The Economic Argument for Legalization

June 4th, 2011 • 5 Comments

*All costs are in Canadian dollars and reflect rates in Canada.

If stripped down to simply an economic concern, the argument for decriminalization and legalization of marijuana and other narcotics is rather compelling. The costs inherent in criminalization of drugs are vast and not fully comprehended. They have become hidden parts of other, larger expenses, and it is difficult to determine exactly what portion of a cost results from drug use and how much from related sources. Costs involving a direct burden to the taxpayer include healthcare, enforcement, judiciary, and corrections. The Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse estimated in its 2009-2010 annual report that over $40 billion is spent purchasing illicit drugs or trying to enforce narcotics laws every year. Related costs to society can include damage to property or physical harm to citizens from petty and organized criminal activities. Because drug use has been pushed for the most part to the fringes of society, it has also been pushed to the fringes of public spaces; users in high-risk groups tend to frequent less than desirable, unsanitary areas where the scarcity of clean needles increases the chances of infection and illness. Continue reading ‘The Economic Argument for Legalization.’

Netherlands Curbing Marijuana Use

June 4th, 2011 • 3 Comments

There has been a slow movement to curtail the purchase of marijuana in the Netherlands over recent months, and this may have a resounding impact on the economy and population. The perception has been that pot is legal in the Netherlands, and that has generated a significant amount of international tourism for the country. However, marijuana is not actually legal; it is simply a crime that is actively not enforced by the police. That is far more tacit a response than most people think from Dutch politicians. The Netherlands has become increasingly less accepting of the marijuana laws as the new Conservative government rethinks how tolerant they really want to be. Continue reading ‘Netherlands Curbing Marijuana Use.’

Mitt Romney Declares Candidacy

June 3rd, 2011 • 1 Comment

The US Republican primary race is starting to heat up with the declaration of intention from Mitt Romney today. Romney, a multimillionaire businessman, ran for the nomination in 2008 against John McCain among others. He is best known for his stint as governor of Massachusetts, his business practices and for rescuing the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics from financial disaster.

Romney is a Mormon, a social problem which many people even inside the Republic Party have a hard time dealing with. He has also passed health care bills when he was governor of Massachusetts that greatly resemble Obama’s, despite being highly critical of the President. Continue reading ‘Mitt Romney Declares Candidacy.’