mj is a gateway drug. i know from seeing close family members go through rehab several times. i really dont think that most people who do harder drugs starts with those drugs. now while many people can smoke pot and be just fine, alot of people arent. its not the same as cigarettes, because cigarettes cause no major harmful mental defects, while pot kills alot of brain cells. i agree that alcohol is ALOT worse than pot, because i cant remember the last time i heard about a middle aged guy getting stoned and beating his family. pot is also more likely to produce less productive and less motivated people in my experiences. i dont smoke and i dont drink (often) and i wouldnt mind seeing them both outlawed.

just my .02.

btw, all of what ive said is based on my personal observations.