A Rational Discussion on the Legalization of Marijuana

Reefer. Pot. Ganja. Mary Jane. Hippie Lettuce. Whatever you call it, marijuana has been a hot topic across the country recently.  California Assemblyman Tom Ammiano introduced Assembly Bill AB 390 for consideration in February, re-fanning the fire surrounding the legalization debate. While 13 states have legalized medicinal use, and a few municipalities have halted local enforcement of marijuana laws, the drug remains completely illegal in most states and, most importantly, at the federal level.  Pro-pot supporters applaud the new presidents stance on the issue, and were pleased to hear that he has told the DEA to honor the marijuana laws of each state.  Many legalization advocates are still pushing for more, however.  

We have all heard the argument that legalizing marijuana could help solve California's crippling budget crisis. The state is considering closing down %85 of its state parks due to budget shortfalls and a real possibility of the state running out of money in the next few months. Will the legalization and taxation really be enough to make even the smallest dent in our states death-roll to the bottom? The jury is still out on that one. 

Advocates say that we will not only benefit from the tax revenue from legal marijuana sales, but that we will save hundreds of millions of dollars on incarceration and enforcement costs. Quality will rise, the chance of ingesting even more harmful substances used to grow and harvest the plant will decrease, and it will take the drug profits out of the hands of criminals and put it into the coffers of the state.

Those who oppose legalization are sticking to the argument made since the first laws were passed limiting its use. The Marihuana Tax Act, passed in 1937, is the first federal restriction on the drug. Public hysteria reached fever pitch as news articles and anti-marijuana propaganda movies convinced the voting public that marijuana was a demonic weed, that it caused uncontrollable rages, and that one puff would send a person down the path of jazz and lunacy. Government officials were beginning to worry about the influx of Mexican immigrants across the southern border, many of which smoked marijuana after working long days of back breaking labor. 

Today's research shows that marijuana decreases response time while driving and retards the creation of short term memories. The drug can cause a psychological dependence, and has been shown to have a low degree of physical dependence in heavy, chronic users. For those with preexisting disorders such as arteriosclerosis, heart disease, and high blood pressure, marijuana can aggravate the symptoms by raising blood pressure and heart rate. On a statistical basis one marijuana joint can be equal to five cigarettes in terms of carbon monoxide intake, four cigarettes in terms of tar intake, and ten cigarettes in terms of the amount of microscopic damage done to the cells lining a persons airways.  There has been no proof, however, that marijuana smokers have an increased chance of developing cancer than those in the non-smoking population. 

While both sides are hashing out the pros and cons in the state legislature, marijuana continues to be California's largest cash crop.  The counties of Humboldt, Trinity, and Mendocino make up what is known as the "Emerald Triangle."  Some areas of these Northern California communities are dependant on the income made from growers, harvesters, and sellers living and working in their towns. With the lumber mills shutting down operation and all other industries slowing considerably, the residual profit from the illicit trade of marijuana is, at times, the only thing bringing residual income to local commercial and government pocketbooks.

Whether you are for or against the legalization of marijuana it is hard to believe that our governments, at the local, state, and federal levels will be able to sustain the prohibition of this plant for much longer. The "War on Drugs" has been an utter failure, the "Just Say No" mindset isn't a feasible option today, and DARE has been sucking money and resources from local law enforcement for years with little to no effect. Change will come not in the form of laws and regulations, but in the same way marijuana prohibition began in the first place: cultural and social acceptance/disapproval of the drug and all of the benefits and detriments it brings with it. 

To some, the thought of complete legalization may have only be a far off possibility even five years ago. It seems to us here at RD that the paradigm has shifted and that those seeking to keep the drug illegal may be the ones having the pipe dream.