Legalization Of Marijuana

9 Pages 2172 Words

Legalization of Marijana: For


It's time we put to rest the myth that smoking marijuana is a fringe or
deviant activity, engaged in only by those on the margins of American society.
In reality, marijuana smoking is extremely common, and marijuana is the
recreational drug of choice for millions of mainstream, middle class Americans.
According to the most recent NIDA data1, between 65 and 71 million Americans
have smoked marijuana at some time in their lives, and 10 million are current
smokers (have smoked as at least once in the last month). In fact, NIDA
(National Institute on Drug Abuse) found that 61% of all current illicit drug
users report that marijuana is the only drug they have used; this figure rises
to 80% if hashish (a marijuana derivative) is included. A recent national survey
of voters found that 34% -- one third of the voting adults in the country --
acknowledged having smoked marijuana at some point in their lives(NIDA,1). Many
successful business and professional leaders, including many state and federal
elected officials from both political parties, admit they have smoked marijuana.
We should begin to reflect that reality in our state and federal legislation,
and stop acting as if otherwise law-abiding marijuana smokers are part of the
crime problem. They are not, and it is absurd to continue to spend law
enforcement resources arresting them.

Marijuana smokers in this country are no different from their non-
smoking peers, except for their marijuana use. Like most Americans, they are
responsible citizens who work hard, raise families, contribute to their
communities, and want a safe, crime-free neighborhood in which to live. Because
of our marijuana laws, these citizens face criminal arrest and imprisonment
solely because they choose to smoke a marijuana cigarette when they relax,
instead of drinking alcohol. They simply prefer marijuana over alcohol as their
recreational drug of choice. ...