When referring to drug use, yours not mine, it is important to look at these things in context. One of the biggest issues in this coming election will be the decision on Proposition 19 which “legalizes marijuana under California but not federal law.” It also “permits local governments to regulate and tax commercial production, distribution, and sale of marijuana.”
As you all will remember The Dirge mentioned in the Welcome Back edition the best way to experiment with drugs during your college experience was to “Mooch.” However, the law is changing again meaning you can buy your own under the same rules as booze.
The change in law would “allow people 21 years old or older to possess, cultivate or transport marijuana for personal use. Permits local governments to regulate and tax commercial production and sale of marijuana to people 21 years old or older. Prohibits people from possessing marijuana on school grounds, using it in public, smoking it while minors are present, or providing it to anyone under 21 years old. Maintains current prohibitions against driving while impaired.”
Like everything good and interesting, I believe this requires some deeper thought. But because you’re reading this column it means you want to cut past the crap; so let’s get to it.
Everybody must get stoned
I am tired to living in a poor state with so many rich people. The tax revenue from marijuana would generate about $1.4 billion dollars a year with an estimated $16 billion in other revenue as a result.
This means more money for the state, which could be funneled into the schools. If the state were getting billions in additional funding, then it would have less to tax its citizens, which is a major win for both Democrats and Republicans. Republicans get lower taxes, Democrats get weed. Everybody wins.
The implementation of this new law would also reduce law enforcement costs by about $200 million that would be redirected into monitoring street crime or put back into the general budget. The production and sale of marijuana locally would also take a large chunk out of the foreign drug producers and cartels. Police are free to enforce other laws and drug dealers go down.
Finally the passing of the law would create between 60,000 and 110,000 new jobs. We still need millions of jobs, but this would definitely be a place to start.
Reefer Madness
On the flip side, just about every candidate running for office this term is against the passing of the bill. Normally this could be ignored, but when you realize that all are against it, it does make you wonder, “Do they know something we don’t?” Not that I believe any politician has our best interest at heart, but what does it benefit them?Then there’s the other thing. When you get right down to it, most special interest groups are out for themselves to make some kind of statement that supports their nut-job cause — except for Mothers Against Drunk Driving, a group that is opposed to the legalization of marijuana.
Mothers of children who were harmed or killed by drivers under the influence is a hard sell. The guilt factor alone is 30 times that of a regular mother. What? You think I’m kidding.
Beyond these groups there is another reason to vote against Prop 19.
We are a lazy and unproductive people. I mean that in the nicest-possible way, but look at what we are dealing with here. Assuming this law passed, we are essentially buying into a drug that will make us even lazier than we are now, if you believe that’s possible.
Currently we enjoy a minor sedentary lifestyle; however, this would just be one more step toward never leaving the couch and dying of starvation.
Don’t get lost in the purple haze
This is not one of the easier propositions to debate. Both sides have reasonable support for their beliefs and both are equally well founded
Ultimately this will not be fully decided until the polls close. While the general consensus is that this proposition will pass, there is still a lingering doubt as to whether or not voters will get the same cold feet they got back when gay marriage was voted down in 2008.
Even though that vote was overturned, this is a very different issue.So this one I leave up to you. Check you damn facts and make your damn vote.
David Cowan is a senior journalism major and the features editor for the Daily 49er.
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