[...]
There is only ONE reason to keep pot illegal...to EMPOWER THE GOVERNMENT to screw with people.
[...]
I agree with everything you've said in your message -- with the single exception retained above.
In addition to reducing the law enforcement bureaucracy and reducing the national prison census, legalizing marijuana will have a significantly negative impact on the bottom lines of several major industries, outstandingly prison construction, liquor, pharmaceutical, timber and oil.
It is a little known but tragic fact that prison construction and operation is the only remaining growth industry in America. Our nation presently confines more of its citizens per capita than any other nation in the world, and a significant number of our prisons inmates are there because of anti-marijuana laws.
Tranquilizers are one of the most profitable products of the pharmaceutical industry but there is no better tranquilizer available than marijuana, which is useful for other medical applications -- and is not addictive.
A significant percentage of Americans who presently drink alcohol to "loosen up" or "take the edge off the day" will switch to smoking or eating marijuana once they discover its superior effect and the absence of negative consequences, such as hangover, addiction and liver damage.
Hemp is a plentiful source of oil which is useful for many industrial and domestic applications and is refinable as fuel.
Hemp fiber produces a much better grade of paper than wood pulp and reducing the harvesting of timber will be good for the environment.
There are more industries that would be affected by marijuana legalization. Together they contribute a significant amount of money to our representatives in Washington who routinely vote to protect the interests of their corporate sponsors.