It always amazes me how many people think their personal, poorly-informed "I reckon" opinion is of more value than peer-reviewed published research.

The evidence is well and truly in - prohibition increases harms related to drug use; to individuals, communities and wider society.

Decriminalisation works as a strategy (both financially and socially) when funds previously going to law enforcement are shifted to treatment and other supports.

Professor David Nutt is not some government stooge producing dodgy research to back government policy - in fact he was sacked by the UK government for his repeated promotion of drug law reform based on the evidence (most hilariously in his letter published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology 2009, accurately pointing out that horse riding was more dangerous than taking ecstasy).

This is all fact - incontrovertible fact. You're "opinion" may be otherwise - but you're wrong.

You may hold a moral standpoint that all drug taking is wrong and that's fine - as long as you don't apply it to anyone but yourself.

<<Health Minister Hunt recently announced that some bureaucratic milestones towards accessible legal medical marijuana have been met.>>

Well that is wonderful!
How long did it take?
Well, Sheesh Sir, only seventy years, give or take.

This is the problem.
Vested interests, on all sides, would like things to stay, just the way they are; Thank you very much.
It is a funding bonanza, for all the departments, NGOs and media.
Crikey you can't kill it, we won't have jobs.
The money is here now, it keeps all the 'industries' around illegality, and legality, very well funded, and, morally justified!
No, it won't change, because the goal/game, isn't about change, it's about keeping, the situation, the same. Seventy years is a looonnng time.

Good article though, and, if you know your stuff, many don't, it is entirely believable, and can be backed by historic precedent, easily.
Well written, but it will go into the same round file, that all the other well meaning, well written, truthful, treatises go.

Nothing really changes, it simply can't.

Of course it is a good idea. The government could get a lot of money out of drugs, of course people have to be adults to buy them!