HIGHS, LOWS OF CANNABIS ACT

Proposed Bill Could Generate $1.3 Billion, but Possible Risks Still
Have Some Uneasy

The Bill

The heated debate about marijuana use will be tested this November
when California voters go to the polls.

The Tax, Regulate and Control Cannabis Act of 2010 will allow
Californians to decide if marijuana should be legalized for
recreational use, according to the bill. The initiative intends to
allow only people 21 and over to use it recreationally, unless a
minor is using it for medical purposes.

The state Legislature would also be expected to pass laws to license,
control and tax commercial cannabis, according to the bill.

Local governments would also be in charge of "ordinances, the rules
and regulations of licensed businesses, appropriate zoning, permits,
licenses, safety and environmental laws to protect the general health
and welfare of the public," according to the initiative.

The minimum amount that the California government will tax is at
least $50 per ounce. All of the revenue generated would be used for
public education, public works, health care, environmental programs,
public works and state parks. The revenue from any violations of the
act would go toward the same organizations.

Such violations include the sale of cannabis outside of California,
prohibiting stores and businesses from selling marijuana, minors
using cannabis and operating a vehicle under the influence.

All people convicted of a marijuana-related offense before the
initiative passes would have their charges dropped. All state laws
regarding marijuana sales, possession, production and transportation
would be thrown out if the bill passes.

Smoking marijuana within 500 feet of a school or youth center, not
including a university or college, would be prohibited unless it is
used within a residence.

The initiative would also prohibit discrimination against those who
use marijuana.

No person shall be discriminated against regarding, but not limited
to, health care, education, employment, retirement and insurance, for
conduct by this act," according to the bill.

Marijuana would also be made available for scientific, medical,
industrial and research purposes.

If the initiative passes and marijuana becomes legal in California,
the federal government would still consider it illegal under the
Controlled Substances Act, said Willis Geer, a Chico State political
science professor. The attorney general could prosecute where they
see fit, while local enforcement would not be able to.

"It would be a huge courtroom battle," he said.

Arguments for Marijuana Legalization

Legalizing marijuana has a lot of benefits for the state, said
freshman Gabe Adley, vice president of the Chico State Republicans.
By taxing the drug, California would generate an estimated $1.3
billion. The federal government spends about $14 billion combating
drugs when they could reduce spending if marijuana is legalized in California.

"By legalizing marijuana, it would create jobs, pump money into the
economy and destroy the cartels," he said. "The money would be great,
but there need to be restrictions as well. People shouldn't be able
to just walk into a Kmart and buy a pack."

The Chico State Student Democratic Club also supports the initiative,
said senior Dylan Shelters, president of the club.

"We support the citizens' right to choose how marijuana should be
regulated," he said.

Though many may view the revenue given toward education and health
care as "drug money," taxing marijuana is a necessary evil, Adley
said. California has the opportunity to get out of debt in possibly
less than 10 years.

In Nevada, school systems aren't impacted by furlough days because
their state taxes casinos and prostitution," he said. "There aren't
any furloughs because of the millions of dollars that the state makes."

There are other drugs besides marijuana that are taxed and the money
is given to many organizations, Shelters said.

There is prescription drugs, herbal medicine, tobacco, alcohol, all
of which don't necessarily have a negative connotation," he said.
"Many people in society don't quite view them as bad as marijuana."

One great part of the initiative is that it allows various localities
to engage in economics, Shelters said. It doesn't force communities
to follow strict guidelines and may provide relief in other areas.

Since about 80 percent of marijuana-related arrests are non-violent,
California would have the opportunity to free up some of the
overcrowded prisons, Adley said.

"California would definitely benefit if the prisons were less cramped
as long as the prisoners go through the proper channels," he said.

Though alcohol laws require individuals to be 21 years old to drink,
people still find a way to get their hands on it anyway, Adley said.
Since many have been able to obtain marijuana even though it's
illegal, it should be legalized in order to have the opportunity to
tax it. Tobacco and alcohol are much more deadly than marijuana
because for marijuana, it's nearly impossible to overdose.

Arguments Against Legalizing Marijuana

Despite the possible help to the economy, there are some negative
aspects of the bill, Adley said.

The bill should have included more restrictions on marijuana use in
public places, he said. It should have also increased the penalties
for people who grow and distribute illegally in order to dodge taxes.

"It didn't include smoking in or around churches, daycares, parks or
municipalities," Adley said.

Smoking marijuana also has possible health risks, including reduced
sperm count and cancer, said senior Chris Thornton, a liberal studies major.

"There can be negative side effects with sexual reproduction and
memory loss," he said. "While it might not have as much as an
immediate side effect as alcohol, marijuana can be worse in the long run."

Ethics also plays a big role in the initiative, Thornton said.

"Many people view marijuana as just wrong," he said.

In a sense, the initiative can be viewed as promoting drug use,
Shelters said. However, it's tough to actually find out if there will
be an increase in drug use.

"It's a very hard subject to study and to quantify," he said.

More information on this topic can be found at the Chico Great Debate
on April 29 in the City Council Chambers.