MEMORANDUM
TO:Governor Cuomo, Senator Lanza, Senator Dilan
FROM:Daniel Hayden
SUBJECT: Legalize Marijuana
DATE: 2/17/15
Many states across the nation are currently debating whether or not to legalize marijuana. After the successes of Colorado and Washington it has become clear that the pros far outweigh the cons. This memo will illustrate the severe costs that we are paying by continuing America’s failed “War on Drugs.” It will also outline possible benefits New York could reap with the introduction of a responsible plan to legalize marijuana.
The Prison State
Marijuana related arrests have skyrocketed in New York City from less than 800 in 1991 to over 59,000 in 2010.[i] In fact, for the year 2012 the country as a whole issued over 658,000 arrests for possession of marijuana.[ii] It is long past time for a discussion about what kind of society that sort of policing creates. According to a leading nonprofit, the United States’ prison population is more than 6 times as high the average western European country and only Russia has a higher incarceration rate per 100,000 people.[iii] Coupled with harsh sentencing requirements that regularly send nonviolent drug offenders away for life without the possibility of parole, it is imperative we discuss the social costs that are being paid.
Racial Discrimination
The issue of race and the impact our current drug policy has on minorities must be addressed. Despite similar rates of use, black people are 3.7 times more likely to be arrested for marijuana than their white counterparts.[iv] Once arrested, black people are 10 times more likely to be sent to prison than white people.[v] Even a misdemeanor marijuana conviction can result in revocation of professional licenses and driver’s licenses and an inability to get insurance, mortgage or bank loans.[vi] It raises the question: Why? A recent study concluded that of the 30,000 New Yorkers who were convicted of a marijuana offense, 90% of those without a prior conviction had no subsequent felony convictions.[vii] Like Prohibition in the 1920’s and 30’s, these laws are not targeting hardened criminals but rather turning ordinary citizens into criminals. Furthermore, the economic pitfalls are well documented.
Unaffordable Drug Policies
It costs the United States an estimated 3.6 billion dollars a year to enforce marijuana drug laws.[viii] Using the previous example of over 59,000 marijuana arrests in New York City alone, it is easy to imagine an inordinate amount of money being spent in New York to combat weed. Legalization would allow the state to reallocate the funds it currently has pigeonholed for marijuana towards more worthwhile pursuits such the prevention and policing of violent crimes and anti-terrorism efforts. It would also free up the court system fighting to keep afloat in the midst of a seemingly endless river of drug trials. Finally, prisons would be less taxed without the influx of nonviolent offenders.
Political Will
In a 2013 Pew Poll, 52% of respondents said they supported legalizing marijuana use.[ix] Digging deeper in the same survey by looking at millennials alone, that number jumps to 69% in support of legalization.[x] Similar to gay marriage, the environment is ripe to push for comprehensive change that would have been impossible a decade ago. In connection to my final point, 72% of respondents in another poll stated that government efforts to enforce marijuana laws were not worth the cost.[xi]
Legalization Makes Sense Economically and Socially
Colorado provides a roadmap in what to expect immediately after legalizing marijuana. In the first four months after legalization, Colorado collected over 10 million dollars in new tax revenue.[xii] Most of that tax money was earmarked for schools, infrastructure and substance abuse policies. Colorado is swimming in so much extra tax money that it has even started giving rebates to its citizens. In addition, Colorado saved an estimated 12 to 40 million dollars by ending criminal penalties for marijuana possession.[xiii] Finally, an estimated 1 to 2 thousand jobs have been created to support the new marketplace.[xiv] These economic boons would only be magnified in a state as large as New York.
Looking again to Colorado we see that overall crime has decreased by 10% and that violent crime has decreased by 5.2%. By refraining from turning ordinary, law-abiding citizens into criminals, New York could save millions of dollars each year. New York would also be supporting its citizens that lose access to vital services by having petty pot related convictions.
Please consider these points as the new legislative year churns forward. New York can be one of the leading forces in the fight to end an archaic policy that targets minorities and a failed war against drugs.
[i] Wegman, Jesse. 'The Injustice Of Marijuana Arrests'. The New York Times, 2014. Accessed February 18, 2015.
[ii] The New York Times,. 'Repeal Prohibition, Again', 2014. Accessed February 18, 2015.
[iii] Norml.org,. 'Legal Issues'. Last modified 2015. Accessed February 18, 2015.
[iv]Wegman. “The Injustice of Marijuana Arrests.”
[v]Ibid.
[vi]Ibid.
[vii]Ibid.
[viii]Ibid.
[ix] Lapidos, Juliet. 'Public Lightens Up About Weed'. The New York Times, 2014. Accessed February 18, 2015.
[x]Ibid.
[xi]Ibid.
[xii] Roberts, Jeff. '7 Ways Marijuana Legalization Has Already Benefited Colorado In Only 8 Months'. Collective-Evolution. Last modified 2014. Accessed February 18, 2015.
[xiii]Ibid.
[xiv]Ibid.