Watching a documentary about the legalization of pot got me thinking:
Firstly, I don't do drugs, never will, but I'm not completely against pot. People are stupid about it (on both sides of the spectrum but with the right regulations in place, it would be perfectly fine legalized).
My view is that if someone wants to sell it as medicine, have some sort of degree in naturopathic medicine to at least fully understand the medicinal side of the plant. It seems everyone who gets into the business is in it for money, with a side of care of others. IF one were to have some sort of medicinal degree, they could properly prescribe the right combination of herbs for that person's specific needs. What they do now is simply have different varieties or flavors of pot, whereas, if they were clever enough, could combine natural (non-marijuana) herbs that have been used for years to cure illness. If they're making a big deal about pot being beneficial, make it actually beneficial compared to just another pain killer.
If it were to be legalized, there would have to be strict regulations about it. In no case whatsoever, should people be allowed to smoke and drive. I know people do already, but like alcohol, it impairs your ability to function normally. Sure, it depends on your intake of the drug, but it's idiotic to do so as it not only puts your life at risk, but the lives of everyone else.
I don't fully understand how the economy works, but if it were to be legalized, the government would benefit from it as well, as it would make a profit from the drug. From the side of the government, it would prevent the never-ending war against pot where millions have been spent in preventing growers from making money illegally and privately. By legalizing it, it would bring in cash to the country or province, but could still allow the grower or dispensary some profit themselves.
ALSO, prescribe it in ways that don't allow someone to smoke it...it's a f-ing no brainer because smoking it will cause respiratory problems, and can probably lead to cancer too! You're not doing your body good by smoking it.
Lastly, the reason why people haven't made much of a difference in convincing people that pot should be legalized is because the people that protest it are people who don't truly participate in society. People who dress the way of a stoner/hippie/etc don't look as presentable or better-off as someone in a suit. Sure, I'm being stereotypical but sadly the way the world works is this way. A guy in a suit will ALWAYS get recognized as more successful or having more potential than someone in battered old clothes, even if the man in the suit was a complete pot head. So by having people from off the streets, or school dropouts (whoever) protesting and standing up for the legalization of pot, will NEVER be taken seriously.
...oh and stop being so opinionated about it.