The societal punishments for using marijuana distort its profile, the societal encouragements for using alcohol do the same. Hence, people get warped sense of inherent aspects of both these substances.
Someone sitting at home (not operating anything more dangerous than a computer-not driving, for instance) should be allowed to do as they wish, in terms of consuming chemicals. Yet, the drinker isn't breaking laws in doing this-the smoker (of green leaves-pot, rather than of brown leaves-tobacco) shouldn't be singled out, either, IMHO.
Fear of even speaking openly prevents more voices being heard in protest of the hypocrisy. If someone harms another person, I don't care what drug the person is on, it's about the consequences. If someone is not harming anyone, then they should be let alone to make personal choices.
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*"I don't know what it is, but I know what it isn't."*