Pubdate: Mon, 26 Apr 2010 Source: Sidelines, The (Middle Tennessee State U, TN Edu) Copyright: 2010 The Sidelines Contact: http://www.mtsusidelines.com/contact Website: http://www.mtsusidelines.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2861 Author: Krissy Mallory STATE EXPECTS $1.4 BILLION FROM MARIJUANA Californians Could Vote To Legalize Its Use Marijuana legalization will be on California's ballot this November. The state is faced with a $20 billion deficit. Advocates for legalization in California expect that legalizing, regulating and taxing marijuana will raise $1.4 billion for the state. If the law passes, it will be legal for those at least 21 years old to possess or use marijuana. It would only be legal to possess up to an ounce. Driving while under the influence, usage in front of minors and drug possession on school grounds would be prohibited. I daresay I'm not alone in thinking that not only California's economy but also our nation's economy could use a bit of stimulation. This year, the national drug control budget is $15 billion. The Office of National Drug Control Policy has requested $15.5 billion for 2011. This budget includes funds for community law enforcement, rehabilitation programs and preventative measures, such as advertising campaigns. It does not include the amount spent each year to imprison drug offenders. Of course, with the legalization of marijuana, not all of this would be saved due to efforts to deter more serious drugs, such as cocaine and heroine, but a substantial amount would be saved. The National Drug Control Strategy Data Supplement released from the White House in 2009 documented more than 14 million drug related arrests in 2007. Marijuana possession accounted for nearly 6 million of these arrests. The time spared by law enforcement by not arresting people for marijuana possession could be spent devoted to things that pose a greater threat to civilians. Opponents of the movement argue that the legalization of marijuana would generate more users. In a study released in the American Journal of Public Health in 2004 that compared marijuana usage in San Francisco to usage in Amsterdam, where the possession of cannabis is decriminalized, decriminalization did not raise the amount of users. In Amsterdam, 38 percent of survey participants had not smoked marijuana in the past year, while 32 percert of participants in San Francisco hadn't. The study, The Limited Relevance of Drug Policy: Cannabis in Amsterdam and in San Francisco, surveyed 4,364 individuals who had smoked at least 25 times in their lifetime. The survey also revealed that fewer people had used more severe drugs, such as cocaine, crack, amphetamines, ecstasy and opiates, in Amsterdam than in San Francisco. This could be because those purchasing marijuana legally stand less of a risk of being exposed to other drugs that illegal dealers may sell. Cannabis legalization at a state level would raise a new issue: the inconsistency of state law versus federal law. This issue was recently called to attention after a medical marijuana grower in Denver was federally charged with illegal cultivation, though he was insistent that he was compliant with state laws. According to the Denver Post, federal prosecutors said the grower, Chris Bartkowicz, had more plants than the state law allowed. Prosecutors also pointed out that federal law trumps state law regardless of Bartkowicz's compliance with state legislation. Federal interference with state law could increase with legalized possession in California. If California legalizes marijuana, it could be the beginning of new legislation in other states. Since California became the first state to legalize medical marijuana in 1996, 14 states have followed. In November, Californians will make their opinions known. Until then, national groups that support legalization will encourage others to donate to their cause - $4.20 at a time. - ----------------------------------------------- Krissy Mallory is a senior majoring in journalism and Spanish. - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart