The Resolution to Drug Reform: Regulation Essay

Submitted By samjam1989
Words: 677
Pages: 3
Open Document
The Resolution to Drug Reform: Regulation

Recreational drug regulation is more beneficial to The United States' economic situation than that of its current policy; prohibition. As of 2010, prohibition has cost taxpayers approximately $10 billion annually, and the cost is rising (Porter, 2012). Current prohibition is based on the theory that users should be arrested because they are harming society, therefore lawenforcent and government can intervene (Keel, 2012). There are four costs associated with the criminal-justice system and its "war on drugs" process that are outlined by the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA, 2012):
• The costs of anti-drug law enforcement agencies
• the costs of the lawyers involved in prosecution and public defense;
• the costs of court time and resources
• the costs of imprisonment and rehabilitation in custody. An in-depth investigation in the US spending on the drug war was spearheaded by the Lewin Group in 2009. The Lewin Group identifies $22.5 billion of expenses for prisons and court costs for drug-related charges as well as for DEA and other 'supply reduction' programs. Defelonization of simple use or possession of drugs offers huge potential for cost savings in almost every jurisdiction.

This is all the more true in jurisdictions that have severe mandatory sentences for some drugs and for jurisdictions that currently treat marijuana possession as a felony. The current practices and policies of prohibition" fail as a drug control strategy; It subjects ordinary citizens to arrest, prosecution and imprisonment for what they do in their own dwelling. In trying to enforce the drug laws, the government violates the fundamental rights of privacy and personal autonomy that are guaranteed by our Constitution," and are only increasing the financial burden of non-users and healthy communities alike. Bob DuPont, former head of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, made it clear in a report that "Criminal penalties have clearly failed to prevent widespread use of marijuana... Law and health are two entirely separate issues"( ). when an individual veers outside the norms and partakes in criminal activity the federal government via law informant intervene to address this behavior. As it stands, marijuana has become high income yield crop of several states. Some as high as the top five, generating 36 million thru the black and market illegal trade (Porter, 2012). California politicians estimate $15 million in marijuana sales last year and they believe that a new regulatory tax could push revenues into the billions. All while elevating the $8 million spent on prosecution and border security. After one closely examines the cost- benefit relationship of the government fueled societal war on
Show More

Related Documents: The Resolution to Drug Reform: Regulation Essay

Essay about IRE Assignement Submission 1

Rationale for the regulation of banks, and regulatory arrangements for the banking industry since the financial crisis of 2007-2009 Alex Mouatt, Harry Walker and Sandijs Meisters Industry, Region, and Environment Level I / Year 2 BA (Hons) Economics Bournemouth University Word Count: 3048 Introduction Regulation is a form of government intervention that is adopted in order to influence, in a socially desirable manor, the way industries operate (Cambridge Dictionaries, 2015). Ultimately, government…

Words 4260 - Pages 18

Healthcare Policy Essay

new technology to prevent one. trials and testing need to be done implement a technology or medicine to consumers so medical professionals are aware of side effects that can occur. To provide health services to consumers federal, state, and local regulations and guidelines need to be made to protect the providers and the consumers. Policies that regulate medical malpractice is used to protect a consumer is a medical provider fails to administer their services appropriately. A policy process is used…

Words 1307 - Pages 6

Medical Malpractice Law

Historically, this attention reflected concerns primarily about the impact of our medical liability system on the cost and availability of medical liability insurance. (Fred J. Hellinger, 2009). But recent studies have concluded that medical liability reform might not decrease healthcare costs. A report by the consumer advocacy group Public Citizen demonstrated that the total value of malpractice payments on behalf of providers has been decreasing since 2001 and while malpractice payments decreased, healthcare…

Words 3421 - Pages 14

Essay on Marijuana in a Bottle

Leeora Fleming Mr. Sherrill ENG 1010 – Section “C” 26 November 2012 Marijuana in a Bottle Willie Nelson once said, “I think people need to be educated to the fact that marijuana is not a drug. Marijuana is an herb and a flower. God put it here. If He put it here and He wants it to grow, what gives the government the right to say God is wrong?” This is just one view of the legalization of marijuana, but like they say there are always two sides to every story. Marijuana, also known as cannabis…

Words 1904 - Pages 8

Should The Federal Government Have Too Much Power

the country was established as an escape from a tyrannical monarchy where the central government and king held all the power, the people were hesitant to allot any power away from the states. But over time, conflict such as the Civil War and it’s resolution changed the paradigm creating something new entirely. Progressively the proverbial pendulum of power has swung from a position of state strength to a reigning federal power that now is supreme today. This change in power over time has cultivated…

Words 1752 - Pages 8

A Samoan Harbor That Was Desired By Great Britain, Germany, And The United States

territories elsewhere in the Pacific and the U.S. was able to retain the harbor at Pago Pago. 2. (8) Teller Amendment What: The Teller amendment placed a condition on the United States’ military presence in Cuba. It was an amendment to a joint resolution of Congress in reply to President McKinley’s war message. The amendment stated that the U.S. could not annex Cuba, but instead it would leave the control of the island to their people. When: April 20, 1898 Significance/Impact: The significance was…

Words 3374 - Pages 14

PS Senate House Essay

including appointing House members to select and conference committees, has influence on committee assignments for new members, moderates questions on parliamentary procedure, decides points of order, and acceptability of floor motions, signs bills and resolutions passed by House, presides over proceedings on House floor and preserves order in the chamber, and takes the leading role in negotiations with the Senate and President. (link: speaker.gov) Eric Cantor is the United States Representative Majority…

Words 2061 - Pages 9

Questions On Civil Law

law in Texas- role of state’s judges to interpret and apply state constitutional provisions, statutory law, and agency regulations * Sources of law- provisions of Texas Constitution, legislative statues, state agency regulations, common law, and codes * Statutory Courts- Texas legislature has power to create courts other than the ones described in Article V * Drug courts, cluster courts, veteran’s courts * There is a minimum of one Justice of the Peace per county; position provides…

Words 2035 - Pages 9

Essay about Us Governemnt

Journal 14 & 15 (1)The U.S. President is one of the most powerful elective offices in world today Serves as head of Executive Branch enforces and administers laws created by delegates to Constitutional Convention as a compromise. Now article II is the part of the Constitution that deals with the Executive Branch and Article II is basically just a short outline of powers. A large part of America’s early political history deals with defining the extent of the executive power. As the country grew…

Words 1973 - Pages 8

Essay about Con Law Notes

then also unconstitutional 2. State i. Police Power ii. Federate and State constitutions I. Political Question Doctrine Political Questions are those committed by the Const. to another branch. Also, those that are inherently incapable of resolution and enforcement by the judicial process. Baker v. Carr (TN failed to reapportion electorate districts for many years, so 1 vote in rural was 8 in suburban area). Not political question, issue of equal protection. Laid out the framework of what…

Words 8515 - Pages 35