Should Marijuana Be Legal?

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

been passed in certain states for the use of the recreational drug. However, marijuana is not just a

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

Cannabis, also known as Marijuana, has been used by humans throughout history for medical, recreational, as well as spiritual purposes. Its fiber, oil, and seed are also refined into products such as hemp oil, wax, rope, cloth, and paper (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 2013, para. 1). With 56% voters overwhelming supported for medical cannabis, California became the first state in the United States to pass Prop 215 in 1996 ensuring the patients and their primary caregivers to “have the right to obtain and use marijuana for medical purpose” (California Department of Public Health, 2013, Text of Law section, para. 1).

“According to the Colorado Department of Revenue, the regulated marijuana market generated more than $156 million in state tax revenue and license fees in FY 2015-2016.” (The Impact of Legalization in Colorado,2017). The amount recognized in the quote was not including local taxes. The taxes generated from recreational marijuana use can be used for the state of Colorado to spend on many valuable things in the state. Such as schools, public transportation, or natural parks. This benefits the economy by creating more money for the state to spend and putting more money into circulation.

Proposition 64 had similar attempts with proposition 19 and 215 in having related marijuana being legalized or only for medical purposes. The supporting groups such as; NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws), democratic

California's Proposition 215 was the first statewide medical marijuana voter initiative adopted in the USA. The passing of Prop 215 by a 56% majority of California voters in November, 1996, resulted in the addition of The Compassionate Use Act to the California Health and Safety Code which reads as follows:

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.

On November 9, 2016 proposition 64 known as marijuana, was legalized with a rate of around "56% to 44%" (Steinmetz) of votes. In the Times newspaper opinionated article, “What to Know About Marijuana Legalization in California,” by Katy Steinmetz she explained complicated details of the legalization. She clarified the importance of “where can marijuana be consumed,” “growing pot plants inside your house,” and “what happens if I smoke or ingest marijuana and drive” (Steinmetz). Katy Steinmetz publicly advises her readers, so that individuals could be well informed about the drug. However, marijuana can become a bad habit, it is unsafe, and an excuse to later on using other dangerous drug as well. Consuming or smoking

November,8, 2016 the ballots were dispersed and votes were submitted. Question four on the ballot was known as the “The Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act.” The numbers came in and beginning December 15, 2016 in Massachusetts, individuals above the age of twenty-one will now be able to legally purchase, possess, cultivate, and use marijuana, with limitations on quantity, for recreational and medicinal use under the statutes of the state laws. While the prohibition of marijuana in Massachusetts has ended, many new movements must now begin to maintain, regulate, and pursue a positive outcome. With other states that have already passed such laws, such as Colorado, Massachusetts will begin to piggyback off their models. Developing a system that will hopefully come to fruition of all the possibilities and benefits this new law has promised.

At last count 64% of the Nevada population support recreational legalization of marijuana. The medical market there is already active and growing.

Marijuana is usually smoked as a joint (rolled with paper) or in a pipe. Marijuana can also be consumed, but

Proposition 205 was on the November 2016 ballot in the state of Arizona allowing voters to decide whether or not marijuana should be legalized. The major arguments behind bringing legal recreational marijuana to Arizona consist of legalization denting the black market, affecting people similarly to alcohol, and the obvious: helping schools. Legalization is predicted by the Arizona Joint Legislative Budget Committee to “take in $30 million three years after Prop. 205 passes… not enough to buy a single textbook for every Arizona student,” (Bennet). Pro-legalization commercials tote that marijuana taxes would bring in more than $55 million for schools, when in actuality the $55 million number is the total tax revenue for the entire state. This commercial used a fallacious argument to coerce and mislead voters into passing Proposition 205 – and potentially allowing the state to fall into a similar situation as Colorado, where the Denver school superintendent contends that “’The only thing that the legalization of marijuana has brought to our schools has been marijuana,’” (Sanchez). Arizona missed legalization, and facing the same fate that Colorado public schools face this election year: Proposition 205 did not

Recreational Marijuana is legal in eight states. In Alaska, adults 21 and over can light it up. California, which legalized medical pot in 1996, became even more friendly with the drug in 2016 when it made it legal to use and carry up to an ounce of Marijuana.