This question is asked by more and more people everyday, but why and why now?
Many different answers has been given as to the reasons for the rising demand for legalizing trade and consumption of marijuana and indeed many other substances .
The first, obvious and widely acceptable reason is the fact that the so called war on drugs, is lost. Global consumption is continually increasing, consequently the drugs related crime, drug cartels are becoming bolder dismantling and corrupting whole societies. Just see the all out war between the cartels in Mexico.
The solution can be very simple, remove the power from the hands of the underworld, by simply bringing the drug trade and consumption to the light. Legalize and regulate them, it is so simple to be done, that the reasons for not happening are at least suspicious.
Another reason in favour of legalization is the financial aspect. Now billions are spend on a lost war, where in fact revenue can be generated from taxes on legally traded marijuana.
A third reason is medical and I mean the comparison between various substances legally traded now and there harmful effects compared with marijuana consumption.
Many studies which have been secret and recently surfaced, show clearly that cigarette smoking and alcohol drinking are by far more harmful than the use of marijuana. There are even studies showing that moderated marijuana consumption can be useful. (see WebMD)
Another reason has to do with human rights and the obvious freedom of choice. The state gives us the right to harm ourselves by smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol profiteering on our back and at the same time prohibits the consumption of a much less harmful substance. Where is the logic, if its about logic and not something else much more sinister that guides the decision makers…
March 17th, 2009 at 5:19 am
Hmm…
1. Legalize It
2. Tax It
3. Smoke It
4. Profit
I imagine it would look something like that…: people enjoying a relaxing smoke in designated coffeeshops, enjoying a joint out in the park, stopping off at the coffeeshop after work to buy a gram or two to smoke later in the comfort and privacy of your own home. No worries, no stress, no bad dealers, a wide choice of product, well enforced age regulations, police with more time to tackle real crime, one less taboo drug and an associated fall in use over time, an easily regulated and enforced source of tax revenue…