It's not illegal everywhere. Depending on which state/country you live in, it is perfectly legal to possess a small amount of marijuana, or grow a couple of plants for personal use. I would be interested to know what people living in such places think of the change in the law.
I was a resident of Michigan when they passed the law for medical marijuana. As a long-time nerve pain sufferer, I decided to give it a go (LEGALLY!). It did help with the symptoms, but created issues in it's own right.
Though by state law I could consume, possess, and grow certain amounts of MJ, that didn't mean that businesses had to change their views on it. I had a hell of a time trying to get a job with marijuana in my system. They didn't care I had a medical card.
One time I even had an police officer come look at my grow room. He was impressed and said that I met all the requirements within state law. He did, however, report it to my landlord. So I was soon there after evicted

.
It was strange having all these dispensaries pop up everywhere. I could literally wake up in the morning and drive 2 minutes down the road and by up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana at any time. Or cookies, or brownies, or even lasagna. It was crazy.
Now that I've moved away to a state that it isn't legal, it's even more evident to me the gap in acceptance of the substance.
It was pretty wild being able to purchase it legally (kind of).
I'd love to answer anyone's questions on the subject based on my personal experience.