COMPARE DRUG LAWS
Marijuana is illegal because of it's effects on the mind and body. Marijuana's effects on the mind are no worse than alcohol, and it's effects on the body are no worse than alcohol and tobacco. Yet, current drug policy attempts to prohibit all use of marijuana, while merely trying to discourage the abuse of alcohol and tobacco. People go to prison for absurd lengths of time for using marijuana, while the majority of people who use alcohol and tobacco are considered acceptable members of society.
Here's a comparison of Iowa laws dealing with marijuana, alcohol and tobacco:
For possession by an adult:
| Marijuana | up to 6 months in
jail and a $1000 fine Iowa Code 124.401 subsection 5 |
| Alcohol | no penalty |
| Tobacco | no penalty |
For distributing to an adult (one ounce or less):
| Marijuana | up to 6 months in
jail and a $1000 fine Iowa Code 124.410 |
| Alcohol | no penalty |
| Tobacco | no penalty |
For distributing to an adult (more than one ounce):
| Marijuana | up to 5 years in
prison and a $1000 to $5000 fine Iowa Code 124.401, subsection 1 paragraph d Iowa Code 902.9 subsection 4 |
| Alcohol | no penalty |
| Tobacco | no penalty |
For distribution to a minor:
| Marijuana | 5 to 25 years in
prison Iowa Code 124.406 subsection 1 Iowa Code 902.9 subsection 1 |
| Alcohol | a $15 fine for the
first offense, and up to 30 days in jail and a $50 to $100 fine for a 2nd or subsequent
offense Iowa Code 123.47A subsection 1 Iowa Code 805.8 subsection 10 Iowa Code 903.1 subsection 1 paragraph a |
| Tobacco | up to 30 days in jail
and a $50 to $100 fine Iowa Code 543A.2 subsection 1 Iowa Code 453A.3 Iowa Code 903.1 subsection 1 paragraph a |
And, of course, all of the following laws treat alcohol and tobacco users significantly better than marijuana users:
If you're going to use or abuse a drug, Iowa would prefer that you pick the two which have the highest mortality rates.