"Even if one takes every reefer madness allegation of the prohibitionists at face value, marijuana prohibition has done far more harm to far more people than marijuana ever could"
- William F. Buckley, Jr.
About this Quote
This quote by William F. Buckley, Jr. is a strong declaration against marijuana prohibition. He is arguing that even if we accept all of the claims made by prohibitionists about the threats of marijuana, the restriction of marijuana has actually still triggered more damage than the drug itself. He is suggesting that the prohibition of cannabis has actually triggered more damage to more people than the drug itself ever could. This is an effective statement that speaks to the potential damages of criminalizing cannabis and the requirement to re-evaluate our technique to drug policy. Buckley is promoting for a more sensible technique to drug policy that takes into account the potential harms of criminalization and the prospective benefits of legalization.