In 2022, we remain convinced that marijuana is harmful for use among adults. It has been proven to inflict less damage than that of Schedule One narcotics, Alcohol and Nicotine.
Alcohol and Nicotine remain for sale across the United States, regulated and with a system of checks and balances. However, we have yet to grant the same provisions to the marijuana industry.
States who have see a steady flow of taxes on marijuana coupled with a decrease in arrests have help save states like Colorado upwards of 40 million dollars. In addition, it has help to slow down the spread of laced product by implementing standards. This is key to the stopping of fentanyl related deaths.
The call to decriminalization of marijuana in a recreational use is not to call on the decriminalization of DWI-related offense. Such as Alcohol, driving under or while influenced remains illegals and will remain illegal.
What we should aim for is personal use quantity. Our neighbors in Illinois have laid out an acceptable path such as: 30 grams of flower, 500 mg of THC in infused product or 5 grams of concentrate. The quantity is such only for residents of the state, and halved for anyone out of state.
The truth of the matter in decriminalization of marijuana is the unjust system of mandatory minimums. A first time possession charge results in a fine of $1000 and up to a year in prison. It lists sales and cultivation as felony charges, and caries minimum of 5 years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines. The ACLU reports in 2010, 52% of drug arrests for marijuana related. POC result in 4/5 of the arrests for marijuana related offenses. In Minnesota, ACLU reports those arrests are double the national average for discrepancy. The ACLU goes on to report that over $3,600,000 a year is spent on drug related arrests.
POC are without a doubt more prone for traffic stops, unjust searches, police brutality and the cycle used currently is "get them on a drug charge." We have to do better. We are better than that. We need to right the wrong by eliminated the criminalization for personal amounts of marijuana. Then commute non-violent previous sentences to a lesser charge and release any current peoples with these non-violent charges on time served. While this will not be imposed for major trafficking, low level and non-violent levels of these previous laws need to be addressed
and corrected.
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