We are a long way from the scare tactics of the movie, Reefer Madness, with its images of licentiousness, murderous rampages, out-of-control behaviour. Playing fast & loose with the scientific facts may have inadvertently led many experimenters with the drug to disregard repellent, exagerated warnings, when like alcohol or any psychotropic drug requires responsibility & care for self & other living beings.

Undoubtedly the medical research and science of ganja use has advanced, in our Mellow Times, but as can be viewed in the accompanying video there are some serious precautions that must be educated in any society introducing wide-spread legalization of ganja for recreational use. Serious advocates do not close their eyes to health, safety, learning, addiction-related
concerns...especially as these relate to the youth and when they might start dabbling in ganja-drug use.

A startling new finding, from medical authorities, should alert public servants, parent-guardians & society to caution young.
Brain development is really rapidly occurrent from about age ten well into the mid-twenties. Your brain is under construction & it (THC in marijuana) interrupts the development of circuits...the latest studies shows that regular use, when you are an adolescent, can lead to a 6 to 8 point reduction in IQ.
–Dr Paula Riggs (University of Colorado)

Here's a brief look at how the state of Colorado (the first of the US states out of the gate in legalizing recreational use of marijuana), after a laboratory period of regulating the medical use.
Grist for the discussion mill:

Youtube: 'This Week'–Marijuana in Colorado
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdBY8N7nQIE

'Youtube: This Week'–Marijuana Legalization
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzBlpRhZXZk

High Times Link: High Profile Doctor Backs Marijuana
www.hightimes.com/read/high-profile-doctor-backs-marijuana