I support the legalization of marijuana not because I wanna smoke but because I want people to shut up about it already.

@MrBrownstone: Well actually the reason it's illegal is because of the hemp plant being a threat to cotton and lumber.

@BlueMetalChick: That is a true fact Blue. Kudos to you 👍

@MrBrownstone: While I know I should stay out of this debate, making that argument doesn't tend to reflect well on people supporting free access to marijuana. If that were the "only reason", they would've criminalized something like cornflakes, or tobacco for profit. In general terms, legalizing a public menace and then taxing the hell out of it has always worked better for profits.

Also to nitpick, under the separation of powers which US constitution also adheres to, the police do not decide what is illegal. For the claim to be true would require all three branches of government to collude in a dangerous public conspiracy for the benefit of another party. And for what? If they just wanted profit, they could pick any crime on the books that most people agree is bad, such as theft, and raise fines and prison sentences on that. Not arguing that law & process is perfect, mind you, it's well known laws affect certain demographics disproportionately and there's ALWAYS politics involved in criminalization, enforcement and sentencing. But to claim that profit is the only reason for something (generally, law) doesn't really pass cursory muster, and raises red flags.

@Faust76: Where I live the reason given for not legalizing it was loss of profit

@MrBrownstone: Well now, that's kinda different argument. Large bureaucracies do tend to have tendency to rely on their budgeted income and have trouble fixing it when it's lost. "One of the reasons it's slow to be decriminalized is loss of profits to private prisons and drug forces" is something I can get behind. Still, it'd be nice to have reference for that.

Meanwhile, you can check http://www.marketwatch.com/story/marijuana-tax-revenue-hit-200-million-in-colorado-as-sales-pass-1-billion-2017-02-10 for example on the overall profits of legalization. Aside, that's 30% growth per year in marijuana use; while several arguments could be made (Maybe they're switching from opioid painkillers, or just slow to realize they can now obtain it legally for example), I don't really see people spending their money wandering around drugged as a common good.

Aside, some of the opposition to legalizing marijuana is coming from perhaps surprising sources - alcohol and pharmaceutical companies. It's about profits all right, but whose profits? I prefer my medicine quality controlled and properly dosed though, and generally leaving me able to fully work and respond to things. Still, I can see many uses.