Jimmy Carter: End the Global War on Drugs!

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Forums > All Posts > Jimmy Carter: End the Global War on Drugs!

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2011-06-17 10:06 PM

sbfriedman
Denton, TX
Posts: 931

The War on Drugs was declared just over 40 years ago. Since that time, no one can argue that the policing action has been a success. And, if YOU can, try me.

Former President Jimmy Carter declared in 1977 that marijuana, for instance, should be decrimalized saying,

"In a message to Congress in 1977, I said the country should decriminalize the possession of less than an ounce of marijuana, with a full program of treatment for addicts. I also cautioned against filling our prisons with young people who were no threat to society, and summarized by saying: “Penalties against possession of a drug should not be more damaging to an individual than the use of the drug itself.”"

For the full message to Congress in 1977 that Carter gave, check out: Drug Abuse Message to Congress

That last line was especially sad to hear. Sad because its so true and simple and obvious that the president said this 34 years ago and yet we went the opposite direction.

Here's the recent article that Jimmy Carter wrote himself about the issue, which has a link to the new initiative toward ending the global war on drugs by the Global Commission on Drug Policy:

Call Off the Global Drug War

What are your thoughts? Has the war helped us? Are Carter's words and ideas on the subject just as obviously right as they are to me or am I wrong? Would like to here some Democrats and liberals opinions on this.

2011-06-19 07:59 AM

Schmidt
Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 1058

I agree. You have posted several articles and videos on this website to educate people on marijuana in particular, and Jimmie Carter is just another prominent voice that recognizes the complete idiocy of our nation's drug policies. For those that would like to read some of those articles just write in "marijuana" or "drugs" in the DHub search engine above and follow the links.

The punishment does not fit the crime, and we must recognize the consequences of filling up our prisons with marijuana users. Those drug polices have become a major industry in our country. It feeds the profits of our private prison systems (paid for by taxpayers) and demands even more and more police (paid by taxpayers) and judges (paid for by taxpayers) and prosecutors (paid for by taxpayers) to bust these marijauna users so that our prison system can always be filled to capacity by incarcinating more and more marijuana users...which maximizes their PROFITS. It's capitalism run amock. And what happens to those otherwise innocent marijuana users who spend time in prison in the company of hard core criminals? Once out they carry that felony record for life and will have difficulty finding a job. How many companies hire ex-felons?

Beyond law enforcement and prisons that have a vested interest in busting marijuana users, the drug companies also fear the competition from medical marijuana, so they hire lobbyists to spread misinformation and oppose any attempts to legalize it.

And equally ridiculous is the restrictions on hemp. I won't go into all the potential benefits to our society and industry of removing restrictions on hemp, but you can read them at this link: Hemp Facts.

The first step in the process is educating the public, and sbfriedman you have done a great job of sharing articles and insight into this problem that needs fixing.

2011-06-19 05:32 PM

Chickie P
Not Selected
Posts: 12

sbfriedman Wrote: Since that time, no one can argue that the policing action has been a success. And, if YOU can, try me.

I disagree.... they may remove some but there's more and more always moving in... The "War On Drugs" is a total farce! Decriminalizing Marijuana is a good idea. We have done it in MA and seems to be working, so far. Although I haven't checked the stats.

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