The assumption here of course being that only the young think that weed should be legal.
There are a whole lot of old stoners that think the same.
Most people from about 68 or 70 down, who have lived since the 1960s and familiarity with marijuana in some manner. That is just about everybody. I am not saying they used it, or condone use. But they are not olde, lame prudes.
As a recovered alcoholic with over 21 years sober, I say if marijuana needs to be illegal, so should alcohol be illegal. I gave up pot years and years before quitting drinking.
Marijuana has been helpful with people with legitimate medical issues, like nausea, pain to mention just two, but there are others.
True, a lot of people play the system, and get prescriptions for "medical marijuana," but would probably get it anyway.
While marijuana can be "abused," so can many substances, including legal prescription pain meds.
Fortunately the trend is towards education, not criminalization. A lot of drinkers take taxis home. Lots of employers test for drugs and alcohol, per their employee agreements.
But we should recognize by now, from prohibition and the war on all drugs, that it doesn't work, and it makes criminals out everyman.
There is NOT a compelling argument for our federal government, or even state governments to outlaw marijuana.
When I listen to the "outlaw arguments," they sound like culture war, social control types of arguments. Not small government, or conservative, but rather a big government to regulate and prohibit human freedoms.
If the fedgov must do anything, let them enact mandatory labeling for pot: "Use of this herb may make it difficult to stop laughing, or to get your face away from the bag of chips."
If it is or becomes legal in California, I don't intend to use it. But it is reassuring that IF I someday have a medical condition which it can help, I will have the right to legally decide to try it.