Smoke on that

Many states have made medical marijuana legal. I think at this point 18 states have made medical marijuana legal to smoke. But what some don't know is that in states like Arkansas we have something else called Marinol , a pill that is that is prescribed by a doctor in chronicly ill or terminal patient.Ingredients of Marinol are capsules contain man-made dronabinol (THC). THC is also a naturally occuring component of Cannabis sativa. (marijuana). So it sounds to me medical marijuana is already legal and avaliable for those who truly need it. My main concern if marijuana was legalized would me the message it would send to our youth that drugs are ok that coupled with the theory of Marijuana being a gateway drug could open our kids to other stonger drugs. My stance on this issue is on the fence. On one hand I know the sick and dying could benefit from the use of THC as pain reliever and appetite increaser. Obviously the benefits are enough for the major drug companies to want to replicate it with Marinol.
But to legalize it for the general public would be a mistake. I think it would be abused by many more then those who truly needed it, and drug dealers would have to make up in loss revenue. I think if legalized we would find an increase in addicts. Aslo there are down falls and health risks to smoking marijuana ,marijuana can cause low sperm in men and can increase the risk of cervical cancer in women.Who knows, it all comes with a risk. I am interested to see how it's working for other states before i give my vote to  jump on the puff puff train.I wonder if it would be taxed or if people could grow their own? I wonder what stiplations would be placed on it by the government?