I myself think it should be, as it is, in my opinion, less harmful than alcohol.
Amazing how the absence of one comma could lead others to think that your still partaking.
As for the legalization.
I have always viewed substances and their ingestion as this.
If it is naturally occurring and can be consumed using basic chemistry. i.e. heat, pressure, time. (Beer is made with natural ingredients using basic chemistry)
Then it should be legal and "under influence" should be regulated.
If it involves more advanced chemistry (cocaine, LSD, MDMA, heroine) then it should be controlled and regulated much like pharmaceuticals.
If production of any substance is for resale and not just for personal consumption, then the typical quality controls should be regulated.
I don't believe it is the governments role to tell me what I can and can not put in my body. Especially when infanticide/abortion is legal.
I can agree with regulations on it's use in actions that would have a direct impact on others. For example making it illegal to operate a vehicle under the influence. Of course with current laws against drinking and driving there is a bit of a conundrum, since as long as they have allowable limits on BAC. The government is NOT making drinking and driving illegal, they are making drinking too much illegal. Kind of gives the masses mixed signals if you ask me.
Another factor to consider, especially in relation to the medical cannibus controversy, is this.
All pharmaceutical drugs go through clinical trials prior to being green lit for sale. Correct?
One of the core aspects of the trials, are the descriptions of the effects the test patient is feeling from a drug.
This relies on the individuals own comprehension of their own body and how it makes them "feel".
However in the case of medical cannibus the government tells you that you don't have any knowledge or understanding of how your body feels.
There is a reason placebo's work. The power of mind of matter is very strong and largely a mystery.
So even though chemically they may be able to "prove" that medical cannibus is not supposed to have a net positive effect.
It may very well just be a powerful placebo.
Which doctors use and administer all the time.