Pubdate: Thu, 08 Nov 2012
Source: Central Florida Future (U of Central Florida, FL Edu)
Copyright: 2012 Central Florida Future
Contact: http://www.centralfloridafuture.com/write-the-editor
Website: http://www.centralfloridafuture.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3300

MARIJUANA GETS A FAIR CHANCE

While Tuesday's presidential election gained the expected national media 
buzz for most of the evening, a lesser-known but substantive victory 
took place in the Midwest: Colorado became the first state to legalize 
cannabis for recreational use. After failing in 2006, a remodeled 
Amendment 64 found success and will pave the way for a new system that 
allows for the taxation and regulation of marijuana similar to alcohol. 
When compared even with Amsterdam's marijuana regulation, Amendment 64 
truly is groundbreaking on an international scale.

Marijuana has a rocky history in the United States, one predicated on
fear tactics employed by the Drug Enforcement Agency. Theories of
addiction and pot's "gateway drug" potential have all been debunked.
Modern research abounds, touting the benefits of cannabis use to
alleviate everything from mild headaches to severe pain caused by
multiple sclerosis and a slew of other conditions in between. The
irony of such fervent legal resistance is that marijuana is something
we as humans have always partaken in and viewed as a positive
influence. From its inclusion in various religious rituals to evidence
that cannabis was Shakespeare's muse, marijuana usage dates back to as
early as 3000 B.C. Not only does marijuana provide health benefits,
but environmental ones as well. Hemp as a crop can be grown to create
fibers and rope that are much more durable for use in various
industries. This material can be used to create clothing, textiles,
paper, an alternative to pl! astic composites and even building
construction material such as fiber insulation. Its possibilities are
literally endless, and it could help phase out so many materials that
are not biodegradable and that require wasteful production methods
that pollute the environment. The legalization of marijuana in
Colorado is also projected to bring the state anywhere from $5 million
to $21 million in revenue annually.

The best part about Amendment 64: the term "recreational." Residents
of Colorado who are of age can obtain marijuana and simply enjoy it
for recreational use. There is a strange double standard that exists
currently in this country, one that sends the message that marijuana
usage is taboo and that smoking weed is damaging to your brain, your
motivation and your future. However, alcohol is a completely
acceptable vice to indulge in occasionally or even heavily on certain
occasions, despite the overwhelming evidence that alcohol consumption
is so much more detrimental to one's body.

A preliminary poll taken early last year found that 41 percent of
Floridians would vote yes for an amendment legalizing medical
marijuana in Florida, and another 17 percent stated they would
probably vote yes, which would be nearly enough for a majority win.
Unfortunately, the measure failed to garner support in the Florida
Congress in May of last year.

With so many benefits, it's difficult to understand why there is
opposition about its legalization. As is the case with anything in the
political spectrum, one only needs to follow the money to understand
why the war on pot is profitable for other industries, such as alcohol
companies and private prison companies like Corrections Corp. of
America. That's right: There is a private company that exists to
benefit from individuals being incarcerated for the nonviolent crime
of smoking marijuana.

Colorado's new amendment may, however, be met with resistance from the
federal government. DEA administrators have begun to put pressure on
the U.S. Department of Justice, namely Attorney General Eric Holder to
release a statement of opposition in response to Colorado's amendment.
President Barack Obama's record on marijuana dispensary crackdown
exceeds that of President George W. Bush, with more than 170 SWAT team
raids in nine different states, resulting in more than 60 federal
indictments since 2009.

While it may be a long uphill battle, legalization and safe regulation
of marijuana is feasible in the United States. Citizens must let their
state representatives know that legalization of marijuana is what they
want, and state legislators need to recognize the financial,
environmental and medical benefits to be reaped from it.
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MAP posted-by: Matt