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.