This is a great debate. Here's my opinion, FWIW.

I think some people are prone to addiction, be it alcohol, other drugs, food, the Internet...

There are others who think "everything in moderation, including moderation." I tend to be in that group. Life's too short not to indulge oneself occasionally.

Oh, and about legalization: I have a Libertarian mindset, not the extreme survivalist part, but the part that the government ought to be limited in what it can and cannot impose on the citizenry. I think there should be a strong line drawn between what may go on in one's home and what may go on in public. Personal responsibility must play a part. No one wants to be responsible for their own actions in the US anymore. Why else are there so many lawsuits?

The short answer: legalize and tax it. This may seem contradictory to the above, the US needs to wean itself off the huge deficit.

I'd rather Uncle Sam (or for non-US citizens, the equivalent) use the money for the people than have gangs and organized crime get it.

Most people in the US grow their own anyway, I think.