Joe Fiorito argues against mandatory minimum sentences for drug offenses:
[Eugene Oscapella, a founding member of the Canadian Foundation for Drug Policy] said, “If you’re a mom-and-pop producer of marijuana, mandatory minimums will scare you out of business.” Yeah, so? “Organized crime will step in; the government has moved the competition out of the way.” This is an unintended consequence of the worst kind: Banning a substance makes it wildly lucrative; punishing the small fry makes it easier for the bad guys to do business.
(Hat tip: Drug WarRant)