Marijuana: The history of many "forbidden substances" repeats itself

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Given recent articles in the mass media raising doubts about the use of marijuana: "I'm Just a Middle-Aged House Dad Addicted to Pot" where the author confesses "I got stoned the day my son came home from the hospital and stayed that way, with few breaks, for a decade and a half"; "Marijuana caused more damage to teens' brains than alcohol, study finds," allow me to repost this item (originally appearing on Facebook) from the "Notes and Essays" blog (June 2017):

John Brown
4 mins ·

https://www.usatoday.com/…/cigarettes-and-marijua…/70746772/

A historical pattern, with of course variations: First, the powers-that-be condemn/castigate mind-changing drugs, perhaps fearing that their users will challenge Authority/the status quo; these drugs become popular among the masses for a variety of reasons; "public" pressure mounts to make these drugs "legal," including among members of the powers-that-be interested in making a quick profit out of the lumpen/addicts; the drug becomes "legal"; proponents of the "liberalization" of the drug's use (having lost the allure of illegality) subsequently argue that it harms a person's health; calls are made to limit/legislate the use of the drugs ... Just look at the history of booze & tobacco in various countries. Thank God water has never been considered a "drug."