Introduction
California was the first State to establish a medical marijuana program which was enacted by proposition 215 and Senate Bills 420 in 1996 and 2003 respectively. History of Marijuana in California consists of a number of cultural, legal and legislative events revolving on the use and possession of the same. This bill enabled people with AIDS, cancer and chronic illness to use marijuana provided it is recommended by doctors. In the year 2009, marijuana control, regulation and education act was introduced and approved by the Assembly Public Committee and it was targeted to remove penalties by the State laws for cultivation, possession and use of marijuana by people who are 21 years and older. However, the legislation failed to reach the assembly flow, and plans to reintroduce it failed when the preposition 19 lost by 46% to 54%. Nevertheless, the State Senate Bill 1449 reduced the charges of possession with $ 100 and no compulsory court appearance or criminal record (California Times), Don't Legalize Marijuana.
Many proponents of the legislation agree with the legalization of marijuana since it will help to reduce the criminal activities which are associated with its cultivation, possession and use. In fact it has been estimated by Judge James Gray, a celebrated California Judge that when the State will finally agree to legalize marijuana, it will eliminate arrests, prosecutions and imprisonment of non-violent offenders and in doing so the State will save on about $ 1 billion every year. In addition, as noted by the Time, California tax collectors have estimated that legalization of the bill would raise revenue for the state, approximately, $ 1.3 billion every year. In this regard, this bill when legalized the State will be able to deal well with the 2008-2010 California budget crisis because it will be able to regulate and tax the marijuana sales at $ 50 for every ounce.
Since many people are already struggling with alcohol and drug abuse, legalization of the marijuana in California will make the problems caused by mild altering substances of its kind worse. The critics also believe that legalizing marijuana will cause the same kinds of problems like those of alcohol and tobacco and this will put more pressure on law enforcers due to increased social ills. In addition, neighbouring states will feel uncomfortable with legalization of marijuana, since it will lead to a lot of ill cash and maybe dope following increase in social ills.
I think the criminal marijuana ban is a failure because from 1965 about 20 million people have been arrested for marijuana offenses. Therefore the time for the state to rectify the criminal prohibition and replace it with a good system of legalization, regulation, taxation and education is now. Since the legalization of marijuana will allow cities and counties within California State to cultivate, transport and sell marijuana, the State will be able to tax the commodity and this will raise revenue. Moreover, when marijuana is legalized it will help the police to deal with more serious offenses like undercutting Mexican drug cartels and looking for ways to stop teenagers from buying marijuana.
In conclusion, it is important for the State to legalize the marijuana cultivation, possession and use because through this the state will be in position of increasing the revenue. Moreover, when the marijuana use is legalized, the law enforcers will be able to deal with more serious problems.
Work Cited
California Times, "Don't Legalize Marijuana", January 28, 2010.
