Why in the world would I speak about the legalization of marijuana? First let me start out by saying that I have never tried or used marijuana. No, this is not the Bill Clinton I did not inhale situation. It was never something that I had an interest in trying. However, the public fascination with marijuana and people that admit to using the drug has always surprised me. Marijuana is a drug crop that is a source of continuing debate within the United States. Once upon a time I lived in the great state of Colorado. Colorado is known for many things including beautiful mountains and amazing skiing. Colorado is also known for having a thriving marijuana culture. In 2002, the Colorado Senate passed an amendment making marijuana possession legal if a doctor prescribed that the person would benefit from the use of marijuana and decriminalized persons carrying 1 ounce or less. This amendment is strictly at the state level and does not affect federal law. To compensate for this amendment there are numerous state legal medical marijuana dispensaries located throughout the state.
Currently, I live in New Jersey and read an interesting article in the newspaper this morning. In an effort to reduce the stigma and criminal charges associated with marijuana, the Assembly Panel in New Jersey have approved a bill that will greatly reduce the penalties for carrying small amounts of marijuana. (“Assembly panel OKs marijuana measure”, 2012)The bill still has yet to receive senate approval. New Jersey is trying to join twelve other states that have decriminalized marijuana. Small amounts of marijuana are classified as being in possession of 15 grams or less. A summarized version of this article is available at http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2012205210306. Supporters of the bill point towards that fact that marijuana is far less addicting and less harmful than alcohol and even cigarettes. Which lead me to the question what would happen if marijuana was legal?
We allow people to literally drink themselves to death. Numerous people die from lung cancer associated with the first hand and second cigarette smoke. On television there are numerous commercials that showcase the harmful effects that cigarettes can have on your body. Yet these vices are legal and provide billions of dollars of revenue to companies that sell these products.
Medical marijuana is already a billion dollar industry. If marijuana were legal it is estimated that it would generate 35 – 45 billions of dollars. (“How Big Is The Marijuana Market?”, 2010) Legalization would not only generate billions of dollars in revenue, but good old Uncle Sam would be able to tax that revenue as well. There is always a concerted effort to help fight the war on drugs. Would it not be a cost savings to the American people if the money and resources used to enforce the illegal use of marijuana were used on other resources? There is always a concern with the ingredients of illegal made drugs. If marijuana were legal and government regulated it would ensure that no one received a tampered batch of the drug.
People that are against the bill think that it encourages marijuana use among young people. There is a sense that if marijuana was legal it would be sending the message to the people that marijuana was safe. They feel that marijuana is a “gateway” drug that leads to the use of more drugs that are more harmful to the body. However, how is this problem any different from using cigarettes and alcohol? Alcohol and cigarettes are dangerous to a person’s health as noted by various surveys. There are consumer advisories to use these products in moderation. Why wouldn’t the same apply to marijuana?
References
Assembly panel oks marijuana measure. (2012, May 22).
The Courier-Post, pp. A1, A5.
How big is the marijuana market. (2010). Retrieved May 22, 2012, from
http://www.cnbc.com/id/36179677
No comments:
Post a Comment