Abstract
The paper discusses the significant economic effects of criminalization and prosecution of marijuana and questions whether the social benefits are worth the costs. The paper takes the position that the economic effect of continuing to criminalize marijuana doesn't make sense. The paper explains that since the costs are so hard to quantify there will likely never be a consensus on this issue. The paper also notes that what is indisputable is that the legal status of marijuana, whether it is criminalized or decriminalized, has a large economic impact on society.

From the Paper
"In recent years many individuals - including some prominent economists - have advocated the decriminalization of marijuana. These proponents argue that the decriminalization of marijuana would, among other things, allow society to divert resources previously used on drug offenders to other more productive issues, reduce the profits of those who deal in illegal drugs, reduce drug related crime, and eliminate the overcrowding of the prison system. Advocates of legalization make an analogy between current day drug policies and Prohibition. During Prohibition, the United States devoted a large amount of resources to fighting the sale and consumption of alcohol, while bootleggers made large amounts of money illegally selling alcohol."

Tags:social, costs, resources, economics

Abstract
This paper underscores that victimless crimes should be decriminalized when all adult parties are consenting and when decriminalization would lead to better social and economic outcomes. Next, the author analyzes the victimless crimes of drugs, pornography and prostitution, which appear to only harm the people engaging in these acts and not the larger society. The paper concludes that decriminalization is possible at both the state and federal level; however, decriminalization occurs faster at the state level.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Defining Victimless crimes
Types of Victimless Crimes
Drugs
Pornography
Prostitution Laws
Opposition to the theory of Victimless Crime
Decriminalizing Victimless Crimes
Decriminalization at the State Level
Decriminalization at the Federal Level
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Most often there are two types of crimes associated with drugs; possession and possession with the intent to distribute. The former is usually associated with drug users while the latter is associated with drug dealers. Dealing drugs is not viewed as a victimless crime. Drug dealing does obvious injury to people and is the cause of a great deal of violence. On the other hand the possession of drugs is viewed as a victimless crime. Most people who are charged with drug possession are drug addicts. Because of possession laws, instead being sent to a rehab facility, those possessing drugs are often sent to jail. This is a major problem because of the issue of overcrowded prisons. This is such a significant problem in some areas of the country that certain jurisdictions have made the possession of small quantities of marijuana legal. This process of decriminalization took place because the use of marijuana is so unexceptional that as a result of common consensus communities, through their legislators, have decided that charging people with possession is no longer feasible. Te decreased feasibility has to do with the cost involved as it relates to court and the incarceration of those who are charged with the crime."

Tags:consenting controls, collective value system, marijuana bureaucracy

Abstract
The writer argues that prostitution between consenting adults should be decriminalized and regulated. The writer's main reasons for arguing for this are that it constitutes unfair victimization of already marginalized people, and also that this will reduce the risk of sex workers contracting HIV, which will reduce the risk of sex workers passing HIV on to their clients, and ultimately to the wives and unborn children of their clients.

From the Paper
"In this essay I will argue that prostitution between consenting adults should be decriminalized and regulated. My main reasons for arguing for this are that it constitutes unfair victimization of already marginalized people; and also that this will reduce the risk of sex workers contracting HIV. In turn, this will reduce the risk of sex workers passing HIV on to their clients, and ultimately to the wives and unborn children of their clients. It appears that existing policies regarding sex work are inappropriate and..."

Tags:prositution, legalize, regulate

Abstract
This paper argues that the current war on drugs has been an extremely costly failure for the U.S. According to the author, current anti-drug policy -- which includes the use and sale of controlled substances -- is simply impossible to enforce. The author looks at the cost of the war on drugs, both in terms of lives and dollars that could be saved from switching priorities. Then the paper debates medical statistics, citing that (currently) illegal drugs result in many fewer deaths each year than legal ones, such as alcohol and tobacco. Finally, the paper deconstructs the commonly held belief that marijuana is a gateway drug. The paper concludes with the author's recommendation that drug use be decriminalized.

From the Paper
"The United States has been engaged in a "war on drugs" since the mid-1970s. The reported 59 percent decrease in illegal drug use has been achieved at a cost of an increase of 12,000 percent in the enforcement budget between 1973 and 1993. Attorney General Janet Reno has quoted federal officials as saying that in order for the interdiction of drugs entering the country to be effective, a total of 75 percent would have to be achieved. Since the amount officials claim has been interdicted is only 25 percent, even law enforcement policy makers admit that a successful interdiction program would be cost prohibitive."

Tags:war, on, drugs, law, education, treatement, marijuana, economy, police, enforcement, agency

Abstract
This paper talks about how it would be beneficial for the Canadian government, as well as the Canadian citizens, if marijuana is legalized or decriminalized. The paper covers issues such as the government's biased opinion towards marijuana, how the amount of people in jail for marijuana use are tying up the legal system as well as legal system funds and how legalization would reduce the amount of drug rings in Canada. The paper also discusses the Marijuana Party of Canada and many of their major points (platforms).

From the Paper
"Weed, pot, trees, grass, ganja, Mary Jane, reefer, chronic, and bud are all slang terms. Slang terms for a drug commonly called marijuana, scientifically referred to as cannabis. This drug has been gaining prominence in the media lately and with good reason simply because it is such a controversial topic with many differing viewpoints. A number of politicians began to question Canada's marijuana laws after Canadian athlete, Ross Rebagliati, temporarily lost his gold medal in Olympic snowboarding when tests revealed the presence of a small amount of marijuana in his body. Indeed, many Canadian citizens were outraged when the International Olympic Committee stripped Rebagliati of his medal simply because he tested positive for the drug (Gage, 2001). After all, some argued, marijuana is not a performance-enhancing drug, so his use of it could not have led to his winning the gold."

Tags:ganja, weed, Liberal, Party, Mounted, Police, cannabis

Abstract
This paper argues in favor of the decriminalization of marijuana, citing it as a good idea inasmuch as such a measure will eliminate costly and ineffective laws. Additionally, the paper notes that legalized marijuana will allow for a more judicious allocation of funds, will undermine the black market, and will not precipitate the increased consumption of the narcotic by young people. The paper also states that there is simply no merit to the argument that marijuana is a gate-way drug to harder substances.

From the Paper
"All though some disagree, the decriminalization of Marijuana is a good idea inasmuch as such a measure will eliminate costly and ineffective laws, will allow for a more judicious allocation of funds, will undermine the black market, and will not (if the Netherlands is any example) precipitate the increased consumption of the narcotic by young people. As well, there is simply no merit to the argument that marijuana is a gate-way drug to harder substances. The following paper will elaborate on these points while simultaneously advancing (and rebutting) the criticisms of those who wish to see marijuana remain illegal."

Tags:decriminalization, marijuana, america

Abstract
This paper considers the arguments in favor of decriminalizing drugs.

From the Paper
"Drug laws vary around the world with the very definition of what constitutes a drug also varying. Most countries allow adults to consume alcohol, some have no prohibitions against minors consuming it. The United States criminalizes marijuana at the federal level, but coffee bars that offer marijuana to customers are common in Amsterdam. In addition, some states-including California-allow marijuana to be used for medicinal purposes, putting citizens who seek to do so in danger of federal prosecution. So-called harder drugs such as heroin or cocaine are..."

Tags:decriminalizing drugs, drugs, marijuana

Abstract
This paper looks at the reasons for decriminalization of marijuana, citing studies which show it would not increase use of the drug, and would not lead to the use of hard drugs. It also cites the attitutes of other countries around the world on possession of small amounts of marijuana for personal use.

Tags:decriminalization

Abstract
This paper argues that the U.S. should decriminalize prostitution.

Tags:decriminalize, prostitution

Abstract
The paper analyzes the pros and cons of the marijuana decriminalization debate. The paper briefly examines both sides of the argument and concludes that there is compelling evidence arguing against the continued decriminalization of marijuana. Specifically, the paper looks at the resources which can be diverted to more important issues, and also at the way that decriminalizing marijuana could make the difficult tasks of police officers considerably easier. The paper concludes that that marijuana is less problematic than alcohol and over-the-counter drugs and that decriminalization would be beneficial.

From the Paper
"There can be little question that marijuana use has polarized the American in ways that would have been unanticipated even a few years ago. Not least of all, there is a battle ongoing between those who feel the decriminalization of marijuana is simply a step forward and one more means of allocating police resources more efficiently, and those who feel that rampant marijuana use - and certainly its decriminalization - is one more instance of America's moral decay. The following paper will review the arguments against marijuana decriminalization and the arguments in favor of marijuana decriminalization. As should become apparent, there are a number of compelling and trenchant arguments against continuing the prohibition against a drug that causes far less havoc each and every year than do alcohol and/or over-the-counter prescription drugs. With that in mind, it is to a discussion of this thorny issue that this paper now turns."

Tags:marijuana, use, law