Though America’s problems with drug use and addiction have been the subject of voluminous policy debate in recent years, few effective solutions to the indisputable societal consequences have been put into place.
A number of Democrat lawmakers have taken a clear stance on one critical aspect of the drug epidemic in the United States, and it is indeed a controversial one. Just this week, Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH) penned an op-ed advocating for the legalization of marijuana in all 50 states, declaring that the War on Drugs has been a failure for the American people.
Ryan assails “social and economic injustice” of marijuana arrests
Citing his experience as co-chair of the Addiction, Treatment and Recovery Caucus in the House of Representatives in his opinion piece for CNN, Ryan argued that existing policy harms youth and families who have been arrested for marijuana-related crimes. He went on to assert that the resulting economic, racial and social injustice to already vulnerable communities is simply unjustifiable:
The year Donald Trump was elected president, more Americans were arrested for marijuana possession than all violent crimes combined. The ACLU found that even though African Americans use marijuana at similar rates to white Americans, they are almost four times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession.
Ryan urged Congress to take action on the Marijuana Justice Act of 2018, legislation that would eliminate marijuana and tetrahydrocannabinols from schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. Doing so would prevent criminal sanctions from being imposed on those accused of distributing marijuana.
Advocates tout potential economic boon from legalization
According to Rep. Ryan, roughly 25 percent of the nation’s prisoners are incarcerated due to their involvement in relatively low-level drug crimes. Upon release, he argues, these offenders find it difficult, perhaps impossible to secure solid employment and resume life as productive and contributing members of society.
Supporters of legalization point to research claiming that large-scale legalization of marijuana could lead to savings of $7.7 billion in law enforcement expenditures and also generate $6 billion in new revenue. Many have also touted the job creation potential of legalization as a means to sway voter opinions on the issue.
Legalization advocates believe that the influx of cannabis-related revenue could facilitate massive improvements in infrastructure and provide resources with which to battle what they see as a far more vexing problem, namely the opioid addiction epidemic.
[show_poll poll_id=636]
Proposed legislation reflects statewide ballot initiatives
A number of states have already taken steps to ease their own cannabis laws. Nine states, along with the District of Columbia, currently allow recreational use of marijuana. Medical marijuana use is permitted in an additional 29 states.
Earlier this summer, Oklahoma voters agreed to legalize medicinal marijuana, with recreational use set to appear on the November ballot. Michiganders will also be voting on a marijuana initiative in the fall.
Proposal ignores clear dangers of marijuana use
While vigorously advocating in support of marijuana legalization, Ryan’s op-ed unsurprisingly neglects to address or provide counterpoints to any of the well-known hazards of marijuana use. There is no significant discussion of the detrimental effect of cannabis on cognitive development in teens, the dangers of marijuana-impaired driving, and productivity losses among heavy users.
It remains to be seen whether any significant action will be taken on the proposed legislation championed by Ryan.
Legalization advocates and opponents alike will surely be keeping a close eye on state-level ballot initiative outcomes in November.
1,320 Responses
The next time I learn a blog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as much as this one. I mean, I do know it was my option to read, however I truly thought youd have something fascinating to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you would repair should you werent too busy searching for attention.
Hi there, its good piece of writing regarding media print, we all be familiar with media is a impressive source of data.|
Everyone loves it all whenever persons get together and share views. Great website, continue the good work!
Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I’ve truly enjoyed browsing your blog posts. After all I’ll be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again soon!|
Good web site! I really love how it is easy on my eyes and the data are well written. I am wondering how I could be notified when a new post has been made. I’ve subscribed to your RSS feed which must do the trick! Have a nice day!
I have been exploring for a bit for any high quality articles or weblog posts in this kind of house . Exploring in Yahoo I ultimately stumbled upon this web site. Reading this information So i am happy to convey that I have an incredibly just right uncanny feeling I found out exactly what I needed. I most certainly will make certain to don?t omit this site and give it a look on a constant basis.|
What’s up to every one, the contents existing at this web site are actually awesome for people knowledge, well, keep up the nice work fellows.|
Everything is very open with a clear clarification of the issues. It was truly informative. Your website is very useful. Thanks for sharing!|
I was suggested this blog by my cousin. I am not sure whether this post is written by him as no one else know such detailed about my difficulty. You’re amazing! Thanks!|
Find all that is about News with our valuble article.
Sometimes the better to simply take a stride back as well as recognize that not everybody gives your own beliefs
Hi! I know this is kind of off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this site? I’m getting fed up of WordPress because I’ve had problems with hackers and I’m looking at alternatives for another platform. I would be awesome if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.
The actual challenge to become is normally you can actually SOLE check out that level of your tax discount over the internet by looking at your RATES web-site.
Simply desire to say your article is as amazing. The clearness on your post is simply nice and i could think you’re knowledgeable in this subject. Well together with your permission allow me to clutch your feed to stay updated with coming near near post. Thanks 1,000,000 and please continue the gratifying work.|
Good information. Lucky me I ran across your website by accident (stumbleupon). I have book marked it for later!
I do not know whether it’s just me or if everybody else encountering issues with your site. It appears as though some of the written text on your content are running off the screen. Can someone else please comment and let me know if this is happening to them as well? This could be a problem with my internet browser because I’ve had this happen previously. Thank you|
aa den stora boken… […]p Have you noticed any performance problems with the wordpress platform? I ha oj[…]…
My brother suggested I might like this website. He was totally right. This post actually made my day. You cann’t imagine just how much time I had spent for this info! Thanks!|
I dugg some of you post as I thought they were handy invaluable
I am always thought about this, appreciate it for putting up.
There are some interesting deadlines in this article however I don’t know if I see all of them heart to heart. There may be some validity but I’ll take maintain opinion till I look into it further. Good article , thanks and we wish extra! Added to FeedBurner as properly
I am really enjoying the theme/design of your weblog. Do you ever run into any web browser compatibility problems? A handful of my blog visitors have complained about my website not operating correctly in Explorer but looks great in Safari. Do you have any tips to help fix this problem?|
Good I should certainly pronounce, impressed with your web site. I had no trouble navigating through all tabs as well as related info ended up being truly simple to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it in the least. Quite unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or anything, website theme . a tones way for your client to communicate. Nice task..
I am regular reader, how are you everybody? This article posted at this web page is in fact good.
Nice post. I learn something new and challenging on websites I stumbleupon on a daily basis. It’s always interesting to read through articles from other authors and practice a little something from their sites. |
depending on fossil fuel is always a bad idea, we should always concentrate on renewable energy.
Hey there just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The text in your content seem to be running off the screen in Chrome. I’m not sure if this is a formatting issue or something to do with web browser compatibility but I thought I’d post to let you know. The design and style look great though! Hope you get the issue resolved soon. Many thanks
Hi. Awesome article. Other web site owners should take this web site as a model – very clean and fantastic style, not to mention the content. I’ll be back.
Hey there! Would you mind if I share your blog with my facebook group? There’s a lot of folks that I think would really enjoy your content. Please let me know. Thank you|
Thanks, I’ve been seeking for facts about this subject for ages and yours is the best I have found so far.
Your means of telling all in this article is in fact pleasant, all be able to without difficulty be aware of it, Thanks a lot.|
Hello! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could get a captcha plugin for my comment form? I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having trouble finding one? Thanks a lot!
أخبار المملكةأخبار محليةأخبار السعوديةمحلياتأخبار أخبار أخبار المملكة العربية السعوديةالسعوديةالمملكة العربية السعودية
Generally I do not learn article on blogs, however I would like to say that this write-up very forced me to check out and do so! Your writing style has been surprised me. Thanks, quite great post.|
I would like to show my respect for your generosity supporting men and women who require help on the idea. Your personal commitment to getting the message throughout appeared to be particularly productive and have made employees much like me to attain their endeavors. This helpful guide implies a whole lot a person like me and far more to my peers. With thanks; from all of us.
I am sure this piece of writing has touched all the internet people, its really really nice paragraph on building up new blog.|
I am glad for commenting to make you know what a fantastic experience our child enjoyed using your web site. She picked up some issues, including what it is like to have an awesome giving character to have many more without difficulty learn about some multifaceted topics. You actually did more than our expectations. Many thanks for displaying these precious, dependable, edifying and cool tips about that topic to Gloria.
What i do not realize is actually how you’re not really much more neatly-liked than you might be right now. You’re so intelligent. You already know thus considerably in relation to this matter, made me in my view believe it from a lot of numerous angles. Its like men and women aren’t interested unless it is something to do with Girl gaga! Your individual stuffs outstanding. Always deal with it up!
Hey there I am so excited I found your website, I really found you by error, while I was browsing on Yahoo for something else, Anyways I am here now and would just like to say kudos for a fantastic post and a all round entertaining blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to read through it all at the minute but I have bookmarked it and also included your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a lot more, Please do keep up the great jo.|