Why Marijuana Decriminalization just isn’t enough

Some people argue that full scale legalization is a bit extreme and therefore advocate Decriminalization. Essentially what decriminalization means is that the drug remains illegal but consumption is tolerated.

But while this would create some more wiggle room for consumers, it still fails to address the serious issues surrounding drug prohibition. In order to acquire a safer society full scale legalization is the only way to achieve it. The following arguments will establish the basis why decriminalizing marijuana just isn’t enough.

Decriminalization will increase use

Unlike legalization, decriminalization will increase use. Some would think that under a fully legalized system it would be easier to consume cannabis and here they are completely mistaken. Yes there will be more availability with a legal system, but there will also be stricter regulation. People won’t be able to sell to minors and in most cases those who do will be given some heavy fines or even jail time. Under a decriminalized system kids will still purchase their drugs on the streets since there will be no legal stores competing with illegal dealers. Legalize and you’ll quickly put those dealers out of business.

Would you eradicate dealers all together?

Of course there will always be illegal sellers out there but under a legal system you’ll compete with prices. When the incentive of profit is eliminated from the illegal model, the desire to risk your liberty decreases as well. While some people will continue to sell illegally, the odds are you’d see a drastic decline of illegal vendors. Legal vendors will now be able to construct a legitimate business with their goods and in turn become productive tax paying citizens.

Decriminalization will increase Illegal profits

With fewer penalties on users, drug dealers would be able to sell more drugs since risk would be decreased. This increases incentive to sell since now users would be able to pay a fine instead of facing a criminal conviction. A criminal conviction is utterly wrong for a consumer, producer or distributor of drugs. Yet decriminalization actually plays out to fit the prohibitionist “fear” about legalization.

On the other hand, when dealers can actually make a legitimate business and not risk their own liberty, the black market starts stepping into the light. The taxes generated from sales tax will in turn be able to be used in creating a stronger regulated system, supreme drug addiction care facilities and of course lower the pressure on an already overcrowded prison system.

By decreasing costs and increasing profits we will begin to see an entire criminal demographic fade into the pages of history.

We cannot simply decriminalize the use of drugs without addressing the market of drugs. The only real solution is complete prohibition repeal, systematic regulation of all drugs and over time people will begin to find the balance. Only those who are interested in drugs would use it, the rest, similar to alcohol would abstain. To think that the opposite would happen with drugs is quite ludicrous and naïve.

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