by Bill Me

Created on: December 29, 2008

This type of decriminalization has been effectively implemented in Carbondale, IL. It has generated much needed revenue for the city, saved the county form the burden of jailing non-violent, low-level offenders; reduced case loads for the courts, and saved countless possessors from criminal records for minor offenses. It can work for Springfield too.

The change in policy was brought about by a very progressive city council and a moderate Republican mayor. The issue was raised in response to the city's use of police resources being used to arrest offenders, yet receiving no monetary benefit from the prosecution of said offenders. Once arrested, the suspects were jailed by the county, which collected fines paid by those convicted. In addition, the victims were disproportionally students (it is, after all, a college town) and this was having a detrimental effect on their college careers and the city (which depends on the students staying. It seemed like a win-win for the city and it's citizens.

Concerns were raised by some student leaders and council members, that the city may begin actively seeking offenders as a means of raising cash from the tickets. Over time, however, no evidence pointed to this activity. Now a few years removed from the change in policy, and it appears that the change was a wise move.

The system is one of progressive punishment. That is, the offender's fine increases with each ticket. While the amount is relatively high to begin with, it would appear to me that the system is working well for those that are "busted, and may have the effect of helping to reduce public use through financial hardship to the possessor.

The policy does not cover distribution or cultivation. Nor does the policy deal with the issue of other drugs.

On a personal note, it seems that this type of policy would be better implemented at the state or national level, though I see the benefit to letting each community decide what is best for itself. There is a serious problem in this state as well as others of population overload in the prisons. Many of these people are there for possession, though likely larger amounts than this policy might cover. However, this type of policy can afford protection to personal users that otherwise would become victims of the system. If I had my way, there would be no fines and personal possession woud not be treated as any type of crime. Let each possess and cultivate for themselves and say goodbye to much of the organized distribution system. There will always be marijuana use, and the evidence just doen't support the notion that it is a serious social problem. The vast majority of users are law-abiding, productive, and upstanding members of their community. To lump them in with murderers and molesters just doesn't make sense form a public policy standpoint. while there may be arguments against as positions of morality, thankfully legislating morality is difficult and often unconstitutional. In this case, a few bad apples should not spoil the bunch and we should see o it through the law that is is not the case.

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