MARIJUANA NEEDS LEGALIZATION, REGULATION

According to a recent Associated Press article, gang-controlled
marijuana farms are increasing in number and sophistication throughout the U.S.

The March 1 article states that Mexican gangs have taken over these
mass marijuana-growing operations. It also states the gangs are
extorting and threatening migrant laborers in order to secure a cheap
labor force.

There are two major problems with this article. First, it throws down
the broad accusation that Mexican gangs are solely responsible for
the increase in the marijuana trade. It fails to examine any other
groups involved in marijuana drug-trafficking. Secondly, it fails to
propose any solutions to an increase in drug trafficking.

It seems like a simple fix is staring policy makers in the face. If
there is no profit in growing and selling marijuana, would anyone set
up acres of farm in remote forests in order to grow it? If marijuana
was legalized and regulated, the drug trade would take a serious hit
and lose much of its destructive influence.

Legalizing marijuana would allow state governments to set taxes on
its sale, just like alcohol and tobacco. Thus instead of spending
money on drug enforcement policies specific to marijuana, governments
would actually be able to generate revenue.

For that matter, it makes little sense that alcohol and tobacco
should be legal when both have negative health effects and are
addictive substances. Marijuana has health concerns associated with
it, of course, but are they truly more significant than the health
concerns of binge drinking and nicotine addiction?

Marijuana should be legalized because it would also decrease the
crime and extortion of migrant workers currently associated with the
drug trafficking business. If simple regulations such as setting an
age limit of 18 years old and prohibiting driving and operating heavy
machinery under the influence were enacted, marijuana would be on
the same playing field as alcohol and tobacco, right where it belongs.

If the state truly wants to end organized crime surrounding
marijuana, it should move control of the drug into their own hands
instead of waging a futile "war" to remove it from the landscape.

Sensible Washington, an advocacy group, is currently circulating a
petition in support of a state initiative to legalize marijuana.
Please, sign and support.

The Editorial Board is comprised of Editor in Chief Nicholas Johnson,
Managing Editor Katie Greene and Opinion Editor Tristan Hiegler.