Issue Position: Decriminalization of Marijuana

Issue Position

Cannabis could be regulated by the states much like alcohol. But, cannabis is a natural herb with a growing list of benefits to consumers, whereas alcohol can, and does, seriously harm it's users bodies; sometimes the alcohol even kills them. There are no known deaths from simply consuming cannabis, ever.

There is no federal authority to either control, or make war on, 'drugs.'

I support cannabis use by responsible adults, 18 years and older. There should be no taxes on any amount of cannabis grown for personal use. DUI and similar laws should still apply if cannabis users behave badly.

We spend about $10 billion each year in a 40+ year old "war' on mostly non-violent cannabis consumers that has been an utter and complete failure and waste of taxpayer's dollars. Tens of millions of American families have had their lives and futures turned upside down because they were involved in non-violent, consensual, cannabis-consumption activity. Tens of thousands of people have died in Mexico and other countries because the American 'war on drugs' has created a very profitable criminal underground of violent cartels who think nothing of using murder as a routine business tool to secure their means of production, processing, transportation and delivery. Ending the war would not only stop the massive spending and murders, but regulating commercial cannabis like alcohol would instead potentially provide revenue to the government and pull the financial rug out from under the violent cartels. Police could return to their respected, traditional role of "peace officers" and no longer be seen as "law enforcement bullies with badges". Much more information on this topic is available from NORML, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.

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