It’s strange. The last time economic conditions were this bad, we repealed prohibition. And this time around, it seems the subject of ending prohibition is up for debate again. California is talking seriously about legalizing and taxing pot. Minnesota, New Jersey and Illinois are talking about legalizing medical marijuana. Even that notorious left-wing rag, the Economist, is on board. Even more telling, those defending prohibition are growing increasingly shrill and incoherent.
Just in the last few months, the tide seems to have turned. All of the sudden, this issue — which has been brewing for decades — is back with a vengeance.
It gives me a reason to keep fighting on things like healthcare and taxes, I guess.
Update: The Drug War must be over. Pat Buchanan is waving the white flag.
This is nothing new for The Economist. They have been pro-legalization since the 1980’s.
I realized that after I put up the post. But it does seem to me that something has suddenly changed. Maybe it’s the violent war going on in Mexico. But it seems like there is a huge sea-change on pot policy surging through the country — or more accurately an apotheosis of the changes that have been going for the last couple of decades. I’ve just noticed a lot more commentary on this subject — and even McCaffrey is waving the white flag.
When you have three straight Presidents who admit to smoking pot, it’s really hard to keep making the argument that it’s going to ruin your life.