Ending the war on drugs: legalisation of cannabis

Ending the war on drugs: legalisation of cannabis

Introduction and Executive summary

This is a parliamentary submission that seeks to explain reasons against marijuana legalization and for this case in California State. California proposition 64 seeks to reform the realistic approach to the marijuana policy in California. This has been sparked by the heated-up debates that have increased in the last two decades over marijuana legalization in the U.S states. The major concern is a review on the laws of licencing of stores to sell cannabis to people above 21 years of age. This has been a testament of the Coloradoans and the ability to work together with the people (Anderson, Hansen & Rees, 2015). However, the opposing sides are praised for holding on the facts that people believe have increased the legalisation roll out. In the union of the U.S states, California was the first state to pass laws allowing legal consumption of marijuana. This was first witnessed in the proposition 215 in 1996.

Two decades down the line, the legalization of marijuana has sparked various debates that are aimed at reviewing the poorly regulated system of marijuana cultivation. The California proposition 64 is based on the pros and cons. According to the proposition pro’s, recreational use of marijuana in California has been licenced provided it is used on the right way. The proposition cons argue that legalization of marijuana in the California state will hurt the youth and the families (Hawken et.al, 2013). Kleiman, a New York professor who is also an expert on issues surrounding marijuana use has spoken about the same. He has been among the many people in the U.S that have spoken about the issue giving different reactions to it.

The ballot summary allows marijuana use by adults beginning 21 years and licences state registered stores to regulate and sell marijuana. Following this licence, a state exercise tax of 15% is imposed on the retail sale of marijuana products as well as a $9.25 per ounce of marijuana flowers and a $2.75 per ounce of leaves (Caulkins, Kilmer & Kleiman, 2016). The summary places a tax reduction on the medical use of marijuana. According to this ballot summary, packaging, labelling marketing and advertising of the commodity are restricted. This is more of to the minors but also authorises a resentence policy to prior marijuana convictions.

Research, statistics and examples

been the first state to legalize marijuana use in the United States, the California state had enacted some measures that exempted some patients and care givers who did the cultivation of marijuana and those who used it for medical purposes that had been recommended to them by physicians. This is either from criminal laws or even doctors. The earlier proposition (215) had been considered as a victory to the turning point in legalising marijuana (Kamin, 2015) . On the earlier years, this proposition had reached the ballot twice in California but had no success. These two attempts were defeated by the voters who sought to decriminalize use of marijuana

The earliest proposition was in 1972 and which had also worked to decriminalize marijuana. Nearly 40 years have passed and since this time only the proposition 19 reached the ballot on 2010 which was defeated by a 53.5 % of all the total voters who voted No. this prompted the U.S Attorney General of the time sir Erick Holder to criticize president Obama’s administration arguing that it had to vigorously enforce the controlled substance act (Khatapoush & Hallfors, 2004). Those individuals and organisations that participated in the manufacturing of marijuana for recreational use had to be questioned. This was regardless of whether this acts had been legalised by the state law. This was followed by a fall of the proposition support.

The marijuana spokesperson, Mason Tvert can in arguing that the 2010 initiative had only failed since the voting process can in the midterm election (Kilmer et.al, 2010). Major victories on marijuana legalisation were witnessed in Colorado and Washington in the year 2012. This was followed by a successful vote that approved use of marijuana in Oregon and Alaska in the year 2014. Following the success of marijuana legalization quests in the four states, the president changed his tune on the recreational marijuana use

Effects of legalization of marijuana on society, government and business

If the legalization of marijuana will be allowed by voting for proposition 64, it will lead to a growth in the net state and local tax revenues. An approximate of over $1 billion will be raised as tax revenues from the taxation of marijuana products. It is also expected that the net reduced costs would be reached. Nearly, tens of millions of dollars could be annually raised to the state and local governments.

The effect on marijuana legalization to the youths and society in general is that there is a possibility of increased immoralities and school drop outs. In addition, the use of marijuana will have adverse effects on the health of the citizens.;

Proposition 64, that stipulates for Marijuana Smoking Commercials on TV should be voted against as it is expected to operate against recommended moral codes (Weitzer, 2014). In addition, there should be a limit on the number of pot shops that can be placed in a single neighbourhood.

Significantly, voting for Proposition 64 tramples local control by permitting indoor cultivation of marijuana next door to schools and playgrounds. This will have adverse effects student’s moral and academic statuses.

All citizens in the world should not allow any law about marijuana legalization as it will lead to an increased marijuana related car crushes as a result of drivers turning impaired (Banys & Cermak, 2016). The same case has been witnessed severally in Washington State after legalizing the use of marijuana for recreational purposes. In addition, steps to be taken upon marijuana legalization should not be based on its success in other states but instead upon the real impacts on California citizens and state in general.

Arguments for legalizing marijuana

There are official arguments provided in official voter guide in favour of marijuana legalization Proposition. First, Proposition 64 provides for control, regulation and taxation of adult marijuana use that ends responsible criminalization on marijuana use (Pacula, 2010). Secondly, California Medical Association supports legalization of marijuana because this idea seems to incorporate best practices form state that have already put a tick on legalization of adult marijuana use. Thirdly, protects children and creates safe and legal comprehensive system for adult use of marijuana.

Recommendations

Everybody should stand vote against marijuana legalization in order to;

1. Avoid abrupt shift of local tax revenue
2. Protect increased immorality and school drop outs among the juniors
3. Reach the recommended academic and social status for youths
4. Curb possible increase of accidents through car crushes caused by impaired driving

In conclusion, it is clearly evident that legalizing marijuana use for recreational purposes in California would be a cause of major challenges in the state as it has happened in Washington and other states in USA. All state leaders and citizens in general should actively campaign against Proposition 64. Also, all citizens should stand firmly to vote against marijuana legalization initiative come November, 18 2016.

References

Anderson, D. M., Hansen, B., & Rees, D. I. (2015). Medical marijuana laws and teen marijuana   use. American Law and Economics Review, 17(2), 495-528.

Hawken, A., Caulkins, J., Kilmer, B., & Kleiman, M. (2013). Quasi‐legal cannabis in Colorado     and Washington: local and national implications. Addiction, 108(5), 837-838.

Caulkins, J. P., Kilmer, B., & Kleiman, M. A. (2016). Marijuana Legalization: What Everyone      Needs to Know? Oxford University Press.

Khatapoush, S., & Hallfors, D. (2004). “Sending the wrong message”: did medical marijuana       legalization in California change attitudes about and use of marijuana?. Journal of Drug   Issues, 34(4), 751-770.

Banys, P., & Cermak, T. L. (2016). Marijuana Legalization in California: Rational Implementation of the Adult Use of Marijuana Act (AUMA). Journal of psychoactive             drugs, 48(1), 63-65.

Kamin, S. (2015). The battle of the bulge: The surprising last stand against state marijuana            legalization. Publius: The Journal of Federalism, 45(3), 427-451.

Pacula, R. L. (2010). Examining the Impact of Marijuana Legalization on Marijuana          Consumption.

Weitzer, R. (2014). Legalizing recreational marijuana: comparing ballot outcomes in four   states. Journal of Qualitative Criminal Justice and Criminology, 2(2).