Most people in the prison system are there for non-violent offenses. [1] In Chicago, blacks were arrested (before decriminalisation last year) for cannabis consumption at a rate of 15 persons for every 1 white person despite similar rates of cannabis consumption among blacks and whites. [2] People who have gone to prison for any of offense have a 40% chance of eventually going back to prison. [3] I would suggest that the change in incarceration rates starts with less racist policing.
I don't take drugs. I think there are good reasons for people to not take cannabis. I am strongly in favour of cannabis legalisation.
The amount of time and money spent dealing with cannabis is mind-boggling. About 50,000[1] Mexicans have been murdered in the recent drug wars. Some of those are because cannabis is illegal.
Cannabis prohibition is going to be viewed with horror in the future.
The amount of time and money spent dealing with cannabis is mind-boggling. About 50,000[1] Mexicans have been murdered in the recent drug wars. Some of those are because cannabis is illegal.
Cannabis prohibition is going to be viewed with horror in the future.
(http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2084224,00.htm...)
(http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/02/opinion/hit-mexicos-cartel...)
(http://www.drugpolicy.org/drug-war-statistics)
(http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/2010/05/05/fbi-marijuana-is...)
[1] numbers are hard to check, but some people say 62,000 since 2006.