A state-commissioned study released today by the New York Department of Health recommends replacing cannabis criminalization with a policy of adult use legalization.
The 74-page study, entitled “Assessment of the Potential Impact of Regulated Marijuana in New York State,” acknowledges the following:
“Regulating marijuana can reduce opioid use;”
“Regulating marijuana may lead to a reduction in the use of synthetic cannabinoids;”
“Legalizing marijuana will reduce disproportionate criminalization and incarceration of racial and ethnic minority communities;”
“Regulating marijuana will create jobs;”
“Marijuana regulation could generate long-term cost savings.”
The study’s authors conclude: “A regulated marijuana program enjoys broad support and would have significant health, social justice, and economic benefits. … Regulating marijuana enables public health officials to minimize the potential risks of marijuana use through outreach, education, quantity limits at point of sale, quality control, and consumer protection.”
Commenting on the study’s findings, NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano said: “The Department of Health ought to be praised for taking a sober look at the available evidence and issuing sensible policy recommendations. Criminalizing adults who use cannabis is a disproportionate public policy response to behavior that is, at worst, a public health concern — but it should not be a criminal justice matter.”
He added: “Despite nearly a century of criminal prohibition, marijuana is here to stay. Our laws should reflect this reality, not deny it, and lawmakers should govern and regulate the marijuana market accordingly.”
The full text of the study is available online here. The executive summary is online here.
Source: http://blog.norml.org/2018/07/13/new-york-state-commissioned-study-calls-for-legalizing-adult-marijuana-use/
New York: State-Commissioned Study Calls For Legalizing Adult Marijuana Use is available on https://gigglesndimples.com/
source https://gigglesndimples.com/2018/07/13/new-york-state-commissioned-study-calls-for-legalizing-adult-marijuana-use/
No comments:
Post a Comment