I don't think it will happen until the corruption at the core of our government is cleansed. There are too many powerful people who use this issue either to gain votes or to make money. When we can get rid of lobbyists, it might happen. Till then, you have to consider the privatized prison industry, the politicians who manipulate voters who have no idea how harmless weed really is, and the really big money launderers who make a lot of money. They don't want it legal because it'll hurt their profits.
It's ridiculous, I agree. I can drive less than one mile to a liquor store and legally buy a bottle of bourbon that will really mess me up, so much more than weed ever would.
Absurd.
I'd also like to add that I really don't like having the marijuana/drugs conversations with my kids, because it sounds so hypocritical. "Yes, my child, cigarettes are legal, and Mom's been fighting that addiction for years and years, but marijuana is illegal. True, also, my son, that alcohol causes so many, many problems, and that's legal. Yes, your Uncle So/So is a very nice person, and I'm sorry that you happened to have smelled the marijuana smoke, because now I have to explain that while I don't agree with this law . . . . . " It's an awful conversation.