I wasn't referring to anecdotes. Anecdotes are not evidence, they are a product of overgeneralization. I was pointing out that stupid people defend certain drugs saying "there is no proof of negative side effects, therefore they don't exist."
I am not talking about philosophy; its simple logic. Existence is not reliant on proof; you can't even debate that. Proof is empirical acknowledgement of a testable scenario through the scientific method. But the scientific method only applies to so much. For example, you can't prove the sun will rise tomorrow, but that doesn't mean that it won't...
Furthermore, you are putting words in my mouth. I never said weed is harmful, in fact I completely agree with almost everything you said refuting negative effects and politics (although I'm not sure what those angles have to do with what I'm talking about) I'm simply pointing out that its ridiculous to think that scientific evidence is that ONLY thing that establishes being. That is all
On a side note, while I acknowledge how incredibly retarded those commercials are, its stupid to take them literally. I hate the Sobriety Awareness propaganda just as much as the next guy, but to interpret them in that light is no better than them using Cheech and Chong as model weed smokers.