Medicinal usage of marijuana, and the usage of hemp seed, oil and fiber is a positive of the potential proper use of this plant. But the fact remains, that the marijuana of today is not the marijuana of yesteryear that mellowed people, gave them the munchies and getting a toke was rather goofy.  People were murdered, where I live, for accidentally coming across marijuana crops in a national park areas and public lands, where people go to hike and walk. The marijuana industry has transformed into the problem of ice, crystal meth and other derivatives that has made where I live a far scarier place with violent crime increasing. Whether it is a gateway drug remains to be seen, but there has been evidence that it is not at all kind to the human brain when used often.  I thought the U.S. mainland had a problem with marijuana being grown by some illegal aliens and Mexican and/or South American drug cartels on U.S. soil? Would legalizing it make such things not happen? Violence, crime, drug cartels...? Where would it stop? Would a pandora's box then be opened? Would peyote, magic mushrooms and ephedra-like stimulating plant substances then be argued as being perfectly fine for legalization?  The Hawaiian name for this drug is pakalolo, or stupid weed. It is not the stupid weed it used to be. Most people do not realize that by legalizing marijuana you would be driving out the criminal element, if it were legal people who smoke it could just grow a couple plants for themselves and would have no need to buy it from criminal gangs and drug cartels. The drug dealers worst nightmare is drugs being legalized. That's why our good ole' government insist of keeping marijuana illegal, more money in it for them, everytime they catch someone they get to slap a big fine on them. Plus it's no big secret that members of the US government and law enforcement agencies are complicit in the illegal drug trade, and the big bad pharmaceutical companies feel threatened by it as well..