September 17, 2006
Legalization With Regulation: A Step Better Than Now
Nevada residents have an opportunity in November to take a step to move closer to opting out of the dramatically failed war on drugs:
...we've spent billions of dollars, and marijuana is easier to get than model airplane glue.
Last year in Nevada, more people were arrested for marijuana possession than for all violent crimes combined. The burden on cops, courts and prisons is staggering. I'd rather see those assets used to hunt down real criminals, or the 10 people I see running red lights every day.
This isn't personal. I'm not a marijuana user, and I don't like being around people who smoke anything.
Legalization is simply the lesser evil: What we're doing now doesn't amount to much but a full-employment program for lawyers and cops.
It is only a small step but perhaps a necessary one. Real progress probably can't be made until the major special interest groups that fuel the failed war are minimized. The Nevada proposal would appear to eliminate significant demand for police, lawyers, courts and prison space so should be a positive step.
Posted by Steve on September 17, 2006
