http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local...get_worse.html
legalize it.

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Yep

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Those dealing drugs on street corners will be jailed anyway, even if they legalize "it". And if they do legazlize it, the profit to be made will go down, so there is even less chance that they'll have money for bail. Problem only worsened

Or at least do something to handle the backlog.

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Legalize "IT"? What exactly is it? Weed? Meth? Herion? Crack? All of the above? I also don't see the article mention how many of these poor incarcerated souls are repeat offenders. Besides if they were so good at their "non-violent" business they'd have a few bucks stashed for emergency purposes.

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that's doubtful. If weed were legal, people woudl likely grow it or buy it at the local corner store (or wherever it's sold) not from a street dealer.
"it" can be anything but at the very least, marijuana shoudl be legalized. I'd go so far as to say all natural drugs should be legalized. Even though i support individual freedom, I woudl be uncomfortable legalizing something like meth. hopefully, the availability of legal alternatives (no risk) would discourage use of such drugs.
raider-absolutely, that's another one. Of course, arresting fewer non-violent offenders could help with that as well.

GOP- simple posession isn't dangerous to anyone. even if it's a repeat offense. who said they were so good at their non-violent offenses? The best in dealing illegal drugs are bound to be violent offenders. You are missing the point though, those street dealers exist because people have no other means of purchasing. they can grow, but that might get them a worse sentence than just buying a dime bag.

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Can't the city just adopt a policy that it will no longer enforce crimes involving non-dealing drug possession? I know next to nothing about the intersection of federal, state, and local law enforcement when it comes to drugs; but what if Chief Ramsey announced that, until further notice, it would be the policy of the Philadelphia Police Department that they would no longer arrest individuals for non-dealing drug possession? At that point, presumably, federal or state authorities would be forced to patrol Philadelphia if they wanted to enforce their drug laws.

Is Philadelphia legally permitted to do this? It would seem to be a great way of alleviating the prison overcrowding problem, while freeing up policing resources to focus on violent criminals.

I must be missing something...

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I would be much happier and more than willing to pay more for my hobby if I could purchase it at the corner store, and my taxes could help the community.


As history has shown, those that wish to do drugs will do drugs. I don't care what the government says, I find pot to be much better for my attention that Ritalin or Adderall.

(Adderall was created by Shire Pharmaceuticals, one of the largest lobbying groups against medical marijuanna, yet they moved their tax domicile to Ireland huh????!!!!!)

Thats right people, A company that moved their tax domicile to Ireland so they don't have to pay us taxes still has a say in our federal government and its laws. That to me is pathetic. People that believe everything their kids D.A.R.E packets tell them are nothing but puppets to the Pharm and Law Enforcement agency's.

I believe Colorado did something like this. I am not sure exactly what was done, but I remember reading that being caught with less than an ounce of pot was a misdemeaner. Which it should be. It should never be a CRIMINAL offense.


That being said, I believe the Feds always use the "Interstate commerce" excuse to prevent states from making their own laws. Hence all the federal raids in California even though the state legalized "medical" marijuanna.

Shire is a British company so the move was to get out of British taxes. Still, although it's a separate topic, it appears that Ireland's 12% corp tax rate is attracting companies. Maybe it's time to revisit our 35% tax rate.

Towelie, forcing the feds to enforce it is a half step. It woudl at least shift the burden to where it belongs, with the asinine federal drug policy. it would be their prisons and their budget while the PPD could focus on things that really matter, violent crime and theft. If every city in the country followed suit, it would certainly have an impact on the FBI's budget and hoopefully bring to light the enormous social and fiscal cost of the misguided drug war.

As an aside, another way to help clear the docket would be for the feds to delink highway funding from the drinking age. Back in the 1980's the feds passed a law saying states with drinking ages below 21 wouldn't be eligible for federal highway funding. Voila, instant increase in offenses and criminals.

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