[goldstategop]

I'm in favor of legalizing the personal use of marijuana. People should be punished only for intoxicating effects as they are for alcohol. And that would immediately relieve overcrowded prisons and reserve scarce jail space for people who commit serious crimes - felonies like armed robbery, terrorism, rape and murder. I'm talking common sense here.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[robertpaulsen]

"I'm in favor of legalizing the personal use of marijuana ... that would immediately relieve overcrowded prisons ..."

Most of those in prison are there for dealing or trafficking drugs, not using.

"I'm talking common sense here."

If you're talking about using common sense when it comes to the personal use of marijuana, then decriminalization, not legalization, is the better approach. Marijuana is still illegal but personal use is treated like a speeding ticket. A small fine and that's it.

Only one problem. Many of those who argue for decriminalization are doing so, not as a common sense approach, but as a step towards legalization. When I first came to FR I favored decriminalization because it made sense and the punishment fit the crime.

No more.