Legalizing Marijuana: Drug Policy Reform and Prohibition...

Features

• Cover Type: Hard Cover with 208 pages
• Published by: Praeger Publishers June 30, 2004
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0275974480
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0275974480
• Book Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Weighs: 1 pounds

Product Review
“This volume is well written and documented. It comes as a breath of fresh air amid a policy issue that is so often dealt with in an emotional and irrational way--a sane counterpoint to the emotional venting of the pharmaceutical Calvinists. Highly recommended. All levels.”–Choice

“A readable, reasonable, and well-documented history and analysis of a silly problem that richly deserves de-problemizing.”–Future Survey

“Rudolph Gerber, a judge, presents the case in favor of marijuana legalization, at least for medical use, citing a host of research studies, which he claims have been ignored for decades. His discussion of the history of the marijuana debate through presidential administrations since Kennedy is especially enlightening.[d]ebaters on the issue of medical use will find much ammunition in this book.”–Library Media Connection

“[S]cathing legal analysis of the folly of the United States war on pot. The author has concisely depicted the distortions, hypocrisy, and fear mongering of high ranking federal officials who have immeasurably harmed many individuals as well as the integrity of our criminal justice system.”–Joseph D. McNamara, Research Fellow, The Hoover Institution Stanford University

“Rudy Gerber's not the first judge to speak out against the drug war, and he will not be the last, but he makes a very special contribution with this fine book: a critical review of the nation's disastrous marijuana prohibition policy, informed both by twenty years on the bench and the distinctive role of Arizona in the drug policy reform politics of the past decade.”–Ethan Nadelman, Executive Director Drug Policy Alliance

Product Review
"[S]cathing legal analysis of the folly of the United States war on pot. The author has concisely depicted the distortions, hypocrisy, and fear mongering of high ranking federal officials who have immeasurably harmed many individuals as well as the integrity of our criminal justice system." - Joseph D. McNamara, Research Fellow, The Hoover Institution Stanford University --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Reader Reviews
This is a superb look at the history and politics of cannabis laws in the U.S. Judge Gerber does a truly excellent job explaining that today's problems stem from illogical steps taken in the 1930s. He's got a real flair for telling stories, so it's a good read. IT IS NOT A CALL TO SELL MARIJUANA AT THE GROCERY STORE! The book explains that keeping cannabis prohibited costs us all dearly. The money, time, law enforcement resources, judicial expenses, loss of civil rights, and prohibition-induced disrespect for the law is too much to pay just to claim that we're keeping 2/3 of Americans from trying marijuana. It's a reasoned and compelling argument for first legalizing medical cannabis (as 70% of Americans are willing to do!) and then considering the removal of criminal penalties for personal possession. If those steps do not create troubles, we can all evaluate if legalization seems worth it. What could be more reasonable?