Proposition 64: Cannabis For Recreational Purposes

Also known as California Proposition 215, the Compassionate Use Act of 1996 made headlines around the country as the first law ever to change the legality of medical marijuana for public consumption statewide. Originating in San Francisco, it was passed by 55.6% of California voters on November 5, 1996 (Human Rights and the Drug War). The ideology behind passing Prop. 215 is that marijuana contains a number of legitimate medical uses and should be made available to those who would benefit from it. The text of the proposed law states that “seriously ill Californians have the right to obtain and use marijuana for medical purposes where that medical use is deemed appropriate” (NORML, 2009). All patients possessing a reasonable amount of

The well known debate over the legalization of marijuana for recreational use in The United States has been ongoing since 1935. Recently Colorado and Washington have legalized the use of marijuana for recreational use. By doing so, the legalization of the recreational use of marijuana has become more of an issue than it already was and now brings other states to question whether or not they should legalize marijuana (Breecher). Which brings about the question is the legalization of marijuana for recreational use in Texas a good idea? I believe that legalizing marijuana would be a good idea. Just like the use of alcohol people should be able to choose if they want to use marijuana. Advocates of legalizing the recreational use of marijuana would agree, legalizing the recreational use of marijuana could yield substantial tax revenue, save the government money by decreasing the number of arrests and incarcerations, and quite possibly create a safer driving environment.

A controversial topic often being advocated for by sitting governors is whether the legalization of marijuana is more beneficial or harmful to the economy. Marijuana, also known as weed, is a mixture of the dried and shredded leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers of the cannabis sativa plant. It’s the most widely used illegal drug in the United States, even though studies have shown results that the benefits of using marijuana for medicinal or recreational reasons far outweigh the negative matters that may be associated with its use. While marijuana is still a controlled substance under federal law, thirteen U.S. states currently have compassionate use laws in place, which allow for regulated medical marijuana use. By legalizing marijuana, the government is helping the economy by reaping medical and financial benefits, not only at the state level, but also at the federal level. Taking into account the numerous studies done with marijuana on whether it is for recreational use or medical purposes, the government cannot go wrong in legalizing marijuana because of such an impact it will have. Marijuana should be legalized for recreational purposes because it will help society economically and socially.

The legalization of cannabis in the state of Massachusetts has proven to be a very controversial topic with many citizens for and against its legalization. Personally I am for the legalization of cannabis, and today I will be writing a totally opinion based paper regarding the economic benefits that legalization could offer this fine state.

Addressing the Problem Proposition 64, also known as the Adult use Marijuana Act, is a bill that was proposed to address the issue of the legalization of marijuana for recreational use in the State of California. Prior to the passing of the proposition, California had an extensive medical marijuana program. A lot of people in California would get their medical marijuana card and purchase it through that avenue. There was also the traditional way of buying cannabis through a dealer. This bill would address the cultivation and sale of cannabis, which is a schedule 1 drug according to the DEA, for adult use in California.

The topic of marijuana has been a big topic for the past few years. The United States considers marijuana as a drug, in some other countries they say it is a natural herb that is grown from the ground. The issue at hand is “should marijuana be legalized?” the congress of the US stay in a constant debate on this subject. Why is the subject of marijuana such in high demand, if the US already considers it a drug? There are many facts that need to be looked at before a final decision can ever be made. In contrast since the past two weeks the state of Colorado became the second state in the US to legalize marijuana. Obviously it is possible for marijuana to be accepted into society, obviously there are as much pros as

Legalizing Marijuana Abraham Lincoln once stated that, "Prohibition goes beyond the bounds of reason in that it attempts to control a man 's appetite by legislation and makes a crime out of things that are not crimes… A prohibition law strikes a blow at the very principles upon which our government was founded." In today 's society, this statement still applies in reference to the illegal use of marijuana. Marijuana prohibition causes far more harm than marijuana itself. Keeping marijuana illegal is expensive and causes crime. Out of four possible connections between drugs and crime, at least three would not exist if drug prohibition laws were repealed. First, crimes which occur billions of times a year are producing, selling, buying, and

In 1996, California Proposition 215 passed with 55.6% votes in favor and 44.4% against it (Baird 2011). That is more California votes than Bush, Clinton, or most other elected presidents have received. Proposition 215 was the first statewide medical marijuana voter initiative adopted in the USA. This proposition was envisioned by San Francisco marijuana activist and owner of the San Francisco Cannabis Buyer’s Club, Dennis Peron, in memory of his partner, who smoked marijuana to help with symptoms of AIDS. Initially, California claimed its support for the legalization of medical marijuana by voting 80% in favor of Proposition P, the San Francisco medical marijuana initiative in 1991 (Baird 2011). Three California polls show a majority siding with Proposition 215, which would require only a ' 'doctor 's recommendation ' ' for marijuana use by patients with AIDS, cancer, glaucoma ' 'or any other illness for which marijuana provides relief (Goldberg 1996). ' ' A Field Poll ending Oct. 9, 1996 showed that 56 percent of those surveyed would vote for the measure, a private poll in the same period by the campaign for Proposition 215 found 57 percent supporting it, and a Los Angeles Times poll found 58 percent in favor. The opposition

Marijuana was legalized in California for adults 21 and up Tuesday, November 8th, 2016. 57% of voters said “yes” on proposition 64 while 43% of voters said “no”.

proposition, it is legal to smoke marijuana in a private home or at a business licensed for on-site

Proposition 64 addressed whether recreational marijuana should be legalized on a state level in California. Although both sides made strong arguments, the pro side won the majority of the votes in class as well as my vote. The pro side utilized the argument that the state is in massive debts and taxing on marijuana would bring in a billion dollars each year to help with funding, which gave their argument fiscal support. Additionally, they stated that this money would also go towards drug research programs and other beneficial programs, giving their side a moral justification on top of fiscal backing. They also further strengthened their moral argument by giving statistics comparing the number of deaths annually related to alcohol versus marijuana.

Having marijuana legalized would bring out a whole new smell to California neighborhoods. Proposition 64 allows the legalization of recreational use of marijuana to adults 21 and over, while changing the criminal penalty with marijuana related crimes. A problem happened before with proposition 19 in 2010 where many opposed the “Regulate, Control & Tax Cannabis Act.” The times have changed with the idea of marijuana being a “gateway drug” and the majority now are supporting for proposition 64 to pass.

The article I have chosen to critically analyze is mainly focused on the legalization of marijuana. I have a personal bias towards this topic since I am for the legalization and a marijuana activist. I also think the FDA should drop it from a schedule one drug which classifies it on the same level as heroin and implying there is no medical benefits when there is clear cut evidence that marijuana has medical benefits. I also hope to one day own my dispensary in Colorado which is ahead of California and has already legalized the recreational use of marijuana.

One of the greatest appeals of this law was the revenue that would be brought in from the sales of products of marijuana. Not only will the Commonwealth be able to implement an excise tax of 3.75%, there will also be an optional local sales tax of up to two percent of the total sales price by the retailer that will be directly applied to the city or town in which it was implemented. All revenue including state taxes, application and licensing fees, and civil fines will be placed in a Marijuana Regulation Fund and distributed for the usage of administrative fees, enforcement officials, and regulation staffing. Administrative fees will

"In any civilized society, it is every citizen 's responsibility to obey just laws. But at the same time, it is every citizen 's responsibility to disobey unjust laws." Martin Luther King Jr. Many people ask “why should marijuana be legalized”? when the real question that we should be asking is “why shouldn’t marijuana be legalized”?. Marijuana also known as hemp is a naturally grown plant that has been around for decades dating back to around 2697 B.C., when the Egyptians would use it to cure many common ailments, and the Chinese would use it for therapeutics. Using marijuana not only to cure common illnesses but for your pleasure as well should be up to you the free citizens of California and not to the government. The first major reason