Since today is 4/20, a day that marijuana users celebrate, it is an appropriate occasion to consider government policy on this subject. All too often, people in the news media try to joke and chuckle about marijuana use. That’s unfortunate because there are very serious issues surrounding the government’s policy of criminalizing possession and use.
More than 20 million Americans use marijuana regularly. Millions more use it occasionally. In the eyes of the law, all these people are considered “criminals.” That is absurd–and not unlike the sad chapter in U.S. history when the government tried to ban alcohol consumption. There is a marijuana arrest in the U.S. every minute of every day all year round. Some go to prison, some spend short periods in jail, others go to drug court. Everyone will get an arrest record. It is a tremendous waste of time and money.
John Oliver is once again on the mark with his critique of marijuana policy. Take a few minutes to listen to his words of wisdom, then blast it to your friends on social media and remind them that the war on marijuana isn’t just about those who choose to use marijuana any more than alcohol prohibition was just about those who liked to drink. The war has many destructive side‐effects and should be ended immediately. During his campaign, Trump said marijuana legalization was a matter for the states to decide. If he’s not going to reverse federal law, he should at least allow the states to opt out of the war on marijuana.