It seems that way, according to this passage from Justice Stevens’ dissent (in which he was joined by Justices Souter and Ginsberg) in the “Bong Hits 4 Jesus” case:
...just as prohibition in the 1920's and early 1930's was secretly questioned by thousands of otherwise law-abiding patrons of bootleggers and speakeasies, today the actions of literally millions of otherwise law-abiding users of marijuana,9 and of the majority of voters in each of the several States that tolerate medicinal uses of the product,10 lead me to wonder whether the fear of disapproval by those in the majority is silencing opponents of the war on drugs. Surely our national experience with alcohol should make us wary of dampening speech suggesting—however inarticulately—that it would be better to tax and regulate marijuana than to persevere in a futile effort to ban its use entirely.
There’s not much, politically, that I agree with Justices Stevens, Souter or Ginsberg on, but here they are exactly right. Our losing battle to outlaw marijuana, a benign intoxicant no better or worse than beer or hard liquor, is costing us billions of dollars every year and tying up law enforcement resources that could better be used on more serious sorts of crimes. Musicians from Willy Nelson to Snoop Dogg reference their personal marijuana habits frequently and with impunity, while in a lot of areas getting caught with a joint by a law enforcement officer will get you a ticket if not a warning from the busy cop more concerned about activities that actually threaten public safety.
It’s high time the social stigma applied to marijuana was dropped and the substance was legalized for public consumption. It would save our government literally billions upon billions in expenditures on law enforcement. Just as ending prohibition did with alcohol.
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Comments: 28
The only reason they stopped prohibition is because it is so easy to make booze..anyone can make it cheaply. Pot is really the same.. anyone with a closet and a grow light is in business.
The only problem I see arising is this: It has been illegal for so long, if it becomes legal now(which I don't think it ever will) people will be using it like there is no tomorrow...welll they probably are already so who cares??
That's how change occurs. I, personally, have never smoked marijuana. Just not my cup of tea, but I see no reason why it shouldn't be legal.
Namaste, Wayne
Profits? CBP does not profit from the war on drugs. It is a government agency and government agencies do not make profits. I can tell you who is profiting from the drug trade, though... terrorist organizations. Narco-terrorism is a fact and I cannot imagine an argument that would not wish to stop the flow of drug money to people trying to kill Americans.
I see too many "at risk" students in high schools, whose brains are NOT fully developed, get involved in marijuana use.
It is NOT harmless. One attribute is that it leads to apathy. Many young people have little drive and motivation to move on with their lives and become successful members of society.
Marijuana has chemicals in it which make young people more apathetic - they care less and less about their lives, their future, and their chance for success.
I think we're back where we started from with this argument.
Although legalizing it would standardize it - keep the extra, damaging chemicals out of the dried leaves.
It would be entirely possible to meet the entire US demand with domestic production, if it were legal.
The DUI laws and enforcement there of would be a nightmare.