Proposition_19

Proposition 19 Yolanda Galvan Comm 215 October 11, 2010 Lisa Van Mater Proposition 19 Pot growers have opposed it. Some police have favored it. Polls show the public being deeply divided. California has been known as the land of hippies and the famous comedians Cheech and Chong but in this state more closely associated with marijuana than any other, the ballot measure to legalize pot has exposed California’s notorious relationship with the drug. As the November election nears Proposition 19 has become much more than the pros and cons of the drug, marijuana. Many people argue that this could help California recover from the economic devastation, by making marijuana legal. Proposition 19 recent polls have indicated that it is a close call 49 percent pro and 42 percent against. Proponents of the state say the measure is a way for the struggling state and it’s cities to raise badly needed capital. Legalizing the industry would create jobs while eliminating violent criminals who would profit off the illegal drug trade. I think this would eliminate the drug cartels and drug gangs from competing to sell the illegal drug. Once marijuana is legalized like alcohol and tobacco the medical marijuana business could be taxed therefore bringing in revenue for California. Supporters, including a group of former and current law enforcement officials, have called attention to the failure of the so called “War on Drugs” to put a dent in pot production in California, and they say police could concentrate on more serious crimes. Some oppose the legalization of medical marijuana because it would encourage the cycle of theft and violence-driven by people who need money to buy drugs. The state district attorney’s groups have come out publicly against Proposition 19 as have many county governments, the state’s biggest newspapers and Governor Schwarzenegger. Under the proposed law adults 21 and older could possess up to an ounce of marijuana for personal use and grow gardens up to 25 square feet. An infraction would be the same as a minor traffic ticket. Proposition 19 is the creation of Richard Lee, and Oakland medical marijuana entrepreneur who spent more than one million to obtain the measure on the ballot. He also has a trade school for marijuana growers and retailers; Lee has hard-pressed legal marijuana as a way to boost the state’s economic devastation to develop tax revenue to help the state’s budget deficit. The Service Employers International Union one of the biggest unions has endorsed the measure as an economic boost. Last month 38 workers at a medical marijuana company in California joined the Teamsters labor union. Some Analyst have said the economic consequences of a legalized pot trade is too difficult to predict. The State Board of Equalization last year said a marijuana legalization measure proposed in the state legislature could have brought California up to 1.4 billion in tax revenue. Many voters are torn on this measure because it could make it harder for law enforcement to determine if someone is under the influence and if he or she carries medical marijuana card how much is too much. The state’s medical marijuana business is blossoming as hundreds of retail dispensaries across California sell pot to hundreds of thousands of qualified patients. Many doctors throughout California continue to prescribe medical cards to their patients who suffer from terminal cancer, AIDS, glaucoma, and mental health disorders, many patients believe that medical marijuana has saved their lives. Proposition 19 would allow the personal use of marijuana by people age 21 and older. It would also permit local governments to regulate and tax the production and sale of marijuana by businesses. People would not be permitted to use marijuana in public or near children. California is already one of nine states that permit the use of marijuana to treat pain or for other medial reasons. The patient must get his marijuana from an officially recognized marijuana dispensary. Marijuana dispensaries need permission to operate under the rules set by local officials. President Obama was asked his opinion on legalizing marijuana he said he had a practical view on medical marijuana and if prescribed by a medical doctor for AIDS, cancer, and glaucoma he had no problem. He had concerns about allowing mom and pop shops to dispense medical marijuana because he believed it would be difficult to regulate. My opinion is that legalizing medical marijuana would help many patients who cannot subdue their pain with prescribed medication by their medical doctors and have found that the prescription had not worked for years, but once they tried medical marijuana they could function and receive instant relief. Legalizing medical marijuana would eliminate individuals from purchasing an illegal drug and would take some criminals off the streets. The last reason would be the financial revenue this could bring to California just as tobacco and alcohol did in the past. References Associated Press Sept. 26, 2010 www.dailydemocrat.com (Internet 10/2/10)