I guess the United States Government learned nothing from the 18th amendment (prohabition of alcohol)

I thought that I would share some recent info about Marijuana that I found on above the influence .org. This happens to be the United States current anti drug campaign to steer kids away from various illegal drugs. Here are some of their statements about marijuana; Marijuana is addictive. More teens are in treatment with a primary diagnosis of marijuana dependence than for all other illicit drugs combined.

Source: Treatment Episodes Data Set (TEDS) 1992-2002, SAMHSA, 2006http://www.abovetheinfluence.com/facts/drugs-sources.aspx

I would like to make it clear that I believe that certain drugs such as heroin, cocaine, PCP, and various similar drugs are bad and do not condone any use of them. But I do find it pretty funny that marijuana a naturally accruing species of plant which has been around as long as man is labeled as being "bad" for you. Granted there are various other drugs that are freely available to the public that are "just as bad" if not worse for your health then pot. Why is it that once you turn 18 you can buy tobacco and when your 21 you can purchase alcohol? Both of these products can be addictive and can kill you. Yet, how come our government doesn’t do the same thing with the legalization of cannabis? by legalizing it not only could our government regulate and tax on the sale of Marijuana, it would also decrease the amount of inmates within our federal prison system, not to mention save the American tax payers millions of dollars which is spent trying to enforce this. To put it bluntly the Federal government is losing the war on marijuana, much like it lost the war with the 18th amendment, the prohibition of alcohol. Instead the 18th amendment created a black market for alcohol that created the rise of gangs and violence. It should also be brought up that the black market alcohol was not regulated by any federal administration, in which thousands of people died as result of drinking poorly made alcohol. Doesn't this Sound similar to the current case with marijuana, I do.  No granted this is just my opinion, but when looking back at history mainly the 18th amendment, I find that by making a widely available product that has no significant health risks, and provides numerous citizens pleasure, why try enforcing something that you cannot? Hopefully after reading this post I have made you the reader rethink your stance on the legalization of marijuana.