Pubdate: Tue, 31 Mar 2009 Source: GSU Signal, The (GA Edu) Copyright: 2009 The GSU Signal Contact: http://www.gsusignal.com/letters/ Website: http://www.gsusignal.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1622 Author: Muriel Vega CAN MARIJUANA SAVE CALIFORNIA? Economic crisis, state deficit, foreclosures, and lay-offs; it's the same situation for every state around the country. California might have an ace under their sleeve though; a very controversial ace that is that might save California from its financial crisis: Marijuana. Pot is California's biggest cash crop, bringing in up to $14 million a year to the sunny state. Democrat assemblyman Tom Ammiano introduced the Marijuana Control, Regulation and Education Act last month in order to legalize pot and bring in some much needed revenue to the struggling state. It could be up to $1.3 billion a year, some state tax collectors estimate, if pot is legalized. Marijuana has been a controversial topic since decades ago. With anti-drug programs (remember the "this is your brain on drugs" commercial?) versus campaigns to legalize it, the battle has yet to be settled. In 1996, California was one of the first states to legalize medical marijuana and many states followed after, helping thousands of cancer patients relieve their pain in hopes of better quality of life. Why is now any different? I am not condoning drugs and their usage, but instead I am thinking of the millions of people who could lose their jobs, the children who could get a better education with the increase in funding, and of the time police would spend actually arresting dangerous people instead of doing pot raids. Legalizing pot could save the state thousands of arrests and up to $1 billion/yr in prison care for minor offenses. If the law passed, marijuana would be controlled similar to alcohol, for example, sold only to citizens over the age of 21 and sales taxes collected from retail sales. Opponents may say that we have enough legalized drugs out there and legalizing pot would only bring more social problems. Here's the thing though; regardless of whether they legalize it or not, people are still smoking pot and it's already creating mild social problems in our society. And I'm sorry if I sound a little crude but, the state might as well make some money from it. This brings us back to the era of Prohibition and alcohol. Social problems, deaths, and crime increased because of organized mobs providing alcohol illegally. People still tried to get it, no matter how difficult the government made it. Government legislation can only do so much to control its citizens because there are always going to be Al Capones out there to deal alcohol (in this case, pot) and sell it to the people who want it. In the end, prohibiting people from doing things will only make them want them more. It's basic human nature. The state is undergoing a serious crisis and legalizing pot could potentially help create new jobs, reduce crime, and even lure those pesky, hormonal teenagers away from pot. The pot will no longer be an object of desire because it is easily accessible and regulated by the state government. Yes, there are going to be cases of drug abuse and death. The same occurs with prescription pills, alcohol, and cigarettes. All we can do is tell people that they should use it in moderation and with caution, and in the case that they do abuse it, provide them with programs that can help them get back on track. I could make the argument that marijuana should be legalized and that would be it. But this legislation is so much more than that. The state of California should pass the act, not just for the sake of legalizing marijuana (which would be a giant step by itself), but for the sake of all those people at risk of losing their jobs and all those children at risk of losing their teachers, and for the sake of teaching other states that thinking outside the box and taking a risk can pay off in the end. I ended up paying $100 in fees, included in this semester's tuition, to help pay the state deficit. Why should I pay for the mistakes of those in the government? Why can't my government figure out a way to pay for these debts? I support California's innovation and willingness to take a risk. For the sake of our state, I sure hope Georgia is listening. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake