Legal Marijuana: Perhaps a Stoner's Throw Away in California

     On the California 2010 ballot, voters will have the option to vote for or against Proposition 19, the proposition to legalize recreational use of marijuana throughout the state. As of right now, there is no clear way to determine what the outcome of this election will be. Both those who oppose the substance legalization and those who support have fair arguments, making the division on prop 19 very close.
     Those in favor of legalizing Marijuana see its ratification as a means to increase state-revenue. If the drug were to become legal, people over the age of 21(the same legal drinking age in California) could possess up to one ounce of marijuana for personal use. Californians could grow marijuana gardens that measure up to 25 square feet on their private properties. Should prop 19 pass, cities and counties would be responsible for   deciding  whether to allow sales and taxation of marijuana within their boundaries. Some argue that it would limit crime because people would be growing the marijuana legally. Finally, in regards to the argument for prop 19, is the idea that drug trafficking and violence would decrease in the boarder towns of Mexico. For years, Mexico has been advised to legalize marijuana because it would allow for government control of its production, and decrease the activities of drug lords and the crazy boarder violence. If California were to pass prop 19, then there would not be as big of an issue with boarder control because supply and demand would make it so that cities such as LA and San Diego would no longer be fueling the illegal drug trafficking from Mexico. The president of Mexico asks for  there to be international drug regulation, and the passing of prop 19 could indeed help support this.

This poster implies that Prop 19 could be part of  a peaceful solution to the drug wars in Mexico

     On the opposite end of the spectrum, people argue that passing Prop 19 will increase crime rates in California. It is argued that car accidents would increase with an increased amount of citizens driving under the influence of the drug. Others argue that it would be difficult to prevent people from being high in the workplace. Morally, people argue that it is not a good message to be sending to children and young adults to make this drug legal. Some feel that prop 19 will promote drug abuse. Some say that it is sinful to use a sinful substance to earn money for the state.People also fear that it will create issues with the illegal smuggling of drugs to other states. It this becomes an issue, then it could become a national problem with interstate commerce.
     There is much debate surrounding prop 19 and it remains one of the more controversial topics on the November 2nd ballot. Candidates from both the Republican and Democratic parties are opposed to its validation. Perhaps they fear persecution from those strongly opposed to the issue. I remain neutral on the topic. I do not support drug abuse, and I do not support the younger generations of California getting mixed messages about drug use. But I also feel that if it were to be legalized, it would need to be treated like alcohol, and have laws enforced just like alcohol abuse. There would need to be serious traffic laws, age qualifications, and workplace authorities set up. I feel that there does need to be an end to the drug wars in Mexico, because the violence has gotten out of hand and is devastating. I feel that if prop 19 can help put an end to drug wars, than it is worth considering passing. I understand that it is immoral to condone drug use in order to collect revenue through taxation. With all of this being said, it is understandable that  recent polls indicate that the vote is pretty evenly divided. Hopefully whatever happens, young ones will know that drug free is the way to be.