Let's Talk About Indiana Going To Pot

 Okay, I get back from work and I see a link to Where Indiana's candidates for governor stand on marijuana legalization. Of course, I must read it.

I doubt there is much there to surprise. The Libertarian's position I find closest to mine.

Donald Rainwater said he thinks the prohibition on marijuana in Indiana contributes to violent crime, the rise of fentanyl-laced cannabis and the incarceration of too many nonviolent people.

"Too many taxpayer dollars are being spent on Indiana's failed war on cannabis," he said. "Whether you believe cannabis is helpful or harmful, I believe that every Hoosier citizen should be afforded the same rights to make the decision concerning cannabis use for themselves, the same as they can for alcohol and tobacco. The time for our state's government to acknowledge the right of its citizens to decide for themselves is now. Indiana should legalize and decriminalize all forms of cannabis and commute and expunge the sentences of those Hoosiers who have been convicted of non-violent cannabis-related offenses."

He is the most honest; certainly the clearest in his honesty. Hoosiers should be treated as rational adults, capable of making their own choices. More importantly to me, he ties prohibition to far worse crimes. 

I agree also with the Democrat, who I wish had been more explicit how prohibition promotes crime.

“It is time Indiana listened to the majority of Hoosiers and developed a legal, well-regulated cannabis market," said Jennifer McCormick, the former state schools superintendent. "This opportunity would boost our economy by welcoming an industry proven to add millions of dollars to the state budget ― just as 37 other states have demonstrated. Legalizing medical marijuana would be the first step and carries the benefit of providing doctors one more tool in treating suffering patients. Indiana must take this even further by passing legislation decriminalizing marijuana to support impacted Hoosiers and the criminal justice system.”

Marijuana convictions bar educational financial aid. Without education, we condemn people to further crimes, or poverty, or both.

But what drove me to write this post are these statements:

Republican Eric Doden: Opposed

“My campaign is about making Indiana’s communities safer and stronger and I don’t believe legalizing drugs is a way to achieve that goal," said Eric Doden, a Fort Wayne businessman.
Republican Curtis Hill: Opposed

Curtis Hill, a former Indiana attorney general, said his background as a prosecutor informs his position.

"As someone who has spent a lifetime defending justice and prosecuting criminals, I have witnessed firsthand the devastating impact drugs are having on our communities," he said. "Marijuana use has destroyed many lives, and states that have legalized marijuana have seen an increase in black market products fueled by Mexican cartels. As governor, I will oppose the decriminalization of marijuana and protect our communities from the influx of marijuana, fentanyl and other federally prohibited controlled substances. As it stands, there is no FDA-approved scientific evidence that marijuana or recreational drug use has any positive medicinal benefits. The decriminalization of marijuana undermines the efforts to protect public health and safety, as it sends a message that unregulated drug use is acceptable without considering its potential risks and consequences."

These statements ignore the costs alcohol imposes on the criminal justice system. Marijuana looks much better in comparison:

.... Analyses of the available data suggests that: 1. legalizing the recreational use of marijuana resulted in fewer marijuana related arrests and court cases; 2. legalizing marijuana did not have a noticeable impact on indicators in states that bordered those that legalized; and 3. there were no noticeable indications of an increase in arrests related to transportation or trafficking offenses in states along the northern or southern borders. Interviews with law enforcement officials identified a number of concerns about the legalization of marijuana, including the potency of marijuana products, increased marijuana use among youth, the influx of people from out-of-town or out-of-state, and increases in incidents of drugged driving....

Measuring the Criminal Justice System Impacts of Marijuana Legalization and Decriminalization Using State Data

My experience with druggies leaves me thinking this:

1. Prohibition only creates a market for criminals;
2. After every drug bust, the prices go up making the illegal substance even more attractive for anyone needing money.
3. The people making the real money off of drugs are the producers, law enforcement, and politicians.

My opinion is that decriminalization will lower other drug crimes, will take income from large criminal enterprises, and increase income for Hoosier farmers. Unfortunately, it may take away also a revenue stream from politicians seeking campaign contributions.

One last, niggling point: decriminalization does not mean deregulation any more than repeal of the Volstead Act meant no regulation of alcoholic beverages.

sch 11/20