SAFERchoice Denver - Press Articles

North Denver Tribune
08/18/05

The Alcohol-Marijuana Equalization Initiative

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This November, Denver voters may have an opportunity to vote on the Alcohol-Marijuana Equalization Initiative, which would remove criminal penalties for adult marijuana possession. The proposed initiative, sponsored by Safer Alternative for Enjoyable Recreation, would amend the city's Revised Municipal Code to remove criminal penalties for private use and possession of one ounce or less of marijuana for any person age 21 or older.

The Denver City council is to be applauded for considering this reasonable experiment. Even if you believe that Marijuana is a dangerous, despicable substance, you must concede that the war on drugs has done far greater damage to our liberty and personal safety than the drugs themselves.

According to Colorado’s Independence Institute, “since 1985, the percentage of Colorado prisoners locked up for drug offenses has quadrupled. Drug offenders now make up more than 20 percent of Colorado’s prison population…the single largest category of offender by far… Moreover, in just the last decade, corrections spending has more than doubled to over $469.7 million in FY ’03-’04 and more than half a billion dollars has been appropriated for prison expansion and new prison construction.”

This law enforcement activity might seem reasonable if prosecution and imprisonment put even the slightest dent in the marijuana supply, yet drugs remain readily available on every street corner, every schoolyard, and even in our prisons! Criminalizing marijuana merely makes selling it immensely profitable. When drug raids take dope off the street, the price skyrockets so dealers are inclined to take greater risks to accommodate the demand. Incarcerate one dealer and seven more jump in to take his place. Furthermore, profits are so great that dealers are pushing drugs on our kids hoping to gain another lifelong customer. The drug war also promotes violence as dealers and drug gangs battle for turf, often with peaceful citizens in the crossfire.

Our prisons turn non-violent drug offenders into hardened criminals with an ax to grind against society. Kids who never stole a nickel may find no other recourse when employers refuse to hire an applicant with a drug conviction. Its doubtful if anyone ever stole anything other than Twinkies to support their marijuana habit, but if they did its because our drug policy makes the price of a weed exorbitantly high.

Even more disconcerting is the early release of violent criminals due to prison overcrowding- largely a result of drug sentencing. Every minute the police spend enforcing drug policy is a minute wasted chasing robbers, rapists, and murderers. Clearly the drug war puts every citizen at risk of assault, property theft or worse, while decriminalizing marijuana would instantly double police resources without hiring more cops or raising taxes.

I would never advocate drug use. Drugs are their own punishment, so there’s no need for the government to prosecute further. Parents must educate their children on the pitfalls of drug use and monitor their children and their children’s friends for signs of drug influences.

The Alcohol- Marijuana Equalization Initiative will keep marijuana illegal so that it can’t be sold in the open. It will keep marijuana out of our schools by eliminating incentives to push drugs on our kids. It will eliminate millions in wasteful and senseless government spending, hopefully leaving us with more of our paychecks to spend on education or positive activities for our children. It will provide greater resources to combat real crime and keep violent criminals in prison for the full term of their sentences.

The Denver City Council will be holding a courtesy public hearing on this issue at their next City Council meeting, Monday, August 22nd at 5:30 PM. Please attend or call your representative to express support for this groundbreaking initiative.

Chris Leinster is the chairman for the Denver Libertarian Party. The Libertarian Party believes drug prohibition creates crime and wastes tax dollars. For more information go to www.lpcolorado.org or e-mail chairman@lpdenver.org.

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	North Denver Tribune 08/18/05 The Alcohol-Marijuana Equalization Initiative (Return to Press Section) This November, Denver voters may have an opportunity to vote on the Alcohol-Marijuana Equalization Initiative, which would remove criminal penalties for adult marijuana possession. The proposed initiative, sponsored by Safer Alternative for Enjoyable Recreation, would amend the city's Revised Municipal Code to remove criminal penalties for private use and possession of one ounce or less of marijuana for any person age 21 or older. The Denver City council is to be applauded for considering this reasonable experiment. Even if you believe that Marijuana is a dangerous, despicable substance, you must concede that the war on drugs has done far greater damage to our liberty and personal safety than the drugs themselves. According to Colorado’s Independence Institute, “since 1985, the percentage of Colorado prisoners locked up for drug offenses has quadrupled. Drug offenders now make up more than 20 percent of Colorado’s prison population…the single largest category of offender by far… Moreover, in just the last decade, corrections spending has more than doubled to over $469.7 million in FY ’03-’04 and more than half a billion dollars has been appropriated for prison expansion and new prison construction.” This law enforcement activity might seem reasonable if prosecution and imprisonment put even the slightest dent in the marijuana supply, yet drugs remain readily available on every street corner, every schoolyard, and even in our prisons! Criminalizing marijuana merely makes selling it immensely profitable. When drug raids take dope off the street, the price skyrockets so dealers are inclined to take greater risks to accommodate the demand. Incarcerate one dealer and seven more jump in to take his place. Furthermore, profits are so great that dealers are pushing drugs on our kids hoping to gain another lifelong customer. The drug war also promotes violence as dealers and drug gangs battle for turf, often with peaceful citizens in the crossfire. Our prisons turn non-violent drug offenders into hardened criminals with an ax to grind against society. Kids who never stole a nickel may find no other recourse when employers refuse to hire an applicant with a drug conviction. Its doubtful if anyone ever stole anything other than Twinkies to support their marijuana habit, but if they did its because our drug policy makes the price of a weed exorbitantly high. Even more disconcerting is the early release of violent criminals due to prison overcrowding- largely a result of drug sentencing. Every minute the police spend enforcing drug policy is a minute wasted chasing robbers, rapists, and murderers. Clearly the drug war puts every citizen at risk of assault, property theft or worse, while decriminalizing marijuana would instantly double police resources without hiring more cops or raising taxes. I would never advocate drug use. Drugs are their own punishment, so there’s no need for the government to prosecute further. Parents must educate their children on the pitfalls of drug use and monitor their children and their children’s friends for signs of drug influences. The Alcohol- Marijuana Equalization Initiative will keep marijuana illegal so that it can’t be sold in the open. It will keep marijuana out of our schools by eliminating incentives to push drugs on our kids. It will eliminate millions in wasteful and senseless government spending, hopefully leaving us with more of our paychecks to spend on education or positive activities for our children. It will provide greater resources to combat real crime and keep violent criminals in prison for the full term of their sentences. The Denver City Council will be holding a courtesy public hearing on this issue at their next City Council meeting, Monday, August 22nd at 5:30 PM. Please attend or call your representative to express support for this groundbreaking initiative. Chris Leinster is the chairman for the Denver Libertarian Party. The Libertarian Party believes drug prohibition creates crime and wastes tax dollars. For more information go to www.lpcolorado.org or e-mail chairman@lpdenver.org. (Return to Press Section)