I'm going to attempt to dispell the myths sorrounding the legalization of marijuana. Please keep an open mind.
The legalization of marijuana is not only a good idea, but the best solution, whether you see it as a harmless passtime, or a dangerous drug. The biggest arguement for legalization, is that prohibition causes more problems than the use of the drug. Prohibition by default, creates a potential for black market trade, which is very evident. Black market trade puts money in the pockets of organized crime, and creates violence do to turf wars between rival gangs. Even innocent growers that are trying to just pay the bills, are subject to home invasions, with a possible outcome of violence and even death. The black market also allows for easier access to minors, and results in them dealing with possibly dangerous people. Prohibition is also very expensive to enforce, and the enforcement is very unsuccessful do to the organization and precautions taken by growers. Another problem with the black market trade is that quality of product is questionable, and may be laced with other drugs.
There is an arguement that decriminalization and harsher sentences for growers and trafficers will help. This is dead wrong, and a horrible way to go. Decriminalization is bad simply because it's just a way to make money from it's use, and wouldn't do anything to stop use, and would only breed contempt for the police. Harsher laws are even worse than weak ones, as higher risks will drive up the cost of the finished product, and increase profits of organized crime even more. Many users, mainly kids, are likely to use marijuana less if the cost were to rise, and substitute it for cheaper much more harmful drugs such as crack and crystal meth.
By legalizing, we could end the black market trade of marijuana tomorrow, and replace it with a regulated industry similar to tobacco and alcohol, which are both more harmful than marijuana. This would allow the product to be taxed, and this money could be directly allocated to social programs to help anyone who wishes to quit, and pay for a public health campaign to educate citizens on the risk of it's use. With regulations in place, it would be much harder for children to get access to it easily. I'd suggest an age of 16 to be ideal, as this is when most users start, and if it's restricted to them, they're likely to pass it up for something harder and easier to get. A major bonus is that it would save us a lot of money too, as we would no longer have to fund the policing involved with prohibition. This would free up more officers to tackle the dangerous drugs that are plaguing our country. Regulations could be put in place so that organized crime or major corporations wouldn't be able to take over the industry, creating thousands of jobs across the country, as well as a massive tourism industry.
Whether you smoke, or hate marijuana, this is what needs to be done to reduce the impact on our country. I don't think it's use will ever stop as people have been using it for thousands of years. We can only hope to limit it and control the situation to the furthest extent possible. Right now, we have no control of the situation, and were paying the price for our ignorance.
The legalization of marijuana is not only a good idea, but the best solution, whether you see it as a harmless passtime, or a dangerous drug. The biggest arguement for legalization, is that prohibition causes more problems than the use of the drug. Prohibition by default, creates a potential for black market trade, which is very evident. Black market trade puts money in the pockets of organized crime, and creates violence do to turf wars between rival gangs. Even innocent growers that are trying to just pay the bills, are subject to home invasions, with a possible outcome of violence and even death. The black market also allows for easier access to minors, and results in them dealing with possibly dangerous people. Prohibition is also very expensive to enforce, and the enforcement is very unsuccessful do to the organization and precautions taken by growers. Another problem with the black market trade is that quality of product is questionable, and may be laced with other drugs.
There is an arguement that decriminalization and harsher sentences for growers and trafficers will help. This is dead wrong, and a horrible way to go. Decriminalization is bad simply because it's just a way to make money from it's use, and wouldn't do anything to stop use, and would only breed contempt for the police. Harsher laws are even worse than weak ones, as higher risks will drive up the cost of the finished product, and increase profits of organized crime even more. Many users, mainly kids, are likely to use marijuana less if the cost were to rise, and substitute it for cheaper much more harmful drugs such as crack and crystal meth.
By legalizing, we could end the black market trade of marijuana tomorrow, and replace it with a regulated industry similar to tobacco and alcohol, which are both more harmful than marijuana. This would allow the product to be taxed, and this money could be directly allocated to social programs to help anyone who wishes to quit, and pay for a public health campaign to educate citizens on the risk of it's use. With regulations in place, it would be much harder for children to get access to it easily. I'd suggest an age of 16 to be ideal, as this is when most users start, and if it's restricted to them, they're likely to pass it up for something harder and easier to get. A major bonus is that it would save us a lot of money too, as we would no longer have to fund the policing involved with prohibition. This would free up more officers to tackle the dangerous drugs that are plaguing our country. Regulations could be put in place so that organized crime or major corporations wouldn't be able to take over the industry, creating thousands of jobs across the country, as well as a massive tourism industry.
Whether you smoke, or hate marijuana, this is what needs to be done to reduce the impact on our country. I don't think it's use will ever stop as people have been using it for thousands of years. We can only hope to limit it and control the situation to the furthest extent possible. Right now, we have no control of the situation, and were paying the price for our ignorance.