Pubdate: Sun, 02 Dec 2012
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (WI)
Copyright: 2012 Journal Sentinel Inc.
Contact: http://www.jsonline.com/general/30627794.html
Website: http://www.jsonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/265
Author: Charles Stimson

HOW POT ADVOCATES ARE MANIPULATING THE TRUTH

On Nov. 6, voters in Colorado and Washington approved ballot
initiatives to legalize the possession and sale of marijuana, while a
similar initiative in Oregon failed. The possession and sale of
marijuana is still a violation of the federal Controlled Substances
Act, and it remains to be seen whether the Justice Department will
modify its enforcement priorities in response to these
initiatives.

Colorado and Washington will now attempt to regulate and tax cannabis
in a manner similar to the regulation and taxation of tobacco and
alcohol. Advocates of these initiatives claimed that marijuana
legalization will lead to increased revenue for the states and
decreased drug-related crime, among other "benefits." A closer look at
the issue, though, shows that the opposite is true and that the real
social costs will dramatically outweigh any elusive benefits.

Legalizing the sale and possession of marijuana will result in a steep
reduction in the street price of marijuana since, according to Dr.
Rosalie Pacula of the RAND Corp., "prohibition raises the cost of
production by at least 400%." Therefore, if we assume marijuana is
valued at $300/ounce on the black market, it will likely be worth
$75/ounce after the initiative is approved, thereby reducing any
potential tax revenue from the sale of "legal" marijuana.

While the reduction in price will limit any potential tax revenues,
there is no question that the price reduction will lead to a dramatic
increase in black market sales in states where it remains illegal, as
drug dealers tote large quantities of the drug across state lines to
take advantage of the large price differential. The turf wars among
drug dealers for control over these new lucrative markets and access
to growers will not end - if anything they will worsen.

Even in states where marijuana is legalized only for so-called medical
purposes, it is easy to see a correlation between increases in use of
the substance and increases in crime. For example, in Los Angeles,
police report that areas surrounding cannabis clubs have experienced a
200% increase in robberies, a 52.2% increase in burglaries, a 57.1%
increase in aggravated assault, and a 130.8% increase in burglaries
from automobiles.

Moreover, the scientific literature is clear that marijuana is
addictive, its use significantly impairs bodily and mental functions
and is associated with cancer, strokes, heart disease, birth defects,
and a host of other serious medical conditions. The attendant added
costs associated with these conditions would likely swamp any revenues
derived from the sale of "legal" marijuana. And a recent study
conducted by researchers at Duke University's Center for Child and
Family Policy shows that teens who frequently smoke marijuana are more
likely to suffer a long-term drop in IQ.

In addition to marijuana's harmful effects on the body, the expected
increase in health costs associated with its use, and its relationship
to criminal conduct, marijuana is a gateway drug that can, and often
does, lead users to more dangerous drugs. Prosecutors, judges, police
officers, detectives, parole or probation officers and even defense
attorneys know that the vast majority of defendants arrested for
violent crimes test positive for illegal drugs, including marijuana.
They also know that marijuana is the starter drug of choice for most
criminals.

Legalizing marijuana is a bad deal all around and will serve little
purpose other than leading to increased addiction, crime, societal
disorder and adverse health consequences and costs.

A former prosecutor and defense attorney, Charles "Cully" Stimson is
now a senior legal fellow at The Heritage Foundation.
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