Marijuana Diversion Program Analysis

Texas has always stood apart in terms of reputation; known for its sprawling landscape, unique geography, proud heritage, and conservative views. Due to these characteristics, it is no surprise that, in the case of Marijuana, Texas has tended to lean towards a strict and firm set of guidelines. The initial piece of Texas state legislation passed concerning Marijuana was in 1919, when Texas decided to prohibit the drug within the state. Texas was the third state to do so inside the United States, and the law’s implementation set the foundation for proceeding policies.

Council Bill 20-409 establishes adequacy by addressing the social concern of marijuana possession in small amounts for personal use. Prior to the bill, individuals were charged with a criminal offense which remains on their permanent record. Having said violation on a permanent record potentially has negative effects on employment status and housing options. The bill, which decriminalizes small amounts of marijuana now provides for individuals caught in possession the opportunity for a self-sufficient life.

Last week the Delaware legislature followed in the footsteps of so many other common-sense states and decriminalized possession of small amounts of marijuana. An individual may now possess up to an ounce of marijuana without threat of criminal prosecution.

The practice of medicinal cannabis dates all the way back to proposition 215 in 1996 when it was passed and became legal in the state of California. Unfortunately, many counties have begun closing down medical dispensaries in their cities for various reasons. In Orange County, city officials and people from the community believe that dispensaries have brought a rise in crime to their streets. In the last coming years Anaheim, Santa Ana, Costa Mesa and even Newport Beach have cracked down on countless dispensaries in their area. The citizens of these cities are not informed what this plant does to these sick impaired people. Veterans usually need to buy and smoke this herb herb for them to be

marijuana use or distribution from the wrong side of the law to the right (Hawken et al 32). Legalization will

Back in June the marijuana community anticipated a DEA decision on rescheduling marijuana from a Schedule I controlled substance to some other scheduling. For political or other reasons the DEA simply made no decision at all. The outcome being that marijuana remains a Schedule I controlled substance alongside heroin, LSD, and mescaline.

The Conservative government is considering making legal changes the allow police to, instead of laying charges, issue ticket to those caught with tiny amounts of marijuana. However, these legal changes should not be interpreted as either a legalization or decriminalization of marijuana. Rather they should be interpreted as additional enforcement measures that, should they need them, are available to police officers. Likewise, there is good reason to believe that this novel ‘ticketing system’ would only apply to simple possession of 30 grams or less of marijuana. Additionally, these tickets would function similarly to those administered for speeding, outlining a fine or presenting a court option, also people who decide to go with the court option have the ability to represent themselves or have legal counsel. However, even if the government appears to be softening up when it comes to the legalities surrounding marijuana possession, it had not long ago passed legislation that toughened laws regarding marijuana possession with the purpose of trafficking, such as in the case of the 2012 Safe Streets and Communities Act. Furthermore, some, like the NORML Women’s Alliance of Canada, say that the purposed ‘ticketing system’ does not go far enough and is only “a halfway measure.”

-This allows people to possess and cultivate marijuana for personal medical use if approved by a licensed physician.

Overall, I find the Simple Possession of Small Quantities of Marijuana Decriminalization Amendment Act of 2013 to be forward thinking legislation addressing a growing social topic of debate, legalization of marijuana. While, this bill in particular does not legalize marijuana it does allow the decriminalization of small portions of marijuana for personal use, which prior to this bill individual found is possession of small amounts of marijuana would have experienced negative effectives in all areas of their life. Aside for removing the potential negative consequences that follow an individual through life if found in possession of marijuana, this bill address discrimination. According to Seema Sadanandan with the ACLU, the passage of Council Bill 20-409 reflects the voice of the public.

The legalization of marijuana for recreational usage could may be a new trend in America but the Federal government will likely oppose usage through the end of time. The Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) stance is that marijuana is an illegal drug and that using this drug whether for medicinal or recreational purposes is illegal. I chose this topic to research because of awareness bright to light prior to the recent elections. Until researching this topic, I was unaware that marijuana usage is legal in some states and that other states were pushing legislation to get

(Removes 230 unit/gram Limit on PPL Harvest), Removal of Concentrate Cap that has been limited to 70% THC, All Conditions on 3 year card cycle, Inclusion of all Veterans into the Medical Cannabis Program and addition of “Substance Abuse/Addiction” as a Qualifying Condition, allows patients to be organ donor, and furthers Patient’s Protections with youth services.

holding of cannabis from the criminal code. When not used with constraint marijuana could be

“Police prosecuted 858,408 persons for marijuana violations in 2009, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s annual Uniform Crime Report, released today. The arrest total is the second highest ever reported by the FBI.” (Armentano, 2010)

Harvard economist Jeffery Miron (2005) claims that even though legalization of marijuana will mean a loss of revenue from court fines and asset forfeitures, “legalization will reduce the need for prosecutorial,

Currently, possession of less than 30 grams of marijuana is often dealt with through a fine. However, this penalty will heighten as premiers and chiefs are in favor of zero tolerance, early enforcement, and early diversion and rehabilitation. Associations are concerned about any attempts to allow the medicinal use of the drug (King, 1999). We should be eliminating any thoughts of this drug being available.