Do you realize that most estimates figure that 40% of Americans have tried it already? And that's with the "War on drugs" that is going on. Exactly what do you consider the "wider pblic" to be?
Please.
If pot is a "gateway drug" why do so few choose to enter through that gate, and of those that do, few actually continue beyond experimenting.
You may think your "feelings" are valid, but you ignore scientific proof. How sad.