cannabisnews.com: Straight Dope: Benefits of Marijuana Legalization Straight Dope: Benefits of Marijuana Legalization Posted by FoM on November 16, 2001 at 10:41:46 PT By Victoria Harris, Herald Opinions Columnist Source: Brown Daily Herald This past weekend two Brown students, Benjamin Kintisch ’02.5 and Avery Rosen ’01.5, were arrested for smoking the buds of a plant that grows naturally around the world, including in the United States. Although they posed no harm to themselves or others, both could face prison terms — “the felony charge levied against Rosen carries a sentence of up to 30 years in prison and/or a fine of $3,000 to $100,000” (“Two students arrested for marijuana possession,” Nov. 12). Meanwhile, other students around campus feared for their safety while walking back from the library or a party. Several students have been robbed and others sexually assaulted this semester. The perpetrators of these crimes, unlike Kintisch and Rosen, presented a significant threat to the safety of other individuals. In other words, the arrest of Rosen and Kintisch was a serious misuse of police resources and is one example of the serious flaws in the drug laws of this country. The crime of getting stoned hardly makes Kintisch and Rosen dangerous criminals who pose a threat to society, In fact, one could argue that these two individuals are among the stars of their peer group: they performed excellently in high school, were accepted to a prestigious Ivy League university and are both close to graduation. Are these people who belong in jail? While pondering this, imagine the others serving time in prisons across the country for the same crimes, many the victims of mandatory sentencing. Do they belong behind bars anymore than two Brown students? No, but at present, individuals charged with marijuana possession (not trafficking) make up 12 percent of the total federal prison population and about 2.7 percent of the state prison population. In fact, 87 percent of marijuana-related arrests in 1997 were for simple possession. How many other crimes went uninvestigated and unsolved while these thousands of individuals were being arrested, processed and tried? Moreover, how much of our tax money was used to pay the arresting officer and maintain lives in prison? It costs $23,000 a year to keep a prisoner in jail; therefore, those imprisoned for marijuana possession cost taxpayers at least $1.2 billion dollars a year. This figure does not include pre-sentencing costs. Seventy million Americans have admitted to trying marijuana, and I don’t think anyone would argue they all should be in prison. Except perhaps for the corporations that run for-profit prisons in the United States and make money for each imprisoned individual. TWA, AT&T and other corporations who cheaply employ prisoners to perform customer service duties might not mind it either. “Cheap pot would also pose a serious challenge to the alcohol industry, a powerful political interest, whose products are over ten times as expensive.” (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws) However, in my mind, aiding corporations is not much of a reason for doing anything, especially not denying otherwise upstanding citizens of their lives. There is another pressing reason for the legalization of marijuana; and again, large corporations are the ones who stand to lose. With decriminalization, hemp would also become legal. What many consider the wonder plant would revolutionize the production of important goods and aid the ailing environment. “Hemp can be used as the raw material for products that are currently produced out of cotton, petroleum and timber. The seeds are also a high-quality balanced source of all the amino acids and essential fatty acids our bodies need as well as dietary fiber. Unlike its market competitors, hemp can be cultivated, manufactured and consumed with a fraction of the chemicals or pollutants that are used in the processing or utilization of cotton, petroleum, and timber products.” (Hemp advocates of Texas) At present, paper is produced from trees, which have a long growing cycle making them difficult to replace. Hemp, upon which the Declaration of Independence was written, could produce the same amount of paper at a lower cost, using considerably less land. Additionally, a new hemp crop can be produced every 100 days, far quicker than growing new trees. Deforestation, which presents a significant environmental problem, would be solved with the legalization of industrial hemp. Believe it or not, there is even a perfect place in which to grow hemp: Kentucky. Tobacco is the major cash crop in the state, but its sales are dropping. Hemp could gradually replace the tobacco crops and save the region’s economy. However, the legalization of hemp will negatively affect DuPont, the company that patented the chemicals involved in bleaching and softening tree pulp, and major paper manufacturers. Cotton and oil companies would also face heavy competition from a plant that not only is far more durable and economically sound than their raw materials, but also was the world’s largest agricultural crop for 3,000 years until its prohibition in 1937. Marijuana also has amazing potential in the medical arena for increasing the quality of life for millions of Americans. Marijuana has been used as a medicine for at least 5,000 years, and only in 1941 did American doctors cease prescribing it. Marijuana can be used for a multitude of ailments, including “pain relief — particularly neuropathic pain (pain from nerve damage), nausea, spasticity, glaucoma and movement disorders. Marijuana is also a powerful appetite stimulant, specifically for patients suffering from HIV, the AIDS wasting syndrome, or dementia. Emerging research suggests that marijuana’s medicinal properties may protect the body against some types of malignant tumors and are neuroprotective.” (American Medical Association) A recent federal study demonstrated the medicinal power of marijuana, and 75 percent of Americans support its use as medicine. A civilized society cannot, in good conscience, allow seriously ill individuals to suffer needlessly when there is a medicine available that could relieve their pain. Who could deny a suffering human being relief? Pharmaceutical companies for starters. This industry makes a killing with expensive medicines prescribed for various diseases and ailments. These companies would be seriously affected if marijuana were prescribed instead of chemical medications, despite the fact that pot contains far less serious side effects. This column does not attempt to definitively describe the case for marijuana legalization. However, it has aimed to show that the illegality of marijuana does not merely affect those you may consider to be reckless drug offenders, but all Americans. Additionally, very few citizens profit from the war against marijuana, namely large corporations. Individuals should no longer consent to a drug war that does not serve our interests, does not protect us, leaves the police force unable to deal with more serious crimes and aids the interests of only the richest members of society. Victoria Harris ’03 wishes BUPS would spend more time catching the sketchy guy who used to peer in her window at night. Complete Title: The Straight Dope: The Benefits of Marijuana LegalizationSource: Brown Daily Herald (RI)Author: Victoria Harris, Herald Opinions Columnist Published: Thursday, November 15, 2001Copyright: 2001 The Brown Daily HeraldContact: herald browndailyherald.comWebsite: http://www.browndailyherald.com/Related Articles & Web Site:NORMLhttp://www.norml.org/Dangerous Narcotic or Soothing Herb? http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread11133.shtml Marijuana Support at 30-Year High http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread10705.shtml END SNIP --> Snipped Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #1 posted by Lehder on November 17, 2001 at 09:07:48 PT Hatred Greed Power In fact, one could argue that these two individuals are among the stars of their peer group: they performed excellently in high school, were accepted to a prestigious Ivy League university and are both close to graduation....both could face prison terms — “the felony charge levied against Rosen carries a sentence of up to 30 years in prison and/or a fine of $3,000 to $100,000” http://www.november.org/wall.html [ Post Comment ] Post Comment