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| Marijuana Legalization The Path That Makes Sense |
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Posted by FoM on March 21, 2002 at 08:39:16 PT By Dave Goree Source: Asheville Citizen-Times 
As I listened to the president's Feb. 12 speech on the War on Drugs, I was astonished at his unbelievable lack of understanding of the problem and any realistic solution. It would seem with his own history of drug use - he openly admits to a past drinking problem - and with that of his daughters and niece, Mr. Bush might actually understand.He, in one sentence, proposes spending $19 billion on the failed war on drugs, including over $9 billion for interdiction, then a scant minute later states: "As long as there is a demand for drugs in this country, some crook is gonna figure out how to get 'em here." (President George W. Bush on Feb. 12). This is the crux of the issue: the war on drugs is an unwinnable war. There are drugs in prison, after all ... so, even if we made our society like a prison, where none of us wants to live, there will still be drugs. So, what do we do about it? The Libertarian Party and I believe that the best option - no, the only option - is to legalize drug use and production to end this incredible affront to freedom that is that war on drugs. President Bush says he believes that buying drugs supports terrorism. The most commonly bought illicit drug in the U.S. is marijuana. A person in Asheville buying marijuana is not supporting terrorists in Afghanistan . they are supporting a farmer in Madison County. Some horrifying figures: The average U.S. prison sentence for a murder charge: 6.3 years. The average U.S. prison sentence for a marijuana charge: 10 years. Change in Americans imprisoned for non-violent drug offenses since 1980: 800-plus percent. Why legalization? What will happen when drugs are made legal? First and foremost, the war on drugs is an abject failure. We must try something else. As for what happens after legalization, consider these figures: Percentage of U.S. tenth graders who have tried marijuana: 41 percent. Percentage of Netherlands tenth graders who have tried marijuana: 28 percent. Marijuana has been decriminalized in The Netherlands for over 30 years. The per capita consumption of marijuana in The Netherlands is less than half of that in the U.S., even in the face of the War on Drugs. President Bush has stated his goals are to reduce drug use in America by 10 percent over two years and 25 percent over five years. This is a pipe dream (pardon the pun) that will never happen. Humans have used mind-altering substances as long as we have been humans, and will as long as we are. The best option for society is to work to make drug use safer and not to destroy lives in a foolish attempt to end the un- endable. Look at the financial impact of the war on drugs. In addition to the nearly $20 billion wasted on the war on drugs, look at the financial losses to our people and states from the prohibition of marijuana. Rank of marijuana among all U.S. cash crops: first. Estimated value of U.S. marijuana crop: $32 billion. Number of Americans who should be imprisoned under current laws: 100 million. Estimated losses to U.S. gross domestic product if those 100 million were arrested: $14 trillions. Does this make sense? I think not. Legalization now! Dave Goree, owner of Things That Make Us Go!, is a racing engineer and custom vehicle builder. He ran as a Libertarian for Mayor of Asheville in 2001, and will likely do so again in 2005. Complete Title: Marijuana Legalization The Only Path That Makes Sense Source: Asheville Citizen-Times (NC) Related Articles & Web Site: The Libertarian Party Ashcroft Renews War on Drug Trade Does US War on Drugs Help or Hurt Terrorists? Anti-Drug Efforts Might Be Helping Terrorists Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help |
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Comment #1 posted by overtoke on March 22, 2002 at 04:08:22 PT:
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| "As long as there is a demand for drugs in this country, some crook is gonna figure out how to get 'em here." This guy is dumb :( ALL of this money is being spent on enforcing trafficking and border patrol. None is spent on education. None is spent trying to reduce demand. There is not a single member of congress with the balls to stand up and point out how wrong the current administration is about so many things. [ Post Comment ] |
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