Resource Managment Project

For my topic I choose to look at the mismanaged resource of marijuana.



Letter to Elected Official

Dear the honorable Assemblyman Marty Block,
As an informed constituent, I would like to say the time has come for the state and eventually the federal government to legalize the use, production and sale of marijuana. Our economy, especially giving the current economic condition, can benefit significantly from revenue gained by taxing Marijuana. The market created would be subject to government regulation just as tobacco and liquor companies are which would counter the disorder and abuse currently associated with marijuana. Legalization of Marijuana would result in the decrease of Illegal activity, as the trade and possession of cannabis would no longer be illegal.
The health effects of marijuana are no greater than alcohol or tobacco use. Impaired judgment and thought processes, slurred speech, and inability to concentrate are all characteristic of alcohol use as well, and smoking cigarettes is as likely to cause cancer and lung diseases as smoking weed (if not more so).Yet, these substances are still legal. So why not marijuana? The use and supply of medicinal marijuana is already permitted in many regions in the U.S. Marijuana has been proven to contain natural medicinal value like none other. Marijuana increases appetite for patients suffering from AIDS, cancer, and anorexia. The substance has also shown signs of pain relieving possibilities. Numerous scientists believe we have not scratched the surface of what marijuana can medicinally do. Once marijuana becomes legal, scientist can conduct research resulting in a holistic view of the plant and its capabilities.
Although, it is possible to argue with the medicinal legitimacy of marijuana, it is almost impossible to argue the amount of revenues taxes on marijuana would bring the state let alone the country. With proper regulation, a 10% marijuana tax would yield 1.4 Billion dollars in California alone. Full legalization is a feasible concept in California. In this state alone, prospective tax revenue could exceed $1 billion. Personally, I feel what is hindering the government from legalizing such an amazing crop is public appeal. I would hope that the fear of being falsely accused of smoking pot would not be a reason for the marijuana legalization to remain a stagnant issue. There has been other practices of prohibition repeal such as the Great Depression, Franklin Roosevelt lead the repeal of the alcohol prohibition, primarily for a new market to tax. The same should be done with marijuana. We can all benefit from acceptance of marijuana as a legal market. The bottom line is we are a capitalistic country, and we are not taking advantage of a potentially massive cash crop. That is something I just do not understand. After reading this letter, I ask for your support. I ask that you introduce a bill to legalize marijuana.

Sincerely your constituent,
Aleesha Rackley

Opt Ed Piece

It is not needed to say that we are in a recession. Families struggling just to provide extras, as well as necessities. There is a complicated answer that could result in an amazing outcome: legalization of marijuana. Gasp! Yes, I said it, and it is something that could become reality sooner than we think.
The idea of decriminalizing marijuana is far from new. In 1970, Congress created the National Commission on Marijuana and Drug Abuse. This group’s sole purpose was to research and study marijuana. After two years of thorough research, the commission issued its report, "Marijuana: A Signal of Misunderstanding." In 1972, it surprised many by recommending decriminalization: Possession of marijuana in private for personal use would no longer be an offense; and distribution of small amounts of marijuana for no remuneration or insignificant remuneration not involving profit would no longer be an offense. This would drastically reduce the government spending on corrections.
Legalizing marijuana could take years to complete. There are underlying moral reasons as to why it will take so long to pass, but one thing we can do is support smaller bills that will pave the way to legalization. Senate Bill 5615 is the first step to legalization. This bill would reclassify adult possession of marijuana from a crime carrying a mandatory day in jail to a civil infraction imposing a $100 penalty payable by mail. The bill was voted out of committee with a bipartisan "do pass" recommendation and will be considered by legislators in early 2010.The bill makes a lot of sense, especially in this time of severely strapped budgets. Our state Office of Financial Management reported annual savings of $16 million and $1 million in new revenue if SB 5615 passes.
Twelve states took action and decriminalized marijuana in the 1970s. Nevada decriminalized in 2001, and Massachusetts did so in 2008. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, states where marijuana possession is decriminalized represent more than 35 percent of our nation's population. These states have not seen a corresponding increase in use. Nor have the 14 states that have adopted legal protections for patients whose doctors recommend the medical use of marijuana. Nor the several cities and counties that have adopted "lowest law enforcement priority" ordinances like Seattle's Initiative 75, which made adult marijuana, use the city's lowest law enforcement priority in 2003.
On the flip side of the coin, escalating law enforcement against marijuana users has not achieved its intended goals. From 1991 to 2007, marijuana arrests nationwide tripled from 287,900 to a record 872,720, comprising 47 percent of all drug arrests combined. Of those, 89 percent were for possession only. Nevertheless, according to a study released earlier this year by two University of Washington faculty members: the price of marijuana has dropped, its average potency has increased, It has become more readily available; and use rates have often increased during times of escalating enforcement.
We now have decades of proof that treating marijuana use as a crime is a failed strategy. It continues to damage the credibility of our public health officials and compromise our public safety. At a fundamental level, it has eroded our respect for the law and what it means to be charged with a criminal offense: 40 percent of Americans have tried marijuana at some point in their lives. It cannot be that 40 percent of Americans truly are criminals. Lastly, we are a capitalistic society and marijuana is a money making commodity, we should take advantage of the cash crop that we have. Regardless of your views about the drug, there is money to be made. We are America and that's what we do. We make money.
- Aleesha Rackley
My Petition