Money woes will make people do all sorts of things they normally wouldn’t, and California is taking that old axiom and running with it. November’s ballot will have a referendum to legalize personal possession (meaning an ounce or less) of marijuana and ser up rules for counties to regulate the sale of the THC-laden product. Polling has shown the measure has support of the majority of Californians.
This would not be the first time California was on the cutting edge of all things green and leafy. In 1996 it became the first state to pass legislation allowing doctors to proscribe medical marijuana to patients. They even issue medical marijuana cards, which must be a much sought after (and counterfeited) item.
Despite being listed as a Schedule I controlled substance by the United States federal government, there are now 14 states that allow for medical marijuana to be produced and distributed. In an interesting side note, THC, the often demonized (and apparently medically useful) chemical present in the cannabis plant and other synthetic derivates like Marinol, is a Schedule III controlled substance. Studies have found that smoking medical marijuana is far more effective than consuming the synthetic variants – a point not lost on many medical practitioners.
Governor Schwarzenegger has said that while he does not personally back the new law, he agrees that it must be debated out in the open. The Governator’s famous clip from Pumping Iron shows he is at least open-minded about the new law, no matter what his currently socially-conservative political backers wish him to say.
6 Comments
Dude, I wrote the wrong shit on the wrong blog. Probably because I was stoned ‘n’ shit. I actually can’t remember what I wrote, but it was something about how much I enjoyed this article.
Peace out, Teddy Roe.
PS: You don’t know what I did to my car keys do you? I can’t seem to find them.
lol…
Well, I’ve tried it and do not see the problem with it–especially in the privacy of one’s home. It’s much safer than alcohol in my opinion. And if you go with cookies or brownies, it takes the carcinogen argument out of the equation.
Joe, what is your opinion?
I think if its done in moderation via adults in an appropriate setting – whats the big deal? Personally, I do not use the drug, but I do not frown on people that do use it. Like any drug (including alcohol) too much is not a good thing.
I think it should remain illegal so law enforcement can have total control over the scofflaws that use it – to prevent problems from getting too big.
It has been around forever – it will be around forever.
Historic statewide initiative in California to legalize, control, and tax cannabis. Help build national support for the movement. Sign up on the website, join the campaign! taxcannabis.org