Even though a number of smart people have been making sense about the issue lately, you may remember President Obama laughing off the notion of legalizing marijuana back in April (video), or at least the idea that it might be good for the economy. Well, for what it's worth, Governor Schwarzenegger disagrees:
The governor was asked about a recent Field Poll showing that 56 percent of registered voters support legalizing and taxing marijuana to raise revenues for cash-strapped California. Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, D-San Francisco, has proposed legislation that would legalize the drug for recreational use, rather than just medical purposes."Well, I think it's not time for that, but I think it's time for a debate," Schwarzenegger said. "I think all of those ideas of creating extra revenues, I'm always for an open debate on it. And I think we ought to study very carefully what other countries are doing that have legalized marijuana and other drugs, what effect did it have on those countries?"
Granted, that isn't much close to a full-throated 'legalize it' cry. But it acknowledges not only California's multi-billion dollar budget shortfall but the staggering prison crisis that has led to illegal levels of overcrowding and mandated early releases. Which would be helped tremendously by reducing the number of non-violent drug users in prison. Plus it drags federal drug policy away from prohibition, inch by inch.
It's been 30 years since the last time this country seriously debated drug policy. This is another step in the right direction.
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