Pubdate: Sat, 15 Jun 2013
Source: Wyoming Tribune-Eagle (WY)
Copyright: 2013 The Wyoming Tribune-Eagle
Contact:  http://www.wyomingnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1217
Author: Linda Burt

WYOMING SHOULD CONSIDER DECRIMINALIZING POT

Marijuana has become the drug of choice for police departments 
nationwide n a trend that is playing out with serious consequences 
here in Wyoming.

According to a report released by the ACLU this week, law enforcement 
has turned much of their zeal for fighting the failed War on Drugs 
towards the enforcement of marijuana laws in communities across the country.

In Wyoming in 2010, police made 2,254 total arrests for marijuana. 
Fully 93.3 percent of these total arrests were for marijuana 
possession, not the manufacture or sale of marijuana. Marijuana 
possession arrests accounted for 67.1 percent of all drug arrests in 
Wyoming that year.

Nationally, law enforcement makes an arrest for marijuana every 37 
seconds, and the bulk of these arrests are happening in communities of color.

Despite roughly comparable usage rates, nationally, blacks are nearly 
four times more likely than whites to be arrested for marijuana.

The enforcement of marijuana laws needlessly ensnares thousands of 
people in the criminal justice system, crowds our jails, wastes 
billions of tax dollars, fails to reduce marijuana use and 
availability, and diverts police resources away from focusing on 
serious crimes. Wyoming spent some $9.1 million enforcing marijuana 
laws in 2010.

As the ACLU's report makes clear, it's time to rethink our marijuana 
laws and enact sensible reforms.

As a start, Wyoming should consider decriminalizing low-level 
marijuana possession by replacing criminal penalties for use and 
possession of small amounts of marijuana with a maximum civil penalty 
of a small fine.

Neighboring states like Montana, Colorado and Nebraska have already 
enacted a variety of marijuana reforms.

Linda Burt

Cheyenne
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom