I think the advantages of de criminalizing it are, the spaces in jail for people caught with it, would open up for people who need to be there.
I know that it gives relief to people with MS, Chronic back pain, and people nauseous from chemotherapy. Any people who live in the states where it is legal for medicinal reasons can get it, people living on the border of theses states, must use other more noxious potions to get relief.
I think any time our court spends prosecuting a guy caught with a joint, or a plant is time wasted, and could be a factor as to why they take years to prosecute killers, etc.
While I do not use it, and have not for many years, it did used to be my only relief from migraine headaches. Find a joint, it was gone, and could procede with my day. Go to ER get a shot, done doing anything productive for at least one day.
get caught trying to buy it, court costs, fines, upheaval of your life.
As for alcohol vs pot. Try working next to someone who drank too much the night before. They reek, they are sick, they are worthless, they are whining.
Next to someone who had a joint, they are just really hungry, happy, smiling, productive.
Ever see a guy who had one too many joints, racing through traffic, speeding, driving recklessly? Nope. No bar brawls, no fighting.
I think many people associate it with drugs such as cocaine or LSD, which are not the same in the effects, or the way the people use them affect society.
This is of course just my opinion of living on the earth for 50 some yrs, and I have no documetation to support any of it.
Does it lead to harder drugs? My opinion no. When I was a teen smoking once in a while did not make me want to try heroin. And the people I know my age have had no ill effects, unless they were prone to be a loser any way. There is a difference. Some I know have been successful with jobs families, and still have their morals. They just use it to take the edge off, relax, unwind and socially use it. IMO far less dangerous than the use of alcohol.