Pubdate: Mon, 08 Oct 2012
Source: Daily Campus, The (UConn, CT Edu)
Copyright: 2012 ThesDaily Campus
Contact:  http://www.dailycampus.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2778

MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION PROPOSAL IS A LEAP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

This summer, Uruguayan President Jose Mujica made headlines by 
proposing nationwide marijuana legalization. Stating concerns over 
escalating violence among drug traffickers and increasing use of 
harder drugs such as paco, a cocaine-based paste, he announced a bold 
plan to allow adult citizens to purchase and consume marijuana. Under 
his proposal, the Uruguayan government would have a monopoly over the 
production and sale of the drug. In an effort to prevent "drug 
tourism," only citizens would be able to purchase marijuana from the 
state-run retailers, and they would be limited to a maximum of 40 
grams per month.

President Mujica and his allies in Congress presented the bill on 
Aug. 8, and it is currently being debated. The president's 
administration says they are not rushing things, hoping to address 
all concerns before passage in order to ensure its success. We 
believe that, while far from perfect, Mujica's proposal is a leap in 
the right direction.

If passed, Uruguay would become the only place in the world where it 
is legal to purchase and consume marijuana. This business, estimated 
to be worth around $40 million per year, will be moved out of the 
black market and into the open. As Mujica claims, this promises to 
decrease the use of harder drugs, including paco and heroin. While 
the "gateway theory" has been thoroughly debunked, the prohibition of 
marijuana leads casual users to be exposed to harder drugs, as the 
people they're buying from are often peddling a wide variety of 
substances. With sales in storefronts instead of back alleys, users 
will be able to purchase marijuana without being pressured into 
trying more harmful drugs.

Another probable effect of this policy not mentioned by Mujica will 
be to decrease marijuana use by youth. When it comes to decreasing 
teen drug use, setting age limits is much more effective than 
criminalization. We have seen this strategy succeed with cigarettes 
in the United States, where teen tobacco use is at a 30-year low 
while teen marijuana use is at a 30-year high.

Perhaps the most positive thing about this proposal is how it was 
presented. The bill drafted by Mujica states that marijuana is only 
mildly addictive, unlike "cocaine, alcohol, tobacco and psychotropic 
drugs." Due to its lack of serious health effects, the bill states 
that one of its goals is "the normalization and full social 
acceptance of marijuana use," treating it more like alcohol than 
heroin. It is refreshing to see elected officials talking about 
marijuana in such an honest and reasonable manner, drawing a stark 
contrast to the fear-mongering often seen in the United States.

However, the bill does have some flaws. Government monopolies are 
almost always a bad idea, as they tend to decrease efficiency and 
lower quality. A better solution would be a private market with 
strict government regulations. Also, only allowing citizens to 
patronize the government stores will likely create a small black 
market for non-citizens hoping to purchase marijuana. As marijuana 
use is not linked to violence, fears over drug tourism are unfounded, 
and such tourism would actually be a positive for the country's economy.

Yet despite its shortcomings, we support President Mujica's proposal 
and appreciate his courage. We hope his proposal passes and that 
other countries consider bringing marijuana sales into the open as well.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom