If "everything is on the table", how about marijuana enforcement?

[bhikkhu]

From about a year ago:
"The Cost-and-Benefit Arguments Around Enforcement

The war on drugs has always been expensive and its effectiveness debatable, but in the current budget-crunch environment, it's more of a target than ever.

In the 2010 edition of “The Budgetary Implications of Drug Prohibition,” Jeffrey Miron, director of undergraduate studies at Harvard University, estimates that legalizing marijuana would save $13.7 billion per year in government expenditure on enforcement of prohibition."

and: "Miron estimates that eight states each spend more than $1 billion annually enforcing marijuana laws: New York, $3 billion; Texas, $2 billion; California, Florida, $1.9 billion; Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, $1 billion."

http://www.cnbc.com/id/36600923/The_Cost_and_Benefit_Arguments_Around_Enforcement

In the midst of talk about cutting all sorts of vital aid to those most in need, and states cutting services to the bone, why don't we hear anything about this? Its been talked about off and on, but seems to have disappeared from the recent debates. $13.7 Billion!

[panader0]

1. Hear hear (as I exhale)

[Ghost in the Machine]

2. Well that would make too much sense, so no congress critter would ever suggest it

They are more interested in wiping out the poor and middle class. Besides, the Prison Industrial Complex would have a bloody fit!

[Incitatus]

3. No can do, sorry

Only cuts that HURT the poor and working class are allowed.

[Telly Savalas]

4. Yeah, that's a monumental waste of resources.

Although it looks like most of the money is spent at the state level.

[arcane1]

5. It's pretty much the only thing I give Arnold any credit for:

Lessening the penalty for simple possession, and making it less cost-effective to go after the individual users.

[Octafish]

6. Dere voz a reezen cough.

Don't tell Maria! Vee ver aktink.

[bhikkhu]

7. Great picture!

That's one I hadn't seen. :rofl: