California And Its Continuing Controversial Bills

Last week, one of my colleagues, Lorenzo Salazar, posted a rather scathing review of Proposition 19 in California. This Proposition would legalize “various marijuana-related activities, allow local governments to regulate these activities, permit local governments to impose and collect marijuana-related fees and taxes, and authorize various criminal and civil penalties”. Lorenzo stated in his blog that legalizing marijuana would lead to widespread chaos across the country, and may even lead to the federal government having to step in. This is a good point; confusion would set in at the fact that California had this drug legalized, while everywhere else it was illegal. There would be widespread chaos, and the national government would most likely have to decide to take a stand on this issue: either to step in to overrule this Proposition, or legalize the drug itself. However, while I do agree with Lorenzo’s conclusion, I am rather hesitant to accept his ideas on the legalization of the drug itself.
First, I must point out that the legalization of marijuana would generate some tax revenue. Perhaps it may not generate as much as one might hope, but it would generate more than it is now. In 2001, 55.6% of Americans ages 18-25 reported that they had used some form of illicit drug during their lifetime. More than half of Americans that age have used drugs such as marijuana. That is, they have used it illegally and without a tax on it that would generate revenue. If marijuana were legalized, the government would be able to generate revenue on it. Now, I am not saying it would be any form of “saving grace” on our economy, but it would be more than what we are generating now: zero.
Further on in his blog, Mr. Salazar asked how it would be enforced, especially on a large scale. I believe that the answer to this question is all around us. The government regulates the sale and use of cigarettes and alcohol to all adults over a certain age; they could regulate one more drug. In fact, they might be able to discourage it to an even greater extent by creating a large tax on it, such as the one on cigarettes, in order to discourage buying.
Now, while I do no believe that California should be the one to start this controversial topic, I do believe it needs to be started. I will not argue that marijuana is a good thing; I believe it is morally reprehensible. However I also believe that if it is going to be used there might as well be some form of benefit to the country. Why waste a perfectly good form of income?