cannabisnews.com: Protect New Mexico Poll 





Protect New Mexico Poll 
Posted by FoM on January 30, 2002 at 18:42:56 PT
By R. Keith Stroup
Source: Santa Fe New Mexican
To the editor, Statistics flouted by the group "Protect New Mexico" regarding marijuana decriminalization and its impact on use ("Statistical Contradiction," January 25, 2002) are inaccurate and misleading. Since the early 1970s, 12 states have eliminated criminal penalties and jail time for the possession of small amounts of marijuana, as originally recommended by President Nixon's Shafer Commission in 1972. 
Today, more than 30 percent of the US population lives under some type of marijuana decriminalization, and according to the federal government's own Monitoring the Future report, this policy "has had virtually no effect on either the marijuana use or on the related attitudes and beliefs about marijuana use among young people." In fact, contrary to Protect New Mexico's assertions, many states maintaining the strictest criminal penalties for marijuana possession have the highest rates of marijuana use. For instance, Nevada historically maintained the toughest penalties on marijuana possession and use of any state in the nation (First time possession of just one marijuana cigarette was a felony punishable by up to four years in jail.) until wisely deciding to decriminalize the drug last October. Yet, if we are to believe Protect New Mexico's statistics, the state's average rate of adolescent marijuana use remained far higher than the national average despite its toughest-in-the-nation anti-pot laws. Taxpayers spend an estimated $10 billion annually arresting and prosecuting approximately 700,000 individuals annually for marijuana violations, including patients who require marijuana as a medicine. Clearly, these financial and law enforcement resources would be better spent targeting serious and violent crime, including terrorism. Responsible adult marijuana smokers present no threat or danger to America, and there is no reason to treat them as criminals. Sincerely, R. Keith Stroup -- NORML -- http://www.norml.org/Founder and Executive Director National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) Washington, DC Note: Here are letters from cyberspace that were too long to be included in our print edition, or from out-of-area readers.Source: Santa Fe New Mexican (NM)Author: R. Keith StroupPublished: January 28, 2002 Copyright: 2002 The Santa Fe New MexicanContact: letters sfnewmexican.comWebsite: http://www.sfnewmexican.com/Statistical Contradictionhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread11836.shtmlMedical Marijuana Bill Draws Objections http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread11833.shtmlLegislators Rethink Supporting Drug Bills http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread11826.shtml
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