The federal government recently stated they would not intervene in Colorado and Washington states as they legalize recreational marijuana use. This is a huge victory, and hopefully with the announcement, other states will follow suit and legalize pot.
I am in support of legalization of recreational marijuana use for two primary reasons.
The first is fiscal: let’s legalize it, regulate it, and tax (the heck out of) it. Like alcohol and tobacco.
Secondly, I think marijuana is basically harmless. Don’t believe me? This article discusses the number of people who have overdosed on pot…
Yep, that’s right: ZERO.
I can also speak from my own experience as a criminal defense attorney as to how marijuana impacts criminality. Put aside the fact that cultivation, trafficking and possession of marijuana is all illegal in Kentucky (though hopefully our legislators open their eyes in the near future)… How many people do you know who’ve smoked a doobie and robbed a mini mart? That’s what I thought. Me too. ZERO. Guys who commit armed robbery are under the influence of pills or meth or heroin, not pot. The only real crime people commit when they toke up is watching horrible Cheech & Chong movies and ordering a crappy pizza – which is soooooo funny and sooooo delicious!
Tags: Alcohol Cheech & Chong Criminal Defense Cultivation of Marijuana Doobie Heroin Legalize Pot Marijuana Meth Overdose Pizza Possession of Marijuana Pot Recreational Marijuana Use Robbery Taxes Tobacco Toke