Why is any plant, or ANY substance for that matter illegal ? In a supposed "free" society people should be allowed to make stupid choices. The WAR ON DRUG(users) is just an excuse for the government to have more power and control of its citizens. If the goal of prohibition is to suppress drug use(which it isn't) it has been a dismal failure. If the goal is to suppress orgaized drug rings profitability (it isn't) its been a dismal failure. If the goal is increased funding for all manner of law enforcement agencies, the militarization of those agencies, make low income neighborhoods drug suprmarkets with off the charts violence , and suppress the freedoms of all Americans its been a resounding success !