To: The Texas State House, The Texas State Senate, and Governor Greg Abbott
End Marijuana Prohibition in Texas and Provide Effective Treatment for Addiction
The "War on Drugs" has gone on for decades without success, incarcerating people with addiction disorders instead of treating them, and spending huge sums to enforce prohibition while not appreciably reducing drug addiction rates. Much of this misdirected spending has been against marijuana, a drug that's less addictive and less injurious to health than alcohol or tobacco; meanwhile the state provides substandard support for treatment of addiction disorders.
The State of Texas should acknowledge the errors of the past and redirect government spending from marijuana prohibition to treatment for people with addictions, to make our streets safer and our citizens healthier.
The State of Texas should acknowledge the errors of the past and redirect government spending from marijuana prohibition to treatment for people with addictions, to make our streets safer and our citizens healthier.
Why is this important?
I've watched the data pile up year after year, confirming what many knew 50 years ago, that drug prohibition doesn't stop drug abuse and doesn't prevent addiction; it only criminalizes a behavioral disorder and stigmatizes millions of people who need treatment not jail time.
Now that four states have legalized pot and have shown that public safety has not suffered from it, it's time for Texas to accept defeat on the War on Drugs, and follow suit in legalizing marijuana. No state has got it right yet, though, as we need not only to end drug prohibition, we need to dramatically increase drug addiction treatment opportunities for all people.
Now that four states have legalized pot and have shown that public safety has not suffered from it, it's time for Texas to accept defeat on the War on Drugs, and follow suit in legalizing marijuana. No state has got it right yet, though, as we need not only to end drug prohibition, we need to dramatically increase drug addiction treatment opportunities for all people.