Will Legalization Help Anything?
October 23rd, 2008 by Alex
For Red Ribbon week, communities are raising the awareness of the dangers of drug use. The Ledger-Enquirer published a 2-page story with both the pro & con sides of marijuana legalization, titled “Simply legalizing marijuana may not fix issues with abuse”.
Will Henao, a 30-year old college student, is using it to point out the hypocrisy of the drug war. He writes:
A motorist can buy cigarettes and alcohol at a gas station. But anyone who buys marijuana can go to jail, along with hardened criminals. You’re locking someone up with a rapist, a killer, a child molester. Can you weigh it?
Following this point of view, Columbus Police Sgt. Rick Stinson argues that the argument for legalization is self-defeating when you look at the consequences of alcohol legalization. Officer Stinson argues that since alcohol is the most readily available drug to minors, making pot just as accessible will further endanger our children.
He then proceeds to tell a story about a kid who started smoking at 9 years old, because his Dad also smoked, and then was addicted for life. Preferring smoking weed to having freedom, he failed drug tests and had to go to jail.
There are more arguments, examples and points of view in the article. Some with merit, some without, but all sides can agree this is a complex issue without a single answer. It has to come down to a mix of personal responsibility and intelligent rules & regulations.
Will the people of this country be able to create a system that works for all sides? Only time will tell.
