Ever since former president Richard Nixon declared drug abuse "public enemy No. 1" in 1971, there has been a downward spiral of American citizens losing more and more money each year. Legalization of marijuana has been a hot topic more recently among states. Where it used to be 8 out of every 10 Americans opposed legalization of marijuana, it is now 46% of Americans that urge marijuana to be legalized, nearly half! Although 14 states have decriminalized marijuana users, there are still many legislators that refuse to adopt this legislation, and still continue to put people that smoke, or possess marijuana in jail, causing a tremendous amount of taxpayers' money to be spent each year.
Well today is a new day in Philadelphia. Newly elected District Attorney, Seth Williams, has implemented a new program that will save the city and states money. It is called "The Small Amount of Marijuana Program" (SAM), and it's main purpose is to save our citizens money and to save room in jail for only violent offenders. With the SAM program, drug offenders only carrying 30 grams or less will be tried as a summary offense instead of a misdemeanor that would put them in jail for 30 days and give them a $500 fine. Instead, with this program, offenders will only pay for a $200, 3-hour drug abuse class, and their record will be expunged. No court costs, no trial, no lawyer, no judge, and no police officer being paid overtime to testify.
So far under Williams leadership, Philadelphia has saved 2 million dollars."We were spending thousands of dollars for when someone possessed $10 or $15 worth of weed.", Williams said, "It just doesn't make sense." Taxpayers money should be used for real issues such as improving our schools, educating our children, and putting the real criminals in prison.
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