Good read, I personally advocate not only for the medical use of cannabis but also the recreational use of cannabis as I believe the plan is beneficial to one's mind and body. The only harmful effect is the smoke in the lungs which is not toxic and therefore will not damage the lungs.

This is a plant that is not harmful, and therefore shouldn't be illegal. However as your first article pointed out that many people turned from Cannabis to Alcohol, I wonder how much of that is attributed to the illegality/stigma that stands against the use of cannabis.

I smoke every day, and almost everyone I am around, do not know that I am high almost all the time. That is because Cannabis doesn't affect everyone the same and therefore should be a personal journey taken respectfully and carefully.