Happy 4/20 Day!

I am a firm supporter of the legalization of marijuana. I believe the criminality of this drug is an injustice to taxpayers of nations which view it as such. It has been found in many studies that interdiction and law enforcement is expensive and not effective in stemming the supply of drugs. One example is here, in a study by Lawrence W. Boyd, Economist for the University of Hawaii. In the study he shows that between 1994 and 2003, the price of marijuana decreased by 12%, indicating an increase in supply. He also states that decriminalization would save approximately $4 million in enforcement; an additional $4-5 million if completely legalized. It is clear that the "war on drugs" has failed. Instead of allowing the DEA to run vicious counter narcotics operations in Latin America, it's nations are now discussing the decriminalization of drugs in their countries, a move that would certainly stem the outbreak of violence that has plagued the region in recent decades. I'll even branch out and mention Afghanistan, where the US invasion has drastically increased opium and marijuana production since the start of the war in 2001. This is an example of how US policies have continually failed to counter increases in the supply and demand of narcotics. The argument that decriminalization or legalization increases consumption can be countered simply by looking at the Netherlands, where marijuana has been legal for . In this study, it shows that lifetime prevalence of cannabis in adults aged 15 to 64 is 22.6%, slightly over half of the prevalence in Canada.

41.5% of Canadians have tried marijuana, and 66% support legalization, representing a majority of the population. In a October 2010 Gallup poll, 50% of Americans were in favour of the legalization of marijuana, up from 36% in 2006; quite a different position from that of their government. Well, except the law arm of the Drug Enforcement Agency:

The DEA's Administrative Law Judge, Francis Young concluded: "In strict medical terms marijuana is far safer than many foods we commonly consume. For example, eating 10 raw potatoes can result in a toxic response. By comparison, it is physically impossible to eat enough marijuana to induce death. Marijuana in its natural form is one of the safest therapeutically active substances known to man. By any measure of rational analysis marijuana can be safely used within the supervised routine of medical care." [1]

Here is a 2007 study commissioned by Drug Policy Forum of Massachusetts, which provides two strong points for the advocacy of the decriminalization of marijuana:

   -The report estimates that decriminalization of marijuana in Massachusetts would produce 
   an annual savings in law enforcement resources of approximately $29.5 million.
   -This report also reviews evidence from other states and countries on the effects of 
   marijuana decriminalization on marijuana use. This evidence provides no indication that 
   decriminalization leads to a measurable increase in marijuana use.