Thu16Jul

  1. Yo, Arnie

    Man, Gov Schwarzenegger could address the Californian budget deficit in part by decriminalizing pot. I just read that it would bring $1.4 billion in additional tax revenue per annum. Not to mention money that would no longer be disposed of through pot related incarceration. This could be a pilot for the decriminalization of all narcotics. Prohibition clearly does not work. The US metes out the harshest penalties for possession and supply of narcotics but has some of the highest rates of narcotics usage in the world. Compare this with more liberal countries in Europe and their lower rate of drug usage. Portugal, decriminalized in 2001, and it has been, by all accounts, a triumphant success. Decriminalization would also instantly seriously affect organized crime, and reduce risky behavior in the population (New HIV infections in drug users fell by 17% between 1999 and 2003 in Portugal)

    A more empirical approach to drug legislation is needed out of economic necessity if anything. Crime would drop, making it possible to let go some of the cops that earn up to $190,000 per annum in CA.

    I personally don’t use any drugs, but it makes economic sense to me.

    Finally, repeal the three strikes law dude, since it has an infinitesimal impact on recidivism and costs shit ton of money, that does not represent good value for money to me. The US has the highest prison population per capita, and California contributes greatly to this. Does this correlate in the US having the lowest crime rate per capita? Erm… no.