Four states have legalized marijuana for recreational use: Alaska, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington. These four states and twenty others, plus the District of Columbia, have legalized marijuana for medical use. Florida may soon join them. But now, the city council of the Florida city of Orlando just voted 4-3 to approve an ordinance “which would make possession of 20 grams (about two-thirds of an ounce) or less a violation of city code carrying a $50 fine for first-time offenders.” That is, decriminalization of small amounts of marijuana, which some states and cities have already done. The final vote on the measure is May 9. If approved, it would take effect immediately.

This is a small step toward freedom, a very small step. If it passes, then perhaps the cops in Orlando can focus their attention on arresting people for real crimes instead of for possessing marijuana—a victimless crime if there ever was one.

Of course, there are tremendous restrictions on the using, growing, and possessing of marijuana even in those states that have legalized the recreational use of marijuana, legalized the medical use of marijuana, or decriminalized the possession marijuana. Truly, the war on drugs is a war on freedom.

The Best of Laurence M. Vance