The letter by Dianne Slater (Globe, Jan. 31) is based more on a logical fallacy than actual scientific data on behavioral patterns of marijuana users.

Naturally, critics of such a move warn that decriminalizing cannabis will increase pot use among Joplin’s young people. Such concerns, while understandable, are not supported by epidemiological evidence. Passage of similar legislation elsewhere has not led to increased marijuana use or altered adolescents’ perceptions regarding the potential harms of drug use. In fact, the only U.S. government study ever commissioned to assess whether the enforcement of strict legal penalties positively impacts marijuana use found: “Overall, the preponderance of the evidence which we have gathered and examined points to the conclusion that decriminalization has had virtually no effect either on the marijuana use or on related attitudes and beliefs about marijuana use among American young people.”

Also, if anything contributes to sexual crimes it would be a legal drug, alcohol. Alcohol is the most commonly used chemical in drug-facilitated sexual assault. This is especially telling through the observation that many organizations dedicated to studying and educating about sexual assault do not list marijuana as a substance associated with incidents.

In addition, the gateway theory is a myth made up by prohibitionists to justify making something illegal that is less harmful than alcohol. According to the Institute of Medicine (in a report commissioned by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy): “There is no evidence that marijuana serves as a stepping stone (to other drugs) on the basis of its particular physiological effect.”

Let’s face it, the police have more important responsibilities than arresting around 240 people a year for marijuana possession in Joplin, especially given the added justice costs of disposing of each of these cases. Marijuana arrests make justice more costly and less efficient, clogging up court systems, and diverting time of police, attorneys, judges, and corrections officials away from violent crime, the sexual abuse of children, and terrorism.

Kelly Maddy

Campaign Director for Sensible Joplin

Joplin