My God, the new kid just keeps getting better and better. The US Attorney General, Eric Holder is signaling an end to raids on medical marijuana clinics, dispensaries and growers. He wants to give states the right to legislate their own drug laws, at least for marijuana. How does the bluenosed right wing oppose “state’s rights”? Only with a humongous dose of hypocrisy, which they seem to have in abundance. Let’s consider the upsides to legal marijuana, in let’s say California alone.
An end to drug violence on the border, at least the marijuana part.
New massive stream of tax revenues, certainly well into the billions.
If it’s not a crime, you’re not a criminal, so crime falls prima facie.
Vast reduction in prison populations, especially if past offenses are pardoned.
More police available to stop actual bad stuff.
Honestly, what’s to hate?
It might have taken a financial crisis to get us over the hump, but maybe we can over this whole prohibition thing. Here’s a simple test of whether or not legalization is a good idea. Would you rather room with a stoner or a drunk? How about as neighbors? Honest to God, there’s nothing I’d like so much as to have every crazy, wife beating drunk take up weed instead. It’s just really hard to get angry or violent with that kind of buzz on.
Go Obama, and stay tuned for the corporate opposition funded by the liquor and tobacco industries.
