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
I am curious to find out what blog system you are working with? I’m experiencing some minor security problems with my latest site and I would like to find something more safe. Do you have any suggestions?|
Oh my goodness! Amazing article dude! Thank you so much, However I am having issues with your RSS. I don’t know why I can’t join it. Is there anybody getting identical RSS issues? Anybody who knows the answer can you kindly respond? Thanks!!|
Pretty great post. I simply stumbled upon your blog and wanted to mention that I have truly loved surfing around your blog posts. After all I’ll be subscribing in your rss feed and I’m hoping you write once more very soon!|
First of all I want to say awesome blog! I had a quick question which I’d like to ask if you don’t mind. I was curious to know how you center yourself and clear your head before writing. I have had difficulty clearing my mind in getting my thoughts out there. I do enjoy writing however it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes are generally lost simply just trying to figure out how to begin. Any ideas or tips? Cheers!|
I’ve been browsing online more than 4 hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It’s pretty worth enough for me. In my opinion, if all website owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the web will be much more useful than ever before.|
This site is mostly a walk-by for the entire info you wanted about this and didn’t know who to ask. Glimpse right here, and you’ll positively uncover it.
After I originally left a comment I appear to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now whenever a comment is added I recieve 4 emails with the exact same comment. There has to be a means you are able to remove me from that service? Kudos!|
I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here. The sketch is tasteful, your authored subject matter stylish. nonetheless, you command get bought an nervousness over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come further formerly again since exactly the same nearly a lot often inside case you shield this increase.|
Its like you learn my thoughts! You seem to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I feel that you just could do with a few to power the message home a little bit, but instead of that, that is magnificent blog. An excellent read. I will definitely be back.|
I don’t even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was good. I do not know who you are but definitely you’re going to a famous blogger if you are not already 😉 Cheers!
Well I truly liked reading it. This post procured by you is very effective for good planning.
you have a terrific weblog here! would you wish to make some invite posts on my blog?
Good day! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would be okay. I’m definitely enjoying your blog and look forward to new posts.|
Thanks for sharing excellent informations. Your website is very cool. I’m impressed by the details that you’ve on this site. It reveals how nicely you understand this subject. Bookmarked this web page, will come back for more articles. You, my friend, ROCK! I found just the information I already searched everywhere and simply could not come across. What an ideal site.
Hey, I think your blog might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your website in Chrome, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, terrific blog!|
I’ve been browsing on-line more than three hours lately, but I never discovered any fascinating article like yours. It is beautiful value sufficient for me. In my view, if all web owners and bloggers made just right content as you did, the web will probably be a lot more useful than ever before.|
I do believe all of the ideas you’ve presented for your post. They’re very convincing and will definitely work. Still, the posts are too quick for newbies. May you please extend them a little from subsequent time? Thank you for the post.|
What’s up friends, good article and nice arguments commented at this place, I am truly enjoying by these.|
Admiring the commitment you put into your blog and detailed information you present. It’s awesome to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same out of date rehashed material. Great read! I’ve saved your site and I’m including your RSS feeds to my Google account.
Heya i am for the first of all time here. I determined this panel and I locate It really beneficial & it helped me out a lot. I hope to offer something back and support others like you aided me.
I really like and appreciate your post.Really thank you! Really Great.
Hey! I realize this is sort of off-topic however I needed to ask. Does building a well-established blog such as yours take a large amount of work? I am brand new to writing a blog however I do write in my diary daily. I’d like to start a blog so I will be able to share my experience and views online. Please let me know if you have any kind of suggestions or tips for new aspiring blog owners. Thankyou!|
HI
I havenÃt checked in here for some time since I thought it was getting boring, but the last several posts are great quality so I guess IÃll add you back to my daily bloglist. You deserve it my friend 🙂
Hello to every , because I am actually eager of reading this website’s post to be updated regularly. It contains nice stuff.|
It’s very trouble-free to find out any topic on net as compared to textbooks, as I found this paragraph at this web site.|
I’m very happy to read this. This is the kind of manual that needs to be given and not the random misinformation that’s at the other blogs. Appreciate your sharing this best doc.
Excellent pieces. Keep writing such kind of information on your blog. Im really impressed by your blog.
I am often to blogging and i also truly appreciate your posts. The content has truly peaks my interest. Let me bookmark your blog and keep checking for brand spanking new information.
There couple of interesting points at some point here but I don’t determine if every one of them center to heart. There exists some validity but I will take hold opinion until I consider it further. Good post , thanks and then we want more! Added onto FeedBurner in addition
Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you penning this article and the rest of the site is extremely good.|
Every weekend i used to visit this web site, because i wish for enjoyment, as this this site conations in fact pleasant funny material too.|
We’re a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community. Your site offered us with valuable information to work on. You’ve done an impressive job and our whole community will be grateful to you.
magnificent post, very informative. I wonder why the other experts of this sector don’t notice this. You should continue your writing. I’m confident, you’ve a huge readers’ base already!