Is a YES on Prop 64 a Good Idea?

Let me begin by saying that I would love to see the recreational use of marijuana to be legalized. However, is it the best idea for us to allow governmental regulation of the plant?

My voting ballot is essentially ready for submission, excluding the giant question marks that are surrounding the Prop 64 section.

Voting “YES” on Prop 64 would legalize recreational marijuana for persons aged 21 years or older under state law and establishing certain sales and cultivation taxes. A “NO” vote opposes this proposal to legalize recreational marijuana under state law. Hypothetically, if we were to vote YES for this bill, what would we get? Would we be smoking the same weed? Would it be allowed in public spaces? Would it be cheaper? Would it be more expensive? These are the questions that raise concerns – how do we personally benefit from it?

If we were to legalize Marijuana and the government begins to tax it, will the added revenue positively affect our economy or different sectors of the country/state? Recently, it was estimated that “$1 billion in new tax revenue would be directed toward specific new or expanded programs such as drug use prevention and treatment, helping at-risk youth, law enforcement, environmental cleanup and research.”[1] Although I personally would prioritize some programs over others, it still may not be sufficient enough for legalization. How would this money be put to use? Drug prevention for example, how would this work – with commercials? Commercials have not been historically linked toward drug prevention.

Marijuana dispensaries, which barley pay any taxes at all, is a rich-cash business.  With the ability to buy a recreational marijuana card for 30 dollars, you can buy weed at wholesale prices, untaxed and untouched by government officials. Additionally, you can grow up to 13 plants at home with this rec card. Historically, when the government has intervened in the hot commodities, using cigarettes as an example, they have made these products more addictive and more harmful. By commodifying these items, they have created billion dollar industries in the tobacco field, healthcare field, pharmaceutical field and more. These industries have not only created immense profit for corporations and the government but have ruined the products at stake.  

From my understanding, legalizing marijuana would not only be taxed – and become even more heavily taxed throughout the years – but would be a government controlled product that may be tampered with, similarly to tobacco. With the greed of corporate and governmental interests, it would be no surprise if the marijuana became only a shell of it’s former self – more convenient to get, but more harmful, less potent, more expensive and still not allowed in public spaces. So…what’s the point?

I wish I could vote YES on prop 64, but there are underlying issues that I feel need to be highlighted and guaranteed prior to making marijuana legal. Otherwise, continuing to get our weed through the black market doesn’t seem to be that bad of an alternative.

---

[1] http://www.thecannabist.co/2016/09/16/california-marijuana-tax-where-would-money-go/63307/