Well, keep in mind if you have something legal you can regulate it. The govt (fed, state/local) can have more power over it. Just having something illegal you only have so much you can do imo. And people will still have it whether they mean to or not. I saw in the news recently an older couple bought some plants they thought were regular plants but it turned out to be pot they were growing. I don't know if they got into trouble since they didn't have any intent on growing or selling it and it was an innocent accident.
If pot was legal and regulated people can use it for illnesses like cancer patients and the authorities who are now spending time, energy and resources on illegal ownership of pot can use that time, resources and energy on things that really matter. If someone feels as if they are having substance abuse issues with the substance they can get help from a rehab instead of going to prison and we as a society can free up our prisons for people who need and deserve to be in prison.
I suggest people check out the group LEAP: Law Enforcement Against Prohibition. They do have a website and have video's on youtube. They are made up of anyone really who is a supporter. But the main people who speak for the group are former law enforcement officials. People from former narc agents (they're the best to listen to on the issue) to former judges and other fed agents. A good amount of people with the group have had some experience in dealing with the issue of drugs in this country and have authority to speak on the issue.
Some people in the group want all drugs legal while others just are advocates (at least currently) for pot being legal. They make good arguments and use their experiences in narcotics (and law enforcement in general) for their arguments.
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