\jeff{krimmel}

Denver Decriminalizes Marijuana Possession

The city of Denver, Colorado, voted yesterday to decriminalize the possession of up to one ounce of marijuana for adults aged 21 years or older. State laws, however, continue to ban such possession, so enforcement of marijuana possession as a result of this particular ordinance is not likely to change.

I think decriminalizing marijuana possession is a good thing. Why, you ask? No, not because I own any marijuana and hope not to get caught. I think it’s a good idea because of the massive waste of resources governments at all levels (local, state, and national) spend on prosecuting such crimes. I don’t feel like getting into the nitty gritty of it here, but government spends billions and billions of dollars to crowd our jails with people who carry around or smoke very small amounts of marijuana.

There is another reason this ordinance, even if it doesn’t affect the prosecution rate in Denver, is a good idea. This ordinance will slowly help build momentum across the country for similar efforts, and as more localities agree that resources wasted fighting marijuana possession would be better spent on tax breaks, public education, health care, energy subsidies, or any of a host of other areas, state laws and eventually federal laws will begin to change.

We are a nation of limited resources. We must pick and choose our battles to make life the best it can possibly be for everyone. Wasting so much time, money, and energy fighting marijuana possession is not the best use of said resources.