liver has to filter those toxins, just like it does with alcohol. He wasn't a drinker, but his liver was overtaxed because he smoked a lot of marijuana. We're talking a few joints every day.
A medical marijuana proposal did pass on the November ballot in Michigan. Some folks with Crohn's Disease feel it helps their symptoms a lot. I think if I got really really sick again and a doctor suggested it, I would try it for that. I'd rather not get that sick again though
