Gateway Drug or Waste of Police Resources? Patch Readers Weigh in on Pot

Maryland legislators are divided over whether decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana is a step toward freeing police up for more important duties, or if it will spread use of the drug and more serious drugs.

The Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee on Friday voted 8 to 3 in favor of a measure that would shift possession of fewer than 10 grams of marijuana from a criminal offense to a civil one punishable by a $100 fine.

Delegate Heather Mizeur, D-Montgomery, is also sponsoring a decriminalization bill, scheduled for a hearing next week, while Sen. Jamie Raskin, D-Montgomery, is pushing to legalize, tax and regulate marijuana. Raskin’s bill is awaiting a vote by the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee.

Patch readers weighed in with their views on the topic. Here are excerpts from their comments.

Robert Neuman: "If you speak to law enforcement they are indifferent on the issue. The laws are on the books and the priorities of enforcement wax and wane. Marijuana is no more a gateway drug than alcohol or cigarettes in yet you can get them everywhere and the money from taxes and regulation go towards programs to treat addictions. The same is going to hold true for marijuana reform."

Bryan Harz: "I believe this is an intelligent first step. … Once it's decriminalized it is up to the users to show responsibility. Then legalization will occur without much debate."

Brook Hubbard: "It's quite possible DUIs will increase, as individuals will be more blatant about use of marijuana and foolish enough to risk the consequences while using it. Still, as long as people understand the laws and they are clear about driving restrictions, then any fault falls on people's stupidity... not the substance."

Pam Hamburg: "Prohibition was tried and it failed. Just like the war on drugs. Alcohol is nothing but a LEGAL drug. Can anyone say 'black market'? That's what is already happening with weed and has been for a gazillion years. Legalize it, control it (so people KNOW what they're getting), tax it, no one under 21 can buy it. Lots of tax revenue."