Pubdate: Tue, 28 Oct 2014
Source: Baltimore Sun (MD)
Copyright: 2014 The Baltimore Sun Company
Contact:  http://www.baltimoresun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/37
Author: Daniel Takash
Note: Daniel Takash is a Young Voices Advocate, providing media 
analysis on drug, budget and regulatory policies. He is studying 
applied mathematics and statistics at the Johns Hopkins University.
Page: 13

MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION BEST MD. PATH

Earlier this month, marijuana was partially decriminalized in 
Maryland, making possession under 10 grams (about a third of an 
ounce) subject to a citation, a fine and no jail time.

Despite some problems with the language of the law, taking jail time 
off the table and ensuring no criminal records for owners of small 
quantities of marijuana are positive first steps in changing the 
state's drug policy. That said, the Maryland legislature has been far 
too timid in its approach and should instead adopt a Colorado-like 
model for legalization.

It is tempting to take a wait-and-see approach to most policies, 
especially when venturing into untested waters. In the case of 
marijuana, however, there are two major problems with this logic.

First, Colorado already presents an example of successful marijuana 
legalization. Crime is down, state marijuana tax revenues are up to 
$8 million a month as of July, and it has become harder for minors to 
get marijuana because pot shops are more likely to card than drug dealers.

Unfounded concerns of overdoses are also being allayed through 
low-dose alternatives offered by vendors. It is certainly true that 
Maryland is different from Colorado, but legalization opponents need 
to show why these differences will produce radically different 
outcomes for legalization.

Opponents of legalization may cite tired statistics about the risk of 
dependency for marijuana, particularly among those who start smoking 
while young, but these harms are not unique to pot. These same 
potentials for dependency exist for alcohol, yet nobody is calling 
for a return to prohibition, despite estimates claiming more than 
300,000 Marylanders struggle with alcohol dependency

With marijuana legalization, however, there is the potential to 
reduce the stigma associated with drug addiction so affected 
individuals can get the help they need. Recent findings by the Johns 
Hopkins University show that people are more likely to oppose 
treatment associated with drug addiction due to the negative image 
associated with drug use. No matter your opinion on whether drug use 
is a moral failing, the fact that it still carries the stigma of a 
criminal penalty only leads to reduced opportunities for people to 
get the help they need.

Second, there is a sense of urgency associated with marijuana 
legalization. Even if there were compelling arguments for why 
marijuana is on balance bad for society, drug warriors have had a 
dismal record of actually eliminating the problem. Simply put, we 
need to embrace the reality that marijuana is here to stay.

The urgency comes from the fact that while marijuana is a given, the 
problems associated with marijuana prohibition are not. In the state 
of Maryland alone, the ACLU reported that over 23,000 people were 
arrested for marijuana possession in 2010. These are people who have 
had their lives ruined through the stigma of a criminal record and, 
for many, time lost in prison. Those convicted of marijuana-related 
crimes are going to have tremendous difficulties finding employment, 
ultimately making them less productive than they would be as marijuana users.

There should especially be a sense of urgency among fiscal 
conservatives. In 2010, Maryland spent $100 million on marijuana 
enforcement alone. Given recent revenue shortfalls in the state 
budget, the government needs to make tough choices on what programs 
to fund. The savings from marijuana decriminalization would help free 
up money that could be spent on dealing with far more dangerous drug 
problems and the crime associated with them.

The Maryland General Assembly, through the reform passed last April, 
has implicitly stated that the harms of marijuana laws outweigh the 
benefits in the cases they have decriminalized. This is certainly 
true, but Maryland will only be able to unlock all of the benefits 
outlined above if the state embraces a bolder legalization agenda.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom