Reefer Madness

I just want to clear the smoke in the air. Yes, I have said on several occasions, "smoke 'em if you got 'em" but that does not mean I support legalization of drugs. What I do think is appropriate is to end the wasteful and largely ineffective federal campaign against marijuana. That says nothing about what individual states may do to regulate marijuana possession and use. Taking cannabis off the federal controlled substances list would be enough to end the growth industry that the 'war' against weed has become. Meth, cocaine and heroine present much greater health and social risks. Federal money now used to suppress marijuana should be diverted to those fronts. In a national survey of crime severity, marijuana use scored 1.9 out of 100 (1977). Its health effects are about as deleterious as the legal vices of tobacco and alcohol. Some would argue that the long term effects of alcohol abuse are more serious since addiction to alcohol can result in death. More pervasive education and prevention programs about drug abuse and addiction are needed to reduce the negative impact on society. Some progressive leaders such as Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico are beginning to see the wisdom of a prevention approach . As we all know, marijuana prohibition does not work.

Commercial production of marijuana is an interstate business and should be regulated and taxed as such by federal authorities. The 1984 estimated crop value in Oregon was $600 million. That was exceeded only by California and Hawaii. Marijuana is the top cash crop in 12 states. Taxing marijuana production could be a significant source of federal revenue. Under the current regime, taxpayers are now spending more than $1 billion annually to imprison marijuana offenders and another $8 billion in prosecution costs. 1 in 8 drug prisoners are inside for marijuana. Marijuana arrests are up to the highest levels ever, but the level of use is unaffected. 94 million or 40% of Americans identify themselves as having used cannabis at some point. Cannabis use is up 63% among adults in their fifties. The reality of the law enforcement campaign against weed is that it has become a self-perpetuating culture war. Unlike alcohol, which has an almost iconic status in white America, marijuana never achieved the same acceptance in the dominant culture. Its use in this country originated among the Mexican trabajeros along the border. Its another war that cannot be won. So don't Bogart that joint, mi amigo.