Washington Bill to Decriminalize Marijuana

Senator Jeanne Kohl-Wells, D-Seattle contributed an article to The Seattle Times pledging her support to bill 5615. Her hope in passing the bill is to decriminalize marijuana in Washington state, making it only a civil offense for possession. Drawing inspiration from large crowds at Seattle's Hempfest, the Senator wants to remind people about the Schafer report that came out in 1972 and the fallout that occurred.

Twelve states took action and decriminalized marijuana in the 1970s. Nevada decriminalized in 2001, and Massachusetts did so in 2008. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, states where marijuana possession is decriminalized represent more than 35 percent of our nation's population.

These states have not seen a corresponding increase in use. Nor have the 14 states that have adopted legal protections for patients whose doctors recommend the medical use of marijuana.

The article also points out the failures of prohibition and our inability to enforce current laws. It is time for our country to realize that throwing money at this problem isn't going to solve anything. Billions have been wasted, and I don't understand how some people still can't admit that marijuana prohibition has been a failure.

We now have decades of proof that treating marijuana use as a crime is a failed strategy. It continues to damage the credibility of our public health officials and compromise our public safety. At a fundamental level, it has eroded our respect for the law and what it means to be charged with a criminal offense: 40 percent of Americans have tried marijuana at some point in their lives. It cannot be that 40 percent of Americans truly are criminals.