California State Assembly Considering Marijuana Legalization
Could Widespread Marijuana Legalization Be Just Around the Corner?
Marijuana, fully outlawed in 1970 by the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, has been the largest producer of drug related crimes in the past 40 years. Recently, states such as California, Nevada, and Maryland have legalized medical marijuana if a patient can prevent substantial need. Otherwise those who possess it can be punished with crippling fines, and even jail time.
This medical legislation has caused an exponential increase in support for the advocacy of marijuana legalization. According to a recent poll, 40% of all Americans, more than for both the new stimulus package and GOP party leaders, support the legalization of marijuana possession and usage.
Surprisingly, at least one state government is starting to take notice of this growing marijuana movement.
Just a few weeks ago, California Assemblyman Tom Ammiano introduced a bill proposing legalization and tax of the substance for sale to citizens over 21 years of age. He cited the troubles in the US economy the main reason to legalize the drug, projecting as much as $1.3 billion in state revenue through taxed sale of the drug.
"With the state in the midst of an historic economic crisis, the move towards regulating and taxing marijuana is simply common sense. This legislation would generate much needed revenue for the state, restrict access to only those over 21, end the environmental damage to our public lands from illicit crops, and improve public safety by redirecting law enforcement efforts to more serious crimes," said Ammiano. "California has the opportunity to be the first state in the nation to enact a smart, responsible public policy for the control and regulation of marijuana."
Passing this unprecedented legislation would certainly have drastic consequences on the drug culture of America. Making the substance readily available at establishments would discourage buyers from dealing with criminals, as well as provide the product for a much lower price, as there is no longer a need to pay smugglers.
It appears that marijuana legalization is no longer a question of if, but when it will happen.
Sources: Ammiano Press Release 2/23/09, Matthew Yglesias, AFP News
Published by P. Trembeth
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6 Comments
Post a CommentThis is great to hear! I think perhaps our government is finally coming around. I no longer smoke pot, but I'm betting this will help the economy and reduce crime.
It's time America realizes that prohibition only creates more problems, you think they would have learned something from the prohibition of alcohol. It's time to legalize this natural herb. People want to go green, it doesn't get any greener then this!
it's a cash cow people, think not only a tax revenue? but sales of soils, lighting,energy, an dozen's of other services.
it also is a gateway plant,leads to growing
strawberry's ,and apples, and tomatoes.
basicly a very managble comodity?
6,290 people were murdered by the cartels last year. In the first eight weeks of this year more than 1,000 people have been killed by them.
Until the prohibition is ended these deaths will continue. Have you contacted your legislators today?
The only reason it hasn't been done yet is that our government is afraid to admit that the War On Drugs has failed.
Duh! Lets do it already, people are finally wising up to the governments lies and outdated propaganda. Its not a gateway, its safer that any legal intoxicant, and oh by the way, IT HAPPENS TO BE THE THE NATIONS LARGEST CASH CROP! In a time of economic failure how can we afford not to? Talk about something that will create jobs and help pay down the deficit! Isn't that exactly what we are trying to find ways to do? Not to mention freeing up jail space for killers and rapists while at the same time reducing the costs of incarceration and prosecution for non-violent AMERICAN citizens. The government keeps whining about the Mexican cartels being so violent, yet they fail to tell people that they are the ones fueling the cartels by keeping pot illegal and creating a massive black market whose funding goes directly into the hands of these cartels. Instead, we could legalize it, cripple the cartels industry, and generate revenue that stays in the United States! Why not?