DECRIMINALIZATION OF MARIHUANA - HEARINGS BEFORE THE HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON NARCOTICS ABUSE AND CONTROL, MARCH 14, 15 & 16, 1977

• NCJ Number: 43670
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 642 pages
• Corporate Author: US Congress
• Sale Source: Superintendent of Documents, GPO; National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

TESTIMONY WAS PERSENTED FOR AND AGAINST DECRIMINALIZATION OF MARIJUANA, INCLUDING COMMISSION REPORTS, COSTS FROM VARIOUS STATES ON ENFORCEMENT OF CURRENT MARIJUANA LAWS, AND PREPARED STATEMENTS BY NUMEROUS ORGANIZATIONS.

Abstract

THOSE TESTIFYING AGAINST DECRIMINALIZATION GENERALLY FELT MARIJUANA USE LED TO MORE SERIOUS DRUG ABUSE. A STUDY BY THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE DIVIDED MARIJUANA USERS BY FREQUENCY AND DURATION OF USE AND POINTED OUT THAT, AS WITH ALCOHOL, THERE ARE WIDE VARIATIONS IN SERIOUSNESS OF USE AND ABUSE. THE DIRECTOR OF THE INSTITUTE CALLED FOR AN OVERHAUL NOT ONLY OF MARIJUANA LAWS BUT ALSO OF ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO LAWS TO REFLECT THE DANGER TO SOCIETY OF OVERUSE OF SUCH SUBSTANCES. A STATISTICAL PRESENTATION BY JOSEPH L. TURNER, CHIEF INVESTIGATOR, CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION BUREAU OF ALASKA STATE TROOPERS, DETAILS ALASKA'S EXPERIENCE WITH ILLICIT DRUG TRAFFIC FOLLOWING REDUCTION OF MARIJUANA POSSESSION FROM A FELONY TO A MISDEMEANOR. ALASKA WAS ONE OF THE FIRST STATES TO SO REDUCE MARIJUANA CHARGES. TURNER'S PRESENTATION INDICATES THAT THE MORE LIBERAL LAWS HAVE LED TO GREATER USE OF ALL DRUGS IN ALASKA. ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE QUESTION, A STATEMENT BY THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION FAVORS DECRIMINALIZATION OF SMALL AMOUNTS FOR PERSONAL USE BECAUSE THE COSTS OF ENFORCEMENT OUTWEIGH THE SOCIAL BENEFITS. THE STATEMENT FAVORS EDUCATION TO REDUCE MARIJUANA USE. DIRECTORS OF SEVERAL DRUG TREATMENT CENTERS ECHO THE SAME ARGUMENTS, POINTING OUT THAT WHEN THE LAW PUNISHES AN ACTION WHICH ONE-FIFTH OF THE POPULATION HAS ENGAGED IN, RESPECT FOR LAW IS REDUCED. A THIRD POSITION, THAT SMALL AMOUNTS IN POSSESSION NOT BE PROSECUTED BUT THAT THE DRUG STILL BE CONSIDERED DANGEROUS AND ALL-OUT EFFORTS AGAINST DEALERS BE CONTINUED, WAS VOICED BY THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ASSOCIATION AND BY A NUMBER OF MEDICAL PERSONNEL. AN APPENDIX GIVES THE FIRST REPORT ON THE IMPACT OF CALIFORNIA LAW SB95, ASSESSING 1 YEAR'S EXPERIENCE UNDER A SYSTEM REDUCING POSSESSION OF SMALL AMOUNTS OF MARIJUANA TO A MISDEMEANOR. THERE HAS BEEN A 75 PERCENT REDUCTION IN COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH DRUG-RELATED CASES. MARIJUANA POSSESSION CASES HAVE BEEN REDUCED 50 PERCENT.