You mean, the way you disregard the law when you speed in order to get somewhere sooner? Yes, I'm equating speeding with the use of marijuana. And I'd argue that speeding is actually way more dangerous.

I apologize if this comes off as harsh, but the sentiment you express has contributed to horrific abuse of the legal system for decades. Too many people feel generally like you do, willing to put up with wildly disproportionate punishments for no other reason than a law was broken, even if they don't really think the activities should be considered criminal.

Think about what you're saying: you don't really care much about the moral standing of the law, but you don't mind that folks prosecuted under it have their lives destroyed (sorry if I've distorted your position).

Remember, there's a lot of devil in the details of drug law. Florida, for example, assumes intent to distribute if you possess more than 20 grams of weed, allowing up to 5 years in prison and ten grand in fines. If the prosecutor finds a school, public housing, or even a fucking park within a thousand feet of your arrest, they can put you in prison for up to 15 years.

It's good that you're not a drug warrior type, and the american public as a whole is definitely coming to its senses regarding marijuana. But what kind of society puts up with destroying peoples lives for the sake of laws that they don't really feel strongly about?

I agree completely. I think it very much depends on what law is disregarded. Violators of immigration law are clearly guilty of this. My observation regarding marijuana was that it's very much tolerated, and the serverity the penalties are way out of line with public opinion, which is why the sentencing guidelines are rarely followed. In my specific circumstance, I did not get off free, just didn't go to prison. Knowing what I know now, given the option I would have happily traded a year or two in prison for the option of record expungment.