快猫短视频

A vote in California offers a rare a chance to move away from the failed 鈥渨ar on drugs鈥�

WHEN California acts, the world watches. While other jurisdictions dallied, the most populous state in the union has been experimenting with brave policies. Notable among these are its efforts to clear pollutants from the air and make household appliances more energy efficient. In the face of vested interests that predicted this would have dire economic consequences, the golden state went ahead anyway. When the fears proved unwarranted, other states followed suit.

Now California stands on the brink of a decision that could sway not only other states but also other nations. On 2 November, its electors will vote on , which if passed would lead to the legalisation of marijuana (see 鈥淎ll eyes on California for marijuana ballot鈥�). It would be a bold move which, if executed successfully, could become a template for the ending of marijuana prohibition around the world.

The case for legalisation is clear. Recreational drug use is as old as humanity, and has not been eradicated by even the most draconian laws. Making possession and supply of weed illegal has done little to limit availability. Instead it opens up an opportunity for criminal gangs, wrecks the lives of users who are branded with a criminal record, and distracts the police from more important work. Legalisation would allow the supply of marijuana to be regulated, just as governments worldwide regulate alcohol. Legal marijuana can also be taxed.

One immediate impact would be felt south of the border. Mexico鈥檚 drug cartels are the largest suppliers of marijuana to the US. The gangs attack each other and the Mexican authorities, and the cost of this conflict is terrible. Some border towns have become war zones. Tens of thousands have died since 2007.

Many Mexican politicians think that legalising marijuana would make the cartels a little less powerful. The war would not end, and the cartels would surely continue to deal in other illegal drugs, and pursue other illegal activities such as kidnapping. It would, nevertheless, make a dent in their income.

Yet even discussion of legalisation in Mexico has never got off the ground 鈥� due in large part to pressure from the US, which underwrites the fight against the cartels. Mexico should control its own drug policy, and if California legalises marijuana it will be harder for the US to prevent its neighbour doing the same.

Nations further afield would also be encouraged to begin more sensible conversations about drug control. In the UK, as in many other countries, the issue is hopelessly politicised. A year ago, the then government sacked its chief drug adviser, David Nutt, after he remarked that horse riding is more harmful than ecstasy and cited an earlier editorial in 快猫短视频 entitled, fittingly enough, 鈥淒rugs drive politicians out of their minds鈥�. A successful legalisation experiment in California would make it harder for governments to ignore informed criticism.

鈥淎 successful experiment in California would make it harder for governments to ignore informed criticism鈥�

This all assumes, of course, that legalisation works as hoped. Though the Dutch experience of tolerating cannabis use is promising, there is surprisingly little hard data. Dutch policy has been tweaked since possession of small quantities of marijuana was effectively decriminalised in 1976, but the effects were not studied in detail. Consumption rates in the Netherlands are similar to those elsewhere in Europe, but it is conceivable that they might be even lower if the drug were illegal. And would decriminalisation in the UK, where cannabis use is more prevalent, have the same effect? We don鈥檛 know for sure.

If California legalises, it will offer a model that can be followed by states and governments that aspire to reforming drug policy. It will be critical, for example, to monitor the impact on traffic accidents. People who drive while stoned are a danger to themselves and others, but what effect legalisation would have on the number of people who take to the road after smoking a joint we do not yet know.

Mental health is another area where vigilance will be required. We know that marijuana use is linked to schizophrenia, but the connection is poorly understood. If legalisation is followed by an increased incidence of mental illness, we will need to know why. The authorities will also have to listen to employers, who worry that legal pot will increase absenteeism, and monitor rates of respiratory illness.

It is, in any case, far from certain that Californians will vote for legalisation. Recent polls show that the 鈥渘o鈥� campaign has edged ahead. And if the proposal does pass, federal law enforcement agencies could still choose to shut down California鈥檚 growers. Either scenario would represent a missed opportunity.

Proposition 19 offers a chance to move away from the failed policy of waging war on drugs and towards something rare and elusive: a drug policy based on evidence and rational thinking.