Should marijuana be legalized? California voters can take their views to their local voting booth next month.
The percentage of Americans who consume cannabis is double the percentage of people who consume cannabis in Uruguay and the Netherlands, countries where selling and adult possession of marijuana is permitted.According to surveys conducted on YESon19.com, roughly 100 million Americans acknowledge that they have used cannabis.
Proposition 19, also known as the Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010, is a California ballot proposition, which will be on the November 2 state ballot.
It will allow people 21 years old or older to possess up to an ounce and be able to transport marijuana for personal use.
It also allows local governments to regulate and tax commercial production and sale of marijuana. Current prohibitions against driving while impaired would remain.
The state of California views marijuana as an answer for the state’s monetary problems.
Proposition 19’s advocates argue that California’s laws criminalizing cannabis (marijuana) failed and are due for reformation. They think that the bill will stop the arrest of thousands of non-violent marijuana consumers and will free up police resources, thus saving millions of dollars each year.
That money could be used to apprehend malicious criminals and keeping them incarcerated. Advocates also attest that if you tax and regulate marijuana, it will generate billions of dollars for the state and local governments to get out of financial debt.
State Treasurer Bill Lockyer said that the state now has $77.8 billion in outstanding obligation bonds and an additional $42.8 billion in authorized but unissued bonds.
The state of California will find a way to generate funds to pay back the federal government.
Opponents of Prop 19 argue that the initiative omits any definition of what constitutes being “under the influence” of marijuana.
Marijuana has serious harmful effects on the skills necessary to drive safely. It affects alertness, the ability to concentrate, coordination, and the ability to react quickly. Marijuana use can make it difficult to judge distances and react to signals and sounds on the road.
Marijuana will never completely be off the streets, so why not come up with an innovative plan to make money off it.
If citizens did not use marijuana before, this bill is not directing them to use the plant. This is a bill that allows users to smoke small amounts of marijuana without being unduly harassed by law enforcement officials.