California voters have finally done it. Nearly 700000 signatures were gathered and submitted to the California secretary of state to put a measure on the ballot this November that would legalize the possession and sale of marijuana.
But before the Harolds and Kumars of the world rejoice they will have to take an actual look at the proposed measure. While it does legalize possession of up to an ounce for “recreational use” (enough for more than a dozen good-sized doobies) it would only apply to citizens over the age of 21 ruling out the majority of college students who are probably the most common users. In addition it would be illegal to smoke a joint in front of a minor.Of course there are positives as well as negatives to passing a bill that legalizes one of the nation’s most popular recreational drugs.
Right now according to CBS News a slim majority of Californians support the legalization and taxation of marijuana. But if this bill were to pass several ramifications would be worth consideration. For one its passage may cause quite a clash with the federal government. Marijuana possession is still a federal crime and at this point only 14 states— including California— even allow marijuana for medical purposes. In fact despite the fact that President Barack Obama is a liberal and has confessed to once having used the drug himself he has announced his disapproval for the movement to legalize marijuana.
And these are not the only roadblocks for legalization supporters. While the bill gives the authority to local governments to permit and/or regulate the sale and distribution of marijuana it also allows any California resident to grow up to 25 square feet of weed on his or her property. Opponents argue there are several ways this can go wrong. Residents could choose to simply grow their own pot taking away the added benefit for government revenue; or the legalization could lead to an explosion of pot dealers creating the need for costly regulation that may even outstrip marijuana’s current demands on law enforcement.
In addition to these hurdles critics of the bill are quick to point out that marijuana is a proven gateway drug. Its legalization may lead to more usage (or at least a greater number of people trying it) which has the potential to increase drug problems in California considerably. However use of the drug has not skyrocketed in the Netherlands where the drug has already been legalized.
Despite the seeming problems with the bill there are quite a few arguments toward legalization. This ballot measure alone has the opportunity to make serious progress in managing California’s enormous budget crisis. The legalization of marijuana would save the state around $200 million in law enforcement costs which could be coupled with the revenue from the tax of a several-billion-dollar industry in California. Then add in the potential jobs that could be created in sales growth distribution and regulation of the drug. While these motives seem purely mercenary with California’s jobless rate hovering around 12 percent mercenary may be exactly what the state needs. For decades this drug has in most of its manifestations only been about as harmful in the long-term as regular smoking (if used several times a week). But according to Drugwarfacts.com marijuana is neither as addictive nor as hard to quit using as caffeine or nicotine. Alcohol which has not been illegal since the 1920s is considered by many to be far more dangerous than pot. But the government chooses not to criminalize the consumption of alcohol caffeine or cigarettes.
Legalizing marijuana has been a lingering idea for a long time but too few have been willing to take the risk and discover whether it would be a positive or negative change. Getting the measure on the ballot is an important step but proponents of legalization have a long way to go. Their margin of support is too narrow for a guaranteed victory. They have to prove to the people of California that legalization is a solution not a problem.
There are potential setbacks to legalizing the possession and sale of this drug so California voters will need to decide next fall whether the benefits outweigh the risks. Perhaps challenging the federal government on this issue will be an important precedent (or a pathway to absolute disaster). The only way to find out is to pass it. So go ahead California legalize pot. It is dirty job but someone’s got to do it.
