The research is clear. Marijuana is less a health or social harm than alcohol or tobacco. Prohibition does not work and increases the costs to society. The harm to an individual who is caught breaking the law along with the costs to society are much greater than the individual harm or societal costs from the use of the substance.  I agree that an argument could be made regarding the harm to society from criminal elements supported by the illicit use of prohibited substances, but the criminal element is a direct result of prohibition. It's time to use science, moral reasoning, and politics to end prohibition of this substance.