Ridiculous distinction

The radio was babbling about more pro- and anti-marijuana use issues this morning when Rico woke up (the ladyfriend being partial to using the radio for a wakeup device, which is nicer than the typical alarm going nnnhhh-nnnhhh).
Rico says this bullshit has been going on since the 30s and has gotta stop.
If the authorities, in their less-than-infinite wisdom, insist on making the inhaling of burning plant material to provide psycho-physical stimuli a crime, fine. Stupid, but what the hell, we have other stupid attitudes. (Try making sex illegal... Oh, we already did that, if it's between the wrong people or for money...)
But don't make any distinctions between plants.
There's actually little difference (other than lung cancer) between the effects of cannibis sativa and good ol' Nicotiana tabacum, and we shouldn't have any difference on the legal side, either.
So, no more buying cigarettes, cigars, or pipe tobacco openly down at the local store. You gotta find a connection.
Rico says that if you use any of them in public and get caught, however, you get arrested and go to jail. Two years oughta do it...
Let's see how long that bullshit lasts...