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According to Ethan Nadelmann, executive director of San Francisco's Pro Legalisation Drug Policy Alliance, "The benefits of legalisation exceed the disadvantages."
You'd think that, in a country where we face so many socio-political issues, the government would be more open to alternative means of solving national problems. Well, the first mistake there would, of course be to assume that the government thinks at all. Now, we're not saying that the legalisation of dagga would solve all our problems all at once; but it would bring us closer to a more developed way of thinking about drugs.
According to the WHO, nicotine is the single greatest cause of preventable death globally, yet it is legal. Marijuana on the other hand, is far less lethal and if used with care, can offer some benefits on a medical front.
For years medical marijuana has been used to treat pain in patients with terminal diseases, especially cancer. Our own Mario Ambrosini campaigned for the legalisation of dagga for medical purposes, before losing his battle with cancer in August last year. Unfortunately, government was more concerned with lining pockets and dodging the public protector than they were with helping those dying of cancer alleviate their pain in a healthier way.
Ok, pro-dagga argument aside, let's look at the economic and social benefits of legalising weed. It might be worth mentioning here that whether or not it is legal, people will get hold of it. In fact, it's harder to get hold of ciggies at times than it is to get a joint.
A great example to look at is the US state of Colorado, where marijuana was legalised back in 2012."The sky did not fall. Those who used to buy marijuana on the black market are now buying it legally and paying taxes. Colorado is earning a fortune in tax revenue; in years to come it'll amount to hundreds of millions of dollars. The funds from marijuana taxation are building schools and funding police departments. There's not much harm, but a lot of good and less crime," said Nadelmann.
News Moderator: 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: ?Legalise it? in South Africa, says expert. It?s just Dagga
Author: Gerhard Jacobs
Contact: Contact us
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: The South African News for Global South Africans
You'd think that, in a country where we face so many socio-political issues, the government would be more open to alternative means of solving national problems. Well, the first mistake there would, of course be to assume that the government thinks at all. Now, we're not saying that the legalisation of dagga would solve all our problems all at once; but it would bring us closer to a more developed way of thinking about drugs.
According to the WHO, nicotine is the single greatest cause of preventable death globally, yet it is legal. Marijuana on the other hand, is far less lethal and if used with care, can offer some benefits on a medical front.
For years medical marijuana has been used to treat pain in patients with terminal diseases, especially cancer. Our own Mario Ambrosini campaigned for the legalisation of dagga for medical purposes, before losing his battle with cancer in August last year. Unfortunately, government was more concerned with lining pockets and dodging the public protector than they were with helping those dying of cancer alleviate their pain in a healthier way.
Ok, pro-dagga argument aside, let's look at the economic and social benefits of legalising weed. It might be worth mentioning here that whether or not it is legal, people will get hold of it. In fact, it's harder to get hold of ciggies at times than it is to get a joint.
A great example to look at is the US state of Colorado, where marijuana was legalised back in 2012."The sky did not fall. Those who used to buy marijuana on the black market are now buying it legally and paying taxes. Colorado is earning a fortune in tax revenue; in years to come it'll amount to hundreds of millions of dollars. The funds from marijuana taxation are building schools and funding police departments. There's not much harm, but a lot of good and less crime," said Nadelmann.
News Moderator: 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: ?Legalise it? in South Africa, says expert. It?s just Dagga
Author: Gerhard Jacobs
Contact: Contact us
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: The South African News for Global South Africans
