[toledo_mudhen]

Having been a long time marijuana user back in the 70s - 80s I have the following observations :

1.) Smoking pot takes an inordinate amount of time and, while under the influence, promotes unproductivity (not sure thats a real word).

2.) Smoking pot is not necessarily a "gateway" drug - although it was in my case.

3.) Marijuana possession laws are, currently and previously, ridiculous and waste way too many resources for prosecution and incarceration.

4.) It is a sad commentary that the country has come to this - where marijuana taxation is becoming almost a necessity in order to salvage struggling state revenues and economies.

5.) Pot smoking is not addictive nor does it destroy brain functionality. However, the time I spent messing with it would have been better spent promoting my career - which was put on the back burner.

6.) Pot smokers, in my experience, do not want their younger children to know that they do it. They will, however, drink a beer in front of them.

7.) Legalization will do nothing to stop the constant stream of drugs coming across the border. Colorado has an approximately 33% tax on the product. Black market will always be more economical.

8.) When it is all said and done - there will be 49 states (or 57 in Mr Obama's case) that have legalized marijuana. Texas will not.