NCJ Number
127685
Date Published
1991
Length
14 pages
Annotation
The direction of the government is currently heading toward more enforcement and tougher penalties for marijuana use. However, it may be time to consider legalization.
Abstract
In more than 50 years, prohibition of marijuana has failed to stop marijuana use and abuse. It has instead created a powerful criminal class out of citizens who are otherwise law-abiding, peaceful, productive members of society. A better system for managing marijuana use would involve civil regulation, taxation, and control. The system would be set up to guarantee the licit availability of good-quality marijuana at reasonable prices, while at the same time discouraging first use and abuse with age restrictions, honest health warnings, restrictions on availability, and other mechanisms. The financial impact from legalized marijuana would be positive, from enhanced tax revenue as well as redirection of current antidrug expenditures. The effect on criminal justice would be to free considerable police time to deal with other, more serious problems. The experience of The Netherlands shows that the societal impact would not be negative overall, and, in fact, would be positive in reducing rates of abuse of marijuana and other substances. 22 references