IN MASS., IT'S A 'GREEN' BALLOT

These days it seems like marijuana is causing tax payers to lose more
money than brain cells.

It is estimated that by decriminalizing possession of less than a gram
of weed, 30 million dollars in tax payer money will be saved. Twelve
states have already joined the clam bake, by creating similar laws;
Massachusetts may be the next.

When the ballots are unfolded in a couple of weeks, people across
America will be casting an extremely important presidential vote. In
Massachusetts, voters will additionally have one of the most
historically controversial decisions to make, legalizing weed.

By voting "Yes" on question 2, you will be agreeing that holding less
than a gram of marijuana should be treated more like a parking ticket
than a triple homicide. While the proposition will in no way totally
legalize marijuana, this is the first step on the stairway to 4:20
heaven.

As college students, who have an incredible pull of voting power in
our favor, we have the chance to make this a reality. This whole issue
is not about having the right to get high or fighting traditional
values. The subject at hand is about our lives. It's about protecting
our futures from miniscule actions with extreme punishments. We are at
an age which makes us the most prone to making mistakes (take it from
me.)

Law enforcement has put a target on each of our backs, and is
constantly marring our records with its sour judicial power. Police
should be out stopping violence and keeping the community safe, not
busting some couch potato with a dime bag. The most damage a stoned
individual is really going to produce is damage to a bag of chips.

Medical purpose is also an important driver in making this decision.
As cancer cases rise per year, medical marijuana has become a proven
staple in easing the pain of its countless ailments. The drug can help
ignite an appetite and eliminate Chemo-induced nausea. I feel that
denying these individuals this form of treatment is fraud and corrupt
injustice. Marijuana can make a world of difference in reducing the
already tremendous suffering cancer and HIV/AIDS patients must undergo.

The opposition to decriminalizing weed does not understand its use and
effects. For years we have been force fed data that marijuana is the
most prevalent gateway drug, and that it has menacing, brain-damaging
effects. Of course marijuana causes brain damage. So does jogging, and
listening to music. The gateway drug claim is equally skewed, because
anybody that is foolish enough to smoke crack or shoot heroin probably
doesn't even consider marijuana a drug. The bottom line here is that
it is other circumstances that lead to heavy drug use, not weed.

Opponents fail to recognize how many legal substances are much more
dangerous than weed. Alcohol for instance claims over 100,000 deaths
each year. I dare you to find me a statistic that shows marijuana
related death being anywhere close to that number. Some even argue
that there are none. Unlike alcohol, weed is impossible to overdose on
and does not commonly induce violence or rage. Currently you can
receive a DUI for driving drunk, if weed were legal it could be
enforced the same way, for safety's sake.. Clearly, marijuana is safer
than alcohol, but its rattled reputation makes it almost an impossible
subject to argue.

The issue of weed dealing will still be heavily enforced even if this
law is passed, but in the long run this should be where the government
benefits. In our time of economic crisis I feel that it would be
mutually beneficial for marijuana to become a consumer product.
Removing law enforcement from weed related crime would save millions
of dollars. On top of that, if treated the same way as alcohol, with
the same laws and enforcement, the government would be making money

Although the prospect of marijuana becoming a household product is a
liberal wet dream, the day will most likely never arrive. There is a
popular saying that "rules are meant to be broken" and for this
situation may always have to be. As members of the "millennial"
generation, we have the power to take a step away from the right
trapping confines of the law.

This is our first major chance to put action behind our image and
prove we are truly passionate in seeking a positive change in our
country. The power and voice we possess during an election that will
forever stand out in history is colossal. In Massachusetts, while we
are at it, we might as well take an added stand and give marijuana a
chance.

Matthew Broderick is a Collegian columnist.