With the legalization of marijuana on the 2010 California ballot, many marijuana supporters can’t help but boast about the possible benefits marijuana could provide for our economy. However, after reviewing the bill carefully, I came to the conclusion that the legalization of marijuana may not be as beneficial as its supporters argue.
Although I support the legalization of marijuana, the more I thought of the theory, the more flaws I found in the bill.
True, an estimated amount of $200 million of California taxes are paid by medical marijuana dispensaries, and if marijuana were legalized, an estimated amount of $1.3 billion of revenue would be brought in each year — but this disregards the cons brought on by cultivating the substance.
If marijuana is legalized, 21-year-old will be able to cultivate, possess and transport the substance for personal use.
Considering the convenience of cultivating marijuana, many adults over 21 years old will most likely consider this option, decreasing the amount of revenue California could potentially receive while doing nothing concerning the amount of illegal trafficking of the substance.
What I’m saying is in order to successfully obtain the profit desired by legalizing the plant, we should figure out a way to efficiently regulate its cultivation so that our economy would be able to reach its maximum potential. After brainstorming possible solutions to improve the bill, I came up with a few rough-edged ideas.
First, if adults choose to cultivate the plant, they should be registered as marijuana cultivators and be obligated to pay a tax for growing the plant. This will not only discourage the cultivation the plant, but it will also bring in money if people decide to grow it on their own instead of visiting a dispensary.
Next, the amount of marijuana cultivated should be limited to one ounce per grower. This way, if illegal trafficking is the grower’s intention, they would have a difficult time making a profit. Growing requires such costly maintenance so the possibility of achieving a profit from illegal trafficking for one ounce of marijuana would be highly unlikely and there would be less of getting “high with the help of [your] friends.”
The consequence for illegal trafficking of marijuana should result in the same punishment as selling alcohol without a license and the consequence for illegal trafficking of marijuana to minors should result in the same punishment as distributing alcohol to minors.
Lastly, medical marijuana should still be a possibility for minors, but should have to be covered by their medical insurance.
If the main objective of legalizing marijuana is to benefit our economy, some revisions should be made so we can be assured that it does exactly that. With these revisions, the same rights will be provided, but with certain requirements so that it ensures progress toward economic growth.
Considering the multiple issues regarding the cultivation of marijuana, I have to ask, Is marijuana really our “bud” when it comes to California’s economic progress, or could we benefit more if the bill were modified?
Sonia Guillen is a junior journalism major and assistant opinions editor for the Daily 49er.
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