Here is the most recent US poll on MJ legalization from The Economist

http://www.economist.com/node/18118857?story_id=18118857

The most interesting thing about this to me is how that the younger you are the more likely you are to support MJ legalization in the US. What this means is, as more elderly people die, the more likely Marijuana will be legalized because there are less people likely to vote no.

Might be long process however it would probably be safer (since you would be a medical marijuana patient) and cheaper (usually cheaper for people that can go and buy from distributor rather than drug dealer) for you in the long run if you plan to smoke every once in awhile.  I haven't heard of your type of medical condition (I'll look it up in a sec).  However, if that medical condition causes pain etc then perhaps marijuana would be able to help you.  Marijuana can help relieve soreness and act as a pain relief. 

Edit:  Just looked into your medical condition and you would be perhaps a perfect candidate for medical marijuana (Ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that affects the large intestine (colon) and rectum).  Marijuana would ease your abominal pain, prevent weight loss, and possibly help digestion.  You should also look into eating foods that are very helpful for your stomach/digestive tract.  Such as my favorite food yogurt!  Eating a lot of yogurt and other digestive friendly foods will only help your condition.

On the point of finding weed illegally.  I would suggest to just ask friends you know that use it.  If they are your true friends then they shouldn't rip you off.  Also, you don't have to worry about them being a possible undercover agent (however it would be stupid for police to try and go after users that just buy small amounts; they usually go after dealers and try to work their way up (although, they might bust users and try to get them to narc out their dealer)).  So basically stick to close friends when asking about it.

Seems logical to me.  The older generations were hit heavy with massive anti-marijuana propaganda.  While the younger generations have kept more of an open mind and have looked at all sides of the issue.  Most of the time once one is influenced by propaganda they would rather stick to their stance rather than flip sides once they find out contradicting information.  That would make them have to admit they were wrongly influenced into believing something they were fed (would make them look gullible / stupid).  With the information age we are in now it is harder and harder for anti-marijuana propagandist to spew their lies without being rebutted with actual facts.

First of all, WTF were you doing at a McDonalds? That's an evil capitalist junk food restaurant chain!!!

Second of all, that only happens if you get drunk, and no one says you need to get drunk when you drink. Spme studies have shown that in mdoeration alcohol can actually be healthy. And ultimately alcohol is part of our culture, and plays an important role in social situations, rituals etc. How would people be able to watch boring things liek sports, if there was no alcohol? Trying to ban alcohol would be like trying to ban religion. No matter how rational your arguments, people don't always listen to such arguments.

Also, USA has already banned alcohol and we all know how that turned out.  Now you have Mexican drug lords running rampant near the USA border.  They have a diverse line up of products such as cocaine, heroin, marijuana, etc.... that are in demand in USA.  Keeping things illegal allows them to make huge profits.  I am not advocating legalizing the other drugs but what else are we supposed to do?  Keep fighting a pointless and never ending drug war?  Lets throw countless billions at a war that will never end (that seems the most "rational" idea that our politician can come up with).  Sure they have to take the stance "Drugs are bad mmmkay".  However, it is time to grow up.  You can't prevent people from wanting / doing drugs.  If someone wants to do something they will do it (especially when it comes to drugs).  Other ideas need to be explored.  It is stupid to group Marijuana with almost any drug since it trumps all drugs with being the safest and least damaging to your body.  USA citizens need to wake up and demand that at least marijuana be taken of its schedule 1 drug category.  To group it with the likes of heroin is just plain stupid.  USA is so far in debt that legalization of marijuana would be a God send to the economy.  That is okay though lets keep going down the same path we are and then eventually the dollar will be worthless and USA will be forced to have a revolution due to the corruptness that our joke of political system has become.