Recreational Marijuana Legalized in Colorado and Washington

Due to the results of the elections on Nov. 6, 2012, Colorado and Washington became the first states to legalize recreational marijuana use. Also, Massachusetts voted to legalize medicinal marijuana use, making it the 18th state to do so.

However, Colorado and Washington’s laws may not go into effect because they violate federal laws. The Justice Department has not disclosed how they will handle these juxtaposing laws. It seems as though the federal courts have yet to catch up with the demands of the general American public.

It’s not that Americans have become more “liberal,” per se. While many people certainly support the legalization of marijuana (cough, cough Roseanne Barr), others are simply indifferent toward the topic. Whether or not other people decide to smoke marijuana does not immediately affect them.

Taxing marijuana would be a benefit to the United States’ economy. | Photo courtesy of cargimmett/Flickr.com

“I don’t really care if other people want to smoke, because it doesn’t affect me directly,” said Student Government President Matt Rutkovitz, “but I think legalizing marijuana would be good for the economy.”

According to the Center for Disease Control, there have been roughly 26 deaths in the U.S. caused by marijuana between the years of 1999 and 2007. The deaths were caused by other drugs found in their system during the autopsies, or they suffocated on their own vomit. Marijuana is nontoxic and therefore does not have the ability to cause death by overdose like other drugs do. Research by the National Institute on Drug Abuse has shown that marijuana only temporarily affects memory and learning capabilities. It does not damage the lungs like tobacco.

There are other drug addicts out there that are blowing up meth labs. The feds should be focusing more on them, because their meth labs are more capable of killing innocent bystanders. It’s sad that people are being sent to prison for selling marijuana. That’s such a petty crime and I don’t want to be wasting my tax dollars on supporting them during their time in prison when they didn’t actually inflict harm upon others.

People argue, “But it’s the law. You can’t smoke weed.” Well, the law needs to change. How about the federal courts legalize marijuana on the national level then tax it properly like it is done with alcohol and tobacco?

This would also help stimulate our economy. Opening marijuana shops would provide jobs and just think of all the people that would purchase the marijuana. This would add an additional flow of money to the economy, opening up a whole new industry with numerous possibilities. Not to mention, the potheads would be forever grateful. It’s a win-win situation.

“If weed were to be taxed and regulated, then that would keep people from smoking that shouldn’t be smoking anyway” said a student requesting anonymity. “For the rest of us, we can keep doing what we’re doing without feeling guilty.”

However, if the federal government were to legalize marijuana across the board, certain laws should come into play for safety purposes. Purchasing marijuana should be restricted just as alcohol and marijuana are. This way, it is still regulated and more difficult for minors to get their hands on weed.

For the record, I do not smoke pot. But the glorious thing about America is that citizens have the freedom to make their own choices. If others choose to light up a joint when they are hanging out with their friends on the weekend, they should be able to do just that.

“I smoke weed every single day, and I don’t feel like I’m doing anything wrong,” the anonymous student said. “I’m putting myself at risk to be arrested, but I’m not a criminal, you know? I haven’t killed anyone, and I’ve never raped anyone.”

America is currently in the midst of some major social changes and last week’s election only confirmed that. Two states legalized recreational marijuana, three states legalized gay marriage, the Senate got its first gay and Asian-American senators and Congress got its first openly bisexual congressperson as well as a first Hindu congressperson.

The fact that Washington and Colorado legalized recreational marijuana will begin a trend. I would not be surprised if states like Oregon and California also legalize recreational marijuana in the near future.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 28 people die every day as a result of drunk driving car accidents. Also, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 443, 000 people die prematurely every year from smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke. Smoking marijuana does not have very harmful effects, so why is it compared to much more detrimental substances like alcohol and tobacco? It’s about time marijuana is seen as an economic possibility and not a crime. It’s not immoral, it’s smart business.

Natalie Hicks can be reached at natalie.hicks@theminaretonline.com