The Seattle Times editorial board has come out with a very strong statement in support of ending marijuana prohibition. Their editorial from yesterday begins:
MARIJUANA should be legalized, regulated and taxed. The push to repeal federal prohibition should come from the states, and it should begin with the state of Washington.
This argument was made loud and clear by numerous folks in Olympia last week. State representatives, prosecutors, police officers, judges, doctors, and ordinary Washingtonians testified why it’s urgent for us to start treating marijuana the way we treat alcohol and pass HB1550. The Seattle Times reiterated those main points: the current policy wastes enormous public funds at a time when we can least afford it, it can unnecessarily derail opportunities for young people, it erodes our civil liberties, it fosters distrust of law enforcement, and it greatly benefits Washington’s gangs. The fact that it still continues is an extraordinary example of how propaganda and fear has been used to paper over what has been one of the biggest policy failures in America over the past 100 years.
It’s not clear what will happen to HB1550, as notorious drug warrior Christopher Hurst (D-31) remains in charge of the House Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Committee, but his extremism in pursuit of this disastrous policy is becoming more and more isolated in the general public. In the most recent survey conducted by the Economist, 58% of Americans support the idea of treating marijuana the way we treat alcohol. Only 23% disagreed. These numbers represent a sea change in public opinion on this topic, and one that too many of our politicians have not kept up with.
If the legislature doesn’t do it this session, the voters will do it on their own. Sensible Washington is gearing up for another shot at the ballot in 2011, and bigger drug policy organizations have their eye on a 2012 run. The choice that politicians have to make right now is not about whether marijuana should be treated the same as alcohol. The public has already made up their mind about that and every year that goes by just sees more and more young voters who support it and fewer and fewer older voters who don’t. The choice that politicians have to make is whether to set up legalized markets the way they want them to function, or to deal with legalized markets created by voter initiative.
The comment board at the Seattle Times is pretty active for this editorial. Thanks for the link. After all these years, I’m still shocked at the ignorance of the anti-cannabis group. They swallowed Reefer Madness whole, the entire hook, line, sinker and pole.
Not sure I like the idea of taxing and regulation. All these years there was no need for government regulation. Why start now?
As for taxing, that seems just a way to justify legalization and my rights are not for sale, nor do I like resorting to a bribe to be able to live.
Be nice to read the testimony at the hearing when it was banned. maybe I’ll dig into that in the next few months if we don’t get some progress.
People who don’t want legalized marijuana are ignorant savages who believe in magic. They have no problem with the government telling me that vodka and cigarettes are legal valid products, but not marijuana. The science tells me marijuana is healthier for me than tobacco (thousands of times less carcinogenic) and less dangerous than alcohol for driving accidents, domestic violence, etc. But those who oppose it don’t want facts. They have a “belief” that it’s “evil” and that’s all that matters.
LOOK IDIOTS…humans have desired SOME intoxicant since the dawn of man. That won’t change. Can we at LEAST make sure it as safe as possible? Why do these idiots insist that we ONLY be allowed to use the most dangerous and damaging intoxicants?
HOW stupid are the anti-marijuana proponents? We can’t even grow hemp legally to make rope, plastics, clothes, because hemp is related to marijuana and even though commercial hemp can’t get you high, it might make people think that marijuana could be good too, so we can’t even allow hemp rope because of the “evil by transference” property.
@2
Not sure I like the idea of taxing and regulation. All these years there was no need for government regulation. Why start now?
There’s one very big regulation need when it comes to marijuana markets – limiting sales to adults.
As for taxing, that seems just a way to justify legalization and my rights are not for sale, nor do I like resorting to a bribe to be able to live.
We’re talking about things like business taxes and possibly sales taxes. Paying sales tax on consumer goods is not exactly paying a bribe to be able to live. There are worse things in this world than having to pay a few extra cents for things in a free society that provides for basic needs.
I hope our legislators come to their senses and allow our citizens to grow, tax, and regulate pot.
I agree with the main portion of our population that it would be an economical boost to our ecomony: short-term job creation and long-term savings to society in law enforcement costs.
I just want an exception in the law that allows us to grow our own in the open in our yard and experiment with the plants, i.e., THC strength, bushiness, maturation time, etc.
stonerz r funnee…..
Lee I suspect that the government will attempt to add a few extra taxes on to the sale of the product in addition to the usual sales taxes much like what we see with taxes on alcohol.
Also one of the reasons I am involved with this effort is the number of young males, especially those who are members of minority groups, who get busted at age twelve or fourteen and then become pawns in the justice system. A cop who is on our side once told me that all too often the drug laws were used to hook young males and then keep them in the system. They are easy prey. It has to stop.
Here’s a thought: What about sales tax on pot sold for medical purposes? We don’t currently tax prescribed medicine. Presumably, those with a card would be tax exempt.
A little regulation and taxation of cannabis to make it legal sounds like a fair trade-off to me. Let’s get on with it!!
This Prohibition has gone on for far too long!!
@8
Absolutely, another good reason to support a change in these laws. Thanks.
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well that about sums it up.