Lynnie its so funny you talk about society knowing the harms of alcohol and tobacco, if they really did then why do people die every fucking day due to these substances? The funny thing is that is more an argument for you than it is for us, because if society REALLY knew the harms of smoking and drinking then it would prove legalisation and education was fool proof but even we pro legalisation folks have to concede it isn't.
The thing is, I enjoy marijuana, I smoke it every day and I do feel as far as putting me to sleep it has some therapeutic value. But at the end of the day I am abusing a drug daily, partially because I like the effects, partially because I feel like I need something to put me out, and if I am honest partially because I find my day much easier if I get to enjoy a buzz at the end of it.
I admit for the amount of abuse of marijuana in the world and the fact society as a whole is too dumb to even capitalise on the revenue that could be made off it or the majority of medicinal properties it has means cannabis is probably a negative influence on the world overall at this point in time.
I do believe though, that through the combined effects of reduction of alcohol consumption worldwide, shitloads of extra tax dollars raised, reduction of our prison populations and realisation of the full medicinal benefits of this wonderful plant cannabis could prove to be a positive force in the world.
The fact is, even if it remained a negative force overall, legalisation would definately reduce the negative impact it as on society in my opinion because there ARE advantages to legalising as well as the drawbacks. The thing about the so called drawbacks of legalising is that, that is going on NOW, it is being used by shitloads of people regardless of its legal status and causing about as much harm as it is ever going to, the only thing making it illegal does is add the harm to the cannabis consumer that they are also a criminal as well as damaging their health.
I don't think ANY drug should be illegal or restricted in any way other than minimum purchasing age, but I do see some sensible arguments on the side of prohibition of most drugs. It is my personal opinion there is not one single good reason to keep marijuana outlawed and the sooner society (I should say the Government because I do think 'society' as a whole is starting to realise) figures this out the better the world will be for it.