What if possession of controlled substances were no longer illegal?

less individuals are locked up for drug charges

less crowding to an already overcrowded prison population

would help institutionalized racism

cut costs because putting people in prison is expensive

free up police time to work on more pressing issues

reduce economic inequality

take the criminal justice system out of the business of trying to control drug abuse health problems and put responsibility in the hands of public health

police not arresting people for drug crimes so public health has to step in to take a different approach

reduce the number of children victimized by lure of quick money from drug sales

the adverse physical effects of drugs tear families apart and cause drug users to engage in criminal activity

users engage in crime to fund drug habit

when a person is addicted to drugs it can effect the whole family

drug legalization jeopardizes the safety of society since being under the influences slows reaction times and ability to think

work related injuries

car accidents

benefit from a new source of tax revenue

money could go into funding things like schools or treatment facilities

eliminate the profits of illegal drug trade

regulate the quality and price

save money on costly ineffective law enforcement efforts

money that is saved could go towards things such as programs for rehabilitation and building more treatment facilities

slow the transmission of aids/hepatitis by use of dirty needles

put more funding into programs such as syringe exchange programs and treatment facilities

reduce the number of crimes committed by addicts trying to get money to buy expensive drugs

legalization sends the wrong message to children

makes children think that using drugs is appropriate since it is legal

decrease law enforcement costs

arrests

incarceration

people are more likely to seek addiction treatment

tons of stigma facing addiction because people are ashamed if legalized then people might be more likely to ask for help