Californians Pushing to Legalize Marijuana

I never in my life thought this could happen in the US.  But now with the support of the majority of Californian residents and many local politicians, the legalization of Marijuana could soon be a reality.  The new measure would permit adults 21 and older to buy up to an ounce and grow small amounts. They would not be able to use it in public or around minors.

The recreational use of an intoxicant is a controversial issue that every individual must come to terms with.  My position is that this is a decision that individuals should be able to make for themselves, and government should not be involved with the exception of protecting minors and public property.

The health side of this is a no brainer.  Drugs legal or illegal are not healthy.  This applies to many prescription drugs, over the counter drugs and alcohol as well.  However individuals should have the right to decide how to handle their own health.  For the same matter many of the foods we eat are not healthy either.  Heart disease and obesity, 2 illnesses caused by the Western diet, are two of the leading causes of death in the US, killing far more people than drugs.  However we would never consider making the consumption of unhealthy foods illegal.  I believe the same should apply to any natural substance.

I also believe it is time we acknowledge that the war on drugs does not work.  Outside of personal health, history has shown that legal substances are always safer than illegal substances.  Black markets are created and thrive when a product of demand is made illegal.  During the US prohibition of alcohol in the 1920's, black markets and Mafia's were extremely prosperous, because that was the only way someone could obtain alcohol.  However these illegal markets went out of business once the prohibition was lifted.  And today violence from alcohol trafficing doesn't exist.  The would be true of marijuana.  Currently gang violence throughout the world is able to exist because those gangs have practically a complete monopoly on the sell of marijuana.  Lives are lost not from the use of the product, but because of these dangerous, illegal markets.  High School kids will tell you it is easier to obtain marijuana than alcohol, because they buy it from their friends.  Whereas alcohol they have to either obtain a fake ID or convince someone of age to risk buying it for them.

For me personally I do not condone regular use of the marijuana.  I believe in living life to the full through health and spirituality.  And while hemp is a very nutritous plant, smoking it is not!  However, a healthy human body is designed to purge itself of occasional toxins.  So therefore I am OK with occasional use of marijuana... I hold the same position on liquor as well.  Moderation is crucial for everything we do in life.