Will California Legalize Marijuana?
The California legislature, in 1975, decriminalized the possession of small quantities of marijuana intended for personal use. This decision was taken in light of the fact that the economical and ethical consequences of continuous persecution of marijuana users were reaching its limits. However, marijuana related arrests in California have skyrocketed since 1990. Studies suggest that marijuana is California’s single largest cash crop. If it is legalized and taxed, marijuana could possibly raise an estimated $1.4 billion each year. Earlier this year, state election officials made an announcement stating that an initiative to legalize marijuana in California would appear on the November ballot. This statement triggered a much followed campaign which pushed California to the frontlines on debates over softening of the nation’s drug laws. This legalization, if it takes place, is likely to put the state of California at odds with the federal government as marijuana sales and possession is still a federal crime. A public poll reveals that almost two thirds of California voters prefer the relaxing of the state marijuana laws whereas only one third oppose the initiative.
Marijuana legalization is of course a far bigger step than decriminalization or medicalization, but would have no lesser significance on the public. For a state where marijuana arrests have increased by 25% since 2005, rising from 3,100 in 1990 to 16,300 in 2008, legalizing marijuana will not only help in reducing the amount of trafficking, but also help those in need of medical attention from drug usage.
Legalization will bring the marijuana industry in the limelight in a similar way that the alcohol prohibition act did for the legal alcohol producers. A small portion of the marijuana market may still operate off the radar, but as most producers and consumers are likely to choose the legal suppliers, it is not much of a problem.
The current marijuana market is ripe with violence and corruption. Since an underground market cannot resolve disputes through lawsuits, advertising, campaigning, lobbying or other peaceful measures, they resort to violence to sort out any issues. Bribery is a rampant occurrence while extended repercussions such as drug related crimes are almost an everyday matter. These issues will certainly fade out once the cannabis supply becomes regulated.
Other benefits include the decline in civil liberty infringements and racial profiling, strict quality control as sellers advertise products and work towards establishing a reputation, generation of state budgetary savings due to elimination of law enforcement expenditure and via the tax from legal sales. Also, patients using medical marijuana would no longer have to suffer the social stigma of being a cannabis user.
While one valid argument against this proposal would be that it will lead to an increased use of marijuana, this increase is expected to be modest. Moreover, if the ballot is passed, marijuana users will be able to exercise responsible usage.
Legalizing marijuana, however, does not mean that all the adverse effects of its use will be eliminated, but it will still be better than the consequences of marijuana prohibition. Considering that legalizing of the production and supply of marijuana is a better policy, the ballot seems to be on its way to being passed.
1
Add a CommentPlease login in order to vote or add a comment. If you are a new user then please register here.
Comments (3)I just hope enough people get out to vote in a couple weeks! 16,300 arrests for pot! I bet only a small percentage was for trafficking and the rest were for usage. What a waste of our tax dollars! Lets keep the momentum going! |
People Who Read This, Also Read
Reactions From TwitterWatch 
PolishHemptress RT @TransformDrugs: Washington Marijuana Legalization Initiative Leads: 47% Yes – 39% No | Just Say Now: been here before with prop 19,... http://t.co/j3IwZT89 1 minute reply 
HeisenbergXL RT @TransformDrugs: Washington Marijuana Legalization Initiative Leads: 47% Yes – 39% No | Just Say Now: been here before with prop 19,... http://t.co/j3IwZT89 1 minute reply 
K_C_C_S Support for legalization of marijuana grows http://t.co/HqgmpCWf 16 minutes reply 
FlyGuyinVA Everyone please R-T my last tweet.....every stoner and marijuana legalization activist should watch this show 21 minutes reply 
BunkPolice RT @TransformDrugs: Washington Marijuana Legalization Initiative Leads: 47% Yes – 39% No | Just Say Now: been here before with prop 19,... http://t.co/j3IwZT89 28 minutes reply |
More Articles By Garrison G