This is where certain places would be licensed to sell marijuana like liquor stores. This frees up funds, police force, jail space, and generates tax revenue. It also tends to increase the number of marijuana users. Holland legalized marijuana in 1984 and the number of users went from 15 percent of 18-20 year olds to 33 percent in 1992. However, this increase in marijuana users has not caused an increase in heroin users. Also since they legalized marijuana a smaller fraction of users go on to use cocaine or heroin than the fraction of those in the United States10.
Areas we must work on as a community:
1) We need to get the Federal government to pass a law giving the right for states to make their own legislation for medical marijuana – George W. Bush supports this initiative11
2) We need to force the Drug Enforcement Agency to comply with the Health and Human Services data and reclassify marijuana as a Schedule II drug (means marijuana does have some medicinal value)7
3) We need to spread the word to friends and neighbors that marijuana is not evil, that marijuana prohibition is not effective even when we continue to double the monetary effort every 6 years, and that the vast majority of the 700,000 citizens arrested a year are otherwise non-criminals that do not deserve to be political prisoners of a drug war. No legislation will ever be considered until we convince at least half of America that marijuana is not as evil as they were taught when they were younger.
Things that you can do to help bring about those changes:
1) Write letters to your representatives and newspapers – 69 out of 70 marijuana arrests are made at the state or municipal level, so focus on those representatives more than Federal ones. This is a very important step; politicians only know what their constituents feel like if they make their opinions heard. Don’t lose faith in the system (ever); learn to take advantage of the system and play by its rules. Refer to things you find on this site, or other reputable sources like the two books I mentioned, Lindesmith (see below), or mainstream periodicals.
2) Keep track of the marijuana news – There are a lot of websites that provide regularly updated news, but for the most reliable source of unbiased information on what is going on in drug research and politics you need to visit the Lindesmith Center. This non-profit organization is like a think tank for drug legislation. They have been building an extensive library that houses research and reports covering everything drug related. I use online libraries of newspaper and magazine articles as my fact-finding source, but I will have to eventually tap into the Lindesmith’s resources to continue to provide higher quality topics. Besides their library, they keep you up to date on current events on their home page.
3) Don’t be afraid to discuss marijuana policy to friends and neighbors, keep the topic alive. These are the people that are going to help reach the 50+ percent people necessary to create change. Don’t act like marijuana is the best thing ever though, it has negative traits, and if you act like it doesn’t you are weakening your argument. Formulate an argument that shows that the effects of marijuana prohibition are much worse than the usage of marijuana. Be open minded and very respectful of others opinions.
4) Become a financial supporter of some of the fine organizations that are very organized and effective. It takes money to get the message out, and there are a few organizations that are experienced at what must be done politically to make change, but they need help to get the message out. Not only will it help them, but they will regularly mail you information on what else you can do to help in your community. Here are some of the more reputable organizations:
Marijuana Policy Project –
Probably the most active and most respectable outfit, MPP find their way into the media’s stories consistently. There focus is in trying to change Federal law, which is not the easiest strategy, but it gets the most attention. They are currently focusing on medicinal marijuana, fighting bills that further prohibition federally, reforming federal sentence guidelines for marijuana cultivation, and trying to be heard in the media. For a $50 donation (or a $5 a month donation) not only do you receive a quarterly newsletter, but you receive the very best book on marijuana prohibition, Marijuana Myths, Marijuana Facts. This book can be found for cheaper, but it is well worth much more. It was put together by the people at Lindesmith Center and can help you win just about any argument. The consumption of high quality cbd to help with depression is prescribed through the experts. The dosage is provided as per the reaction with the body. The conclusion of the arguments is that the people should consume legal Cbd to get the potential benefits. The cost of the oil and products should be cheap for being purchased.
NORML –
This organization is one of the oldest, and it use to be very effective at bringing change. I think they are just now beginning to rebound from Reagan’s war on drugs. Their strong point is there network of activists nationwide. If you want to become an activist, you need to find a NORML group in your area and meet with them. They could use some money too, and for $25 you will get 2 quarterly newsletters. For another $10 they will give you a T-shirt as well. You can also fax your congressman for free from their web site.
Drug Policy Forum –
The focus here is on public education, and building an advocacy network to monitor laws and send out alerts when action is needed. You can decide if your $35 donation will go towards public education and research, or lobbying and political activism. You can also sign up for activism alerts and a monthly newsletter online.
Drug Sense –
This is another organization that works to inform the media about marijuana prohibition. Their main project is called the Media Awareness Project, but all the information they collect on marijuana research can also be emailed to you on a regular basis by choosing one of their subscription lists. Give them $10 a quarter and receive Mike Gray’s Drug Crazy, the second best book on marijuana prohibition.
Families Against Mandatory Minimums –
This organization is narrower in scope, it works to eliminate mandatory minimum prison punishments that take power away from a judge to decide what a criminal deserves based on his/her situation. A $25 donation would make you a member.