Much has been said on the subject of prohibition, but at the end of the day the bottom line is this; it does not work. Just like the alcohol prohibition in 1920s America benefited no-one but the likes of Al Capone, drugs prohibition creates winners out of drugs cartels and gang leaders.

There is currently a proposition, Proposition 19, in California that would legalise the sale of non-medicinal marijuana to those over the age of 21, allowing those of age to possess up to an ounce for personal use, and even allowing them to grow marijuana at a private residence in a space of up to 25 square feet for personal use.

Such a proposition would have several effects.

  • Marijuana would no longer be in the sole control of drugs cartels, meaning that organised and violent crime in relation to these gangs would be eradicated over night.
  • Help claw back some of California’s massive budget deficit by imposing tax upon the sale of marijuana. Money that would otherwise be going into the hands of criminals will be going to the government. It expected that marijuana sales could generate $1.4 billion a year in tax revenue.
  • Increase room in prisons, as cells currently being used to house marijuana users could be used for other criminals, many of whom are currently being released early due to a lack of jail space.
  • Free police time in dealing with users.

This sort of policy of drugs harm minimisation is not a new thing, and is obviously familiar to anyone who has even heard of Amsterdam. There they have proven that prohibition does not work and legalisation does.

Let’s face facts. Smoking a joint in the comfort of your own home doesn’t hurt anyone. The fact that we are considered criminals for smoking a natural thing is appalling. California has the right attitude, and I can only hope that when Proposition 19 goes to the vote, people vote correctly. And let us hope that the sense California is currently seeing spreads to the rest of the world.