I've been following the legislative status of marijuana over the last few months and recently there's been a lot of talk over Assembly bill 2254, which would legalize and regulate cannabis to persons of 21+ years of age in California. It will appear on the November 2010 ballot. According to early polls, 56% of Californians support this.
It is my hope that I can educate people in this thread and perhaps be responsible for a few votes on the day.
I am all for it for the following reasons:
* This would be crushing to mexican drug cartels: it would stop violence related to them and cut their profit, which they use to buy weapons and smuggle people into america. Cannabis accounts for 60% of Mexican cartels' revenue.
* The prisons would be relieved of thousands of non-violent citizens, which are using a lot of tax dollars by being in jail and would create room for serious criminals such as murders. Has it ever occured to you that incarcerating them could be more damaging? Mixing with violent people can only be causing more damage.
* Huge employment and profit to be made for the state through sales of $50 per ounce.
* Much safer for the consumer. Their substance is regulated,they don't have to deal with shady figures and their money won't be going towards a potential criminal/gang.
* The region would become a huge tourist attraction. People from all over America and parts of Asia, even Europe, would flock to the region and spend tons of money, which creates more direct and indirect employment.
* Marijuana is safer than both alcohol and tobacco, but for the sake of my argument marijuana should be legal because tobacco is.
* Tax dollars can be used on serious issues and not for ruining the lives of non-violent citizens due to a harmless plant.
* People from other states will be willing to relocate to California and become citizens over this, which means even more revenue for California.
The reasons the opposition are offering are:
* Crime levels increases - This is false. When the Netherlands legalised it, crime dropped.
* Levels of use increases - After legalization in the Netherlands, the levels of use have stayed the same as before it was legalized Regardless of legislative status, levels of use stay the same. In Iran, drug offences can earn you a public hanging, yet it has one of the highest levels of drug use in the planet.
Discuss your opinions on this.
EDIT: I'd really recommend that you watch the movie "The Union". It can be watched for free online here. It answers many questions regarding marijuana and the business behind it.
It is my hope that I can educate people in this thread and perhaps be responsible for a few votes on the day.
I am all for it for the following reasons:
* This would be crushing to mexican drug cartels: it would stop violence related to them and cut their profit, which they use to buy weapons and smuggle people into america. Cannabis accounts for 60% of Mexican cartels' revenue.
* The prisons would be relieved of thousands of non-violent citizens, which are using a lot of tax dollars by being in jail and would create room for serious criminals such as murders. Has it ever occured to you that incarcerating them could be more damaging? Mixing with violent people can only be causing more damage.
* Huge employment and profit to be made for the state through sales of $50 per ounce.
* Much safer for the consumer. Their substance is regulated,they don't have to deal with shady figures and their money won't be going towards a potential criminal/gang.
* The region would become a huge tourist attraction. People from all over America and parts of Asia, even Europe, would flock to the region and spend tons of money, which creates more direct and indirect employment.
* Marijuana is safer than both alcohol and tobacco, but for the sake of my argument marijuana should be legal because tobacco is.
* Tax dollars can be used on serious issues and not for ruining the lives of non-violent citizens due to a harmless plant.
* People from other states will be willing to relocate to California and become citizens over this, which means even more revenue for California.
The reasons the opposition are offering are:
* Crime levels increases - This is false. When the Netherlands legalised it, crime dropped.
* Levels of use increases - After legalization in the Netherlands, the levels of use have stayed the same as before it was legalized Regardless of legislative status, levels of use stay the same. In Iran, drug offences can earn you a public hanging, yet it has one of the highest levels of drug use in the planet.
Discuss your opinions on this.
EDIT: I'd really recommend that you watch the movie "The Union". It can be watched for free online here. It answers many questions regarding marijuana and the business behind it.
I'd much rather pay $50 an ounce than $50 for 1/8th.
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