SoylentNews is people
SoylentNews
Leafly.com reports:
[On Thursday] the United States' capital, Washington D.C. (not to be confused with the state of Washington, which debuted its retail stores last week), officially decriminalizes cannabis. Under the new law, police officers can no longer demand identification from people caught possessing up to one ounce of cannabis, nor can they arrest people if they simply smell cannabis on them. Instead, they will confiscate any "visible contraband" and issue a ticket with a fine of $25.
Possession of amounts greater than one ounce can still result in arrest and being charged with a crime, but this is still a small victory for D.C. residents, especially blacks, who are being penalized and face having their lives ruined over a small amount of cannabis. Now how's about you look into legalization next, Nation's Capital?
(Score: 2, Informative) by theronb on Saturday July 19 2014, @02:24PM
Both the "marihuana fiasco" and "alcohol fiasco" seem to have arisen from the perceived need to address the social problems caused by the minority of users who cannot control their intake or the associated behaviors. For alcohol, this appears to be about 10% of the general population (Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcoholism#Epidemiology [wikipedia.org]). So rather than do the rational thing and provide counseling and treatment, we have tried to prohibit even occasional, casual use. Legalization, coupled with extensive public health education and treatment measures would seem to be much more rational, fair and economical. Now, what do we do about the much more highly addictive substances? I don't think the same legalization model works for crack, heroin and meth but what's the answer?
(Score: 3, Interesting) by mcgrew on Saturday July 19 2014, @04:17PM
Both the "marihuana fiasco" and "alcohol fiasco" seem to have arisen from the perceived need to address the social problems caused by the minority of users who cannot control their intake or the associated behaviors.
That's true of alcohol, but not marijuana. Look up "Harry Anslinger". He was the head of the federal narcotics unit and pushed for marijuana to be outlawed so he could divert anti-pot money to fighting heroin.
Marijuana was outlawed on the backs of lies for the benefit of liars. Its being against the law is actually what leads to harder drugs; the potsmoker sees he has been lied to, and figures that what they say about crack is probably bullshit as well -- and you buy pot from people who sell all kinds of illegal drugs. Everywhere except Colorado, where all kinds of crime both property and violent and use of other drugs has dropped sharply since legalization.
Carbon, The only element in the known universe to ever gain sentience
(Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday July 20 2014, @12:30AM
Harry Anslinger
Another name you're likely to encounter is Fred Vinson, a congressman and notorious liar who was obviously destined to become Chief Justice of the USA.
The Fiorello LaGuardia commission of 1938 told the truth about marijuana--and was ignored by the Feds.
The Truth About Marijuana [googleusercontent.com] (orig) [wordpress.com]
The Prohibition of Marijuana in Three Acts [counterpunch.org]
-- gewg_