Let's Face It, Pot Should Be Legal

In recent times, America has been seeing a shift to more state's rights (see: same-sex marriage and legalization of marijuana). Even though both are not considered legal under federal law, 31 states now allow same-sex marriage and 23 states have legalized medical marijuana, with some states now allowing recreational use of marijuana. The federal government has begun to take a "hands off" stance to these matters, more-or-less allowing states to dictate how these laws are handled (although Congress shows no signs of budging on the federal ban of marijuana any time soon). In an article posted by the Editorial Board in the Opinion Pages of the New York Times (Yes to Marijuana Ballot Measures), they urge voters in Alaska, Oregon and Washington D.C. to vote yes to measures on the ballot this election season to legalize the recreational use of marijuana. In 1996, California was the first state to legalize medical use of marijuana, and 30 states have since followed suit. In 2012, Washington State and Colorado legalized recreational marijuana, and the editorial board believes that a similar following by other states should and will happen. The article points out that marijuana is far less dangerous than alcohol (with not one reported death from marijuana ever), and this country has spent decades arresting people for buying, selling, and using marijuana, which has cost tax payers millions of dollars, and has disproportionately affected minority communities by the "harsh criminal penalties of prohibition." The article points out the differences with each of the ballot measures being proposed by each state, which again illustrates the power of the states and their ability to dictate their laws on an individual basis. In Alaska, Ballot Measure 2 would allow recreational use legal for those 21 and up, create a marijuana control board, and tax the drug at $50 per ounce wholesale. Oregon is proposing Measure 91 which would also set the legal age of 21, and give the Oregon Liquor Control Commission the power to regulate and would direct it to review tax rates regularly. And Washington D.C. is proposing Initiative 71 which would repeal all criminal and civil penalties for personal possession of marijuana and allow limited, private cultivation of the drug. What is clearly pointed out by this article, is that prohibition has completely failed. There is a large percentage of Americans who admit to using marijuana, and it is very easy to obtain the drug on the black market, or to get a medical marijuana card in states where it is legal. Regulation boards created by these measures would help keep prices low enough to compete with the black market (helping detach our country from the horrific drug cartels of Mexico), and also generate revenue for the state. In the first six months of this year, Colorado generated $18.9 million from marijuana taxation revenue. I highly recommend every US citizen, whether opposed or in support of marijuana legalization watch the documentary Evergreen: The Road to Legalization, which follows the passing of I-502 in Washington State (the first state to legalize recreational use of marijuana), and which also delves deeply into the troubling depths of the War on Drugs and the monumental effects of prohibition laws on our nation's police forces, prisons, medical patients, citizens, and economy. There is too much evidence that supports the legalization of marijuana in this country. I must agree with the editorial board and urge voters in Alaska, D.C., and Oregon to vote YES to these measures, and hope that the rest of the nation will soon follow suit.