Recent archeological finds show that pot was hot as far back as 2,500 years ago (in far western China). For such an ancient drug, you would think by now we'd know everything there is to know about it. Yet mythology runs rampant to this day, as Americans seem to have busted one set of marijuana myths and replaced them with others.

With marijuana legal in some form in a preponderance of states and under discussion for federal decriminalization, it's worth a hard look at not quite a decade of lawful experience with this drug, stripped of the stigma of “evil weed.”

There still is a significant need for rigorous research. But grass, contrary to what some contend, hasn’t proved to be a menace. It doesn't add to mental illness or fuel extreme criminality. It also hasn’t shown itself to be great for at least two groups that may be its biggest enthusiasts: the young and the old. It isn’t a sound idea for expectant moms. It can be bad for pets. Its use can be detrimental to road safety. And wild claims about the medical benefits of marijuana — especially extracts of it and its cousin hemp — simply can’t be backed up, at least for now.

So let's not get dopey about dope. Instead, inhale deeply of the reliable knowledge available about pot for our collective safety and health....