Today is April 20th (420). While not nearly as cool as Pi day (3-14, yes I am a geek), today has been an interesting day. NORML (the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws) is running ads today imploring President Obama to change the laws. They even us his "Yes We Can" tag line.
I do not completely disagree with their message. Marijuana should at very least be a legal painkiller. Studies have proved marijuana to be an effective painkiller but not as harsh as morphine. Legalizing it for recreational use is a bit more tricky. It will have to be regulated with a cross of the rules of tobacco and alcohol.
My friends and I had a discussion on this not to long ago. Marijuana will be taxed aggressively like tobacco. It will also need to have the stigma tobacco has in the public now. An establishment cannot have a alcohol license and be open to smoking marijuana on the premises, this will include open air beer gardens or patios. The reason being is that you can get a contact high. Since marijuana consumption while driving will be treated like alcohol, this rule is a must. Now a place can be open it marijuana smoking like a cigar lounge or tobacco bar. I believe this is similar to the way Holland has its rules.
An age regulation will also be required. In my opinion this would be 18 like tobacco is (and alcohol should be). If you can vote and died, you should be able to smoke (and drink). On the work site, marijuana will be treated like alcohol, not to be consumed while on the clock and you cannot come into work baked. Being high does affect your skills much like alcohol, that is the reason it will be treated the same at work.
Now, this change won't happen over night. It will be in discussion for a long time. For the record, I think that smoking a pack of marijuana joints or cigarettes a day would be as good for you as tobacco cigarettes. If the laws are properly implemented, there should be much trouble. However, if the laws aren't thought through well enough, it will be a disaster.
