The war on drugs comes down to money. The government wastes a lot fighting it, but the money that corporations would lose if they stopped fighting it would be even greater than what we spend, so its all basically just corporate/personal interest. Drug offenders fuel the prison industrial complex, I can't remember the percentage but its a lot. That, and the fact that if cannabis was legalized, Big Pharma would take a huge hit as it treats many symptoms much better and its 100% naturally occuring, meaning you won't have to shell out $300 a week for cancer meds any more when you can grow them in your back yard.

Basically, too many corporations (Pharma, Alcohol, textiles and oil from hemp, etc.) that have their hands in everything our government does stand to lose far too much money to have a rational fact based approach to marijuana. Until then we just have to keep educating the common man and encouraging them to vote pro-legalization, as well as setting a good example for cannabis users as hard working, tax paying, every day citizens like everyone else rather than the criminals we are portrayed as by the powers that be. We just need to keep reminding people that ultimately, the power is in our hands, not the corporations. Too many people have forgotten this, and I believe if we don't start acting now, we will end up at the point of no return where we really have no power.

Just my .02