People who know me well know that I believe one of (if not the) worst failures in American public policy is prohibition of marijuana. I'm not terribly fond of the war on drugs at all, but it is particularly problematic when it comes to marijuana. I have yet to think of one positive accomplishment that prohibition has achieved, and even where a case can be plausibly made it certainly does not merit some of the catastrophic consequences we have had to endure.
So rather than write about the end of Obamacare's open enrollment (kind of), something I did yesterday, I decided to make a list of the 10 biggest losers from marijuana prohibition. Today's post includes numbers 10-6, check back tomorrow for the rest of the list.
10) Convicted Drug Dealers: It would be ridiculous not to include them in this list, but it was very easy to put them on the bottom. Sure it sucks to get caught and go to jail, but odds are that they made buckets of money before being arrested and had the time of their lives. These people knew what they signed up for when they began selling illegal drugs, they understood the risks and rewards and decided it was in their best interest. For every dealer that we arrest a hundred walk freely(don't fact check that), enjoying the fruits of selling a product at wildly inflated prices because of scarcity and danger.
9) The Constitution: I'm actually surprised that this didn't make it higher on my list considering the flagrancy of these abuses. Let's just look at the Bill of Rights. Non-violent drug users convicted of a felony are prevented from voting (1st amendment free speech), owning a gun (2nd amendment keep and bear arms), and has been the basis for stop and frisk and inland border patrol stop (4th amendment unreasonable search and seizure). Mandatory minimum sentences require decades long sentences for even small-time dealers (8th amendment cruel and unusual punishment) which force well over 95% of all those arrested to plea out to lesser charges (5th amendment due process, 6th amendment public trial). Finally, had always been mandated by the federal government even raiding medical marijuana facilities in states that had passed laws that allowed for them (interpretation of right to privacy via 9th amendment, and 10th amendment state authority over non-enumerated federal powers). The only reason it didn't make it higher on my list is because when it comes to the erosion of the Constitution it is far from the only culprit.
8) Those who use recreationally: I suppose it can be hard to feel bad for this group of people, especially if you aren't one of them. I really don't like it when marijuana advocates condemn alcohol and tobacco to try to make their point; the truth is that trying to prohibit any of these popular drugs would be a fools errand. They are just way too popular for any campaign (that isn't educational) to succeed. Still, marijuana is much safer for the individual than alcohol or tobacco and way less costly to society. Despite that, those who choose marijuana over alcohol are not only subject to outrageously inflated prices but they are also susceptible to criminal prosecution, social stigma, job loss, asset forfeiture, loss of child custody and other draconian punishments. Seems crazy to punish people for making a better choice.
7) Mexico: This includes other Latin American countries. In Mexico the country has been divided into regions, not by the government but by the cartels. These borders are in constant dispute, resulting in constant violence and bloodshed. It is easy to see how an influx of so much money (as well as weapons) could corrupt the entire political system. The integrity of our southern neighbors government as well as the health and well being of their people is suffering because we insist on criminalizing a drug with wide appeal. Why wasn't Mexico further on this list, see #9.
6) America's Inner Cities: This is without even considering the harm done to the people who live there. The war on drugs doesn't just fund the foreign cartels, it funds America's home grown gangs. Because there is a huge market for a product that is illegal, there are great profits to be made by those who can avoid criminal prosecution. The allure of so much money brings kids (especially those who haven't been shown another path) into gang life, hoping to get a taste of prosperity for once. We are effectively bankrolling gang violence, sexual harassment and rape and the futures of so many of our own children.
Lots of harm already done and we haven't even gotten to the top five. This is all making me very sad, but we have to make the change we want to see tomorrow, today. Oh look it's almost 4:20 ... I gotta go.
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