Approach 3: Legalization and Decriminalization of Substances

The focus of Approach Three was on the legalization and decriminalization of substances

nationwide. It specifically called for the legalization of marijuana nationwide and allow it to be

regulated and taxed as each state government sees fit. It also proposed for some of the tax

revenue that would come from the new market to be reinvested into research on medical

cannabis and the benefits it can have. It also recommended to decriminalize all non-violent drug

offenses, and a repeal of mandatory minimum sentencing for drug use and possession. This is put

forward as an attempt to curb recidivism, the tendency of a criminal to reoffend within five years

of being released from prison, and instead find a way to get these people the help they need

rather than locking them up. The last portion of the approach concerning drugs focused on the

drug companies. It offers a cap on the amount of drugs each company is allowed to import into

the country over a certain time period, and requires doctors to get a second opinion before

prescribing drugs to their patients. The last policy idea in the approach was to lower the legal

drinking age in the country to 18, to mimic countries like Germany, in order to promote a more

stable drinking habit and reduce alcohol abuse and deaths.

The first topic that was discussed by the group was the idea of legalizing marijuana in the

United States, and allowing states to tax and regulate the substance. The overall premise of

making cannabis legal was relatively well accepted by the participants. Most of them had no

objections to the major goal of authorizing marijuana use. However, they did discuss some of the

possible negative effects of making that change, and how to potentially solve them. One of the

issues that arose was how driving while under the influence of cannabis would be penalized

within the justice system. Upon discussing the issue, they came to a near consensus that DUI
laws regarding marijuana should mimic those pertaining to alcohol. A few people also were

concerned about whether legalizing marijuana would create a snowball effect and lead to the

legalization of other, harder, drugs further down the line. The last major worry with this part of

the approach was that it would create more stigma and judgement for those who choose to use

the drug once it is permitted.

Beyond the criticisms of this policy change, there was overwhelming support. The

participants liked the idea that upon legalization marijuana would be subjected to more stringent

regulations by the government. Thus, making it safer for users, and making it a more

standardized substance. They also brought up the fact that marijuana doesn’t have any long term

health defects like alcohol or cigarettes, making it a better alternative to those products. Another

advantage that was brought up was the increase in revenue for states because they will be able to

set a tax on the product, and it will also create a new market in the economy resulting in job

creation. An overall consensus on this topic was reached in that all of the attendees believed that

people should be able to make their own decision regarding marijuana use, and the government

shouldn’t step in and prevent them from doing so, especially because there is no health defects

from the substance.

The second facet of this approach was on decriminalizing other illicit substances,

specifically those that are non-violent offenses. The first problem that arose within the group

with this idea was what drugs are actually going to be decriminalized. The participants wanted a

more exhaustive list on what specifically would be decriminalized, so that they could look at the

danger within each drug and decide which ones they are comfortable with and which they

aren’t. As with the marijuana discussion they also expressed concerns with this leading into a
snowball effect in which after decriminalization these drugs would eventually become legal, and

the attendees did not want that to occur.

The positives that were seen in this include increased research opportunity into the now

decriminalized substances as a way to see how harmful they are, and if they have any positive

effects for medical purposes. As well as, causing a decrease in the amount of people that are

incarcerated for these non-violent drug offenses. This would save the state and federal

government money, and also allow people to rebuild their lives and seek the help they need.

The next change had to do with the drinking age in the United States. The proposition

asserted that the legal age to consume alcohol be lowered to 18. There was a lot of contention

with this issue, and strong beliefs held by both sides of the discussion. A majority of this

discussion was about drinking culture in the U.S. as it compares to other countries. Opponents

saw lowering the age restriction as a way to exacerbate the drinking problem that this country

already faces. They said that the drinking culture should be addressed more directly, and

attempts should be made to fix that issue. Allowing more, specifically younger, people to drink

would only make the problem worse in their eyes.

People generally agreed with trying to fix the drinking culture, but they still thought that

lowering the age required to drink was a good idea. They proposed that the legal age to purchase

alcohol remain at 21 in order to have people drink in smaller quantities, and with their parents

most likely to help foster a more responsible drinking habit. Another point that was noted was

how this would have to be either a federal law, or the federal government would have to repeal

their policy incentivizing states to have their drinking age at 21. The federal government has
pulled funding for states that lower their age, making it nearly impossible for a state to make that

policy change without destroying the countries infrastructure.

Due to time restraints the last part of this approach, changing the regulations for drug

companies and doctors, was not discussed enough to garner how the group felt about the

proposal.

Overall the approach was pretty well accepted and the discussion was robust,

professional, and informative. The marijuana aspect was accepted by the overwhelming majority

of the participants, although they did have some minor concerns of how it would be

implemented. The decriminalization piece was met with mixed views, mainly due to the

consequences of the change in policy, and what is exactly being decriminalized. The alcohol

portion was definitely the most controversial of the topics discussed. The final aspect of the

approach which dealt with drug companies and doctors, was not discussed enough due to time

restraints, and therefore there is not enough for us to generalize how the entire group felt about

the idea.

References:
● “Alcohol Facts and Statistics.” ​National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism​, U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services,
www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/overview-alcohol-consumption/alcohol-facts-and-statistics.
● HICKENLOOPER, JOHN W. “Experimenting with Pot: The State of Colorado's Legalization of
Marijuana.” ​The Milbank Quarterly,​ vol. 92, no. 2, 2014, pp. 243–249. ​JSTOR,​
www.jstor.org/stable/24369966​.
● Ingraham, Christopher. "Following marijuana legalization, teen drug use is down in Colorado." ​Washington
Post​, 11 Dec. 2017. ​Global Issues in Context​,
http://link.galegroup.com.ezaccess.libraries.psu.edu/apps/doc/A518395711/GIC?u=psucic&sid=GIC&xid=
c4357d4d. Accessed 9 Feb. 2019.
● Ingraham, Christopher. "Top medical experts say we should decriminalize all drugs and maybe go even
further." ​Washington Post​, 24 Mar. 2016. ​Global Issues in Context​,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A447324551/GIC?u=psucic&sid=GIC&xid=bb2a59cf. Accessed 9 Feb.
2019.
● “Recidivism.” ​National Institute of Justice​,
www.nij.gov/topics/corrections/recidivism/pages/welcome.aspx. Woolsey, Barbara. “Drinking Culture:
Young Germans Are Going Dry.” ​Handelsblatt​, 15 Jan. 2019,
www.handelsblatt.com/today/companies/drinking-culture-young-germans-are-going-dry/23569826.html?ti
cket=ST-2083510-y0D6wwGOcEWaQDeKUgc0-ap1.