America’s One Million Legalized Marijuana Users
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May 31, 2011
At Least 1 – 1.5 Million Americans are Legal Medical Marijuana Patients
Market for these patients in sixteen states and D.C. estimated at between $2 – $6 billion annually
MAY 31, 2011 - We don’t know his or her name, but somewhere in one of sixteen states and the District of Columbia is America’s 1,000,000th legal medical marijuana patient. We estimate the United States reached the million-patients mark sometime between the beginning of the year to when Arizona began issuing patient registry identification cards online in April 2011.
16 states, the Capitol, and ONE MILLION legal marijuana users.
Between one to one-and-a-half million people are legally authorized by their state to use marijuana in the United States, according to data compiled by NORML from state medical marijuana registries and patient estimates. Assuming usage of one-half to one gram of cannabis medicine per day per patient and an average retail price of $320 per ounce, these legal consumers represent a $2.3 to $6.2 billion dollar market annually.
Based on state medical marijuana laws, the amounts of cannabis these legal marijuana users are entitled to possess means there is between 566 – 803 thousand pounds of legal usable cannabis allowed under state law in America. These patients are allowed to cultivate between 17 – 24 million legal cannabis plants. There may possibly be more, as California and New Mexico “limits” may be exceeded with doctor’s permission and some California counties explicitly allow greater amounts, so there may be as much as 1 million pounds of state-legal cannabis allowed under state law in America.
Active Medical Marijuana State (Total population of sixteen medical marijuana states + D.C. = over 90 million. D.C., Delaware, and New Jersey programs are not yet active.) # Legal Medical Marijuana Patients (% of state population) California (1996) - No central state registry, 2% – 3% of overall population estimate by Dale Gieringer at California NORML by comparing rates in Colorado & Montana. ~750,000 (2.00%) ~1,125,000 (3.00%)
Washington (1998) - No registry, 1% – 1.5% of overall population estimate by Russ Belville at NORML by comparing rates in Oregon & Colorado. ~67,000 (1.00%) ~100,000 (1.50%)
Oregon (1998) - Centralized state registry data published online. 39,774 (1.04%) Alaska (1998) - No data online, verified by author’s call to Alaska Bureau of Vital Statistics. 380 (0.05%) Maine (1999) - Centralized state registry data published online. 796 (0.06%) Nevada (2000) - 2008 figures from ProCon.org, awaiting return call from state for official number. 860 (0.03%) Hawaii (2000) - Estimate from Pam Lichty of Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii; program is run by law enforcement who are reluctant to release data. ~8,000 (0.59%) Colorado (2000) - Centralized state registry data published online. 123,890 (2.46%) Vermont (2004) - No data online, verified by author’s call to Vermont Criminal Information Center. 349 (0.06%) Montana (2004) - Centralized state registry data published online. 30,609 (3.09%) Rhode Island (2006) - Centralized state registry data published online. 3,069 (0.29%) New Mexico (2007) - Centralized state registry data published online. 3,615 (0.18%) Michigan (2008) - Centralized state registry data published online. 75,521 (0.76%) Arizona (2010) - Centralized state registry data published online. 3,696 (0.06%) TOTAL US LEGAL MARIJUANA USERS ~1,100,000 (1.22%) ~1,500,000 (1.67%)
Yet after fifteen years, one million patients, and a million pounds of legal marijuana, few if any of the dire predictions by opponents of medical marijuana have come to fruition. Medical marijuana states like Oregon are experiencing their lowest-ever rates of workplace fatalities, injuries, and accidents. States like Colorado are experiencing their lowest rates in three decades of fatal crashes per million miles driven. In medical marijuana states for which we have data (through Michigan in 2008), use by minor teenagers is down in all but Maine and down by at least 10% in states with the greatest proportion of their population using medical cannabis.
Medical Marijuana State Age 12-17 Monthly Use When Passed Age 12-17 Monthly Use in 2008 Highway Fatalities When Passed Highway Fatalities in 2009 Workplace Injuries / Illness When Passed Workplace Injuries / Illness in 2009 California (1996) 7.70% 6.86% 3,989 3,081 7.1% 4.2% Washington (1996) 9.90% 7.17% 662 492 9.2% 5.3% Oregon (1998) 9.60% 8.22% 538 377 6.8% 4.5% Alaska (1998) 10.40% 8.03% 70 64 7.4% 4.6% Maine (1999) 7.20% 9.06% 181 159 8.8% 5.6% Nevada (2000) 9.54% 7.52% 323 243 7.2% 4.4% Hawaii (2000) 8.72% 7.07% 132 109 6.2% 4.2% Colorado (2000) 10.80% 9.10% 681 465 n/a n/a Vermont (2004) 11.11% 10.86% 98 74 5.6% 5.1% Montana (2004) 10.00% 8.60% 229 221 7.2% 5.3% Rhode Island (2006) 9.74% 9.46% 81 83 5.2% n/a New Mexico (2007) 8.73% 8.19% 413 361 5.0% 4.8% Michigan (2008) n/a 7.36% 980 871 4.5% 4.2% 
Fourteen of the seventeen medical marijuana jurisdictions have mandatory registries while two (California and Colorado) offer optional registries and one (Washington) has no registry system. Estimating California’s patient numbers is hampered by its registry system being on a county-by-county basis. California NORML’s Dale Gieringer estimates between 2% – 3% of the state’s population are holding medical marijuana recommendations – meaning possibly over one million medical marijuana patients in California alone.California’s patient population can be estimated from data from other medical marijuana states where patients are required to register, shown in the table below. The top two of these are Colorado and Montana, which, like California, have a well developed network of cannabis clinics and dispensaries, and which report usage rates of 2.5% and 3.0%, respectively. Other states, where medical marijuana is less developed, report lower rates of 1% and less. However, California is likely to be on the high side because it has the oldest and most liberal law in the nation. Significantly, California is the only state that permits marijuana to be used for any condition for which it provides relief – in particular, psychiatric disorders, such as PTSD, bipolar disorder, ADD, anxiety and depression, which account for some 20%-25% of the total patient population. Adjusting for this, usage in California could be as much as 25% to 33% higher than in Colorado and Montana, which would put it well over 3% of the population (1,125,000).
A 2%+ patient population estimate is supported by data from the Oakland Patient ID Center, which has been issuing patient identification cards to its members since 1996. The OPIDC serves patients from all over the state, but especially the greater Oakland-East Bay area of Northern California, where its cards are honored by law enforcement. As of 2010, the OPIDC had issued ID’s to 19,805 members from five East Bay cities (Oakland, Berkeley, Alameda, Hayward and Richmond), amounting to 2.4% of the local population.Because the cards were issued over a period of 14 years, they include numerous patients who have lapsed, moved, or deceased. On the other hand, they do not include many other local patients who have current recommendations but never registered with the OPIDC.
We have made a similar estimate for Washington State’s patients, who are the only ones in the nation with no registry system in place (Gov. Gregoire recently signed a bill that initiates a voluntary registry). With a law very similar to Oregon’s concerning qualifying conditions, applying Oregon’s 1.04% patient population figure gives us about 69,000 patients in Washington. However, Washington State’s larger urban centers (Seattle and Spokane), combined with a more liberal law than Oregon’s regarding who can sign recommendations (osteopaths, naturopaths, and nurse practitioners can recommend in Washington) and the lack of a state registry’s burden to patient compliance with the program suggests a higher estimate of 1.5% – 2% may be appropriate. Numbers like Colorado’s 2.5% and Montana’s 3% are improbable as Washington lacks the greater patient access to dispensaries seen in those states.
Delaware, New Jersey, and D.C.’s programs are not operational yet, so they are not shown in our data table. Most of the other state’s programs produce reports of patient registry numbers. With Arizona signing up over 3,600 patients since mid-April, when it’s online-only registration went into effect, Arizona is on track to register over 30,000 patients this year.
Quick Facts about Medical Marijuana States:
- The 1.1 – 1.5 million estimated and registered medical marijuana patients in America are legally entitled to cultivate 17 – 24 million cannabis plants and possess 283 – 402 tons of harvested buds.
- The seventeen jurisdictions with medical marijuana encompass over 90 million Americans and 162 votes in the 2012 Electoral College.
- Patients make up over 3% of the population of Montana, almost 2.5% of Colorado, over 2% of California. and over 1% of Oregon, and Washington.
- After Michigan at 0.76% of population, every other medical marijuana state has less than 3 in 1,000 (0.3%) patients in its population.
- California, Colorado, Washington, Michigan, Oregon, and Montana comprise over 98% of the legal medical marijuana patients in America.
- More than 3 out of four (77% – 83%) of all medical marijuana patients live on the West Coast.
- Rhode Island and Vermont, two states where over 10% of the adult population uses marijuana monthly, have patient populations of 0.29% and 0.05%, respectively.
- Monthly teen use of marijuana is down in every medical marijuana state except Maine.
- Annual highway fatalities are down in every medical marijuana state except Rhode Island.
- Incidents of workplace injuries and illnesses are down in every medical marijuana state.
101 Responses to “America’s One Million Legalized Marijuana Users”
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Have been a patient for over 10 yrs ever since program began in Oregon. Senior citizen and the only other medication I use other than vitamins are additional eye drops for glaucoma which is why I have a card – for my glaucoma and migraines. I have 0 other problems other than osteoporosis – prescription medication for that did more harm than good and now use calcium & vitamin D.Big Pharma hates folks like me.
any words yet on when maybe texas or ohio will join up with the medical marijuana plans?
it seems to me that legalizing marijuana would be a good thing so why is it so difficult to get it legal when there is so much documented evidence of its benifits?
Its dificult cuz of the poilitiking. Big Pharma wants to run the MMJ show, the government is set on reaping all the benefits. So until all the details are hammered out on how the 1% can keep the money in the grimey little hands im sure we wont see it legal on a federal level. Texas legalize weed?????? Even MMJ??????????? Have you ever been to Texas????????????????????????????????????? If your caught with paraphernalia here its a fine up to $500 The feds will legalize it before we can roll it here lol
“Who’s afraid of the big bad wolf [feds]? We have nothing to fear but fear itself.”
We the Genesist people – have a legitimate grievance to act – and – our grievance is in accordance with federal law. We have legal standing. A violation has been committed. Our Constitutional right [First Amendment – Establishment Clause] has been violated – “by law.” The Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 itself has been violated, and is deemed voidable on the grounds that Compelling Justification and Prior Competing Governmental Interests [law] denies Genesists our Faith, Sacrament, and the “free exercise thereof.” Free Exercise means: that portion of the First Amendment to the Constitution that “proscribes laws” prohibiting the free exercise of religion, and includes the application of that proscription under the 14th Amendment to the Constitution.
Of course, and without question or margin of doubt, Genesists are in favor of total legalization for all. Medicinal use is absolute in its value and efficacy as a medicine – but – both or either, are inconsequential to religious use and the “Free exercise thereof.” – or – any exercise of religion, whether or not compelled by, or central to a system of religious belief, and any conduct protected as exercise of religion under the First Amendment of the Constitution.
It’s crucial that government understand that – “It can yell until it asphyxiates itself, turns blue in the face holding its breath, or go to its room {go to your room!] and punch holes in the walls with its fists – but – they should get this straight, once and for all, government “CAN NOT” have our Faith and our Sacrament – and – “THAT’S THAT.” They can beat me unconscious or to death – but – they will never hear me utter the words they demand to hear – “I give.”
Genesists, myself in particular, are not here to “play God and rule the world” – evil is doing an outstanding job at that. My purpose is only to minister my brethren’s Faith and Sacrament, as well as enlighten those who have an interest in the Genesist Faith.
[...] Source: click here. [...]
In response to #3 (joe oint):
Short answer: peeplz iz ignant
Long answer: Because facts and math don’t matter to some poeple. If it seems that the sun is going around the earth it doesn’t matter to them that we can demonstrate mathematically and observationally the earth is the one circling. -look at those who think the earth is a few thousand years old, yet we can see light from distant reaches of space that HAD to be traveling for billions of years to hit your eye.
The problem, as I see it, is that everyone has a different set of “facts”. This is a bad concept (obviously because there can only be one set of true facts). There are people who post on this website who think cannabis is a gateway drug (there is no chemical in weed that makes you crave coke or heroin). There are people who post on this site who restate that 10% get addicted stat. This is inaccurate. You cannot develop a physical addiction to cannabis (you will not shake or convulse… you might be in a bad mood, but that is not the same thing -ask a heroin addict about addiction!). You CAN be psychologically addicted; but you can be to cheeseburgers too and nobody thinks you should outlaw them.
Basically everyone seems to have their own set of “facts” and until we all get on the same sheet of music we are going to continue to be those “crazy potheads who just want to get high”.
That’s why I stay away from that whole debate now. It’s a personal choice and I own my body and I should get to own my choices regarding what I put in my body. Period.
After 40+ years of Daily Cannabis use, Im more than delighted to see the stats for this God Given herb.
PA4MM the bill is in just waiting on the verdict. I pray that we will be the 17th state(412©)
What about rates of schizophrenia in medical marijuana states? This fear has gotten a lot of press…
[Russ responds: Schizophrenia rates worldwide have remained at about 1% of the population since those rates have been recorded. Early 60's before pot became popular, late 60's as it gained users, late 70's when it peaked, late 80's when it bottomed out, now with medical, doesn't matter, schizophrenia rates remain the same.]
I’ve been saying for years that the decline in traffic accidents are contributed through the usage of Marijuana but ” they have always said that ” they don’t know why traffic fatalities are decreasing ” . Crime also is being reduced by the increasing usage of Marijuana . Unlike with pharmaceuticals and especially Alcohol use which more often than not increases aggression leading to murders, violence and blood and mayhem on our highways, Marijuana is just the opposite . I’ve been assaulted more than once by a drunk but never by someone who has just smoked Marijuana .There has been a decrease in Homicides here in Cali. but they will never tell you that that is due by the increasing usage of Marijuana . Instead of telling you the truth they will say, ” they don’t know why murders are decreasing ” So now you say….
NOT TRUE , Mexico’s crime problem is out of control by drugs & Marijuana . Legalize it and the problem will go away .It’s the illegality of Marijuana in Mexico ( & in America )that causes violence .
[...] (FULL STORY HERE) Quick Facts about Medical Marijuana States: [...]
The correlation between legal medical marijuana and the decreases displayed are incredibly weak. The decreases are present in the other states as well, there is no evidence showing that these declines are in any way related to the legalization of medical marijuana.
[...] support state-by-state, but I didn’t know how much money it was bringing in. According to the article, the million or so legal users spend somewhere between $2.3-$6.2 billion dollars annually. [...]
[...] NORML Blog, Marijuana Law Reform Share and Enjoy: [...]
Thanks for the stats. There are a bunch of folks who relate better to numeric data than discussions. The more ways we develop to get the word out, the better. We have a lot of brainwashing to iron out.
in peace,
[...] That text is from the National Cannabis Industry Association, the newest drug reform lobbying shop in D.C. As NORML noted today, the number of registered medical marijuana users is somewhere between 1 million and 1,500,000, making legal weed one hell of a cash crop: [...]
Russ,
Thanks for all this work.
Doing the math, that means the average user spends between $1,333 and $6,000 a year. Doesn’t that sound high? I’m wondering about the assumption of usage of one-half to one gram of cannabis medicine per day per patient 365 days a year.
Keep up the good work.
[Russ responds: As a near-daily recreational user, when I lived in Idaho and unregulated weed cost $300 an ounce, I very accurately estimate the value of my annual usage to be $3,000.]
Pretty soon it will be 11 mullion then 115 million.. This is just the beginning.
I read the last artical with much happiness, for I live in st. petersburg fl. Is there no legislation for these grand parents to vote on.If not what can i do to help.
Well now, with all that legal MMJ and traffic fatalities down at least in my state of Colorado. I wonder how the feds will lie their way out of this one? I bet it will be good.
i’ve been smoking cannibis daily for over 35 years, hence for me it was not a gateway drug as the government claims i havent gone crazy, become a crazes murderer i havent even been in a fist fight since before i started smoking. the feds can take a flying leap at a rolling doughnut im gonna continue smoking til the day i die.thats my definition of pursuit of happiness.by the way im guaranteed this by the bill of rights. its oneof my inalienable rights ie life, love ,and the persuit of happiness.
attach to above statement
[...] That text is from the National Cannabis Industry Association, the newest drug reform lobbying shop in D.C. As NORML noted today, the number of registered medical marijuana users is somewhere between 1 million and 1,500,000, making legal weed one hell of a cash crop: [...]
[...] registered medical marijuana users is somewhere between 1 million and 1,500,000, making legal weed one hell of a cash crop: Assuming usage of one-half to one gram of cannabis medicine per day per patient and an average [...]
The Congress has to make the change at the federal level, obviously, because no one is going to inform the emperor that he has no clothes. For people who are against it, it’s like: Don’t bother me with the facts. I’ve already got my mind made up.
What politicians do best is delegate work to their staff and enrich themselves.
More states need to jump on the band wagon, even if only on paper and they don’t actually open up any dispensaries.
Yo, East Coast!
11. anonymous
“Don’t know why murders are decreasing”
There decreasing everywhere but Jose Guerena’s house. 60-70 bullets in him. I don’t call that a non-violent murder.
[...] full post on NORML Blog, Marijuana Law Reform Share and [...]
[...] out norml.org for a state-by-state relapse and most some-more information on a large volume of authorised pot in [...]
Price varies highly by location(Border vs central states), quality(4% schwag vs 18% medical) and quantity(The more you buy the cheaper it is). Here in Texas, I consistently see Mexican dirt weed go for $50 an ounce(last price I paid for schwag) and for around (so my dealer says) about $400 a pound. This seems right as with illegal markets, studies have shown prices down at each level of distribution and have heard $200 a pound (when working in Laredo right by the border) is the norm for smugglers coming from the other side(Most small time smugglers are not part of gangs and use the profit to travel to where they plan on working).
At a 1/4 ounce a week and assuming cheap herb like schwag(and healthy competition), $200 a pound for production + %50 Tax + 10% Profit at each stage (grow, transport, sale, etc..) = $400 a pound at a profit is quite reasonable legally and a price at which anyone could afford their meds. ($400/16=$25/4=$6.25*52=$325 a year) I can easily see prices for hydro dropping to levels that will all but put the border gangs completely out of the MJ game. Capitalism would secure our border then instead of guns. The illegality keeps up the market price. (Note: $125 per 1/4 ounce is common here for hydro.)
That and quality control are why you don’t have have a huge “Bathtub Gin” black market anymore. Where they is money to be made at high profit margins there is a black market. It can and never will be able to compete with legitimate industry.
Legal prices would quickly fall in line with illegal prices due to competition(if it were legalized across the board), but right now the legal MMJ monopoly keeps the price of MMJ up(as monopolies always do, see label vs generic drug prices in Big Pharma). The MMJ industry knows it and is why many in the industry campaigned against Prop 19.(Legalized schwag would = generic herb…)
Note: Texas has some of the lowest prices due to competition between competing gangs, low transport costs (close to the border), and high supply(again close to a very long and unprotected border) vs. demand(Texas is Bible belt conservative country).
Honestly though, I’d pay 2-4X what I do now for legal vs border weed.
[...] NORML Blog, Marijuana Law Reform Share and Enjoy: [...]
[...] [...]
As the population ages less crimes are commited. As the price of gasoline increases the amount of miles driven decreases. ….Now, as the amount of registered cannabis users increases the utter stupidity of having marijuana listed as a Schedule One drug becomes a more obvious lie. Marijuana should be legalized and not just for medical reasons.
We don’t want Cannabis decriminalized,taxed or regulated.We want to grow Cannabis without any ramifications from any law enforcement agency or any entity that has any thing to do with law enforcement.It is a plant!We don’t want the government to have any control over Cannabis! Medical Marijuana is controled by state government where it is legal! No decriminalization,No regulation,No government! The government has enough control of us as it is,We don’t need the government to tell us what we can grow or what we can smoke or eat. It’s Bullshit and everyone knows it. Do you want the government to tell you what you can wear?,or eat ?,or watch on tv? Cannabis is no different. Join MERP!
GlobalMarijuanaReLegalization-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
To everyone, the real truth is behind our government agencies that began in the 30′s as creating prohibition of Bud, Beer and Gold, etc. for more money, Gold and Beer was repealed but Bud was not repealed, The CIA is making millions today on different types of illegal drugs good or bad, that is the holy grail truth behind our prohibitionist tyrannical government and now on aavaz.org there has been a petition signed by more than 500,000 people to try and end the war on drugs meaning decriminalization and regulation allthough there should be a law repealed beyond prohibition saying it is not a crime to possess more than an ounce of Bud cuz that is Prohibition only leveled to a wrong way of thinking. Go Liberty! (freedom from repression, oppression, millitary or foreign control)
Don’t buy FDA pills Bud pills! They don’t care about you and put diseases in pills to cause u to have more symptoms and get more money from you, they are a disgrace to our country, go American people!
It was made a crime in order to employ cops, and it remains illegal for the same reason.
P.S. Thanks for the map. This is just the sort of resource I need while I ponder where to retire to in a few years.
Ok if this is so, then why doesnt anyone or Norml go to the news to submit this information that 1- 2.5 marijuana patients medicianal marijuana brings about 6 billion dollars anually? i say this because govt is talking about the debt ceiling and the want to create jobs, stimulate the econmomy, and cut spending. i find myself saying , well if you legalized marijuana , then so many jobs will be create and the debt will be reduced greatly. Someone one has to go to the media or the news/newspaper with this info. please.
[Editor's note: The media have been alerted as NORML has a huge media list that has already received the info.
Will they choose to cover it? Also, most every elected politician in America also receive these alerts from NORML. Neither the media or government can claim ignorance!]
Why don’t they do this – why don’t they do that?
Because there are those who are “intent” on destroying our country, our Constitution, and the American way of life – and – they are doing a “damned good job” of it. They are an enemy of the people, and of the state [our state].
“They all laughed at Christopher Columbus – when he said the world is round.” There are “Flat Landers” [then] there are “Profiteers.” Flat Landers have an opinion they cling to. Profiteers have a profit they cling to. We the People take it in the shorts either way.
[...] [NORML] Comments [...]
Interesting…it’s proof that cannabis is good and safe for everyone if it’s legal.
Stay focus because there are a lot of ambitious candidates running for president, but there are only one Ron Paul and Gary Johnson.
with my only soul and breath I stand as witness before all the great empires that have been reduced to dust and archeological history, here ‘we are
Free Cannabis
The Gateway to the mind and the soul
Are you aware the DEA just licensed 55 pharmaceutical companies to grow pot? MSN money is running a story (“Could legal pot give Big Pharma a much-needed high?”) that,
“Just last week, the Drug Enforcement Administration said 55 unnamed companies have been granted licenses to grow cannabis in the United States. Observers say the pharmaceutical companies need the pot farms to cultivate weed so they can produce a generic version of the THC pill Marinol, which is marketed by Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (WPI ), and at least one other cannabis-based pill for a wide variety of new uses.
But to grow pot and put organic THC and CBD in pills, the DEA to would need to move organic THC down from Schedule I to the far less restrictive Schedule III, where synthetic THC Marinol currently resides. That’s exactly what drug companies have requested. And by all indications, their wish is likely to be granted.”
In other words, if big corporations grow dope with the government and put it in a pill, it’s medicine. But if you grow it at home or at a dispensary and then put it in a vaporizer, it’s a felony. If they suspect you, they break down your door shoot you 20 times and accuse you of being a drug dealer as happened to a Marine veteran in Tucson recently.
http://money.msn.com/top-stocks/post.aspx?post=44407b1b-e13c-43f3-8ac4-1b01edebbea5
[Paul Armentano responds: The source of this story were some purposely misleading e-mails sent to David Downs at the East Bay Express by DEA. There may be several licensed entities to produce generic formulations of Marinol (Valeant Pharmaceuticals and Par Pharmaceuticals already have these), but there is only ONE single licensed manufacturer (ElSohly/UMISS) that may legally produce cannabis. DEA’s Michelle Leonhart actually confirmed that there’s only one federal grow license (Elsohly’s), and that there can be only one federal grow license, when she on behalf of DEA rejected the Judge Bittner’s decision in Craker v DEA in 2009. Leonhart wrote, “I have determined that Respondent’s proposed registration is inconsistent with United States obligations under the Single Convention and with the public interest. … Respondent’s … goal of ending the Federal Government’s monopoly on the wholesale distribution of marijuana can not be squared with the requirement under the Convention that there be precisely such a monopoly.”
[...] 6/1: America’s One Million Legalized Marijuana Users May 31st, 2011 By: Russ Belville, NORML Outreach [...]
[...] may be as much as 1 million pounds of state-legal cannabis allowed under state law in America. America’s One Million Legalized Marijuana Users Tue, 31 May 2011 12:00:32 By: Russ Belville, NORML Outreach [...]
@39. – Gary Johnson heard the message loud and clear which is why he advocated legalization before he ever used it for pain follow a bad accident. It was a fiscal decision for him. He doesn’t smoke any more and doesn’t think people should, but believes it is their right to do so. I think his number one problem in getting the nomination isn’t pot, it’s name recognition. We need to get the word out. No need to mention legalization, but instead promote his record as a Gov. It stands for itself.
On harder drug an a real solution to the problem:
That being said, the “hard” drugs like heroin where an addict would sell their own family members for their next “fix” are a stumbling block as well. For those I say, decriminalization not legalization and use work farms where they can get a prescription for their drug of choice. Work to pay for it. Refuse to work? Go to jail. Work, get clean, get released or even stay and help others. The addicts would be supporting themselves instead of being given criminal records and forced in to a life of criminal activity. You can include rehabilitation and allow religious ministries to help fund and aid with that part. The tax payer(40k per year inmate savings and work farm are self supporting and can be run for profit even), society(gets addicts off the streets, lowers crime, etc…), addicts(gives a chance for redemption and a possible future) and religious groups(save more “lost” souls) all win!
You can’t help those that don’t want help, but if you put them in a positive circumstance more often than not they will seek help.
I base this on those I’ve known that have overcome addiction. Does this sound like a solution to anyone else?
How is it I live in a state where the federal govt could actually fund anti-pot raids but 1.5 million Americans live in states where citizens actually go to a govt building and register their criminal intent? We are not all equal and given the same federal right of “Life liberty and THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS.
I think the quick facts at the end of the article are the most telling:
Monthly teen use of marijuana is down in every medical marijuana state except Maine.
Annual highway fatalities are down in every medical marijuana state except Rhode Island.
Incidents of workplace injuries and illnesses are down in every medical marijuana state.
15 out of 16 down in two categories and all 16 for one category… It must be the reefer madness making teens go crazy and not use it(or maybe more parental awareness and openness) and then go crazy and obey traffic laws(wait MMJ is bad for public safety right?)
Both under-stating and over-stating the harms of cannabis use can cause equal, but possibly opposite, detrimental effects to society. Marijuana can be harmful, marijuana can cause damage, marijuana does attribute to some poor health effects; but simply making it the most illegal drug in the world hinders substantially important, often vital, aspects of its already acceded benefits.