Initiative 502 is a law that has been passed in Washington legalizing some parts of marijuana. This means that people are allowed to grow the drug if they have permits. Individuals are allowed to carry some amounts of the drug as long as they are over 21 years of age. This research paper will evaluate the negative effects of legalizing marijuana to other states.
With the legalization, control of drug use in other states will be difficult. Since people are allowed to travel, people from Washington will be arrested in other states having been found in possession of marijuana. Many people from other states will use the drug and claim that they come from Washington. Therefore, control of the drug in other states will become difficult with this move.
There will be conflicts between the people in other states and their state government. Those who support legalization of marijuana will now have the courage of demonstrating demanding legalization of the same in their state. This pressure from the citizens will interfere with the other activities of the state government. The government will have difficulties trying to convince their citizens that legalization of marijuana is dangerous to the state (Wilson, 212).
Provision of healthcare is mainly the responsibility of the federal government. It is important to note that marijuana has negative effects to the health of people. With the legalization, marijuana health related problems would increase in Washington. This is because the law will attract more users of the drug. It is obvious that the tax collected from marijuana users and producers cannot fully subsidize the healthcare costs of the victims. The federal government will have to channel more funds to Washington. The results of this are that other states will experience reduced healthcare funds. There will be a need to increase healthcare funds to Washington, which will negatively affect the provision of healthcare services to other states. Other states may find people from Washington seeking medical attention in their states, which will lower the healthcare standards in these states (Duke, 317).
Works cited
Wilson, James Q, and Joan Petersilia. Crime and marijuana use. New York: Oxford University Press, 2011. Print.
Duke, Steven B, and Albert C. Gross. America's Longest War: Rethinking Our Tragic Crusade against Drugs. S.l.: E-reads, 1999. Print.
