Pubdate: Wed, 21 Aug 2013
Source: New York Daily News (NY)
Copyright: 2013 Daily News, L.P.
Contact:  http://www.nydailynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/295
Author: John C. Liu

LIU: HIGH TIME TO LEGALIZE WEED

Manhattan: We read your story on the failed drug war ("82% of 
Americans say U.S. is losing the 'war on drugs,'" Aug. 20) with 
interest, especially the finding that more Americans support the 
legalization of marijuana than oppose it. Last week, we proposed a 
plan to legalize, regulate and tax marijuana for personal use by 
adults in New York City. Our city's misguided war on marijuana has 
damaged too many lives, especially in the minority communities that 
have borne the brunt of enforcement. Combined, blacks and Hispanics 
make up 45% of marijuana users here but account for 86% of possession 
arrests, while whites constitute 42% of users but only 11% of 
arrests. Regulating marijuana would keep thousands of New Yorkers out 
of the criminal justice system, offer relief to those suffering from 
painful medical conditions and sap the dangerous underground market 
that targets our children.

And the $400 million in annual revenues generated by the regulation 
of marijuana could be used to halve the CUNY tuition for city residents.

John C. Liu, New York City controller
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom