[420 Girl]

WA - Decriminalizing marijuana would lead to less hardship for law enforcement and save taxpayers millions of dollars. Yet, the House Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Committee voted against the 2010 marijuana decriminalization bill (HB 1177) on Jan. 20.

Decriminalizing does not mean legalizing. If adults were able to obtain marijuana legally, the profits made from these sales could benefit the state’s substance abuse and prevention programs.

Rep. Timm Ormsby, D-Spokane, has argued that a huge amount of money has been drained from the economy due to drug-related cases. These funds should be put to better use, such as treatment and social services dedicated to those facing drug-related problems.

Washington state could save more than $16 million a year by decriminalizing marijuana alone, according to the Pacific Northwest Inlander.

The idea of decriminalizing marijuana in Washington state is not to help circulate drugs to society’s youth, which many are concerned about.

If marijuana were decriminalized and made more available, young and old alike would feel less inclined to rebel against the law. Fewer unsafe drug deals would be made, and drug-related crimes would decrease. Leniency would not lead to increased criminal activity.

By making marijuana less of a societal abomination, crime rates would decrease. The most commonly committed drug-related crimes include arson, robbery, possession and sale of drugs, assault, theft and burglary.

In 2007 alone, the state of Washington made 760 drug-violation arrests and is nationally ranked 27th for drug-related offenses, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

With fewer repercussions for the use or possession of marijuana, gang crime and drug smuggling would decrease, altering a very harmful and dangerous way of life.

Officials have been making strides toward decriminalization since December 2009.

The Legislature is currently deliberating House Bill 2401, which would remove civil and criminal penalties for those who are 21 and older who “cultivate, possess, sell or use marijuana." This bill would tax the sale of marijuana and decrease drug-related offenses within the state of Washington, which will ultimately stimulate the economy.

Decriminalization and possibly future legalization of marijuana could help to place the focus on more important aspects of society, channeling attention and money toward things that actually matter, such as health care and education.

Besides being a complete waste of law enforcement's time and money, marijuana usage is a personal choice. Decriminalization would address serious drug-related crimes without using tax money to target recreational users. State legislators should consider future marijuana policy with the facts in mind.


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