There is a distinct other option for folks worried about breaking the law and ending up in jail: not doing drugs.

This is an argument from tyranny. We can both agree that for all but medical patients, cannabis is a fairly trivial habit or activity. Why not give it up?

Where does that stop? Has there been a single law in the history of all of human civilization for which this same argument hasn't been made? Hey if sodomy is illegal, don't have homosexual relationships! Hey if this sort of speech or expression is banned or censored, don't say those things.

What makes cannabis similar is that it is a victimless crime. It affects only the individual, like alcohol, until and unless it is used in such a way which it doesn't, which is already illegal.

I'm not trying to fight or be rude, I'm honestly not sure why it's simply not an option for recreational smokers to not do drugs.

If they banned guns, alcohol, various kinds of sex, offensive music videos and political speech, as to my point above, would you make the same argument?

There's a condescending disingenuousness in this argument I cannot ignore. It is the same argument made by anyone who is in favor of making something illegal who doesn't exercise the right in question. Would you accept the same argument if things you liked or love were illegal?

Would you accept the argument if you were trying to make those things you like legal? Because it seems to be completely beside the point in this discussion: we're talking about making it legal so people can smoke a damn joint.

It seems to me like it's a purposeful choice with known consequences and the real issue is that people don't like the consequences and would rather take their chances. Disliking the punishment isn't a reason to decriminalize something, anything.

Really? So it wasn't a reason to decrim or legalize alcohol? It wasn't a reason to decrim or legalize homosexuality in places that was illegal? This argument makes no sense to me at all. Of course that is a reason to decriminalize something.

Until then, the state law seems to do nothing but actually set people up for having their lives ruined because it gives a false sense of safety.

Please list examples in states where this is already decriminalized, and please show how this in any way come close to or exceeds the damage done to people's lives by prohibition.

This isn't just wrong; it's disingenuous. It ignores the sheer damage done by saddling people with criminal records which will follow them around for the rest of their lives by the millions at this point.

I can seen how someone would think they are okay and then find out they actually committed a crime when it's too late. Where is the sympathy to those people making an honest intellectual error?

Couple that with the way this law is written, which is clearly designed to make certain groups rich rather than simply decriminalize MJ, and I see a law I can't support.

Your choice. I think it is sad.