Pros And Cons Of California's Proposition 19

Marcus Haigler
Josh Hall
English 110
3 December 2012
When will Marijuana be Legalized in California There is no solid reason for marijuana to be illegal. The risks and dangers of taking it are about the same as the risks of drinking alcohol of smoking tobacco, both which are legal for adults. Furthermore, making it illegal is ineffective at stopping minors from taking the drug, and makes the drug more dangerous because it cannot be regulated. Legal marijuana would be less dangerous because it would have to conform to safety standards, and have warnings to keep people informed, like cigarettes do. If society can change their views on alcohol, they can change their views on marijuana. In California’s 2012 ballots prop 19 was created
to legalize marijuana. November 6th, 2012 Colorado and Washington both legalized marijuana in their states, “Saying yes to California's Proposition 19 would have meant that adults could legally possess up to an ounce of marijuana.
They also would have been allowed to grow marijuana on up to 25 square feet of their property” (Doherty). A lot of people, mainly college students would love to have marijuana legalized, but will they still smoke once it is legalized? Similar to alcohol, teenagers drink when young because it is a rebel thing to do, but once the age of 21 and they have to purchase alcohol they tend to bring it down a notch. It’s much more exciting when you’re doing things against the law, rather than going with the law. The prop was created not only just the legalization, but also taxing marijuana which can help the economy grow, and help California out with the humongous debt that the states in. Richard Lee, a
medical marijuana entrepreneur, who operates a big dispensary and associated retail stores in Oakland, was a big supporter of Prop 19. Even while thriving within the medical marijuana system, Lee has always pushed for full legalization, because he thinks "prohibition is hypocritical, unjust, and unfair” (Millhorn). Colorado is the developed world’s only regulated for profit cannabis market. The sales to the 100,000 residents who have thumbs up from their M.D.s are closing in on $200 million this year, “a sum that generates tens of millions of dollars in local, state, and federal taxes. (Yes, the IRS taxes marijuana operations, even as the Justice Department attempts to shut them down.)” (Dokoupil) Alcohol had its up and downs and then started the prohibition era, which did not maintain well and started battles between mafias and civilians. After legalizing alcohol again, America taxed alcohol and noticed that it was better for the economy. Why not do the same with marijuana? America continues to allow items in our country that kills more than marijuana does. Other legal drugs such as tobacco, alcohol, and prescription drugs have statically shown that those drugs have more deaths in America opposed to marijuana. Yet we still continue to have a harmless drug illegalize in 48 other states. What is California afraid of? Marijuana does not cause brain damage, genetic damage, or damage the immune system. Unlike alcohol, marijuana does not kill brain cells or induce violent behavior. A 1997 UCLA School of Medicine study (Volume 155 of the American Journal of Respiratory & Critical Care Medicine) conducted on 243 marijuana smokers over an 8-year period reported the following: “Findings from the long-term study of heavy, habitual marijuana smokers argue against the concept that continuing heavy use of marijuana is a significant risk factor for the development of chronic lung disease.” (Roman) Like most Americans, people who smoke marijuana pay taxes, love and support their families, and work hard to make a better life for their children. Suddenly they are arrested, jailed and treated like criminals solely because of their recreational drug of choice. State agencies frequently step in and declare children of marijuana smokers to be “in danger”, and many children are placed into foster homes as a result. This causes enormous pain, suffering and financial hardship for millions of American families. It also engenders distrust and disrespect for the law and for the criminal justice system overall. Responsible marijuana smokers present no threat or danger to America or its children, and there is no reason to treat them as criminals, or to take their children away. As a society we need to find ways to discourage personal conduct of all kinds that is abusive or harmful to others. Responsible marijuana smokers are not the problem and it is time to stop arresting them. Every day Americans with possession of marijuana are arrested and keeping them inside is costing too much money. When California finally legalizes marijuana they will see how un-crowded the jails will be and less money to spend on prisons. An argument that Californians can conclude are the effects of marijuana on the children in California.
As a personal example my friend who went to SDSU, smoked weed like nobody’s business, but she got through college and now is doing an internship at the white house. She is constantly posting up photos with the secretaries and she smoked weed almost every day. So when the arguments of impaired short term memory loss or slow reaction time, sometimes can be false. My friend has proved that wrong and told me if it wasn’t for marijuana she wouldn’t be doing what she’s doing now. Yes maybe one in a million of this ever happening again, but she battled and fought the “so called” effects of marijuana. Now there may be more kids out there like that, they are called “functional high people”, which means even after a hit or a bowl or two, it only makes them active instead of sitting down on their couch as the commercials described. Besides my friend beating the odds, most results are shown that teenagers are influenced by marijuana and somehow become addicted. When everyone knows you can’t become addicted to marijuana because of two things, one it only takes a little to get high, and two it’s a gateway drug that leads to something that can kill you. The only way an individual can be ever be addicted is by medical usage only, which you’re prescribed an amount for a daily use. “Scientists have confirmed that the cannabis plant contains active ingredients with therapeutic potential for
relieving pain, controlling nausea, stimulating appetite, and decreasing ocular pressure.” (Wyatt) To concluded, how can a society that allows the consumption of alcohol which kills thousands every year in traffic fatalities alone, not to mention the damage it causes due to addiction, supports tobacco farmers and allows the peddling of tobacco products which are known to cause serious illnesses and death. Marijuana has unique healing properties and can already be available on prescription for the treatment of chronic/acute pain and certain other illnesses. Its use and effect is practically zero in relation to the drug alcohol, which is universally known for its mind-bending qualities. Alcohol is legal, despite its danger. Marijuana can't be regulated or taxed and that is the primary reason why the governments don't want people to have it. It does not have to be smoked, but can also be eaten, so the 'no smoking' lobby does not have a case against it, either.