Pubdate: Sat, 20 Oct 2012
Source: Wenatchee World, The (WA)
Copyright: 2012 World Publishing Company
Contact: http://wenatcheeworld.com/section/editor
Website: http://wenatcheeworld.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/494

PROHIBITION STILL FAILS; YES ON I-502

There is little new in the Prohibition argument. This is it: The
substance in question (alcohol, tobacco, marijuana) is so obviously
harmful when abused, so destructive of family bonds, so detrimental to
youthful potential, so disruptive to the fabric of sober society, that
its possession and sale should be illegal. Preventing intoxication is
a public good, so make criminals of the intoxicated.

It's partly true. Abuse of these substances is harmful. We have all
seen it with our own eyes. But how can the law stop it? Did
Prohibition reduce alcohol abuse, make it less costly to society,
protect youth, reduce crime and corruption? No. Prohibition of alcohol
is widely considered one of the most ineffective and misguided efforts
in our history, multiplying criminality, violence, corruption and
widening alcohol use simultaneously. It worked so poorly and weighed
on society so heavily the effort didn't last much more than a dozen
years before it was discarded as a failure.

We are beginning to see the prohibition of marijuana in the same
light. We don't relish the prospect of marijuana legal and available,
but can't see that its prohibition is accomplishing anything
constructive. Marijuana use does not decline. Criminal activity is
enhanced. The costs do not fall, but rise persistently. Marijuana has
been illegal for so long we have forgotten what the goals are. If they
are to reduce its use and limit the disruption of civil society, then
it has been an expensive failure.

If voters approve Initiative 502, possession of small amounts of
marijuana will be legal for those age 21 or older. It will be grown on
state-licensed farms and sold in stand-alone state licensed stores,
heavily regulated and taxed, not unlike alcohol. Driving under its
influence will be illegal, as with alcohol.

If the law passes, what will be lost? First, the expense of enforcing
a futile law -- estimated at a collective $211 million statewide in a
decade. Lost too will be at least some of the market and profits for
the plentiful criminal drug traffickers. If we are fortunate, there
will be less of their violence and mayhem. Will marijuana use
increase? That's doubtful. It's use is already common. Will marijuana
use increase among youths, where it is likely to do the most harm? We
don't know. We do know there is no shortage of marijuana among youths
already. Under the new law it will still be illegal.

Arguments against the initiative vary in perspective. Much opposition
comes from the supposed medical marijuana users, who interestingly
find the initiative too restrictive. Many high-profile law enforcement
officers support the initiative. Others have genuine concerns, based
on experience and instinct, but the arguments weaken in extension. If
prohibiting marijuana is so necessary why not criminalize alcohol, a
substance arguably more powerful and destructive? We did, and it
didn't work. Prohibiting marijuana doesn't work either. Voting yes on
Initiative 502 is unlikely to make things worse, and just might save
us money and anguish. Vote yes on Initiative 502.
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