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Patrick on Drug Policy – A Progressive??

October 27, 2006 By nathanielb

Reefer madness is still a condition that plagues Massachusetts!  This was sadly highlighted during the gubernatorial debate on Wednesday, with Jon Keller’s question about possibly decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana. Several states have a $100 fine for possession.  I was not surprised to hear that Mihos and Healey would veto any such bill.  I was VERY surprised that Grace Ross did not come out strongly in favor of such a thing.  And I was disappointed that Deval Patrick, whom I wholeheartedly support in this campaign, flat out refused to support any decriminalization of the substance. 

I definitely considered myself a Libertarian Democrat long before Markos Moulitsas wrote posts on the topic.  I believe one ought to have the personal freedom to responsibly use marijuana. But I am also honest about the fact that it is harmful, like the legal drugs of tobacco and alcohol.  Lung cancer is the most serious risk factor when it comes to pot smoking. I am also aware that other illegal substances have detrimental effects on our health.

Jon Keller specified that $24 million dollars was spent per year in the Commonwealth dealing with people charged with possession of the drug.  This is an unfortunate and wasteful way to spend our money.  We must ask: who is benefiting from these archaic drug laws?

The most common argument I hear against decriminalizing small amounts of marjiana is that it will somewhow increase drug use, particularly among children.  But, according to the latest research from the Drug Policy Alliance, that is not the case.

Our law enforcement should not be wasting our money and their time dealing with recreational pot smokers and small-time dealers.  We can put that $24 million we spend into treatment, to help create the most innovative, effective public drug and alcohol rehabilitative centers in the world.  This effort would perfectly blend fiscal responsibility with a compassionate long-term focus.  We undoubtedly need to effectively address the needs of our residents addicted to substances like heroine, cocaine, meth, prescription drugs, etc.  Let us not forget that marijuana is not on the list of drugs that cause harmful addiction.

Mr. Patrick disappointed me. I did not expect him to take the safe route on this controversial matter.

Grace Ross said it best:

Addiction is not connected with what substances are legal or not…We need to be honest here, and not about criminalizing people who are addicted.

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Filed Under: User Tagged With: drug-policy, marijuana, massachusetts

Comments

  1. alexwill says

    October 27, 2006 at 8:54 am

    I think Grace Ross statement that decriminalizing small amounts is not the way to go. I think legalization so it can be treated and regulated the same as alcohol and tobacco are. I also understand Deval Patrick’s discomfort with drugs given his family history, though repeating the old myth of marijuana being a gateway drug, even in a new way, was not a good move IMO.

    <

    p>
    But I’m a Progressive, which is very much not what Libertarian: my criticism of Deval on the issues would probably be opposite what yours are. But it’s important to remember that “we don’t need to agree on everything before we can work together on anything”. You, I, and Deval agree that developing excellent treatment-on-demand is the most important part of dealing with dangerous addictions (which we also all know alcohol is more dangerous in that regard than marijuana) so let’s start there.

  2. milo200 says

    October 27, 2006 at 3:57 pm

    The netherlands has a sensible solution to this issue.  Marjina is legal and regulated there. (They also have universal health care!)

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    They have the lowest “hard” drug use rate of any country (as of 2 years ago when I was there for a semester).

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    Our war on drugs is as messed up as our war on terror.  It involves throwing young people, primarily people of color, into jail for simply smoking some weed. It’s a waste of money and it ruins people’s futures.

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    Furthermore our war on drugs is destroying farming communities around the world as our government flies helicopters that throw fire down on their marijuana crops. It is happening in Dominica and other places.

    • milo200 says

      October 27, 2006 at 4:04 pm

      There is a huge misinformation campaign still going on today.

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      Marijuana has been proven not to be a gateway drug. It is not physically addicting. And NO study shows that it causes lung cancer, in fact recent studies show that the chemicals in marijuana fight lung cancer.  There is no scientific evidence that marijuana affects longterm memory or brain structure.

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      Please take the time to learn the truth about marijuana.

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      http://www.drugpolic…

  3. angrydog1295 says

    October 28, 2006 at 10:06 am

    you all find fault with Deval’s thoughts, yet continue to support him, why?

    • nathanielb says

      October 29, 2006 at 9:34 pm

      I do not agree with Mr. Patrick on every issue.  It’s hard to find that with any candidate.  BUT, he still will bring progressive, reform-minded leadership to Beacon Hill. 

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