Term Paper on "Process to Legalize Medical Marijuana in California"

Term Paper 9 pages (2375 words) Sources: 10

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Legaliztain of Marijuana

In 2009, California Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, Democrat, initially submitted a bill to control the trading of marijuana and to collect taxes from its' sale Arkos. Had the bill passed, it is estimated that the State of California would have added approximately $1.3 billion per year in revenue and for every year afterwards Arkos.

Legalizing marijuana would also have changed where the marijuana is actually grown instead of it being grown on land hidden such as national forests and the state could set up law monitoring th growth and ensure farmers are following agricultural laws Arkos. The process would have allowed proper land use instead of use of land which in effect was causing damage to ecosystems and potential destruction of forest habitats Arkos. In addition, jobs added as a result of legalizing marijuana would have been a boost for California. Ammiano stated he would try again to get the bill passed in 2010.

What Ammiano said he would do, did in fact occur. A bill passed the first committee, introduced by Ammiano that would legalize marijuana for growth and possession for residents at least 21 years of age Christopher Weber. The opponents to this legislation are primarily prosecutors and law enforcement members who claim it would lead to higher crime Weber. Various studies show that it would raise approximately $1.4 billion in tax revenue Weber. California passed it first marijuana legislation in 1996 regarding Marijuana Compassion and the medical use of marijuana bill passed in 1996.

California voters in November 2010 will have on the ballot, after sufficient signatures were collected, an issue regarding marijuana which if passed will result in the most comprehensive laws on marijuana in the entire world Wyatt Buchanan. The way the state law as it is allows persons with physicians approval to possess an amount of marijuana that is reasonably related to the patient's current medical needs Buchanan.

Of course the opponents still say that voter's need to fully comprehend the law before they vote and public safety organizations intend to support opposition Buchanan. Some Democrats in California running for office oppose the bill and all major Republican candidates oppose the measure Buchanan.

The way the bill was introduced is basic legislative procedure, starting with a member of the organization, in this the State Assembly of California, proposing a bill or measure or other piece of legislation. In this cause it is the Marijuana Control, Regulation and Education Act designed to raise revenue and funding regarding education discouraging substance abuses Marijuana Control, Regulation and Education Act. The bill is known as Assembly Bill 2254 or AB 2254 or Assembly Bill 390, herein know as AB 390 Act. The passage of AB 390 would allow the sale and tax of marijuana to adults 21 and over Act. A commercial license to grow or sell would cost ?$5,000 to obtain initially and $2,500 to maintain annually thereafter Act. A tariff of $50 per ounce would be placed on all sale and grown marijuana Act.

Federal law would have to be modified to allow states to set their own policy in order for marijuana to be sold in California Act. Cannabis is believed to be the number one cash crop in California and costs $14 billion on the black market even above vegetables and grapes Act. The legislation has the potential to end the hold drug cartels have over the marijuana sales Act. Opponents have not shifted their positions no matter what revenue, lives or funds could be saved if this is allowed to pass Act.

Cannabis has a long history and begins probably in a way different than most would expect. It has been in use for thousands of years and used in everything from making materials and rope to ethanol fuel 42.0 Milestones in the History of Marijuana. It has also been used for other things throughout history.

The first fabrics woven from hemp plants first appeared around 7,000-8,000B.C.E. The cannabis seeds were used as food in China and by 2727 B.C.E medications to treat a variety of medical illnesses Milestone. It was later grown in China for food and fiber Milestone. The Scythians in 1500 B.C.E. Cultivated cannabis for use in weaving cloth and by 700-300 B.C.E. The status of the plant has risen in such a way as that seeds were placed in royal tombs as offerings Milestones.

It is considered a Sacred Grass in Hindu text of the Arthava-Veda and is one of the five sacred plants in offering to the goddess Shiva Milestones. It also served as a medication by 1200-800 B.C.E

The hemp plant was introduced in Northern Europe around 500 B.C.E. And over the next 400 years the cannabis spread throughout the continent Milestones. Between 900-1000 the use of cannabis spread to the Arab world as well and by the early 1200's it was popular for smoking in the Middle East particular by Muslims who cannot drink alcohol Milestones.

Cannabis was brought to the New World in 1492 by Christopher Columbus and soon Port Royal and Plymouth would be required to grow cannabis and in 1619 a laws in Jamestown was passed requiring the growing of hemp Milestones. President George Washington grew hemp as a primary crop and Thomas Jefferson grew hemp as a secondary crop Milestones.

Medicine with cannabis in its' base was sold in pharmacies in 1840 in the United States and until the formation of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1906 there were no government oversight over any foods or drugs Milestones.

The unique uses of hemp likely were discovered early but some uses in the United States were at least unusual. The first Model T. By Henry Ford was made from hemp plastic was fueled by hemp ethanol Milestones. The FDA had time to start attacking marijuana which had never happened. So the slide began with the first state to criminalize marijuana which ironically was California in 1913 Milestones. This was quickly followed by several states with Utah in 1915, Texas in 1919, Louisiana in 1924 and New York by 1927 Milestones.

Eventually, a war was declared on illegal drugs in 1930 and the drive was headed by Harry J. Anslinger with the Treasury Department Milestones. Marijuana continued to arrive in port cities like New Orleans where jazz musicians would obtain their "reefer" then travel to other cities to perform and have "reefer parties" Milestones. This meant that marijuana had arrived in the major American cities. A campaign would result forever changing the reality and return us to where we are today.

A propaganda campaign showing young people using marijuana and then behaving recklessly, committing crimes, committing suicide or dying from the use of marijuana began and was a successful use of the material Milestones. However, not everyone was convinced, and the mayor of New York City, Fiorella La Guardia, disagreed with the marijuana prohibition and commissioned a six-year study by 31 impartial scientists who concluded that marijuana use does not cause violent, psychotic episodes, is not related to anti-social behavior, does not cause uncontrollable sexual urges, and does not alter a person;'s core personality traits Milestones. In 1944 the commissions findings were published but Anslinger with Treasury discredited the report with his influence over the press Milestones. He restricted availability of marijuana to scientists so that further studies could be blocked.

By then, the propaganda campaign was in full swing and had a head of steam. Throughout the 1950's it was indicated to be marijuana which was the gateway drug to heroin and this propaganda was used due to an increase in heroin use Milestones. The Boggs Act increases drug sentences and was eventually signed by President Truman. By the time President Eisenhower was in office it was simple to get his support by putting marijuana in the same drug class as heroin Milestones. It was then that the first conviction of possession would thus be set at ten years in prison Milestones.

The propaganda drive is so effective it rides into the United Nations and over 100 countries worldwide are also convinced to criminalize marijuana by 1962. At the same time, Anslinger retires from the Treasury Department. Things begin to take a turn.

In the 1960's the Anti-propaganda and marijuana culture finally could find out the truth after the years of convincing people of complete untruths. Marijuana made you happy, friendly, intoxicated, and sleepy Milestones. By 1972 it was estimated that approximately 24 billion Americans had tried marijuana Milestones. But there were still mistakes made. A 25-year-old Viet Nam War veteran, Don Crowe was convicted of selling less than one ounce of marijuana to an undercover cop and for his first offense was sentenced to 50 years in prison Milestones. But by 1969, Congress finally eliminates mandatory minimums and reduced penalties for possession Milestones.

The National Commission on Marijuana and Drug Abuse Report researchers found the marijuana use did not lead to crimes and the Report took the position that smoking marijuana in ones' own home should… READ MORE

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