Cannabis Use

The thread on MJ vs drinking got me to thinking about the cannabis deal. Should it be legalized for recreational purposes, for medical only or what.

I know some in the LEO community in states where it is legal that say there is no big problem. I also know some that say it is a problem. I suspect the answer lies somewhere in between. In Texas, for example, even though it is illegal for recreational use it has been de-criminalized in several big cities. In NM the sale of legalized weed is starting to generate a lot of tax dollars. I also know some folks who use it almost on a daily (even just lost to their evening/nightly) basis, like having an evening drink and are very successful.

I had a friend who was in constant pain for the last 50 years or so due to loss of appendages etc., who said that without its daily use he would have committed suicide years ago. I have been told of folks living in a state where it is illegal but traveling a few miles across a state line where it is legal-seems to me those tax dollars are just lost to their state-is that important?

What do you think? Myself, I don't know enough about it to have an opinion.

Does it have benefits, should it be legalized, do any of you have personal experience using it for pain relief/recreational purposes?

So I am looking for personal opinions and anecdotes if you will.