Don’t Decriminalize Marijuana
by: Barrett Duke - Oct 27, 2006 - comments: 32
We’ve come to voting season again, and as usual we’re being asked to consider many proposals. Some of these proposals are well-meaning, sensible plans to improve the lives of citizens. Others are misguided, irresponsible policy issues that will devastate and even destroy the lives of many millions of our fellow citizens. A perfect example of a misguided ballot issue is the proposal in some states to decriminalize possession of up to an ounce of marijuana. Nevada is even being asked to authorize government-regulated sales of marijuana.
Decriminalizing marijuana possession is a bad idea. I used drugs for the first time when I was 14 years old. I still remember that day. It was a day that changed my life, but it wasn’t a change for the better. After my first introduction to drugs, I spent the next seven years of my life in a drug-induced stupor. By the time I was 21, I had no interests except to find ways to get high. Drugs dominated my life and the decisions I made.
The first drug I used was hashish, essentially a concentrated form of marijuana, but marijuana was the mainstay of my drug use because it was relatively inexpensive and readily available. Marijuana is the drug that kept me high between the availability of other drugs. As a longtime user of the drug, I can attest to its completely destructive force. A person who is high on marijuana has no interest in doing anything. The debilitating effects of marijuana are more severe than those of alcohol.
Anyone who believes that decriminalizing marijuana possession will help control our nation’s drug crisis is completely out of touch with the reality of the problem. Decriminalization will make matters worse for a number of reasons.
First, decriminalizing marijuana possession will enable users to spend more time being high. When people can walk the streets with it in their pockets without fear of arrest, they will have it more often and use it more often. It is hardly an encouraging prospect to think that marijuana users will be high more often. Such a disastrous outcome will put even more pressure on our families, communities, businesses, health services, and law enforcement officials.
Second, decriminalizing marijuana possession will increase the likelihood that more people, especially impressionable, curious young people, will try the drug. When government declares that something is no longer illegal, many people drop their guard. They surmise that if the government isn’t worried about it, it must not be very dangerous. Many of these people will begin a downward spiral that will only end when they hit bottom, with their lives and maybe their futures shattered. Equally troubling is the prospect that more young people will start out on the road to a lifetime of drug addiction. It is a scientific fact that the younger a person is when he starts to use illicit drugs, the greater the likelihood that he will develop drug dependency. We have enough young people living that reality already. We certainly do not need to increase their numbers.
Third, decriminalizing marijuana possession will not rid us of the illicit drug trade. The only thing decriminalization will do is create more customers for the illicit drug trade. People who use marijuana will be more inclined to want to try other drugs. They will know what it is like to get high, and they will want to experiment with other drugs to see how they affect them. This was certainly true for me. In addition, those who claim that regulating the sale of marijuana will undercut the illicit trade in the drug do not fully understand the issue. While commercialization may reduce the cost of marijuana, the illicit drug trade will still be able to undersell the legal market, though the profit margin might be reduced. It is even possible, maybe probable, that the legal drug will be more expensive than the current price of the illegal drug once the grower, the middleman, the shipper, the retailer, and the taxing authorities add their various charges. It is also likely that people will be attracted to the illicit trade in marijuana if the illicit marijuana being offered is of higher potency. Finally, there will always be people who will not want it known that they use marijuana. They are going to buy it illegally in order to hide their use from public knowledge. This will be especially true for teenagers. Not only will they want to hide their use from their parents’ knowledge, they will still not be able to purchase the drug legally, so they will turn to illicit sources.
Fourth, decriminalizing marijuana possession will lead to an increase in the availability of other drugs. As the demand for other drugs increases, the supply of those drugs will also increase. In other words, decriminalization will not reduce the current drug problem afflicting our nation; it will increase it. When has demand for something ever not been met? People find a way to get what they want, and as long as there is an easy profit in it, there will always be someone willing to supply them.
Fifth, decriminalizing marijuana possession will not empty our prisons of drug offenders. Today, very few people go to prison for possessing small amounts of marijuana. While some people have ended up in prison for possession of marijuana, the majority of people who go to prison these days for drug offenses are there because of other crimes they committed. They may have had marijuana in their possession at the time of their arrest, but their sentencing was related to more serious offenses, like intent to sell drugs, or robbery, or violent crimes. Rather than reducing the prison population, it is likely that decriminalization of marijuana possession will result in more people going to prison for drug-related crimes. As the drug-abusing population increases due to the relaxed attitude about marijuana, more people will end up with drug addictions, and many of these people will turn to crime to support their habits or engage in other illegal behaviors that mandate prison time. According to a 1997 U.S. Department of Justice survey, 33 percent of state prisoners and 22 percent of federal prisoners said they were high on drugs when they committed their offense. Marijuana is often implicated in these crimes. The U.S. Department of Justice also reports that more inmates in federal and state corrections facilities who were high when they committed their crimes were high on marijuana or cocaine at the time of their offense. It is better to leave it in the hands of prosecutors and judges to determine whether or not a person should go to jail for marijuana possession than to decriminalize marijuana possession and produce more addicted drug-users, many of whom will find themselves facing jail time for their drug-related crimes.
Decriminalization of marijuana possession is just a bad idea. No one wins. Our young people will not be helped. Businesses will not be helped. Families will suffer even more. Some things are just wrong, and no amount of justification can make them right. This is one of those things. Some argue that efforts to reduce drug use in this country have failed to make significant progress in recent years. This is true; the statistics have not changed very much. However, I cannot help but wonder if the reason for this is not the ineffectiveness of our drug control policy but rather the fact that 12 states have already decriminalized possession of small amounts of marijuana. Such counterproductive policies are bound to short-circuit our efforts to reduce the drug problem in this country. They are essentially the equivalent of drilling holes in the bottom of your boat while you are frantically trying to bail water. Instead of making drug use easier, we should redouble our efforts to warn people of the dangers of drug use, develop more effective rehabilitation programs for those who are convicted of drug possession, and increase our prosecution of those who supply the drugs. We are in a battle for the lives of millions of people. They deserve our best efforts, not our surrender.
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32 comments (post your own) feed
1 On Jan 26th, 2007, at 10:34am, Kevin Thayer wrote:
Its not the drug that made u.Harmless is what the drug is.i know plenty of people who use and still are active.Plus if you knew anything about this you would know Marijuana is not addictive.your probably just extremely weak minded.Saying your addicted to marijuana is just an excuse for you to smoke.If its so destructive, then why hasn’t there been one death caused by the drug.just stop whining about it.marijuana is not harmful.your the harmful one.must feel good to spread senseless bable.
2 On Feb 16th, 2007, at 8:58pm, Steve wrote:
Whoever wrote this article obviously doesn’t know ANY of the actual statistics relating to the decriminalization. There would be some adverse effects short-term, however the benefits are endless. Please research before you put something into print!!!
3 On Feb 16th, 2007, at 9:13pm, Jeremiah wrote:
I smoked marijuana for many years and have suffered no ill effects. I also used to smoke tobacco. From my tobacco use I began to cough and have trouble breathing. Now before you say this could have come from marijuana I never smoked tobacco while I smoked marijuana, only afterward and my symptoms have gone away since I quit tobacco. Sometimes I would like to relax and I quite enjoy the effects of marijuana for this. The act of smoking marijuana is no different from all of the people that are “medicated” with any of the psycotheriputic drugs. Except for the fact that they are “medicated” all day every day and this is legal. I was only “medicated” ocasionally on the weekends. I have since quit smoking marijuana due to the fact that marijuana users have been persicuted for their beliefs, much like many religions have been including christians, to the extent that I could loose my job for being “medicated” with an unapproved substance.
4 On Mar 15th, 2007, at 7:53am, Randy wrote:
I’ve not used this drug for many years. But I did use mary jane for a number of years even into my undergraduate degree. I stopped enjoying it and thus stopped using it… I think the stigma associated with it and the fact that it’s illegal has kept me from trying it again. I’m doing my doctorate now and would certainly like some with a glass of wine now and again. Decriminialization for personal use, a plant or two in the home of people who wish to partake does not seem like a bad thing when you consider it is not addictive it is not a gateway and you would take the money from sales of the drug out of the hands of criminals.
5 On Mar 31st, 2007, at 5:04am, Ian wrote:
The individual should have the right to do what he wishes with his body, without gov’t interference. Junk food is not very good for your body but the consumption of it is highly encouraged. I certainly think that junk food and alcohol are more dangerous than marijuana. But to me that is beside the point. It is a personal choice.
6 On Apr 4th, 2007, at 8:25pm, George Mougalis wrote:
You obviously do not know what Decriminalization actually is. You said “When government declares that something is no longer illegal.” Decriminalization in the US does not make cannabis LEGAL, but greatly reduces the punishment. Lets take a state, say Illinois. If I was to get caught with a small amount of cannabis, the penalties are extremelyharsh. If a non violent grown adult was found with 2.5 g or less, the consequence is a maximum of 30 days jail time and a maximum of a $1,500 fine.
Decriminalization is more with the times. Typically, decriminalization means no prison time or criminal record for first-time possession of a small amount for personal consumption. The conduct is treated like a minor traffic violation. Now, doesn’t this make more sense?
7 On Apr 5th, 2007, at 12:51pm, Eric wrote:
Promoting this drug war is a shallow cop out and a way to avoid the responsibility we have of being salt and light. Informed adults should not have these choices made for them by the government.
Your First point is contradicted by your Fourth point, “When has demand for something ever not been met?”
2 seems to imply that every American takes their moral cue from the government.
3 false. What happened when prohibition of alcohol was lifted? The black market disappeared overnight.
4 false. Were marijuana not criminalized I would likely never have seen cocaine, crank or many other drugs that the dealers diversify their portfolios with. Prohibition creates addicts.
5 false. I served time with violent people, murderers, thieves and every other sort because of a very small amount of marijuana in my possession. I was not a dealer and I committed no other offense. As far as your stats regarding inmates, don’t criminals generally like to blame something or someone for their actions?
8 On Apr 18th, 2007, at 2:20pm, MaryLou wrote:
Shame, shame, I nearly throw up when I read this...standing up for the prohibition of God’s plant is a hipocracy, calling evil what he said is Good is an abomination...When shall the people hear God’s word and consider it… over their own self righteous thinking and the word of doubtful and sinful men...approving the imprisonment of innocent people who consume a substance...is as Cain who killed his brother...or as Jesus standing there and they sent out Barrabus...a theif, murderer, and rapist are let go...as the innocent are made to pay the price. Study this plant and all the benefits then come back with the truth instead of more Lies.
9 On Jul 9th, 2007, at 1:59pm, Allen B. Taylor wrote:
Enough is enough! The persecution of those who
use the herb, ie, marijuana has gone on too
long. For those so called christians, men of
God, and government officals, answer this!!
Read Gen 1:29,30. God gave the herb to mankind
for “meat”. Now who gave any man, group of men,
or civil authority jurisdiction to deny mankind
this herb?? All human laws must conform to “the
laws of nature and nature’s God”. Man’s law
does not trump God, so whatever anyone thinks
about the herb, take it up with God, but his
word is set already.
10 On Jul 16th, 2007, at 11:33am, Dan Valdes wrote:
Dr. Duke says:
“As a longtime user of the drug, I can attest to its completely destructive force. A person who is high on marijuana has no interest in doing anything.”
.....but he still found a way to go on and earn a PhD.
Not bad for an “ex-stoner”
11 On Jul 20th, 2007, at 3:18pm, Travis wrote:
I believe that marijuana used in moderation can be part of a healthy and productive lifestyle.
12 On Nov 18th, 2007, at 3:43pm, Rastafari wrote:
marijuana is just a plant. JAH RASTAFRI
13 On Feb 26th, 2008, at 5:03am, Daniel wrote:
Cocaine literally has a 1000%+ profit margin. Thats like being able to make a ballpoint pen for $.1 and turn around and sell it for $100 dollars. Anything with a profit margin like that isn’t going away.
Stop trying to keep it out, because you won’t, its not possible. Regulate it, tax it and start educating people of its effects, and provide support for junkies.
Because something is decriminalized doesn’t mean it is legal. When we have people strung out on heroin killing themselves we shouldn’t throw them in jail, we should treat them if we want any chance of them becoming productive again.
Look to the Dutch system, where you can buy marijuana in coffee shops. They have 60% less use of marijuana than we do, and many many less doing hard drugs such as heroin.
Drug addiction is a social and medical problem, not a criminal problem.
When it comes to keeping substances out of the hands of your children it is equally difficult if not more so to get alcohol than weed being under 21.
14 On Mar 4th, 2008, at 11:38am, Amanda wrote:
I’m sorry Mr. Duke that you were unable to control yourself after trying marijuana. My question to you is, why did you feel the need to always be in a “drug induced” haze? Was it perhaps because you were trying to escape something else? I tried it at the age of 16 (I’m 33. I am what groups like NORML classify as a responsible user.” It may sound like an oxymoron, but I assure you it is not. I do not fit the profile that most people would only be too happy to place on us. I work two jobs and go to school. I own my own place, I pay all my bills and I do not smoke it if I am going to be driving.
I do not feel decriminalizing would automatically give people the green light to go ahead and try it. By stating that, you are basically labeling most of our society as conformists, doing whatever the government says is ok. Is that how YOU think? Probably not.
15 On Mar 19th, 2008, at 2:27am, Justin wrote:
Hello, i would just like to say a few words on this subject, i am 16, and i know that 16 sounds young but i am very mature for my age, anyways, when i was 13 i started slipping in school, my grades were nothing but F’s and i didn’t go to school for a month at a time. at age 15 i finally tried the herb called Marijuana since i thought my life wasn’t going anywhere anyways, when i experienced that
“high” it was one of the best feelings i ever felt, i was going over to my friends house every weekend to smoke some of that magical herb, and guess what, ever since then i have gotten my grades up to almost straight A’s and i have a Job and a Girlfriend, my point is… Marijuana does not affect your life as much as some people say it does, as long as it is used in moderation it is a good thing, and if it is decriminalized then people will eventually get tired of it, just like most people get tired of anything if they do it to much.
16 On Mar 24th, 2008, at 8:57pm, Jamie wrote:
Decriminalizing marijuana would bring this country out of debt in less than one week. Also there will be no more overclogging our legal and jail system with people who aren’t criminals.
17 On Mar 26th, 2008, at 7:12pm, Danth wrote:
Your article is full of speculation and little facts. How do you know that more people will try marijuana because it’s legal? The Center for Drug Research study on Licit and Illicit Drugs in The Netherlands concludes that marijuana lifetime usage was 4.5% and past-month usage is 2.5% in 1997 and according to NIDA’s National Household Survey on Drug Abuse for 2000 lifetime usage was 8.3% and past-month was 4.8%. How do you explain that? Please try to look up facts before you post opinions. No good is done in this country when people express opinions that have no basis in fact.
18 On Mar 31st, 2008, at 3:06pm, Chris wrote:
Whoever wrote this article has not only been misinformed about the facts and statistics of marijuana decriminalization, they are also very unknowledgeable about how to develop a good argument. first off, you cant base a good argument off of one personal account, everyones experience with marijuana is different, just because one person has no self control and cannot handle the drug, does not mean that this is the case for everyone. second, if your going to make a point and try to support it, at least stay on the same topic. We are talking about decriminalization here, the drug would still be illegal, only the punishments would be less severe and destructive for those who are caught with it in their possession. So dont try to make a point that decriminalization will encourage use because its legal, because this is not the case. It is simply making the punishments less destructive to the individual.
19 On May 1st, 2008, at 3:19am, Sam wrote:
Please think of this thoroughly.
First of all I found it a problem that you just simply dumped all your problems on Marijuana. Your problems and issues are inherently yours. If you regret using marijuana because of its side effects, maybe you should have researched it more before you decided to use it. Saying you didn’t know is no excuse because the information was all there. Marijuana use has been around for centuries so you would’ve known the effects of it beforehand.
20 On May 6th, 2008, at 10:11am, alex wrote:
i’m sick of people who destroy their lives blaming everything but themselves. Drugs gave you the path to self destruction, you chose to walk it. Whats more is you feel that your experience with drug use is the same across the board for everyone. Not only is this untrue, but you offer little to no evidence to support any of your claims. Your an idiot, ignoring the fact that we are all depenant on something, coffee, cigarettes, social contact, music, we all burn of some kind of fuel, why not let those of us who choose to enjoy drugs responsibly do what we want? The government should not be able to regulate what we as humans are allowed to try, for that reason, why not eliminate all unecessary risks that we take for pleasure? roller coasters, bunjee jumping, sky diving, any sport… we can hurt ourselves an infinite ammount of ways, life is an experience, let us have ours.
21 On Jun 4th, 2008, at 7:29pm, Reed- wrote:
Don’t worry about it. Let people smoke weed, they’re not hurting anyone.
22 On Jun 18th, 2008, at 2:54am, Peito wrote:
It seems obvious that you have never really smoked weed. Because it’s fun to do and all, but it’s not really the type of thing that makes you go rob a bank to pay for it.
And I know for a fact many people would be willing to pay 20 a gram in stores if it was legal. We do it now anyways.
23 On Jul 30th, 2008, at 6:02am, Joshua Moriarty wrote:
I do not understand why a plant must be ridiculed and made such a mockery of. If our citizens do not decriminalize marijuana, it is going to cost more tax payers money. They will have to pay for the war on drugs, “criminals” in jail (food, beds, shoes, clothes), and many other things associated with the illegal act. Also more lives are being pulled down because of Marijuana being illegal. A student who is charged with posession WILL NOT get the full oppertunities he might have had if it was placed on the same scale of alcahol. Even though alcahol is such a dangerous drug, we choose not to make that illegal. It is insane to think that keeping it illegal is doing any good. Will there be a strong uprise in marijuana smoking if made legal or decriminalized? Yes, but that does not mean it was never there or lives are being destroyed. When alcahol was made legal again did the number of users go up? Yes, because they did not have to hide it anymore.....
24 On Jul 30th, 2008, at 1:02pm, MaryLou wrote:
Cannabis Hemp should not only be decriminalized it should be legal! Its not what goes into the BODY that DEFILES MAN but it is what COMETH OUT! Do not judge a man by what he consumes...those my dear friend is the WORDS OF THE MASTER! Its so funny that this is suppose to be a site that uplifts Christian priniciples yet it doesn’t believe Christs own word as truth...When you put folks who have addictions in prison with hardened criminals, rapest, murderers, and theives...you put Nails in the hands of JESUS! If it were illegal to over-eat...how many church folks would be in prison...for being obese? How many raids a week would occur at Baptist Church eating functions? Hipocracy!
25 On Jul 31st, 2008, at 11:27pm, Mary Lou wrote:
One other thing to Blow your mind that Church folks need to study upon is the Word Kaneh Bosem...this word is a hebrew word found in YOUR BIBLE...when it is in HEBREW FORM...this word is the word that cannabis has its orgin. So that special incense that was used in the temple offered with prayer and supplication a daily sacrafice...Was none other than Cannabis. Not only was it burned daily in the temple on the alter of incense but it was used in the Holy Anointing Oil. Kaneh Bosem is also the smoking flax that Jesus shall not quench. Study it Church folk. Then ask yourself what are you doing to God’s special herb he himself created. You call it a weed and all evil names...you take it from nature and try to pluck it out...shame shame it’s an abomination to call evil what God said is GOOD.
26 On Aug 1st, 2008, at 6:47pm, Kevin Thayer wrote:
its amazing that their are so many people for the legalization of marijuana yet its still illegal. the reason why has nothing to due with morals only money. Harry J. Anslinger was a major investor for dupont oil company during the 1930’s. Hemp wouldve ruined their buisness. Hemp seed oil couldve been used as fuel. Marijuana was new to americans so Anslinger made up crazy propaganda such as “Smoke a joint and your likely to kill your brother.” Anslinger known as the first Drug Czar used such propaganda to frighten civilians who knew nothing about Marijuana. Due to his propaganda the Marijuana Tax Act was passed in 1937. Seems to odd of a coincidence to me. The tax stamp was ruled unconstituional since you had to have a tax stamp that was illegal to have to grow marijuana. Though the act was overturned the seed was planted and the general public viewed marijuana evil or harmful. So of course it was illegalized but only due to people who nothing of it.
27 On Aug 3rd, 2008, at 6:30pm, Wayne Sheridan Robisheaux wrote:
Dear Sir, there is an absence of the differance between what is allowed and what is excepted. You on the otherhand except the sale of alcohol to the public even though it has cost more lives and hardship and not to mention the expense of its devastating effects. I am beside myself that people like you and not to mention MAAD would try to stop this harmless plant which was planted by GOD and not go after the MAN MADE alcohol Production. You people should be ashamed of yourselves for not stopping the real HARD DRUG (ALCOHOL)!!! THANK YOU SIR.
28 On Aug 4th, 2008, at 5:02pm, James wrote:
Marijuana does not kill people. And its not a drug. Drugs are man made. marijuana grows just like tobacco. And no matter what any one say and does marijuana will never stop. So the only thing any one can do is make it safer by decriminalize it. Some people do lace marijuana but if it want to and throw the grovment it would not be laced. It would be safer and the grovment could make lost of money of of it. just think of this people die ever day because of alcohol and hard drugs. marijuana might kill about 2 people ever 5-6 years and it was laced. so a marijuana smoker for years im with decriminalize marijuana.
JAMES
29 On Aug 19th, 2008, at 10:35pm, Judd wrote:
Just a thought, it’s been almost two years since this article was written,and not ONE comment in support of it! Hmmm. What I want to know is when all of us potheads are going to make some real noise that the legislators can’t ignore! I see all the statistics about those who have tried and continue to use pot and the percentages keep going up, yet we still live with a paranoia about weed. Time to stand up for what you beilive in! I too was arrested for marijuana (two dead plants in a bucket of dirt in my closet) As a result I was jailed for a three weeks while waiting for court. In jail I learned SIX different ways to make meth, (14 years of smoking pot never taught me this!) ate dinner (unknowingly) with a man whom had inapropriate relations with his daughter… you get the picture. My eyes were opened. All I ask of those that oppose pot is to open their eyes, like they want us to toward their beliefs, and see all the real harm thats done by keeping a weed illegal.
30 On Aug 21st, 2008, at 1:08pm, dillon wrote:
the only reason you struggled with drugs is because you couldnt just appreciate the simple high of weed. you wanted more and you were careless. I understand you have your own opinion, but you could have just stuck with the weed.and what you said about the affects of marijuana are worse then alcohol wasnt the smartest comment in the world. alcohol kills 85,000 people a year, weed makes you kill all the cookies. ask any policeman if they would rather take a call on someone whos high or someone whos drunk. i was arrested and jailed for a day over simple possession and now i have a criminal record and now im on the same level as a murderer. If you do the research on prescription drug abuse or alcoholism compared to marijuana use(actual facts on REAL use) i believe your eyes will open. theres more beauty marijuana then you think. Im dillon and i support decriminalizing marijuana. http://www.thc-foundation.org
31 On Aug 26th, 2008, at 12:27pm, Greg wrote:
So then alcohol should be illegal because some people get bad off it? Junk food because people don’t know when to stop?
No, it’s up to YOU.
32 On Aug 27th, 2008, at 5:35pm, Wayne Sheridan Robisheaux wrote:
Here is someone that thinks everyone is the same. This is very sad because everyone isn’t. You say its up to you if you take that drink. Well, it is up to me to care enough about the many, many, many problems that alcohol causes with people that dont have that ability to just not take that drink. Thats what I think. And oh by the way, you must be a drinker?