NCJ Number
25279
Journal
Criminal Justice Quarterly Volume: 1 Issue: 4 Dated: (FALL 1973) Pages: 176-185
Date Published
1973
Length
10 pages
Annotation
THE AUTHOR RECOMMENDS THAT POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA AND HASHISH SHOULD BE DECRIMINALIZED TO THE LEVEL OF A DISORDERLY PERSONS OFFENSE WITH PROSECUTORIAL DISCRETION OVER THE QUANTITY THAT DIFFERENTIATES USERS FROM SELLERS.
Abstract
THE DRIFT OF THE ARTICLE IS THAT MARIJUANA AND HASHISH PROBABLY ARE HARMFUL UNDER HEAVY DOSES, BUT WITH NORMAL USAGE, THEY ARE PROBABLY LESS HARMFUL THAN ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO. COUPLED WITH THE FACT THAT SO MANY PEOPLE USE MARIJUANA AND HASHISH, THE AUTHOR CALLS FOR MORE LENIENCY AND DECRIMINALIZATION BECAUSE PUNITIVE MEASURES ARE NOT IN SOCIETY'S BEST INTEREST.