Gov. Gary Johnson on Ending the War on Drugs

Here’s an excellent op-ed in Huffpo by Gov. Gary Johnson regarding ending the war on drugs.

There were 72 bodies found on a ranch ninety miles south of the Texas border — obvious victims of a drug cartel massacre. Bullets have been hitting public buildings in El Paso, and the Washington Post is reporting that at least $20 billion a year in cash is being smuggled across the U. S. border each year. What is it going to take to convince the federal government that current drug policies are not working? The fact is that the current drug laws are contributing to an all-out war on our southern border — all in the name of a modern-day prohibition that is no more logical or realistic than the one we abandoned 75 years ago.

. . .

How are [illegal drug cartels] able to do this? Because America’s policy for nearly 70 years has been to keep marijuana — arguably no more harmful than alcohol and used by 15 million Americans every month — confined to the illicit market, meaning we’ve given criminals a virtual monopoly on something that U.S. researcher Jon Gettman estimates is a $36 billion a year industry, greater than corn and wheat combined. We have implemented laws that are not enforceable, which has thereby created a thriving black market. By denying reality and not regulating and taxing marijuana, we are fueling not only this massive illicit economy, but a war that we are clearly losing.

In short, let’s end the war on drugs because it’s stupid. I wrote about the interplay between marijuana and liberty – and championed Gov. Johnson’s common sense, liberty-first views on the mattter – a little while back.

Gov. Johnson also favors legalizing marijuana. Why? Because [] legalization of marijuana will eliminate a substantial portion of the criminal element of drug distribution, conserve human and law enforcement resources, and permit society to deal with drug abuse as a medical, not criminal, issue. More importantly, legalization of marijuana – unlike outright prohibition – is consistent with traditional American notions of liberty, the idea that we are born free to pursue happiness in the manner we see fit but may not infringe on the freedom of others. The principle that we should be free to choose – savor that phrase, Free to Choose – extends to choices that may be harmful, wasteful, or unnecessary. Motorcycles, for instance.

Legalization and common sense regulation of marijuana (e.g. no impairment and driving) is a better public policy than prohibition, and it is consistent with liberty.  Insofar as we disagree with our fellow citizens’ choices we may advocate against them. But we should not resort to government prohibition to prevent others from choosing, while establishing our choice as law. That is not limited government, and it is not freedom. Good government preserves our freedom to choose and holds us liable when the consequences of our choices adversely impact others.

For more information on Gov. Gary Johnson I heartily recommend his official facebook page, unofficial facebook page, official twitter feed, the OUR America Initiative homepage, and assorted grassroots organizations championing Gov. Gary Johnson for president.

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