Sen. Webb puts marijuana legalization 'on the table'
David Edwards and Stephen C. Webster
Published: Thursday April 23, 2009


Speaking to CNN on Thursday morning in an effort to whip up political support for his prison reform proposals, Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) insisted that marijuana legalization should be "on the table."

His bill, introduced late March, aims to establish a presidential commission to study prison reforms and drug criminalization and make recommendations to Congress after 18 months.

Senator Webb's bill is backed by Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) and has reportedly received "quiet encouragement from President Barack Obama."

Some other stated supporters of Sen. Webb's reform proposals "include the current Judiciary panel head, Sen. Patrick J. Leahy (D-Vt.) and the No. 2 Democrat in the Senate, Richard J. Durbin of Illinois," noted the Times-Dispatch.

Advocacy group Law Enforcement Against Prohibition has also posted an electronic petition form in support of the Webb commission.

"With so many of our citizens in prison compared with the rest of the world, there are only two possibilities: Either we are home to the most evil people on earth or we are doing something different--and vastly counterproductive," wrote Sen. Webb in a March 29 editorial in Parade. "Obviously, the answer is the latter."

As a means of addressing the "national disgrace" -- as Webb says -- that is the US prison system, initial reports on the bill indicated that its authors intended for drug criminalization to be part of the study.

"Would you support perhaps legalizing marijuana?" asked CNN's Kiran Chetry on Thursday morning.

"I think what we need to do is to put all the issues on the table," said Sen. Webb. "You're correct: if you go back to 1980 as a starting point, I think we had 40,000 people in prison on drug charges and today we have about a half a million of them. A great majority of those are non-violent crimes, possession crimes or minor sales.

"At the same time, we've got a situation with Mexican drug cartels conducting violence along the border, operating in 230 American cities, and we aren't getting our arms around that in a proper way so, we need to put it on the table. That's why we need a presidential commission to look at these things -- people who have high stature in these career areas -- and to report to the Congress on the best way to go forward. But, nothing should be off the table."

"And that includes, as you were saying, possibly looking at legalization?" asked Chetry.

"Well, I think they should examine every aspect of drug policy to see what's working and what's not working ..." said Sen. Webb.

This video is from CNN's American Morning, broadcast Apr. 23, 2009.

http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Sen._Webb_puts_marijuana_legalization_on_0423.html

There are far too many industries against this though. For one many states and the fed are privatizing so that means lost business for them. I think this will fail.

We'll see, but the paradign is starting to shift, especially because it would take the control out of the hands of the cartels on the southern border.

I think it is important to recognize the original logic in all laws and their creation (or lack of in certain cases). And it should be the role of government to address this.

The rationale behind the law on marijuana is interesting and appears, in the US (like elsewhere), to be largely based on fear and racism. Compared to the post-prohibition laws on alcohol for example, being based largely on monetary gain for the government. Going back to this debate, there are arguments to be made on both those sides.

I think if there is a realistic health issue or a societal/community risk then a law protecting those values should be introduced. If that law has a detrimental side effect (e.g. encourage the growth of cartels, promotes a culture of crime and hidden behavior, creates vulnerable individuals from the system e.g. prostitution), then why not change it to a workable system that can protect and promote society values and the welfare of individuals (regardless of their lifestyle choices) and communities.

The problem of governments doing their job properly is strangely a side effect of the democratic system. Or short-termism rather. A party wants/needs to remain in power... so rather than change things for the long term good they do nothing if there is a chance it would reduce their popularity (or touch the issue if it is tricky e.g. drugs, the environment). They are scared to do their jobs properly. I heard it said the other day that democracy was a terrible political system. The only thing in its favor, is that it is better than all the other systems that have come before. I wonder/hope what the future holds in this regards.

How would it affect the cartels who are already here?
The prison System is Big Business and feeds the communities near them.

Support for legalization of Marijuana was never stronger than it was during the 70's!

This effort is weak in comparison and nothing new as far as legislation being proposed!

The seventies was when the support was strongest!

Dont get your hopes too high!

the drug cartels and dealers won't care if it's illegal....why would they want to pay taxes on it??? why would customers want to pay taxes on it?

I heard, cops have the best dope and it was tax free.

lol can't see my step dad with dope....and the retied cop bikers i know pay for what they have

We have a pretty large market for Mexican beer, I don't see anyone running to some beer cartel, to avoid paying some taxes, for that.
How about a France Cartel for wine?
Prohibition creates the black market. There is no legal recourse in the black market, only violent force. Take the product out of the shadows of the black market and you end the incentive for consumers to deal in the dark.

Legalize it, tax it...Secure our boarders!!!!!

Pot on the street is not cheap!!!!$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ could be made off of it! Money saved in a war on drugs not working...Fund more rehab!!!Maybe do away with the 6 month wait!!!

Always liked Jim Webb...

yep war

some just do not get it

we been over it how many times now

the only way to win the war on drugs is to take the money out of the hands of criminals

Yeah, I know, but the news is starting to look encouraging.

I can't persoanlly use it but what others do is not my business (as long as no one is getting hurt). as far as the financial aspect...I don't know enough about the economy to make an informed statement...I can only question and guess