A Case Against Legalizing Marijuana

Aside from taking into consideration the possible tax revenues after legalization and adverse health effects associated with marijuana use, the issue of government enforcement of the laws still stands as a point of contention. Even five decades after the Equal Rights Act of 1964, there is disproportionate enforcement of the law on minorities, especially marijuana related laws. The anonymous author of “Government Must Legalize Marijuana” correctly claims that roughly 33% of marijuana related arrests were of African Americans, when Africans American comprise of only 14% of marijuana users. Federal laws call for equal enforcement of the law regardless of race or ethnicity. A disproportionate arrest of African Americans is a violation to their right to equality. In NYC from 1997-2006, 52% of those arrested for marijuana possession were African American, 31% Hispanic and 15% Caucasian (Levine). These numbers take on a new meaning when considering roughly 60% of Caucasians used marijuana at least once in their life, whereas 50% of African Americans and 44% of Hispanics used marijuana at least once in their life (Levine). The disparity between users and those arrested is the major argument for legalization of marijuana. Legalization of marijuana would circumvent the possibility of wrongful targeting of minorities. However, a harmful substance should not be legalized to alleviate wrongful targeting of minorities. In essence, laws should not be abolished because they are difficult to enforce.

Disproportionate arrests also inhibit minority members with records from attaining meaningful employment that would otherwise be within reach. Sabet argues that “isolating those with an arrest record” and preventing them from finding employment will ...

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