Marijuana has such a wide range of uses. I've met someone who's using it to treat Parkinson's. It's effect is immediate when the shakes start.
I'm curious if the states that have fully legalised it have any drug driving regulations in place. While it's interesting that accidents have decreased in areas where it's legalised (I too would suspect that it's replacing alcohol) I have experienced the degradation in brings to driving skills when being smoked whilst driving, so would definitely agree they don't go well together.
marijuana is a gateway to other drugs
I think that this is only true because it is criminalised like other drugs. Alcohol and cigarettes aren't gateway drugs. I believe that once be legalised it will no longer be a gateway drug. Is there any information on whether recreational drug use decreases in the states that have legalised it?
My last thoughts are probably aligned with yours. While cannabis is potentially incredibly beneficial in so many ways, I believe, like any drug, it shouldn't be used unnecessarily. I have seen the effects that long term use can have on a healthy mind. It can also be very hard to communicate with someone smoking pot! 😆
Yes, that's my suspicion also. If it were legalized, then perhaps it would not be used as much as that "gateway" to worse drugs. That's still a concern that must be monitored and addressed, but not enough reason to ban it (it could even be another reason not to ban it, if research supported that theory).