US is only lenient when compared to even more severe steamrollers of human rights. Executing individuals for drug possession is absolutely unconsciousable and unacceptable. Incarceration being less diabolical does not mean it is not still highly diabolical. Countless lives were and continue to be destroyed.

Thailand legalized it.

Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, it may be illegal, but it is everywhere, along with everything else.

Singapore is restrictive, but that's across the board anyway.

Let's not forget that betel nut is everywhere... another plant based drug.