The November’s election marked the legalization of marijuana for recreational use in the Colorado and Washington. What is the situation in the two states? Have pot shops mushroomed in all localities within the two States? Are marijuana users smoking everywhere? The possession limit of marijuana has been put at one ounce for the adults over the age of 21. In Colorado, individuals are allowed to plant up to six plants for personal consumption. As for the commercial marijuana stores, they will have to wait till 2014 when they will be allowed to open up after the legislature comes up with the regulations regarding its use within the state. The legalization of marijuana possession by adults does not however mean that it can be smoked anywhere. Smoking in public spaces is still illegal. In Washington, the use of marijuana in public spaces and driving under the influence of marijuana is still illegal. In addition, the legal sales will have to wait for the Liquor Control Board to set a licensing system for the production and distribution of marijuana. The aim of this paper is to explore on how the federal government is going to handle the legalization of Marijuana in the Colorado and Washington states.
Accordingly, a majority of the residents in Colorado and Washington states proved their position of supporting marijuana use for recreational purposes through the ballot cast in November. It is however doubtful if the two states will be in a position to put into effect the newly passed rules. Under the federal Control of Substances Act, the consumption and distribution of marijuana is still illegal. The federal government may pursue a legal action to block the laws passed in the two states that legalize possession of marijuana by adults aged 21 years and over. A survey conducted through the YouGov however suggests that the move by the federal government is the least popular, though the poll conducted was inclined to enforcement of drugs to individuals as to an action aimed at blocking the state laws. The idea of exempting the users and dispensary that permit medical marijuana was more popular than that of those supporting legalization of marijuana for recreational purpose.
In this perspective, about fifty-eight percent respondents were in favor of exemptions from the federal law in the cases of medical marijuana use, while twenty-three percent opposed. As is asserted by the federal government can use its discretion to help shape the how the marijuana is manufactured and sold in Washington and Colorado, by way of imposing regulation by selective enforcement. The federal government should limit large scale production of marijuana. In addition, it should hinder the smooth promotion of marijuana by absolutely denying advertising of the drug. It is also workable for the federal government to crack down on the producers and retailers as have been done to medical marijuana dispensaries located in California and Colorado. reflects that regrouping of anti-pot lobby has begun, where they launched project SAM, for “Smart Approaches to Marijuana”. The aim is to stop the legalization movement by supporting that the United Sates can reduce the ills of prohibition such as racial disparity in arrests.
In a nutshell, the government has many ways of ensuring that mental health of the citizens remains unaffected by the consumption of marijuana given that it is legalized in Colorado and Washington. The various measures explored above can be put into place to enable the federal government handle the situation. It has been evidenced that, regardless of the legalization of the marijuana, it is possible to prevent it use at a large scale.
Works Cited
johnson, Gene . Marijuana Legalization: Opponents Regroup Following Washington, Colorado Votes . 9 January 2013. 14 January 2013
Kilmer, Beau. How Might the Federal Government React if States Legalize Marijuana. September 13 2012. 14 January 2013
