Judy Baker
From Mu Norml Ssdp
Findings from dozens of government-commissioned and academic studies published over the past 25 years overwhelmingly affirm that liberalizing marijuana penalties /does not/ lead to an increase in marijuana consumption or affect adolescent attitudes toward drug use.
- "The available evidence indicates that the decriminalization of marijuana possession had little or no impact on rates of use.* Although rates of marijuana use increased in those U.S. states [that] reduced maximum penalties for possession to a fine, the prevalence of use increased at similar or higher rates in those states [that] retained more severe penalties. There were also no discernible impacts on the health care systems. *On the other hand, the so-called 'decriminalization' measures did result in substantial savings in the criminal justice system."*
- E. Single. 1989. The Impact of Marijuana Decriminalization: An Update. /Journal of Public Health/ 10: 456-466.
Nonviolent marijuana offenders often receive longer prison sentences than those allotted to violent offenders.
Most Americans do not want to spend scarce public funds incarcerating nonviolent marijuana offenders, at a cost of $23,000 per year. Politicians must reconsider our country's priorities and attach more importance to combating violent crime than targeting marijuana smokers. source
