A Call for Decriminalization

AskMen.com’s editors recently posted this:

According to senior Harvard economics professor Jeffrey A. Miron, the only way to end the present drug violence in Mexico is to legalize drugs. Miron views the violence as stemming from the drug cartels’ inability to resolve differences within a legal framework, stating that violence is the only option left to them.

In Miron’s own words: “Violence is the norm in illicit gambling markets but not in legal ones. Violence is routine when prostitution is banned but not when it’s permitted. Violence results from policies that create black markets.”

What do you think?

My rebuttal:

Forget Mexico. We can solve budget, violence, overcrowding, and some abuse problems right here in the states with legalization.

But, it’s not immediately feasible, so instead, I’m making a plea for decriminalization:

So there’s a buddy of mine who is going to spend 8 days in jail, because he got his 2nd DUI. Do I think he should go to jail for that? Ahhhh, I don’t know. I’m glad I don’t make the law on that. He WAS drunk, endangering himself and others, being negligent in doing so. BUT, what if he simply had an open beer in the car, but was under the legal limit both times. Should he go to jail? Was he endangering anyone?

Those questions should be on the same par as the decriminalization of marijuana. But they are not. In fact, pot is more serious a crime that crystal meth according the federal government’s classifications. Tssk, tssk. If my hippie days weren’t over, I’d partake in protest of current policy. I encourage you to do so.