The War on Drugs:
The epitome of blatant disregard
for societal norms and prudent
budgeting of tax dollars.
Senseless Rhetoric:
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“Fourteen year old Jane purchased
marijuana from Mike, who in turn
contacted his dealer Dave, who happened
to kill innocent Lisa while procuring
marijuana for Mike to sell to Jane;
obviously, Jane killed Lisa.”
Today’s Drug War is one without
end.
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Funds and manpower wasted to date with
little or no real change.
Projection of tomorrow’s drug war.
Cessation of current campaign; greatest
good assessment.
Every tax-paying American is
affected.
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Like it or not, we’re all a part of the drug war
Last year the state of Florida spent more on
56,000 prisoners than it did on 203,000
university students.
Throughout the 1980’s, state spending on
corrections increased 95%, while spending on
higher education decreased 6%.
Students for Sensible Drug Policy
The Major Players:
John Walters:
Drug Czar; director of the
White House Office of
National Drug Control
Policy.
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Researched America’s drug
war by watching the
movie Traffic per the
request of President Bush
George Soros
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Billionaire in support
of dying with dignity
and the drug policy
alliance among other
endeavors.
John Sperling
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Billionaire in support
of de-criminalization
of marijuana.
Donated 13 million to
drug reform
campaigns and
successfully blocked
17 ballot initiatives.
Peter Lewis
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Retired CEO of
Progressive Insurance
Company. Converted
from scotch to
marijuana and
donates his billions to
the marijuana policy
project.
The Facts:
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Just like alcohol prohibition in the fifties,
the anti-marijuana laws of today create
and fuel the drug cartels.
America is waging a war it will never win,
while spending billions of taxpayer dollars
in the process.
More Facts:
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80% of Americans think adults should be able to
use marijuana legally for medical purposes.
47% of Americans admit having tried marijuana
at least once.
72% of Americans say people arrested for
possessing small amounts of marijuana should
be fined, not jailed.
Joseph D. McNamara, former San Jose police
chief: “Most of the police officers I hired during
the 15 years I was police chief had tried
[marijuana] it.”
Time Magazine November 4, 2002 “Is America Going to Pot?”
The Problem is Real
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734,497 people were arrested on marijuana
charges in 2000, more than twice the number in
1991.
Nine in ten of the ‘criminals’ were guilty of
possession alone.
The government spends $1.2 billion a year to
house 60,000 people in prison for marijuana
offenses.
The Economist September 26 2002 “One puff at a time”
Why?
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Unlike alcohol, no one has ever died of THC poisoning.
Marijuana does not make users sick, in fact some patients studied
enjoyed significantly higher increases in their lymphocytes, which
are cells that help fight disease.
Marijuana users are a no greater risk of cancer than smokers of
cigarettes.
9% of marijuana users develop a dependence, in contrast to the
15% of drinkers who develop a dependence, and the third of
tobacco users who do the same.
There is currently no conclusive evidence that marijuana causes
long term cognitive impairments.
A Logical Solution Concurring with
Societal Norms:
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End the current drug war.
Tax and regulate the sale of drugs.
Free law enforcement officers to fight real
crime.
Free doctors to prescribe medical
marijuana when prudent.
What About Johnnie Crack head?
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“If there are no drug laws, Johnnie crack head
will break into my house in order to get drug
money, probably killing me in the process.”
Johnnie crack head will have no reason to break
into your home.
Johnnie crack head will naturally select himself
right out of the gene pool in a few short years.
All of the resources currently being used to
protect Johnnie from himself can instead be
used to protect you from Johnnie.
Marijuana, Cocaine and Heroin all
under the FDA, not the DEA
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In addition to the money saved waging the drug
war and incarcerating ‘criminals’ in the process,
the government will enjoy substantial revenue
from the sale and regulation of these popular
drugs.
Those who choose to partake in such drugs can
rest assured they’re enjoying pure, uncut
cocaine, instead of a mystery substance cut with
rat poison.
Drugs in the Hospital
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HIV & Chemotherapy patients can use marijuana
to control nausea and increase appetite.
Glaucoma patients enjoy up to a 25% reduction
in pressure on their eyeballs.
Aids in spasticity among multiple sclerosis
patients.
Reduction in pain ranging to migraine headaches
to the spread of cancer.
Rocky start, smooth ending
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By removing laws and limits on illicit drug
use, we will no doubt see a spike in the
same.
Those who learn to manage their appetite
will be forced to conform to societal
norms.
Those who cannot will naturally select
themselves right out of the gene pool.
Marijuana Abroad
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We don’t have to look far for a prediction;
Canada.
European locales not limited to
Amsterdam.
In Summation
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End the drug war to save face, money and
lives.
Allow the country to prosper by working
with mother nature instead of fighting the
inevitable.
Allow the sick and dying access to the
drugs they need.
Bibliography
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The Economist “One puff at a time”
September 26, 2002
Time Magazine “Is America Going to Pot?”
November 4, 2002
Students for Sensible Drug Policy
www.ssdp.org