To the Honorable Mark R. Warner,

As a constituent, I urge you to help us put an end to Virginia’s historically ineffective and costly stance on cannabis prohibition in exchange for a regulated and research-focused modality.

In order to appropriately address this issue, we must first look at how cannabis prohibition has affected our state. In 2011 alone, there were 22,024 cannabis-related arrests in Virginia. An astounding 90% of these arrests were for petty possession. Despite the overwhelming number of arrests for cannabis possession, 50% of all rapes and 80% of all burglaries went unsolved. These numbers are only magnified on the national level. The U.S. spends approximately $6,245,301,475 per year to imprison drug offenders.

In addition, contributory citizens who use cannabis for either medical or recreational purposes are unfairly stigmatized as criminals. Legal ramifications for cannabis possession can inhibit occupational success for one’s lifetime. For the sake of conserving our judicial resources and promoting tolerance and knowledge, it will be important for Virginia to lead the way by proposing cannabis taxation and regulation legislation.

Even though research indicates that cannabis is approximately equivalent to caffeine in regards to reinforcement, dependence, and addiction potential, it is still treated as though it presents intense potential damage to society. It is well known in the scientific community that alcohol, tobacco, and pharmaceuticals are more dangerous than cannabis. Tobacco is responsible for 435,000 annual deaths in the U.S., alcohol kills 85,000 people per year, and 32,000 people die from adverse reactions to prescription medications. There are zero reported deaths from cannabis use in the history of our species. On the contrary, cannabis possesses unique and abundantly proven uses across a variety of contexts. The cannabis as well as hemp plants can be applied to the fields of medicine, nutrition, construction, textiles, plastics, cosmetics, etc. Research shows that cannabis maintains medical benefits for a variety of conditions, including arthritis, migraines, muscular disorders, nausea, mood disorders. The newest data even indicates positive effects on the treatment of HIV and cancer. I stand by the perspective that cannabis could offer exponential benefits for individuals with anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder, insomnia, and more. Imagine the financial and historical recognition Virginia would receive if we were at the forefront of this scientific revolution.

Ultimately, more harm that benefit directly arises from cannabis prohibition in Virginia. The current system denies our state an opportunity to generate new jobs and tax revenue while promoting illicit drug markets and the criminalization of hand-working individuals engaging in a rather safe activity. Cannabis has not always been illegal in Virginia. It is time to re-legalize a natural substance that contributes more benefits than consequences for society. As a lifelong Virginia resident and long-time advocate for cannabis taxation and regulation, I would be so proud to see this state lead the way in creating a sensible and fiscally responsible approach to inevitable cannabis use.

Thank you for your time and consideration,

Your Constituents.