by Dan Linn

Created on: December 27, 2008

Springfield should definitely ticket low-level cannabis/marijuana possession, especially if doing so would allow library branches to stay open. Currently any amount of cannabis will bring out the handcuffs and a trip downtown, along with a criminal record and most cannabis offenses are for possession and not distribution or cultivation. If police were able to write a citation punishable by a fine for simply possessing cannabis their time would not be wasted by processing the cannabis offender and could be spent more productively. Also, by issuing a ticket it would unclog the courts, which are becoming notorious for being overbooked by low-level drug offenders. Why are we arresting otherwise law-abiding citizens for their recreational use of cannabis, isn't this a free country? Arresting responsible cannabis users wastes tax dollars.

The people that consume cannabis should have the same rights as those who consume alcohol or tobacco. However, if Springfield is not ready to regulate and tax cannabis like alcohol and tobacco at least decriminalizing this highly consumed substance will earn revenue from the fines of the citations, unclog the courts and prevent many from getting a criminal record, not to mention allow the library branches to stay open.

It should also be noted that there is not one documented overdose fatality from cannabis and has been has been shown to be less addictive than alcohol and nicotine in a study done for the NIDA by Jack E. Henningfield. The study noted the dependence, tolerance and withdrawal levels of cannabis were lower than those of alcohol and nicotine. In another study, done by Jon Gettman Ph. D. "Lost Taxes and Other Costs of Marijuana Laws," estimates that marijuana in the U.S. is a $113 billion dollar industry annually and that American tax payers are losing a total of $41 billion towards enforcement of marijuana laws and lost potential tax revenue.

What type of message would we be sending children if we were to let these libraries close, that the War on Drugs must be won at any cost even if that means closing the local library branch. Libraries are wonderful places that provide a true service to the community and literally stockpile knowledge. If these libraries are facing closure and one method to prevent it is to issue tickets for those found in possession of 2.5 grams of cannabis or less, it would be absurd not to use this potential source of revenue and force libraries to shut down. One would have to be pretty disdainful towards potheads and libraries to favor that outcome. Issuing citations for cannabis is much more sensible and allows a valuable community asset to remain open.

Cannabis use is not immoral and should not be illegal. Any claims of cannabis use being worse than tobacco are unfounded and science supports the healing and beneficial aspects of this plant. Until it was made illegal in 1937 it was widely used to treat a number of ailments and industrial hemp was vital for our country. Unfortunately, now our War on Drugs has brought us to the brink of possibly closing libraries in its impossible attempt for a drug free society.

Please do not close the libraries in Springfield. Start issuing citations for cannabis possession and use that revenue to keep these public places open and functioning.

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