[swerner]

> Whether we like to admit it or not alcohol has left a giant, negative, impact on our society.

I don't think anyone disputes that. The question at hand however is if the legal status of alcohol has any influence on the impact, and if so, what it is.

The assumptions of drug or alcohol prohibition are that a) Making a substance illegal reduces consumption of that substance. b) Reduced consumption results in reduced harm.

The thing about b) is that not every drinker is a violent drunk and not every drug user is using drugs in harmful way. Prohibitionists are assuming that it not only reduces the number of users, but also that it reduces the number of problematic users.

Now the casual pot smoker or the "one beer after work" drinker is not causing trouble for society. At the same time, they are the ones most likely stopping consumption should the substance become illegal. However, the alcohol or heroin addict may not cease consumption the day his substance of choice (or at this point, habit) becomes illegal but instead acquire it through the black market, potentially causing more damage than the substance itself would.

[felix_nagaand]

The influence of alcohol, or any drug, should be a kicker during sentencing for all violent and negligent crimes.

[mieseratte]

> Now the casual pot smoker or the "one beer after work" drinker is not causing trouble for society.

> At the same time, they are the ones most likely stopping consumption should the substance become illegal.

What makes you say that? Over 100,000,000 Americans have tried marijuana, which largely remains illegal.