Legalization of marijuana in the United States slow progress for nearly 40 years, now finally began to accelerate, 26 states have substantial progress, and some of the more big state action. Last week, the Colorado governor John h. an signed a series of new laws, these laws regulated how to grow, sell, use of marijuana, business tax and how to marijuana.
Voters to vote in Colorado last autumn passed the legalization of marijuana, the measures for America's first comprehensive legitimate market laid a solid foundation. On January 1 next year, Colorado citizens over the age of 21 will be able to buy from the pharmacy and smoked marijuana at will. Washington will follow suit, the citizens were voted the legalisation of marijuana. If the policy to run a few states in the lead is good, then other states will follow suit.
Supporters think americans should be allowed to smoking marijuana, this is the freedom of the people, in a beer, whiskey, wine and tobacco is a legal society, there is no reason for such recreational drug prohibition, proved to lower the side effects of marijuana. Although illegal, there are still tens of millions of americans are smoking marijuana for recreation.
History of ban emerge in endlessly, in the period of Gatsby's law lead to the Mafia, violent crime increases, eventually lead to more people drinking alcohol. Rep. Steve cohan said: "now is the time to modify these restrictions."
Many people agreed. Recently pew research center found that 52% of americans support with small doses of marijuana. This is the first time in national surveys show that more than half of the people against marijuana prohibition, though the Gallup survey and other national surveys show that quite close to the people for and against. Pew research center survey found that both men and women, white black or the poor and the rich, almost all groups in the United States attitude has changed.
This is not right. The cannabis retail market is estimated to be $30 billion, after the legalization will bring many important economic interests. First marijuana prices will fall sharply, at the same time can also fighting Mexico's drug-trafficking syndicates and street gangs in the United States.
Although American production of marijuana, but more are in Mexico illegally manufacturing. It is estimated that illegal marijuana prices increased by 50%. If both nations approved the legalization of marijuana, then can create more marijuana Mexico, then sell to American consumers, Mexican drug Lord won't be interested in this kind of cheap legal products, legalization of Mexican tobacco but will also help some cash-strapped states. And alcohol, tobacco, and other banned goods, marijuana will be taxed. Cato institute for, according to a report drafted by liberal states can get $3 billion in revenues through tax marijuana, there are also some higher estimated amount. Tax officials in California will predict the state can levy taxes of $1.4 billion, compared with California's budget of $100 billion a year, this tax may be a drop in the bucket, but don't forget to alcohol and tobacco tax added up to only $1.3 billion.
Colorado every year to $100 million in tax revenue, and Washington state is $310 million. Now main divisions, taxes, Colorado asked voters to approve two sales tax, add up to 25%, while Washington wants tax on producers, manufacturers and consumers, finally it will be as high as 75%, such taxes are too high, the resurgence is likely to lead to black market trade.
There is no doubt that loose marijuana policy will also reduce the burden of law enforcement. In 2011, was arrested for possession of marijuana, nearly 663000 people, are up 32% on 1995. Drug policy research center pointed out that in New York, a case involving marijuana at least take a policeman 2.5 hours of time, and before the mayor bloomberg to make policy adjustments, but also need to spend a night at the police station. Nationwide, 128000 people hold because marijuana and was put in state or federal prison, accounting for 8% of the detainees.
Former police chief in Seattle Norm Stamper think new law in Washington state are very desirable, he said: "the police will have more time, energy, and mental to cope with the more dangerous crime." He also believes that the legalization of marijuana also can improve the relationship between the youths and the police.
Actually, about half of the states have to relax the regulation of marijuana. Beginning from Oregon, 1973, 15 states have for possession of small quantities of marijuana decriminalization, that is to say, although owning marijuana is illegal, but the penalty is light, is usually a fine of $100. 18 states and the district of Columbia has identified a medical hold and sale marijuana is legal, for instance is used to alleviate the pain caused by cancer.
A total of 26 states have to relax the regulation of marijuana, this month and added two states: the Illinois legislature has passed a medical marijuana law, while vermont passed the criminal law. The two bills etc. Only the governor will take effect after approval.
However, the federal government but doesn't have any progress on the problem of the legalization of marijuana, in fact, many states about medical marijuana runs counter to the policy and the federal government. The federal government think that marijuana is a kind of easy to abuse drugs, even in the case of medical supervision is also lack of reliable security. To convince the federal government to change this kind of recognition of the effort failed again and again, a recent was in 2011.
According to a 2005 Supreme Court decision, federal restrictions than state legislation, so the federal government has arrested several pharmacies, the boss of California, and since 1996 the state allowed pharmacy sales of marijuana. When marijuana sales carried out in Colorado and Washington, the federal government will respond is still unknown. Attorney general Eric holder promised to make a policy, but now I haven't any movement.
To avoid conflicts, the California republican rep. Dana rohrabacher, submitted a bill last month, asked the federal government to respect the state legislation about marijuana, he said: "the federal government will not be force to stop americans smoked marijuana is a huge mistake." But because of the lack of strong support, both parties Dana rohrabacher's bill is unlikely to pass.
Of the brookings institution, willy - Gail Kingston said: "bill about marijuana are likely to be a state by a state, and congress will stay at a respectful distance from sb for this issue."
When state officials more inspired by Gavin - Mr Newsom, other states will quickly join support the legalization of marijuana. Newsom is deputy governor and former mayor of San Francisco, California, he said: "over the years I have been yes." He was referring to his opposition to the legalization of marijuana in the past. Now he changed the position and believe that legalization of marijuana is the important step of reform of the judicial system.
Newman has multiple bars, restaurants and wine, and of course he has his own opinion of marijuana, he said: "when I see people drink jack daniels whiskey in my bar, I think, it is legal, but why this weekend with his wife at home smoking marijuana is illegal it? That's ridiculous."
Although he wants to lead California the legalization of marijuana, but Mr Newsom said the state will be the first to strengthen the selling marijuana drug pharmacy regulation, he said: "we all have such experience, in waiting for the red light, you happened to see the street pharmacy, you'll find a lot of young people going in and out, and now they will resell marijuana on the corner." Mr Newsom think if you don't solve these problems, California will not realize completely legal.
Another prerequisite is that politicians are supported. Many lawmakers in California and other states are worried about the legalization of marijuana group's rebound, these groups think that the legalization of marijuana would increase crime, harm to young people and families. But eventually some elected officials will awaken, Mr Newsom will seek re-election in November this year, he wants to open a precedent, he said: "if I win and not blocked by these groups of words, I think people will say, look at they didn't oppose Mr Newsom, perhaps the legalization of marijuana is not as we want to is political poison."
Maybe the legalization of marijuana's biggest obstacle is the workings of the Colorado and Washington state. If other states are pursuing legal, then the two pioneers must show the legalization of marijuana market can be safe and stable operation.
Despite laws and regulations has not been finalized, the details of the two states is the same but the bottom line: if you are at least 21 years of age, then you can free to buy marijuana in approved retail site. Use if you are not in public, you can hold more than one ounce of marijuana.
Colorado governor signed a bill last week include driving under the influence of limiting marijuana clause: if the blood contains more than five nanograms per milliliter, marijuana will be asked to prohibit driving. Highway traffic safety administration officials pointed out that people smoked marijuana smoke as long as it is easy to reach this level, but the following three hours, the blood concentration will decline rapidly.
Colorado also take measures to prevent the marijuana abuse among young people, if below 21 years old and broken pot would be a crime, is also suspected of selling to children is prohibited. It is easy to understand why so nervous about the state, the national survey on drug use and health, estimates that about 2011 americans in 2011 for the first time smoking marijuana, their average age was only 17 years old. In all recreational goods, alcohol remains the most popular, in 2011, about 2011 americans drink for the first time, 83% of people under 21 years old. In order to promote the legalization of marijuana, Colorado and Washington for error in dealing with young people.
Last month, the legalization of marijuana in the outside of the United States is also in full swing. Covers North America, Central America and South America, the organization of American states issued a report pointed out that the legalization of marijuana is an important way to fight against drug trafficking.
Mexican President felipe calderon also said the same thing, he was the first proposed the legalization of marijuana, Mexico's President, during the on-the-job, of course, he discussed not only in Mexico, calderon said in 2011: "our neighbour is one of the world's largest drug-consuming states, everyone hope to sell their drugs through Mexico. If the consumption of drugs can't be stop, so policymakers should think more ways, to reduce drug cartel profits."
Calderon left office last year, his successor, Virginia - he flatly opposes legalisation, he thinks that smoking marijuana can let users to drug addiction. He position is inspired by Mexico's drug lords, drug for profiteering let these people politics has a pivotal position in Mexico. To be honest, the legalization of marijuana in Mexico is still a long way to go.
In and of itself, the United States government should eliminate the federal and state as soon as possible differences in marijuana. Now California bank don't know if can open to selling marijuana drug pharmacy account, the result many pharmacies have to cash transactions, so often was robbed. To pay taxes, many pharmacies must take several sacks of cash to the tax authorities.
Whether or not congress realized this problem, many citizens of the United States are hoping to have a result as soon as possible. Pew research center report found that 60% of americans think the restrictions of the federal government should not interfere with the state rules for marijuana.
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The federal government will end up rewriting about marijuana use, manufacture and sale of the law, they may not be more strict than alcohol related laws. Probably like drinkers' wager game limit revised in 1933, congress will allow states according to their own situation related rules formulated in the pot. Considering that many members of congress do not want to talk about this problem, a comprehensive revision may be a long time, but the solution to the state and federal policy conflict, can now.
