re: Weed is legal in many states why are we so tough on this?

Because it's a great way for Louisiana Sheriffs to get money, hence why it took so long to decriminalise it, much less legalise it.

You see, the more prisoners in a Sheriff's prison, the more money they receive from the state and feds. Arresting non-violent people for weed is more preferable to deal with than more violent offenders, like rapists and murderers. And you can arrest more people for that crime on a regular basis.

So the Sheriff's use their political clout to prevent marijuana and other substances from being legalised so they can keep that cash cow.

Lol you know this how?

If you even worked in the court system you would know this isn't true. I mean how many other substances addicted people do you know that have money?