4/20
In light of the events of last week, I thought it was only fitting that on 4/20 I spark the debate. Let’s start with a question from President Obama’s “Open for Questions” forum held on Thursday, March 26.With over 1 out of 30 Americans controlled by the penal system, why not legalize, control, and tax marijuana to change the failed war on drugs into a money making, money saving boost to the economy? Do we really need that many victimless criminals?
- Ryan Palmer, Dallas, TX
Mr. Obama’s response:
There was one question that was voted on that ranked fairly high and that was whether legalizing marijuana would improve the economy and job creation. I don’t know what this says about the online audience…the answer is “no I don’t think that is a good strategy to grow our economy.”
His response was met with cheers and applause, which really bothers me. Though President Obama, his administration and supporters believe that might be a “change” America just is not ready for, there needs to be something done when the current War on Drugs is “fundamentally flawed”.
In Jamaica, you learn as a child how to roll a joint. Everyone here has tried it. I did too -- but I was real young then. My family and my friends don't smoke and I don't hang out any longer with people who smoke.
I could easily make this a medal count issue saying that Phelps' eight gold medal is the reason nothing could tarnish his reputation and Bolts' mere three medals just does not stack up.
Or I could easily make this a race issue saying that Phelps gets a pass because he is white while the Jamaican Bolt will be viewed as a nothing more than a Rastafarian Racer. But I will not got those routes. This issue is more about green than black and white.
Much like Prohibition (1920-1933), drug prohibition is becoming a main topic in this economic depression. Back then, neighboring countries found ways – usually with government help – around prohibition and sold alcohol to bootleggers in major cities. I might be wrong, but are there countries right now handsomely benefiting economically from the US’s drug prohibition?
The 13-year Prohibition era was ended with Franklin Roosevelt signing the Volstead Act. Given the eerily similar circumstances, President Obama should take a page out of the Roosevelt playbook before the violence in Mexico gets any worse.
I agree with Ryan Palmer and former Attorney General of Columbia Gustavo de Greiff’s stance on legalizing drugs – starting with marijuana.
The US – in a nearly half a trillion dollar deficit – is being polarized by whether taxing the income of the wealthiest 1% or the other 99% middle and lowest class will fix the problem. However, there are individuals who fit in both taxable categories, yet have an income that is 100% tax-free.
As quiet as it is kept, the public knows the government and officials make under-the-table money from illegal drugs. The failed War on Drugs policy is compounded by this corruption. Getting around the system for easy gain fosters an attitude of greed. Cartels see this greed and know it is good for business, so they continue to feed it. Those cartels not involved want in on the action and battling for the US greed erupts in South American cities. We are witnessing the results of this eruption: cartel wars.
In this form of trickle-down economics, the only thing given to the have-nots are bullets from the guns of the cartel members. I am not in favor of legalizing drugs for the sake of “good times”. I am, however, in favor of legalizing drugs to: curb one aspect of governmental corruption; create a new taxable bracket to help reduce the deficit and deescalate the violence in Mexico. My students all know a peaceful and safe Mexico makes for a much better spring break.
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