Marijuana legalization is a contentious issue which has recieved an unfair amount of attention from the Federal Government. In addition to government funded programs disseminating information about the negative effects of marijuana, there should also be government funded programs analyzing the costs and benefits of Marijuana legalization and its true impact upon the community. Organizations should be created that employ economists, legal experts, and medical professionals, combining their expertise to make an educated assesment on the effects of marijuana legalization in the country. This information should then be disseminated in a similar fashion as the anti marijuana organizations funded by the Federal government, like abovetheinfluence.com for example.
Hundreds of thousands of American citizens are arrested each year for Marijuana posession, a non-violent crime. It would be useful to conduct a comprehensive analysis to determine if it is truely worthwhile to incarcerate these citizens, or if the Illegal nature of the drug is actually doing more damage to our country. Up to now, there has been a one way cherry-picking of information by the federal government to support the notion of keeping marijuana illegal.At the same time, information indicating the benefits of Legalization is not presented by the government, though it is obvious that benefits do exist. This suppression of information needs to be stopped as it is contradictory to the transparent ideals of American government. All sides need to be represented and analyzed fairly.
Comments (12)
Prohibition takes what is for many a medical/social problem and makes it a legal problem. If it were legal, there would be much less stigma associated with treatment for addictions or habits. We want to train a lot of resources to help us take care of ourselves. It is a very difficult problem requiring research! Thank you very much for your thoughts.
Discussion is irrelevant. Prohibition is beyond the proper scope of government power.
At least discussing it would be a start. If you ask President Obama about anything else he'll give you a well thought out answer lasting 2-5 minutes. Ask him about marijuana and all you get is a joke and a flat NO. PERIOD.
But you're right. There's no rational argument for prohibition, no upside whatsoever to the war on drugs, no argument for it that doesn't begin with "I believe" and end without stating one genuine fact. You're right. It's ridiculous and pathetic that we practically have to beg to have a serious discussion about ending what should have never been started.
The only valid arguments I can think of may be: (a) Are there sufficient therapists to care for people, instead of warehousing them in prisons? and (b) How do we navigate from illegal, organized-crime-connected, suppliers to legitimate business suppliers?
(a)A national healthcare plan that includes mental health parity would cost a fraction of what we spend on law enforcement, criminal courts, and "warehousing" as you so aptly put it. It also would eliminate the stigma of a prison record for people who aren't hurting anyone but themselves. How can we expect anyone to rehabilitate themselves into productive members of society after we destroy their ability to find a decent job, housing, or a student loan, to name a few.
(b)will take care of itself. By legalizing, licencing, regulating and taxing marijuana growing, packaging and sales we give honest farmers and business people the opportunity to participate in this profitable field. Illegal organized-crime-connected suppliers aren't prevented by marijuana prohibition, they are created by it.
Legalize and decriminalize!
Allowing the Government to control growth and distribution of Marijuana will do numerous things to help our culture and economy.
1) Marijuana has never been known to be a problem drug for users and people near them.
A) Marijuana users are not prone to using violence to solve disputes with other users or non-users.
B) Marijuana users are not aggressive drivers, and are usually very cautious, unlike alcohol users.
C) Marijuana users are seldom involved in
criminal activities while using the drug.
2) Government distribution of Marijuana is good for the economy.
A) Taxes on marijuana use will contribute tens of millions of dollars in taxes, maybe more.
B) Tax dollars will no longer be needed to fight the illicit marijuana drug trade.
C) The American Court system will be relieved of a great financial and case load burden through legalization.
D) American law enforcement will be able to use their funds and resources to address more serious issues of crime.
3) Improvement in health issues.
A) Users of marijuana for health issues will have a reduction in costs for the product, allowing them to use their resources for other aspects of health recovery.
B) Consistency of the strength of marijuana products will be greatly improved, thus allowing health users a more predictable result.
C) Elimination of stress for "illicit" users of marijuana for medical purposes. Users will no longer fear being jailed for using marijuana to settle their stomach after chemo, or increase their appetite when disease has taken it away.
4) Marijuana by-products will be more available and scientific discoveries more frequent.
A) Fiber for paper and textiles can be provided by the farms that grow marijuana.
B) Oils from the rendering of plant fibers can be used for a myriad purposes including fuel, cooking and cosmetics.
C) Derivatives may include control of glaucoma, a serious eye problem that causes blindness.
As a non-user of marijuana, I see many more benefits than problems that will come about when the government takes control of this product. When marijuana and other drugs are controlled by government, fewer crimes will be committed in order to acquire the substances. Our society will be a much better place because of it. Government as an Ideal, should foster the personal and collective growth of it's members, not seek to punish them for their every transgression.
Before legalizing any drug it should be safe.
THC should be pure and safe if people are to use it.
People should be educated at to the dangers and long time health effects.
Like grain alcohol it could be a health risk. Too much of anything is not good for you and your body.
"Prohibition will work great injury to the cause of temperance. It is a species of intemperance within itself, for it goes beyond the bounds of reason in that it attempts to control a man's appetite by legislation, and makes a crime out of things that are not crimes. A Prohibition law strikes a blow at the very principles upon which our government was founded."
Abraham Lincoln (1809-65), U.S. President.
Speech, 18 Dec. 1840, to Illinois House of Representatives
phaxel, there actually was a study on this subject. In 1972, it is called the Shafer Commission and it recommended the decriminalization. President Nixon, however, decided to start the "War on Drugs".
"Prohibition will work great injury to the cause of temperance. It is a species of intemperance within itself, for it goes beyond the bounds of reason in that it attempts to control a man's appetite by legislation, and makes a crime out of things that are not crimes. A Prohibition law strikes a blow at the very principles upon which our government was founded."
Abraham Lincoln (1809-65), U.S. President.
Speech, 18 Dec. 1840, to Illinois House of Representatives
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Please vote for unalienable birth rights..Thanks!!
Keary, I did. +1