"You May Keep 40 Magic Mushrooms At Home"

ted - one word, for starters alcohol is not psychedelic :) (well, go wiki this word to get more insight).

For second go and do some research about how hallucinogens work vs psychoactive drugs like ethanol or other depressants.

THEN come back and try to re-ask this question - after you have some more insight what you are talking about.

Like smoking, kids do it to rebel, and they end by screwing themselves up. They become underachievers and abuse it.

How does pot offer any more possibility of personal growth and self knowledge than alcohol?

The physical act of smoking doesn't do it - in fact, that appears to blunt your senses, and make you act stupid. Doesn't alcohol do that already?

Yes, Gorf, it is an absolutely good thing - anything that will cause less people who do not harm others to be arrested is a good thing.

Arrest for non-violent crimes like drug possession or sale is violence. No matter what your take on drugs, less violence in the world is a good thing.

Undoubtedly, there is a risk for abuse in any drug - as in any activity (such as computer games, I know several people who have wrecked their lives with WoW and the ilk). The risk for abuse with drugs like cocaine, heroin is relatively high. I feel there is a real risk of abuse with Cannabis, too-although of course lower.

But the risk of abuse with psychedelics is low, and they offer a real possibility of personal growth and self knowledge. This is a wise decision.

It is a big deal for those who need it for medical purposes.

I'm not saying pot, mushrooms and whatnot should be illegal, but I'm not throwing a party because they become legal. Neither I'm opposed to the medical use of any substance, Heavens forbid. I just find the whole "getting high" business utterly idiotic. Czechs can now legally get high? Big deal.