The Legalization Of Marijuana In California. To Recreationally

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

Marijuana use is on the rise, especially among teenagers and young adults. With the recent laws passed in eight states about legalizing medical marijuana , many stand divided when it comes to this never ending debate, but I firmly believe that this miracle working drug should be legalized throughout the United States.

Cannabis is a popular topic amongst teens, adults and medical doctors these days. Cannabis, also known as marijuana, pot, weed and hash can be quite controversial across America, since you have those who disapprove and those who condone its use. You might know someone who uses it, or maybe you have even tried it before. They say more than 1 in 3 people in America have tried marijuana at one point in their lives (Web MD). As of 2017, 29 states plus the District of Columbia have legalized medical marijuana to some extent (Healthline). Recreational use of marijuana has been legalized in 8 states, with the age restriction being 21 years or older (CNN).

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).

On January 1st the states of Colorado and Washington officially began the regulation of legal marijuana sales. Thousands of people from all over the country including tourists from Wisconsin, Ohio, Chicago, and even Georgia lined up out front of dispensaries to make a purchase. Recreational marijuana is being regulated and monitored like alcohol; you must be at least 21 years old to make a purchase. The drug, which is controversial in many states’ legislations, is currently legal for medical use in 20 states, but Colorado and Washington were the first to approve of recreational use (Healy). The geographical concepts involved in the legalization of marijuana include migration, movement and flow, and private/public space.

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.

2012 - Colorado and Washington legalized recreational marijuana for adults 21 years of age and older.

In 1996 the first law for legalizing weed was in effect. Proposition 215 also known as the California Compassionate Use Act. This proposition allows patients to posses and cultivate marijuana. for their medical reasons. They were allowed to do so after being recommended and approved by a California licensed

Cannabis dispensaries and medical marijuana licenses have become more and more commonplace in California in recent years. Because recreational use of marijuana is not let legal in the state of California like it is in Colorado, only those who have a medical marijuana license can buy weed legally in The Golden State. Here’s how to obtain a Medical Marijuana Identification Card (MMIC):

· New Recreational Marijuana Law: passed under prop 64 in 2016. Legalized marijuana under state law for those over 21 years of age for “recreational” use. The law allows these adults to grow, use, and possess marijuana for “nonmedical” use. It is regulated locally and includes state taxes on sale and growth of marijuana for businesses supplying non-medical marijuana. State tax revenue would be funneled into supporting communities and organizations such as youth outreach, drug treatment, and law enforcement (Proposition

Washington and Colorado were the first two states in America that allowed the sale of marijuana to its residents over the age of 21. According to Bushan, "Both states found previous marijuana regulatory laws to be an inefficient use of law enforcement resources that could be better utilized by targeting violent crimes instead" (192). This means that these states have decided that using resources on relatively minor marijuana-related offenses could be put to better use. So far, legalization seems to be working in the states favors. According to drugpolicy.org, the rate of low-level offenses have lowered while tax revenue increased. Since 2012, Oregon, California, Nevada, Alaska, Maine, and Massachusetts have also legalized recreational

Despite my traditional liberal stance, I personally don't think that the legalization of marijuana in California would be the best idea. To be fair, I don’t think other drugs such as tobacco and alcohol should be legal either but let’s focus on the cons of legal marijuana. In the article, “Is Legalizing Marijuana a Dopey Idea?”, Ella Jameson indicates that marijuana tempers with your memory processing and emotions. This is alone a crucial detail when noting the majority of users are still adolescents in school. Secondly, Jameson mentions the changing attitudes towards people who smoke marijuana, implying that students like Jordan will find it really easy to justify how much they use, leading to mental addiction and abuse. Thirdly, the

Current California law makes possessing up to an ounce or less of marijuana a civil infraction like a speeding ticket. The more weed you have, the greater the penalty. Some localities are more strict in their enforcement than others. For example, the city of Merced banned the sale and cultivation of all weed including medical marijuana. The ban does not go into effect immediately, but will be enforced by the end of the month.

"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

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.