I'm in a similar boat as Stephani - don't smoke pot, but think that it makes no sense to deal with it like we do. And Nate, you are not crazy for thinking that, as the idea of legalization, or de-criminalization, is a fast-growing idea, even for those that are more conservative. Simply, the negatives to the existing war on drugs is infinitely worse than pot itself. (Not speaking for harder drugs). Putting funds previously from the war on drugs and focusing on programs to help addicts would be much better spent, and is currently very successful in Portugal.

Hello John,

Yes, decriminalize is one of the things that is on the plate and they are discussing which one would make the most sense. Now as far as the big pharmacy boys and lobbyist, this is going to change over time as well. You see there is a movement that is looking at the power the lobbyist from all self interest sectors have within our political system and making candidate’s term like our presidents, but maybe with a little twist to it is my understanding.

The one big thing is for most is resistance to change, the fear of the unknown, and the past where we have had people that had taken nations through very dark times when they thought they knew what was best for their nation.

Not trying to beat a dead horse, but this war as it has been going for years on drugs is not winning and we have not gained any ground and it becomes more of a drain on our economy through many forms and there needs to be another method looked at.

I could go on and play devil’s advocate here, but I will not because there will be those that will think I like the drug scene and I do not, but I sure as hell am tired of seeing more money wasted there than on trying to cure cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and other ailments out there. Can you imagine what all we could do with the money we are wasting right now on this fight against illegal drugs?

The last thing is in economics you first have to have a demand for your product, and if there is no demand, then there is no business. So, I am all for looking at a smarter way and making it happen and not sitting back and waiting for something to happen. So, we do not get it right the first time, but keep attacking until we get the bugs worked out. Of all the great things that we have done, to me this is a simple task when compared to placing a man on the moon, or the missile we can fire from over 100 miles away and put it through a window of an exact address.

Most youngsters look at people our age and think we do not understand and they challenge authority. I dare say 30 years from now we will not be the same nation of today and our values and opinion of our own country will be different as well!

Nate - I can support your analysis that times will change because the pending generation will be in a position to not only suggest but make the change happen, the power to VOTE.

Sure the numbers due suggest a dollar factor. Here we totally overlook the one big onion on the plate that would NOT benefit from this - pharmaceutical companies. Second only to INSURANCE, this lobby group has true proven power to set the rules. We already are clearly aware of how they manipulate this country with pricing. {Canada gets the same product cheaper - Why?}

These monsters will want a piece of that action. Under the banner of protecting their market share. Direct prescription sales (effecting Doctors | Hospital etc) will drop.

Each new generation brings a different level of tolerance and set of values. One that they mold, just like we did. Today's leadership is not interested in change - because it is not their ideas. The next generation needs to focus on changing leadership first. We need Limited Terms on politicians.

Numbers suggesting a savings - enforcement don't take into account the additional problems and cost factors needed when implementing change.

Appreciate the thread - but from my seat - nothing but more problems on a different level will rear it's ugly head. Decriminalize - yes, Legalize? Until we learn how to control the limited Medical Exemptions (ie Oregon post - anyone can qualify) we need to approach this very slowly. If at all...

Legal or not, drugs or alcohol are not good for a landlord. I spent a stint as a drug enforcement and education NCO while stationed in Germany with the US Army. The Commander and I tried to banish drugs from the unit and had some success, but never got rid of the problem. This was in the early 80's. While I have no credentials as an expert on drugs, I do know the harm they can cause to normal people like ruining their careers and their lives.
What has to be faced by everyone in general, and property managers in particular, is the times we are living in. Drug use is rampant, and won't be going away.
But, I want to discuss in my post "another" drug problem. Namely, the misuse and abuse of Prescribed Drugs. These are handed around or sold the same as cocaine and meth. You would be amazed at how many elderly are doing this. We have a tenant who goes occasionally to be rehabbed and dried out off of doctor prescribed drugs, hers, and her friends as well. We need to stop the doctors from writing any and everything just to get rid of an elderly person out of the doctor's office. In elderly properties, this is a huge problem.

We are a product of our society and the values of one generation compared to another is different. I watched the military change because it is a product of our society. What I was subject to when I went through training people would have the book thrown at them today.

The kids of today will be our leaders tomorrow and I spend time chatting with these kids to findout where their heads are at and there are something which I say wow, they got it right and then there are others where it scares the hell out of me.

Our kids when they become voting age there are things which they will want to change because there are those that say we have not gotten it right and when it comes time and they are in the drivers seat they will make those changes.

I am not a know it all, but I try to see where we are going, and the answer is in our youth. Some of our values are not the same as our youth. What I am writing about here is being discussed in our places of higher education. Remember this blog 10 years from now if not sooner.

Look at the numbers again and think about where we are currently and what we are spending and what we can be saving. It will all come down to a business way of thinking! Check these numbers out again:

State and federal governments in the United States face massive looming fiscal deficits. One policy change that can reduce deficits is ending the drug war. Legalization means reduced expenditure on enforcement and an increase in tax revenue from legalized sales.

This report estimates that legalizing drugs would save roughly $41.3 billion per year in government expenditure on enforcement of prohibition. Of these savings, $25.7 billion would accrue to state and local governments, while $15.6 billion would accrue to the federal government.

Approximately $8.7 billion of the savings would result from legalization of marijuana and $32.6 billion from legalization of other drugs.

The report also estimates that drug legalization would yield tax revenue of $46.7 billion annually; assuming legal drugs were taxed at rates comparable to those on alcohol and tobacco. Approximately $8.7 billion of this revenue would result from legalization of marijuana and $38.0 billion from legalization of other drugs.

So, if this is being discussed in our universaties and most of the students are leaning toward changing because of the numbers and these same students are our political leaders, doctors, lawyers, and our law enforcement personnel. Maybe they will go like Portugal and decriminalize the drug laws. Wow, this subject is almost as hard hitting with some people as religion and it is great to see the different views and thoughts!

I understand the theory and concept of legalization. For discussion purpose. Now fast forward to the real world.

* to think demand would drop is utter non-sense.
* to think a black market would not GROW is non-sense

Hell - everyone will have a medical card. Perhaps Medicare would fund it, crazy

We have just spent 10+ years fighting the tobacoo industry and fighting each other in regards to Smoking period. This would just open a whole new can of worms. Where the underlining issue is who would have more rights. In an apartment complex, which is what we are focused on here. Your going to what enforce "smokeless" pipes. You just got done spending money cleaning up from cigarettes.

Decriminalization I agree. Legalization would blown-up in our face.