Quote Originally Posted by BanginJimmy
Because people addicted to drugs routinely commit crimes to pay for their habits. It is s simply public safety issue, not an issue of choice.
There are people who commit crimes to pay their rent and feed themselves. Crime is never going to go away completely.

Also, I think legalizing marijuana and allowing for legal distribution would be safer for buyers and sellers. Many marijuana sellers also deal in and use harder drugs and thats where the crime is. Opening a legal market for marijuana would deal a severe blow to the black market. And since the harder drugs are traded on the same black market it would hurt those who deal in harder drugs. Not to mention having licensed and regulated providers would ensure that users who buy from the legal market aren't given marijuana that is contaminated with other drugs.