Policy Analysis: Decriminalization of Recreational Marijuana

Kenyon Hundley

Definition of the Policy

• Amend the Controlled Substances act to exclude marijuana.

• Amend other acts to establish procedures regarding marijuana commerce.

• Order FDA to include marijuana in its oversight.

• Tax marijuana similarly to tobacco and alcohol.

Goals of the Policy

Ultimately, in the eyes of activist groups and politicians, it would be liked to see that marijuana is treated and regulated on the same level that alcohol and tobacco are. Doing so would lessen the burden that anti-cannabis laws put onto the American taxpayers and would end the punishment of marijuana’s nonviolent offenders. !• In 2012, 749,825 people were arrested for marijuana law violations.

• 88% (658,231) of these people were arrested simply for possession. • About $7.5-$10 billion are spent on these arrests. • An extra $1.2 billion per year is also spent keeping some

marijuana offenders behind bars.

Political Support for the Policy

Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) California Gov. Jerry Brown (D)

Fmr. New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson (L)

Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul (R)

H.R.499 (Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2013) was introduced in the house by Colorado Rep. Jared Polis (D).

Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper (D)

Recent polls have shown that around 54% of Americans now support the legalization of marijuana for trade.

red = opposegreen = support

Advantages of the Policy• If taxed similarly to tobacco and alcohol, it would yearly generate an additional $8.7

billion in federal & state taxes and also remove $8.7 billion from expenditures (2010, Cato study).

• Would allow law & justice resources to be directed towards more serious crimes.

• Would make marijuana easier to acquire for medical purposes.

• Legalizing the production, transportation, and sale of marijuana will take the business right out of the hands of gangs, drug cartels, and other organized crime. (See prohibition)

• Will unlock a new market which will open up new jobs and promote economic growth.

Disadvantages of the Policy

• Long-term health risks similar to that of smoking cigarettes.

• Legalization will make it easier for youth to acquire marijuana.

• Marijuana can be a “gateway drug”, leading to the use of hard drugs.

• One could become addicted to marijuana.

Alternative Policy: Legalize Medical Marijuana

vs.

Evaluating the Policy

Possible societal and health costs

Expanded freedoms, increased government

receipts, reduced government spending, economic growth,

and medical uses

Cons Pros

Legalizing marijuana for medical use would help people struggling with medical conditions, but really wouldn’t tackle

the problems that surround America’s “War on Drugs”

+

My Opinion !

“The prohibition of marijuana has failed and the benefits of legalizing marijuana far outweigh the

costs.”

Sources Cited"Drug War Statistics." Drug Policy Alliance. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 May 2014. !"H.R.499." Congress.gov. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 May 2014. !Miron, Jefferey A., and Katherine Waldock. "The Budgetary Impact of Ending Drug Prohibition." Cato Institute (n.d.): n. pag. Cato. 2010. Web. 21 May 2014. !Wing, Nick. "All The U.S. Senators And Governors Who Support Legalizing Marijuana." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 09 Apr. 2014. Web. 21 May 2014. !"Working to Reform Marijuana Laws." Marijuana Decriminalization Talking Points. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 May 2014.