Once only considered by those on the political fringe,the decriminalization of marijuana is gaining support from some mainstream politicians.
Mother of two young boys and federal contractor, Catherine Leach admits to using this drug daily. And although she worries her public support for marijuana use could potentially jeopardize her job, Catherine Leach is tired of feeling like a criminal every time she does something she says in “No more harmful than drinking a glass of wine.”
“I’m done being afraid,” she said. “People in this country are finally coming around and seeing that putting someone in jail for this doesn’t make sense. It’s just a changing of the time.”
17 states and the District of Columbia have leagalized marijuana for medicinal use:
- Alaska
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- The District of Columbia
- Delaware
- Hawaii
- Maine
- Michigan
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
- Washington
A More Detailed List, including restrictions, can be found here
And the US States considering the decriminalization of the drug are having a smooth transaction. They are facing opposition from the federal government as well as confusing laws regarding the possession and use of marijuana.
The idea of changing the laws that govern this particular controlled substance worries some. Robert DuPont, who served as drug czar under presidents Nixon and Ford caution Americans that this is a slippery slope.
“It is a major drug of abuse,” DuPont warns. “People ask me what the most dangerous drug is, and I say marijuana. Other drugs have serious consequences that are easy to recognize. Marijuana saps people’s motivation, their direction. It’s a drug that makes people stupid and lazy. That’s in a way more dangerous.”
