Opinions
Staff Editorial
Reefer sanity
Marijuana restrictions go up in smoke
M
ary Jane. Astroturf. Purple haze. Primo grass. Dank nugz. Ganja. Chronic. Mezza. Wacky tobaccy. Reefer. Loco-weed. Or, more familiarly, weed or pot. A rose by any other name would smell just as pungent—and just as illegal. But for the first time in this country, Joe Law in Colorado and Washington no longer considers a smoking doobie to be a contributor to the scent of crime. Amendment 64 and Initiative 502 in Colorado and Washington respectively have mostly legalized the production, possession, distribution, and consumption of marijuana for people older than 21. This is the first time that any modern nation has removed a ban on for-profit production, distribution and possession of marijuana for non-medical purposes, and it has now raised the question of legalization amongst many circles, from the legislatures of other states to the Devils’ Advocate room. No other states have yet come out with an opinion on whether or not cannabis will be legalized, but the Devils’ Advocate has made a decision: we believe that Washington and Colorado have the right idea. The debate for the complete legalization of marijuana has been going on for ages, and it’s easy to see that Americans as a whole are moving towards a more permissive view of marijuana use. The shift has been most noticeable amongst members of government, but that’s not surprising: if cannabis can be sold legally, then it can be taxed legally as a way of raising more revenue. The potential profit from taxing marijuana sales is often touted as the best reason for its legalization. In fact, both Amendment 64 and Initiative 502 states that an excise tax will be placed on any marijuana sale, and people who wish to grow and distribute cannabis must pay for licenses and renewal fees. Seeing as Colorado and Washington are two of the 49 states that have a debt that is greater than 10 percent of their GDP, these profits would be a big help in reducing that debt.
Another reason for the legalization of the reefer is the sheer amount of people who are incarcerated due to marijuana use, production, distribution, or possession. This places a good deal of strain on the justice system and contributes to the issue of overcrowded jails and the cost of prosecuting every person who has broken a law relating to cannabis. This was the reason that prompted marijuana legislation in a place a bit closer to home. This June, the Chicago City Council approved an ordinance decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of cannabis. Instead of being criminally charged or incarcerated, people found holding below 15 grams of marijuana will be fined between $250 and $500—putting more money into the government’s coffers instead of putting more strain on the taxpayers’ wallets. Both of the aforementioned reasons have to do with putting money into our economy and the government’s reserves. But a very large reason for the legalization of marijuana has to do with keeping drug money out of the hands of certain organizations: domestic gangs and, though not of this country, the violent cartels south of the border. Making marijuana legal for American citizens to produce and distribute ensures that cannabis users are no longer reliant on groups that routinely murder innocent citizens, which takes power from them. Mexico is considering legalizing marijuana for this very reason. The final and most relevant reason for legalization is that the current laws against marijuana use simply don’t work. The prohibition on cannabis has been just as successful as the brief prohibition on alcohol in the Thirties, i.e. not successful in the least. Just like the speakeasy-frequenters back in the Thirties, people will use marijuana no matter what the current laws are. The government might as well take the hint.
This editorial is the consensus of the Devils’ Advocate editorial board.
Devils’ Advocate • 5 • November NEW MASTERPAGES .indd 1
11/16/12 2:37 PM