06-07-2012, 11:37 AM
Governor Cuomo of New York is proposing to decriminalize the public possession of marijuana. Currently, public possession is a misdemeanor crime in NY. Cuomo proposes that if marijuana is found when someone is stopped and frisked that it instead be considered a "violation". A violation would mean no arrest and no criminal record.
The article cites several reasons for this proposal which is expected to be approved:
- Most of those arrested for pot possession have no criminal record.
- It's only a violation to be in possession privately, but currently a crime to be in possession publicly (inconsistent).
- Over 87% of those arrested for possession when stopped and frisked are blacks and Hispanics, making it harder for them to get jobs with a misdemeanor on their records (yep, Al Sharpton's calling it profiling and quoted in the article - the man is everywhere).
- A dozen states have already decriminalized possession of small amounts of marijuana.
- The need for medicinal marijuana is better understood by the public today; reducing marijuana penalties helps support the cause.
- At least one state is expected to make marijuana possession legal in the near future; possibly as soon as November.
Critics of the proposal claim that today's pot is much more potent and addictive. There is also a quote in the article stating that legalization of marijuana would mean a drastic reduction in its price for users (even with a tax) and would increase marijuana use.
Here again we see a conflict between Federal law and States rights (same as with DOMA and recognition of same sex marriage). Cannabis is a Schedule I drug according to the federal Controlled Substances Act of 1970, which classified cannabis as having high potential for abuse, no medical use, and not safe to use under medical supervision. Yet, 16 states and the District of Columbia allow marijuana use for medicinal purposes, 14 states have already decriminalized possession, and 12 states currently have pending legislation for medical legalization.
I think the Fed law is outdated (like many others, imo), decriminalization or legalization should be a matter decided by the states, and I support the legalization of marijuana for medicinal and recreational purposes. Opinions for or against legalization?
References:
-NY proposal: http://www.cnn.com/2012/06/05/justice/ny...?hpt=ju_t4
-Marijuana laws by country (interesting chart, imo): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legality_of...by_country
The article cites several reasons for this proposal which is expected to be approved:
- Most of those arrested for pot possession have no criminal record.
- It's only a violation to be in possession privately, but currently a crime to be in possession publicly (inconsistent).
- Over 87% of those arrested for possession when stopped and frisked are blacks and Hispanics, making it harder for them to get jobs with a misdemeanor on their records (yep, Al Sharpton's calling it profiling and quoted in the article - the man is everywhere).
- A dozen states have already decriminalized possession of small amounts of marijuana.
- The need for medicinal marijuana is better understood by the public today; reducing marijuana penalties helps support the cause.
- At least one state is expected to make marijuana possession legal in the near future; possibly as soon as November.
Critics of the proposal claim that today's pot is much more potent and addictive. There is also a quote in the article stating that legalization of marijuana would mean a drastic reduction in its price for users (even with a tax) and would increase marijuana use.
Here again we see a conflict between Federal law and States rights (same as with DOMA and recognition of same sex marriage). Cannabis is a Schedule I drug according to the federal Controlled Substances Act of 1970, which classified cannabis as having high potential for abuse, no medical use, and not safe to use under medical supervision. Yet, 16 states and the District of Columbia allow marijuana use for medicinal purposes, 14 states have already decriminalized possession, and 12 states currently have pending legislation for medical legalization.
I think the Fed law is outdated (like many others, imo), decriminalization or legalization should be a matter decided by the states, and I support the legalization of marijuana for medicinal and recreational purposes. Opinions for or against legalization?
References:
-NY proposal: http://www.cnn.com/2012/06/05/justice/ny...?hpt=ju_t4
-Marijuana laws by country (interesting chart, imo): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legality_of...by_country