What do you think the affects of legalising and de-criminalising marijuana use would be? Should this be enforced?

I believe marijuana should be legalised and de-criminalised.  It's an extremely accessible drug, as far as I'm aware, and there is no practical use in prohibiting it.  Besides from logistics, there would be a positive affect.  Even if one wishes others would stop using the drug, education about it would be more accessible, as there would be less of a taboo surrounding the topic.  Along these lines, there could be less attraction to the drug, considering many choose it as a sign of rebellion against society or authority.  The greatest difference, in my opinion, would be the change in organised crime.  Historically speaking, prohibition has never worked out.  For example, in the 1920s, alcohol was still being consumed and, although petty crime was down, organised crime skyrocketed.  Gang activity and related violence would be greatly decreased if they did not have such an important role in drug movement.  Besides, studies have shown that there are no harmful, long term affects of marijuana use, so there is no reason to prohibit it in the first place.  Made legal, marijuana use would be easier to keep tabs on, making sure people used it in appropriate amounts.  Crime would go down and taxes could go towards punishing crime that have a more harmful affect than drug use.