If health outcomes determined drug laws instead of cultural norms, alcohol would be illegal and marijuana would not.
Alcohol poisoning kills thousands annually.
As the most popular illicit drug, marijuana provides the black market contacts that introduce youths to drugs like ecstasy. Let's not kid ourselves about protecting children. Illegal drug dealers do not ID for age, making it easier for kids to buy illegal drugs than beer. There are cost-effective alternatives. In Europe, the Netherlands has successfully reduced overall drug use by replacing marijuana prohibition with regulation.