Toke on This
A small town in Missouri has legalized medical marijuana. The move is largely symbolic, because the county sheriff still plans to enforce federal laws. “60 Minutes” has broadcast a couple of great stories about medical marijuana in California, both about how those establishments that are selling it there legally have helped sick people, and also what a joke they have become as a way for not-really-sick people to buy dope. There was also a great episode of Entourage about this. Please discuss. …
Frankly, if the legalized clinics help a single sick person, it wouldn’t matter if every other person they served were using those clinics just as a means of getting high. We’re talking about a drug that’s far less dangerous than alcohol or tobacco that actually has legitimate medical uses and can actually save lives. I can’t fathom why anybody would think that the prospect of a bunch of people toking up for fun would even come close to outweighing the actual need faced by so many others who are suffering.
And I probably shouldn’t have to point this out, but I will: I say all this without ever having tried marijuana myself, and wouldn’t even if it were completely legal. I have no personal agenda here other than freedom.
Comment by Eric D. Dixon — February 11, 2009 @ 10:52 a.m.
Now would be a good time to talk about the amount of money the justice system could save by not having to deal with marijuana offenders. Also, excise taxes on legal marijuana could potentially be a good source of revenue for governments (and it’s consumption tax to boot!).
Comment by Mike S. — February 11, 2009 @ 2:28 p.m.
I’m not thrilled with the argument that we should legalize substances so the government can confiscate a lot of wealth by imposing taxes on them. With that said, it’s egregious that a drug with medical uses is banned, while purely recreational drugs are legal.
Comment by Sarah Brodsky — February 11, 2009 @ 2:58 p.m.
I think the main issue is with the enforcement of medical marijuana (which probably arises largely due to the difference between state and federal law). There needs to be an enforcement system set in place so that those who oppose legalization of medical marijuana for fear of increased recreational use are confident in its government regulated, closely monitored, strict medicinal use. Obviously, this would be a nonissue if marijuana was an isolated chemical with no other uses, but for those who use it medicinally, sadly it is not.
Comment by Ryan — February 11, 2009 @ 5:36 p.m.
Hey Ryan, great concern. But, so many strings attached; seemly hard to implement. Take it to the field, on a very practical level, how would you enforce policies to draw the line between the medicinal use and/or recreational one? Make the product available through prescription only? Maybe, but that raises other issues.
Comment by Clovis Ouangraoua — February 19, 2009 @ 10:31 a.m.
50 people have become freer? ;D
Comment by Sarah Anne — February 25, 2009 @ 5:58 a.m.