Legalizing Choice

I can’t help but dive headfirst into the debate about drugs. All this recent talk about legalizing marijuana, for instance, has heated up the seats in Congress as well as the locals here in Walnut Creek—a very “politically-correct” town tucked away in the corner of the East Bay.

But don’t worry folks. I’m not going to say that marijuana is a “safe” drug that everyone should use; and those not using it are simply “missing out”.

What I am going to say is that marijuana is viewed as a negative leisure activity, so much, in fact, that people pay serious penalties. Living what seems a lifetime in jail away from family and society, all while becoming “institutionalized” is an unfair justice system.

So…how should society deal with “pot heads?” Make it legal! But wait before you cringe at the mere thought of this idea: consider all the societal benefits. The truth of the matter is that the phenomenon of smoking marijuana will never go away, so let’s put together our very own “stimulus” package. First, the obvious—slap a tax on it. Let’s face it; the economy needs all the extra green we can get! If it’s true that 4.1 million Americans are habitual marijuana smokers, that’s a lot of money to go around. Second, by legalizing marijuana, the level of gang violence associated with it (being at an all-time-record-high), will exponentially decrease. Third, the legalization of marijuana will also open up quite a bit of vacancy in the prisons, saving taxpayers a load of money. Fourth, it just isn’t right to treat individuals that smoke marijuana in the same way as rapists and murderers.

Marijuana, in many ways, is no different than alcohol. The same holds true; folks shouldn’t smoke and drive. And both can be harmful for the mind, body, and spirit, if not used in moderation; however, the consequence of harm that befalls one in prison because they chose to put a substance in their body—can last a lifetime.