SPEAKING OUT AGAINST THE WAR ON YOUTH

College Students Should Be More Vocal on Legalization

Throughout history the youth of this nation have rarely shied away
from the opportunity to lead progressive cultural movements. Ten
years after D.C. voters approved the use of medical marijuana by a
substantial 69 percent, the District has finally seen movement on
the legislation. This makes it the perfect time for the youth to go
one step further and take action once again.

Now you may be thinking one of two things: "Dude, that is some
exciting stuff," or "This is going to lead to a slippery slope of
legalization for recreational use." Wherever you may fall on the
issue, the fact of the matter is that for our generation, there are
simply more pros than cons for complete legalization.

Of the 800,000 American busted for possession of marijuana each
year, 74 percent are under the age of 30; actually, one out of every
four of these people are 18 or under, according to the National
Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (better known as
NORML). It seems that the war on drugs is becoming a war on youth,
tainting the futures of thousands of people our age by branding
their files with drug charges that will remain on their records for
the rest of their lives.

With prisons becoming increasingly crowded, it is best that we leave
whatever space is available to actual criminals, not young, harmless
marijuana users who have committed a crime with absolutely no
victims and no violence. No matter how you feel about the drug
itself, I think it is fair to conclude that marijuana arrests are
adversely affecting our generation. In a 2007 study, around 14.4
million Americans admitted to using marijuana at least once in the
month before they were surveyed, according to the National Institute
on Drug Abuse. It is time we face the music and see that society is
naturally progressing toward legalization.

So what are we going to do about it? Some will try to fight the
trend, but we need to realize is that this is a petty crime not
worth the punishment. In the words of Gandhi, we should demand that
those who are oppressed be a part of their own liberation. Our
generation needs to step up to the plate and lead the movement to
full legalization, rather than continue with the norm that is
locking up our fellow students.

Hardly a week goes by without The Hatchet reporting in the Crime Log
a marijuana-related offense, many of which are referred to the
Metropolitan Police Department. This, on top of the two major drug
busts that occurred this past semester involving several GW
students, makes me think that at some point we need to stop and ask
ourselves a crucial question: why are we trying to prohibit a widely
common practice that has heavily influenced parts of our culture?

We need to start talking. Talk to others about how prohibition
disproportionately and adversely impacts our generation. Or talk
about how the policy limits our opportunities at economic and
academic success and has repercussions that will affect people for
the rest of their lives. Or talk about how prohibition causes users
of marijuana to interact and befriend pushers of other illegal,
actually dangerous drugs.

Essentially, it is up to us to get the message out. It is time we
take on the role of leading progressive movements and fight for what
is in our best interest.