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Fresno State's student-run newspaper

The Collegian

Fresno State's student-run newspaper

The Collegian

@issue: Should marijuana be legalized?

To view Mike Boylan’s response to this article click here.

In November, Californians will have the grand opportunity to reduce crime and prison costs, create jobs and reduce police corruption. This can be done by voting in favor of AB 2254, the proposition to “decriminalize” marijuana in the state of California.

This is a perfect time for the our state to enter the drug dealing business. If you’re in dire straits, what else can you do?

In spite of having some of the highest tax rates in the nation, California spends money like Lindsay Lohan, while state employees across the board are facing layoffs and furlough days. Apparently, this doesn’t matter to the suits in Sacramento. Instead, they seem to think that this is the perfect time to grow government.

If the state can barely afford the employees it already has, why not hire more? Sounds like a good idea, right? Growers, cultivators, record keepers and vendors of California bud will all be hired to ensure proper taxation and distribution. This is how www.yes390.org made the claim that the bill would create jobs.

How about an oxymoronic (leaning more toward moronic) claim stated in the bill itself? One of the passages states that besides establishing the “wholesale and retail sales regulation program,” taxation within the proposal includes, “special fees to fund drug abuse prevention programs.”

So, California is going to sell pot and use a small amount of the proceeds to fund drug abuse prevention programs. Why would you shoot yourself in the foot? If you want to maximize sales of a product, you don’t spend money to subsidize programs that tell people not to use it. It sounds like Toyota setting up lectures around the country, with experts telling attendees how not to buy a Toyota. It doesn’t make any sense, but I’m not surprised.

An article written by Daniela Perdomo, featured on alternet.com, a website that has such random phrases scattered about like, “we want a president who won’t coddle capitalism,” said that the proposal “institutes a one-ounce personal possession limit and allows for limited personal cultivation.”

I thought the state was responsible for cultivating it. My entrepreneurial spirit would tell me, should I want to join in on the fun, to grow a multitude of pot and sell it, discretely, on my own. Odds are that buyers would want to buy from a private dealer anyway, just to avoid the more than likely ballooned prices and state taxes. Moonshine is still produced in Appalachia, so what does that tell you?

It’s also interesting that California set the age limit for marijuana use/cultivation/possession at 21. Just like alcohol, what are the odds that young adults under 21 won’t ever gain access to marijuana? Gee, that will never happen.

Marijuana use in California is seemingly accepted. There are many “smoke shops” spread around town, selling bongs and pipes typically not used for smoking tobacco. Last Tuesday was April 20, the unrecognized recognized marijuana user’s day.

What’s wrong with the way things are? If you’re caught with a small amount on you, the fines aren’t steep. There are places to buy pipes and paper, and even a special day recognizing the fact that marijuana use is far out, man. You get a little rush, being defiant as you purchase your package, and once you’re home, life is good.

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. If you’re a user, why would you want the government regulating another aspect of your life? Don’t be fooled. It’s just another way to take more of your money and blaze it up.

View Comments (6)
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Comments (6)

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  • A

    AdamJun 5, 2010 at 3:53 pm

    Why do you suppose that it’s only California that’s taken such big steps towards the legalization of marijuana? Anybody in ANY state can freely buy bongs, pipes, seeds, etc online. You can also buy this stuff at local head shops in town.

    But why leave it at that? Why can’t the rest of the states allow responsible adults to use it, rather than just buy “stuff” you can use it with. It doesn’t make sense nobody uses a bong to smoke tobacco. In California it’s unnecessary to say bongs are for tobacco use only, the rest of the states should be the same way.

    Reply
  • A

    AdamJun 5, 2010 at 7:53 am

    Why do you suppose that it's only California that's taken such big steps towards the legalization of marijuana? Anybody in ANY state can freely buy bongs, pipes, seeds, etc online. You can also buy this stuff at local head shops in town.

    But why leave it at that? Why can't the rest of the states allow responsible adults to use it, rather than just buy “stuff” you can use it with. It doesn't make sense nobody uses a bong to smoke tobacco. In California it's unnecessary to say bongs are for tobacco use only, the rest of the states should be the same way.

    Reply
  • G

    GanjardenApr 27, 2010 at 10:32 pm

    Vote yes for the rest of the country. Vote yes for the world. Seriously if cannabis is legalized in California it will open a major dialogue. The president with have to act and I would think he would honor the majorities vote. Maybe then farmers will be able to grow the none drug variety for food, clothing, housing, plastics, fuel, and literally thousands of other uses. We are the only developed country that doesn't grow this plant! For the love of god it's a plant that's been grown side by side with man throughout written history and most likely before. Woven hemp has been dated back to 10,000 BC. Let it grow freely like it used to. Like it is meant to.

    Reply
  • J

    joshua4234Apr 26, 2010 at 11:14 am

    “So, California is going to sell pot and use a small amount of the proceeds to fund drug abuse prevention programs. Why would you shoot yourself in the foot? If you want to maximize sales of a product, you don’t spend money to subsidize programs that tell people not to use it.”

    Man Denton, if you don't understand that there is a difference between recreational USE and drug ABUSE, I'm not sure what else to say to you. So the guy who has a beer a few times a week is now a drunk, the person who forgoes eating desert sometimes is now anorexic, etc etc. You can tell people to not become drunks and abuse alcohol without wanting to prohibit the consumption of alcohol.

    The next two arguments are that people will produce it privately on their own and that people under 21 will get their hands on it anyway. Is that his argument for why it should be illegal? because by that standard so should alcohol and tobacco… I really have no idea how people don't see this flagrant contradiction that is making them astonishingly hypocritical.

    If it ain't broke don't fix it? You don't think it's broken? Tell that to the people in jail for marijuana related offenses. Tell that to the people being hurt or killed in drug importing violence. We need to start the trend of ending the prohibition of pot.

    Reply
  • J

    JamesApr 26, 2010 at 9:49 am

    These are some weak arguments. What makes you think that he price of marijuana will be more inflated under legal status, when current marijuana prices account for the risks of criminal grow operations, security and the general inflation that comes with the illicit drug trade? Why do you think growers and sellers of marijuana want to keep it illegal? They know that once legal, they will lose money. As for your rehab argument, no one goes to rehab for weed. The money that goes to drug treatment from marijuana sales will be for real drugs, including the number one abused drug in America; alcohol, which is legal, in case you forgot. As for rednecks making moonshine, that's the most lame duck argument of all. Of course people will try and grow weed. Once they figure out they suck at it, they'll go back to buying it. I could make beer at home, but I still buy six packs from my local grocery. There are some legitimate concerns about making marijuana legal, but they aren't listed here.

    Reply
  • N

    nicholas CavalloApr 26, 2010 at 7:48 am

    AB 2254 isn't the one we are going to vote on. you can find information on the voter iniative at tax cannabis.org.

    Reply