PROPOSITION 19: JUST SAY NOW TO MARIJUANA

On November 2, Californians will vote on the legality of
marijuana.

A majority of "yes" votes to Proposition 19 will legalize the use of
marijuana by those over the age of 21 at home and in licensed
businesses, the possession of up to an ounce of marijuana, and the
taxation of the sale of marijuana by local governments within the
state who deem the sale to be acceptable. At the same time, the status
of laws regarding the use of marijuana in situations such as the
operation of a motor vehicle would not change.

The debate surrounding the legalization of marijuana within California
has burned and spread more rapidly than a forest fire, as judgement
day rapidly approaches. At the centre of the debate are two
organizations going by the creative titles of "Yes to Proposition 19"
and "No to Proposition 19." Upon investigation of both groups'
websites, I was immediately repulsed by the image arising from that of
the "No to Proposition 19" faction.

Set on a black backdrop is the image of a car crash involving a school
bus, along with a caption describing a set of consequences of the
legalization of marijuana which will ensure California's impending
doom.

This type of fear-mongering tactic is typical within arguments against
marijuana. "If you legalize marijuana, a sea of deranged drug addicts
will invade your city, run you over with their cars, and convert your
children to the drug while you are crippled in the hospital." Jerry
Brown, the Democratic candidate for governor of California, was even
quoted as stating, "We've got to compete with China. And if
everybody's stoned, how the hell are we going to make it?" This type
of lunacy is a clear example of the demented view these individuals
have of government's role in society.

These individuals are fighting for a California that is essentially a
large family, where the government is an overbearing and intrusive
father; and the citizens merely helpless children who rely on their
father's knowledge to make the "right" decisions.

Although precedent has demonstrated that it is likely marijuana use -
in general or while driving - would not increase with the legalization
of the drug, this is largely irrelevant. The use of sense-impairing
substances before or while driving is not something the government can
control, regardless of the substances' legality.

Responsible substance use relies on the individual's will. By claiming
that marijuana should not be legalized because of the possibility of
an increase in marijuana-related motor vehicle accidents, the "no"
campaign essentially admits that they don't have faith in the
populace's competence. Furthermore, by this logic, proponents of No to
Prop 19 would also support a ban on alcohol.

History - and the failure of the "War on Drugs" - have shown us just
how well taking away the right to substances works.

The people deserve the right to use marijuana legally.

The countless economic, social, and security benefits of giving the
populace this right only makes the argument stronger.

Fortunately, they have the ability to make this right legitimate.
Proposition 19 is a monumental tribute to what democracy should be:
the people in control of their own laws. Not a small group of
out-of-date lawmakers, but the people themselves. Whether the "yes"
campaign is victorious or not, democracy will be.