A 'chronic' ailment
Issue date: 9/17/09 Section: Perspective
Marijuana would be no different; the law legalizing it would be the first in a system of laws to regulate it heavily.
One of the most dangerous aspects of marijuana now is the market for it.
Black markets are inherently dangerous because the typical way to solve disputes is through violence. No one is accountable in such markets, and anyone can get access if they know where to look.
Legalizing marijuana immediately eliminates the existing black market operated by gangs and drug dealers, instead turning those profits over to companies and corporations. The opportunity for profit would be more than enough to draw interest, and the free market would dictate things from there.
Time, effort and money spent by the government pursuing petty dealers could be better spent elsewhere, as well.
Perhaps the strongest argument in support of legalization is that it opens the product to taxation, generating more income for government programs. High taxes would yield high returns for federal and state programs, granting additional income without causing uproar from the general populace.
Furthermore, more money could be freed-up with reform in the legal system.
The Bureau of Justice Statistics reports that 12.7 percent of all state inmates and 12.4 percent of federal inmates jailed for drug offenses are jailed for marijuana offenses and only marijuana offenses.
Overcrowding in prisons is a serious problem - one that can be alleviated in part by releasing those incarcerated simply for smoking or possessing marijuana.
Regardless of one's personal feelings about marijuana, the costs of a federal ban are enormous (maybe even unsustainable), and fighting the idea of legalization is fighting against the idea of freedom.
In a free country, freedom should extend to individuals so long as it does not negatively impact others. It's precisely why we're allowed to consume alcohol - until we get behind the wheel of a car or create disturbances.
That's where our freedoms stop, and rightly so.
But why then, does that freedom stop with a different substance that also affects only the individual in question?
Why is mere consumption enough with marijuana when it isn't with alcohol?
The answers are unclear, but the debate needs to be taken more seriously.
Those fighting for legalization aren't just a bunch of potheads looking to secure a legal stash: They're citizens fighting for regulation, better control, safer streets and stronger freedoms for all.
One of the most dangerous aspects of marijuana now is the market for it.
Black markets are inherently dangerous because the typical way to solve disputes is through violence. No one is accountable in such markets, and anyone can get access if they know where to look.
Legalizing marijuana immediately eliminates the existing black market operated by gangs and drug dealers, instead turning those profits over to companies and corporations. The opportunity for profit would be more than enough to draw interest, and the free market would dictate things from there.
Time, effort and money spent by the government pursuing petty dealers could be better spent elsewhere, as well.
Perhaps the strongest argument in support of legalization is that it opens the product to taxation, generating more income for government programs. High taxes would yield high returns for federal and state programs, granting additional income without causing uproar from the general populace.
Furthermore, more money could be freed-up with reform in the legal system.
The Bureau of Justice Statistics reports that 12.7 percent of all state inmates and 12.4 percent of federal inmates jailed for drug offenses are jailed for marijuana offenses and only marijuana offenses.
Overcrowding in prisons is a serious problem - one that can be alleviated in part by releasing those incarcerated simply for smoking or possessing marijuana.
Regardless of one's personal feelings about marijuana, the costs of a federal ban are enormous (maybe even unsustainable), and fighting the idea of legalization is fighting against the idea of freedom.
In a free country, freedom should extend to individuals so long as it does not negatively impact others. It's precisely why we're allowed to consume alcohol - until we get behind the wheel of a car or create disturbances.
That's where our freedoms stop, and rightly so.
But why then, does that freedom stop with a different substance that also affects only the individual in question?
Why is mere consumption enough with marijuana when it isn't with alcohol?
The answers are unclear, but the debate needs to be taken more seriously.
Those fighting for legalization aren't just a bunch of potheads looking to secure a legal stash: They're citizens fighting for regulation, better control, safer streets and stronger freedoms for all.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 12
People
posted 9/17/09 @ 8:19 AM EST
Great article. Conservatives (which I am one) always claim to be for the original intent of the Constitution and government by saying States Rights trump the Federal government. (Continued…)
Traviss Witt
posted 9/17/09 @ 3:48 PM EST
So glad to see this topic come to public attention. Awesome article.
Mason Brock
posted 9/17/09 @ 9:10 PM EST
A refreshing article. The only point of contention is that the ability to tax marijuana is the best argument for legalizing it...in my mind that is the best argument for keeping it in the black market!
As former Chief Justice John Marshall wrote "The power to tax is the power to destroy. (Continued…)
Traviss Witt
posted 9/18/09 @ 10:56 AM EST
I think the word happiness should also be underlined in the graphic, for obvious reasons.
Horatio IV
Jerry Donnley
posted 9/18/09 @ 9:50 PM EST
Mason Brock, your mind works in mysterious ways. I have no doubt that over the counter herb would be taxed but all current legalization bill proposals allow individuals to grow their own stash. (Continued…)
Traviss Witt
posted 9/19/09 @ 6:30 PM EST
It's definitely possible to grow your own stash, but without an extensive botany background you're going to be growing some shwag. It's also very inexpensive to grow enough tobacco for self use, but creating a quality product takes much more time and effort than most people are willing to put forth. (Continued…)
Traviss Witt
posted 9/19/09 @ 6:33 PM EST
"I'm not saying marijuana is going to be more expensive if it is legalized, but it paves the way for it to be outright banned if the gov't desires for it to be. (Continued…)
RFWoodstock
posted 9/21/09 @ 3:15 PM EST
Valid medicinal value, it's a victimless crime, the War on Drugs WAY too costly, too many arrests for simple possession, tax it and use the money to pay for health insurance and to reduce the deficit. (Continued…)
Mason Brock
posted 9/21/09 @ 3:35 PM EST
Definitely legalize it. Just be careful about taxing it, because if we start levying excessive "sin" taxes that could turn into a form of soft prohibition, just like people are trying to do with tobacco. (Continued…)
TViss
Traviss Witt
posted 9/24/09 @ 1:20 PM EST
LEGALIZZZZZE IT....DON'T CRITICIZZZZZE IT...LEGALIZZZZE IT....AND I WILL ADVERTIZZZZE IT.
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