America makes up about 5% of the world's population but has about 25% of the world's prison population. Does it really cost a lot of money to take care of prisoners?
2007-01-12 14:19:23 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
First, you ought to know why marijuana was outlawed in the first place. There were two major reasons. The first was because "All Mexicans are crazy and marijuana is what makes them crazy." The second was the fear that heroin addiction would lead to the use of marijuana -- exactly the opposite of the modern gateway myth.
You can find a summary of the reasons for the marijuana laws, along with links to original sources at http://druglibrary.org/schaffer/Library/mj_outlawed.htm
The reason that people think that marijuana grows hair on your palms and other awful things is because the US Government has had an openly admitted campaign of lying about it since the 1930s. Shortly after the laws were passed, the head of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics walked out on a bridge over the Potomac River and saw before him a field of cannabis that stretched as far as the eye could see. He knew then that the marijuana laws were completely unenforceable on his meager million-dollar budget. Therefore, he figured that the only way to deal with it would be to wage a campaign of stupendous lies -- Reefer Madness.
For example, the US Official Expert on marijuana said that marijuana could make your incisors grow six inches long and drip with blood. He testified in court, under oath, that when he tried marijuana, it turned him into a bat. You can find an excellent short history of the subject at http://druglibrary.org/schaffer/History/whiteb1.htm
There have been numerous major government commissions that have studied marijuana and the laws over the last 100 years. They all said that marijuana was not a significant threat to health. They all said that the marijuana laws were based on racism, ignorance, and nonsense. They all said that there was no good reason that marijuana should be illegal.
You can find the full text of those studies at http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/Library/studies/studies.htm These are the definitive works on the subject. The collection includes the largest studies ever done by the governments of the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, and the World Health Organization, just to mention a few. There has never been a major study that reached a different conclusion.
If anyone says that marijuana should be illegal, you know instantly that they have never read the most basic research on the subject.
2007-01-16 11:46:24 · answer #1 · answered by Cliff Schaffer 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
In the case of marijuana I believe it should be legalized and sold in stores. It seems that overtime that would shut down the illegal market. Just like with alcohol in the prohibition era. As far as, America's prison population, compared to other countries the United States is more humane when it comes to punishment. Some of the things we give prison sentences for here, would be punishable by death in other countries. Therefore, accounting for atleast some percentage of the larger prison population. But back to the topic,there are a numerous other reasons for the number of people in prison and I don't believe legalizing marijuana would bring it down that much.
2007-01-12 14:34:05 · answer #2 · answered by ak8032704 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The government should be controlling drugs. One way is to sell marijuana legally with a great big tax on it. Keep underage people from buying it. Keep drug selling criminals from selling it, especially to kids, who may also be talked into buying other drugs. it would prevent problems and provide funding to address other needs.
Keeping people in institutions of any sort is very expensive. Hospitals, nursing homes and prisons are examples. Prisons should still provide work crews to defray the costs to the rest of us. Not necessarily breaking rocks in the heat, but they should work. Then when prisoners are released they would have some sort of reference too. There would stil be a stigma, but it could help.
2007-01-12 14:39:29 · answer #3 · answered by Susan M 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Oh yeah, it does cost a fortune and pot heads aren't worth it. My husband has 2 uncles, one is an alcoholic and the other is a pot head. Honestly, the alcoholic is a big pain in the *** and always causes trouble.....I can't stand the guy. The pot head is one of the most pleasant people I've ever met. At a family gathering recently, the alcoholic was picking fights while the pot head (who plays in a popular local band) was playing Christmas carols on his electric guitar. Frankly, other than marijuana possession most pot heads don't really do anything illegal. Pot is cheap anyway, almost like buying liqour. The girl who said that marijuana users commit other crimes in her answer is drastically wrong. If we legalized it, drug cartels would have one less item to profit off of; eventually hurting them where it counts.
2007-01-12 14:44:39 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
i don't think marijuana users/sellers should be in the same category as the hard narcotics. when was the last time you heard a story on the news that the police and HAZMAT had to be called in because someone's bong blew up? it is just not the same.
i am all for legalizing marijuana.(no, i am not drug user of any kind).
you raise a very good point about prison. there are so many non violent marijuana related offenders in jail for something as small as having seeds/stems in their possession.
the war on drugs is a joke.
2007-01-12 14:28:51 · answer #5 · answered by atlas shrugged and so do i 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes.
It is extremely expensive to lock someone up. This, now, is only a social taboo. The destruction caused to the body rivals that of smoking and in most organs, smoking does the most damage hands down.
The only reason marijuana isn't legal is because it would be extremely difficult to tax.
However, this added good would bring in a chunk of the market share. Just look at Canada's use of hemp, and hemp oil, paper, string, etc. Very lucrative.
2007-01-12 16:16:00 · answer #6 · answered by melomego 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes it costs money to house the prisoners... however making marijuana legal will not solve any of those problems. It would make for many more prisoners and a bunch of sorry people who we still have to support through our welfare system. Get Real!
2007-01-12 14:29:47 · answer #7 · answered by starfire 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Okay, you asked two questions.
First of all, if Marijuana were sold legally, all of these idiots who think they would be able to make the money they are "rightfully" due would be out on their bums in a heartbeat. Ever heard of Wal Mart? Potheads had better hope the governernment doesn't make it legal if they want to continue making a few bucks off of that mess.
Second of all, yes. Of course it costs a lot to take care of prisoners. However, it is less expensive than cleaning up their messes and allowing innocent people to be victimized by the idiots who smoke pot and then go commit crimes.
I dearly hope the prison you go to does not allow internet access. Since you are so concerned on the costs of taking care of prisoners, I am certain you would deny yourself that little comfort in order to save us honest taxpayers a few bucks.
Enjoy your stay! :)
2007-01-12 14:24:15 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 4⤋
Prisons are BIG MONEY. It can cost in excess of 30,000 dollars to keep one inmate.
Pot is not what anyone should be worried about. Alcohol is a hell of a lot more powerful.
2007-01-12 14:29:08 · answer #9 · answered by justbeingher 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well its a funy thing buecause yes it does cost alot and sence we make it illigal to do it make more people do it because its not allowed. it brings us back to an old theroy, people want what they cant have or want to do things they arnt soposed to more or less. there is a hwy in the US (cant remember the name) that has no speed limit. belive it or not there are less speed caused acidents on that road then anywhere else in the US
2007-01-12 14:43:11 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋