NORML’s own Dale Gieringer, Director of CA NORML, has penned an excellent editorial piece for the LA Daily News. Dale hits the positive notes of the Tom Ammiano bill and its positive effects on the California budget and economy and also gives the reader a history lesson that we’ve been there before.
By 1975, enforcement costs had become so high that the Legislature decriminalized possession of small quantities in the Moscone Act, saving the state $100 million each year. Despite dire predictions by opponents, decriminalization had no perceptible effect on marijuana use by either adults or young people.
Our opposition’s most often used comeback is that use will skyrocket, but Dale removes that argument by looking at reform in the past. Reminding people that we decriminalized and that didn’t cause the sky to fall is a strong argument for legalization and one that Dale uses to good effect.
Dale’s piece is extremely well written and is heavy on the facts. It is a template of how an editorial to a paper should be written. Make sure to check it out and while your at it check out CA NORML’s page.
