Argument for legalizing the adult use of cannabis was to stop the harm caused by disproportionate enforcement of drug laws in Black, Latino and other minority communities.

    • grue@lemmy.world
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      7 months ago

      To “decimate” means “to destroy 10%.” I agree with you that “decimate” would be inaccurate, in the sense that the destruction wrought by the drug war easily exceeded 10%.

      • littleblue✨@lemmy.world
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        7 months ago

        I’m well aware of what the term means and its historical usage. I’m also glad to see you know at least half that, and thank you for your support. 🤓

      • mPony@lemmy.world
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        7 months ago

        people have been using “decimate” to mean “to remove 90% and leave only 10% remaining.” When I was younger I was surprised to learn it didn’t mean that.

        We already have a different word to indicate “to remove 10%” : tithe.