Proposition 64 Research Paper

The topic of legalizing recreational marijuana in the United States has been a very controversial one. States such as Colorado and Washington have gone on the offensive and have legalized recreational marijuana and have enjoyed the high revenues brought in from cannabis sale. On the other hand other states have kept low profiles because they are wary of the possible negative outcomes of legalizing recreational marijuana and are using the states of Colorado and Washington as guinea pigs to see what their next course of action on this controversial topic should be. This is not only a highly debated topic among politicians, but also by the people. According to a poll conducted by the Pew Research Center 52% of Americans

In 1996, California voters passed the Compassionate Use Act, which allowed for the cultivation and usage of marijuana for limited medical purposes. The proposition was the statewide ballot on the issue of medical marijuana which had been passed. It was enacted with 55% of the population in favor, 45% opposed, a fact which in and of itself

This testimony is in regards to Bill HB 2107 (Lucio III), currently referred to the House Committee on Public Health (C410) for review. This bill relates to authorizing the possession, use, cultivation, distribution, transportation, and delivery of medical cannabis for medical use by qualifying patients with certain debilitating medical conditions and the licensing of dispensing organizations and testing facilities; authorizing fees.

Marijuana in the United States has been a big issue for decades dating back to when it was first made illegal in 1937. Using scare tactics, propaganda, and false facts, the government decided to classify the plant as a schedule one drug along with substances such as ecstasy, LSD, and heroin. Marijuana has since become a more common and socially acceptable (Not by the government) drug in recent years. This past year Colorado, Washington, and Oregon had decided to vote on the issue of legalizing marijuana for recreational use. Focusing on Colorado, Amendment 64 passed on November 6th, 2012 which would legalize the possession of up to an ounce of the plant.

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.

In the 2012 Oregon general election Oregonians narrowly defeated Ballot Measure 80, The Oregon Cannabis Act when 55 percent of registered voters voted no. Measure 80 would have allowed unlicensed adults the right to personal cultivation, and use of marijuana as well as allow commercial marijuana cultivation and sale to adults through state-licensed stores. Currently, marijuana cultivation, possession, and delivery are prohibited except for approved medical conditions. After the election The Oregonian newspaper published an editorial written by The Oregonian Editorial Board stating Oregon lawmakers should legalize the

The purpose of the research is to determine the opinions of Californians about the issue of marijuana, both with respect to whether it should be legalized, and if so, how should such legalization be implemented.

The Legalization of Marijuana in the state of Arizona has been under fire for the past several years. Ever since 2010 when Prop 203, which called the right to have a medical marijuana card in the state, arose it caused a stir in society on which to allow marijuana to be legal. The ballot for the state is set in November and as we approach the deadline many people are coming out with their takes on the issue. The legalization of marijuana has many positive and negative effects on society that make it a tough decision for many voters. Marijuana has been a commonly used medication for thousands of years, the oldest written record of the use of marijuana is 2727 B.C.E. in china, up until 2003 when marijuana was classified as a Schedule 1 controlled substance by the Controlled Substance Act which prohibited use and sale of the substance. This act caused major controversy and sparked many scientific experiments that are still going on today to try to understand the drug.

Proposition 64 permitted adults 21 years or older to have and utilize cannabis for recreational purposes. The measure made two new assessments, one required on the development and the other on retail cost. Income from the taxes will be spent on medication research, treatment, and requirement, wellbeing and security stipends tending to cannabis, youth programs, and keeping natural harm coming about because of unlawful cannabis creation.

Both will legalize the sale, possession, and private cultivation of marijuana got personal use, while the tax act aims to put money in state coffers by putting a levy on the sale of cannabis hemp products.” California is the lead pursuer for the new ballot. “California would levy taxes that state board says could raise $1.3 billion or more a year for the deficit-plagued state, while saving tens of millions in prison and law enforcement costs. Sponsors of the ballot issue have tuned in 690,161 signatures on petitions for verification, far more than the 433,971 valid required to get on the ballot.” “Even the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime, in its latest World Drug Report, says people should not be incarcerated for simple possession of drugs. The report comes close to endorsing the ‘creative approach’ where possession for personal use triggers administrative penalties instead of criminal prosecution.” Millions of Americans, who smoke marijuana with little negative impact on society, are threatened by a climate where the penalties for engaging in marijuana use are too severe. “The new ballot measure would allow anyone over 21 to buy, possess, se or cultivate marijuana. It would bar personal possession of more than one ounce as well as smoking the drug in public or around minors; [ultimately a step in the right direction]” (McKinley).

In the last few years there have been a few propositions to legalize Cannabis here in California. In 2009 the Marijuana Control, Regulation and Education Act was introduced to California legislators. The Act was to “remove penalties under

The main goal pursued by the legalization policies is to convert marijuana in a tradable commodity, under similar conditions and treatment given to alcohol and tobacco. In this sense, the policy approach is mainly directed to market development. The full legalization of cannabis in Colorado, Washington, Oregon and Alaska (as well as the district of Columbia), is a recent phenomenon that started in 2012. In all cases the process was triggered by ballot system, following the path inaugurated by California in 1996 where the medical use of cannabis was approved (Anderson and Rees, 2014). However, in some states like Oregon and Alaska, the process have started earlier with two previous failed attempts, where the same proposition was defeated by ballot system.

Marijuana usage is a topic that has been discussed for some time now but the recent medical and recreational legalization of this drug has brought about a new area of unchartered territory. The business industry will have to revise many of their employment and safety requirements. After viewing some current policies many businesses are likely to be forced to established new protocols for intra and inner state practices. There are many types of complications as to why the marijuana usage laws should stay at the federal level and not within the state.

Marijuana has become one of the most controversial drugs in America. Ever since its cultivation began around 1611, marijuana has puzzled people with its effects. Many question marijuana?s classification as a schedule one drug. A schedule one drug is one that has a high potential for abuse and no medicinal value. Some argue that the war on drugs, in particular marijuana, has cost taxpayers billions and is wasting funds that could be used on more important tasks such as improving transportation or education. As drug arrests rise, so do the populations in state prisons. This has become an immediate problem with no real solution. The legalization of possessing small amounts of marijuana can contribute positively to the medical and

"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