Some people think I am being pessimistic but I say I am realistic. Most say the government would make so much money if they legalize, but like Purple Days said "'Drug War' is big business" already.
I want MJ legalized just like the next guy but you just have to look at our Nations history and everything points to the opposite. This is a recreational drug, not a lab created pharmaceutical drug which was prescribed and now over the counter. I do however think more states might legalize medical marijuana, but then again they might eventually crack down and make it harder to get or even outlaw plant based cannabis and only allow accurately dosed capsules and syrups. They did the same thing with opium, originally they thought it was a cure all and doctors prescribed it in a smoked form, but then they synthesized it into morphine and eventually started regulating it further. You might say well opium is worse for you than Marijuana, well we know that of course but unfortunately the average "do good" politician has the opinion that all drugs are should be regulated and that is a stigma that will stick for a long, long time.
Here is a little scenario which has to be taken into account.
*Lets say some kid gets caught with a dime bag and gets arrested.
*Next his parents hire a $2,000-$8,000 lawyer. Thousands of money going right into the local economy.
*Then he is ordered to pay court costs, fines, and a probation supervising fees. This could cost thousands.
*Then has to do some community service, some pay it off in cash which equals profit and many do hours at government owned businesses like Sheriff Youth Ranches, Picking up trash, homeless shelters, which is free labor.
So from a measly $10 worth of weed, this kid ended up circulating thousands of dollars to the American economy, a process that statistics show he will most likely do all over again, because now he is in the system.