That’s the title of today’s column in the Washington Post by Peter Moskos and Stanford “Neill” Franklin.
Public drug dealing creates an environment where disputes about money or respect are settled with guns. […]
Legalization would not create a drug free-for-all. In fact, regulation reins in the mess we already have. […]
Drug manufacturing and distribution is too dangerous to remain in the hands of unregulated criminals. Drug distribution needs to be the combined responsibility of doctors, the government, and a legal and regulated free market. This simple step would quickly eliminate the greatest threat of violence: street-corner drug dealing.
We simply urge the federal government to retreat. Let cities and states (and, while we’re at it, other countries) decide their own drug policies. Many would continue prohibition, but some would try something new. California and its medical marijuana dispensaries provide a good working example, warts and all, that legalized drug distribution does not cause the sky to fall.
Having fought the war on drugs, we know that ending the drug war is the right thing to do — for all of us, especially taxpayers.
Excellent piece, from the perspective of law enforcement (both are members of LEAP), and in the Washington Post!
If you get a chance, you should check out Peter Moskos’ excellent book Cop in the Hood: My Year Policing Baltimore’s Eastern District
US CA: Time To Legalize Pot, Proponents Say
Sifuentes, Edward North County Times 16 Aug 2009
US CA: OPED: Legal Pot Industry Could Give State Boost
Smith, Aaron The Pasadena Star-News 15 Aug 2009
Medical Marijuana: A Budding Business
CN Source: Santa Fe New Mexican August 17, 2009 New Mexico
A longtime Santa Fe resident has applied to be the second medical marijuana provider in the state. If approved, he’ll operate a 2,400-square-foot indoor growing operation somewhere in Santa Fe County and deliver marijuana to the doorsteps of registered patients. Len Goodman, 66, came to New Mexico from Pittsburgh more than 40 years ago. He was one of the original members of the New Buffalo commune near Taos.
Hempfest: Playing Down Its Tie-Dye Image By Emily Heffter
CN Source: Seattle Times August 16, 2009 Washington
To give Seattle’s annual marijuana festival a more polished, professional look, Hempfest director Vivian McPeak tamed his dreadlocks Saturday, pulling them into a ponytail and topping them with a hat. McPeak and his hairstyle are responding to a culture shift at Hempfest, in its 18th year in Seattle. At the first Hempfest in 1991, 500 protesters gathered at Volunteer Park to push a fringe political agenda.
US PA: Column: At Woodstock, What If It Was Booze?
Carpenter, Paul Morning Call 16 Aug 2009
US CO: Column: Prison Spending Hits a Brick Wall
Peirce, Neal Denver Post 16 Aug 2009
Legalize my drugs, put an excise tax on them that still lowers my drug war prices, and then you can bomb all the countries you want.
But if we legalize drugs won’t we be cutting into De Grasso’s and other too big to fail Wall Street Dope Dealers and money Launderers. If we legalize drugs – they’ll need another bailout for sure! Look at all the Dope War has given them – they righteously attacked Afghanistan because the Taliban stopped Opium production. Lets face it it – a barrel of oil will only net 50 bucks, a barrel of heroine will net millions. We can’t do theis to Wall Street – they really need that black market dope money to continue innovating for our future!
In order to have a cashless society, everything will have to be legal, drugs, prostitution, corrupt politicians and so forth. Gold will be used by the underground (gambling/ gangs/ human trafficing) or they will use other materials (food/ guns/ supplies) to make deals. But I’ve said before, once drugs become legal, then the NWO will make the final move for a cashless society, as drugs are a very important source of revenue for government.
Fumb Duck’s point is very relevant; no less than a former DrugCzar, Barry McCaffrey said pretty much the same thing (and it’s about the only truthful thing he said about drugs).
The big banks were just as over-extended, but they had the cushion of all that ‘black money’ to lessen the shock. Which is why they were still in business when everything else has hit the wall. They don’t need any ‘bailouts’, let them live off of the dirty money for a bit until it runs out. Then we’ll really see just how much the banking system is dependent upon the DrugWar.