Spring Break
America needs to rethink ineffective marijuana prohibition
Abraham Brown
Issue date: 1/25/08 Section: Ed-Op
In the 21st century I find it difficult to grasp why we as Americans have not learned from our mistakes and become better. Decriminalizing marijuana in Pennsylvania and the entire nation subsequently could possibly alleviate some of the drug problems we face here in Philadelphia and the nation at large.
The 1920s national prohibition of alcohol, the "noble experiment," was undertaken to reduce crime and corruption, solve social problems, reduce the tax burden created by prisons and poorhouses, and improve health and hygiene in America. However, this did not work and was a wretched disappointment on all counts.
Mark Thornton in his work Economics of Prohibition has shown that although consumption of alcohol fell at the beginning of Prohibition, it subsequently increased. He noted that alcohol became more dangerous to consume; crime increased and became organized. I have not seen any measurable gains made in productivity or increased abstinence with the implementation of prohibition. It is evident that crime is at its all time high right here in this "City of Brotherly Love," even in our midst on college campuses across Philadelphia.
Sadly some crimes committed in this city can be linked to marijuana, but it's important to note that it is not because of the mental effects on the body but because of the great value that the government indirectly creates and places on marijuana. And by value I mean, the herb becomes a prized possession, as it is illegal and hence harder to get. People will kill just to get marijuana. Are people killing to get alcohol? No, because it is a legal commodity, and can be purchased once of age. Why not do the same for marijuana?
The fact that marijuana is in the prohibition mode, most, if not all the wrong things that happened while alcohol was banned will and is creeping back up on us. More and more crimes are now surrounded around marijuana and will escalate given the lack of will on the part of government to consider its legalization. To be fair, marijuana has been ascribed much injustice and the American public ought to hear something refreshingly positive about it from our public officials and lawmakers.
The 1920s national prohibition of alcohol, the "noble experiment," was undertaken to reduce crime and corruption, solve social problems, reduce the tax burden created by prisons and poorhouses, and improve health and hygiene in America. However, this did not work and was a wretched disappointment on all counts.
Mark Thornton in his work Economics of Prohibition has shown that although consumption of alcohol fell at the beginning of Prohibition, it subsequently increased. He noted that alcohol became more dangerous to consume; crime increased and became organized. I have not seen any measurable gains made in productivity or increased abstinence with the implementation of prohibition. It is evident that crime is at its all time high right here in this "City of Brotherly Love," even in our midst on college campuses across Philadelphia.
Sadly some crimes committed in this city can be linked to marijuana, but it's important to note that it is not because of the mental effects on the body but because of the great value that the government indirectly creates and places on marijuana. And by value I mean, the herb becomes a prized possession, as it is illegal and hence harder to get. People will kill just to get marijuana. Are people killing to get alcohol? No, because it is a legal commodity, and can be purchased once of age. Why not do the same for marijuana?
The fact that marijuana is in the prohibition mode, most, if not all the wrong things that happened while alcohol was banned will and is creeping back up on us. More and more crimes are now surrounded around marijuana and will escalate given the lack of will on the part of government to consider its legalization. To be fair, marijuana has been ascribed much injustice and the American public ought to hear something refreshingly positive about it from our public officials and lawmakers.
Viewing Comments 1 - 8 of 9
Derek Rosenzweig
posted 1/25/08 @ 4:23 PM EST
Nice article. Pretty much agree with everything you said. In fact, we're way ahead of you. The two groups that I'm a part of, PhillyNORML (local group supporting ending all prohibition of marijuana) and Pennsylvanians for Medical Marijuana (statewide group campaigning for legalized medical marijuana here in PA) have already started organizing. (Continued…)
Tom
posted 1/25/08 @ 5:30 PM EST
dugg: http://digg.com/health/America_Needs_to_Rethink_Effective_Marijuana_Prohibition
Tamayo
posted 1/26/08 @ 1:14 PM EST
Good one, everything you said is the truth and I agree marijuana should be legal, here in Brownsville Tx we are barely starting to get organized, but we are confident that we are going to make a difference, our first step is going to educate people about marijuana and get supporters, the second step is still in the works. (Continued…)
Stacey
posted 1/26/08 @ 7:44 PM EST
This is a great article, but it will take someone in government that is an intelligent thinker to help win this battle. I am in Indiana were marijuana is very tabboo, I am also in terrible pain on a daily basis, as well as sick at my stomach all the time. (Continued…)
Jim
posted 1/28/08 @ 1:48 PM EST
Very good artical, legalization would not only take out the criminal element just think how it would stimulate the US economy. If California get's its 2008 initiative passed everyone in the rest of the US will be vacationing in Cali; there economy would grow unbelievably. (Continued…)
Cork
posted 1/28/08 @ 5:48 PM EST
the only damage being done is victimless 'criminals' being sent to jail. famalies are being torn apart. some people are lucky enough to be able to use cannabis responsibly. (Continued…)
Bryant
posted 5/21/08 @ 8:27 PM EST
I agree 100%. Everyone contact their legislator and tell them you support HR 5482 and HR 5483, the move to decriminalize marijuana.
Drug addiction treatment
posted 5/26/08 @ 3:32 PM EST
I got the part with "learning from mistakes", this is a healthy thing to do, what we always forget here is that the society keeps evolving and this sometimes changes are hard to control or hard to adapt to certain rules. (Continued…)
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