5.11.2006

Marijuana in Tijuana

Ah, it's been a while since I posted. So here's a short update.

Yesterday in health class we read an article about drug legalization. "Mexico votes to legalize small amounts of cocaine, heroin and marijuana" the headline touted.

To sum it up, "The bill says criminal charges will no longer be brought for possession of up to 25 milligrams of heroin, 5 grams of marijuana (about one-fifth of an ounce, or about four joints), or 0.5 grams of cocaine -- the equivalent of about 4 "lines," or half the standard street-sale quantity (though half-size packages are becoming more common)."

So the general concern is this: will the lure of legal drugs be much too strong for American youths to overcome? It seems like it definitely would be. Just think about the number of teenagers that will be pouring across the border in search of drugs, knowing that they won't be busted --- but wait.

Some of these teenagers only do the drugs for the risk factor. "Ooh, I'm going up against the LAW! I am REBELLIOUS!" In this way, the legalization could keep some people from indulging in the drugs. But obviously it will probably just open a whole new gateway for drug addiction.

The basis for the bill is that by leaving people alone to use small amounts of drugs they can spend more time going after the big dealers rather than jailing every individual. This reminds me of a ruling concerning the downloading of music in Canada. It was ruled that downloading the music for personal use was perfectly legal, but uploading it for others to download was still illegal.

Back to the issue of American drug users. Perhaps the law will be revised to state that only Mexican citizens are applicable, which would solve that border-crossing issue...at least on paper. Because obviously, if you have a drug problem, inside or outside the law you will get your fix.

I'm not entirely sure where I personally stand on the whole issue. I'm a proponent of marijuana legalization in the States, even though I'm straightedge myself. I believe in lots of personal freedom. Besides, if cigarettes are legal and just as cancerous I don't see why marijuana shouldn't be legal as well.

I really haven't much to say on the issue, just wanted to bring it to your attention with this short little update.

x

posted by Ianthe. @ 8:19 PM

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