Legalize? Opinion By Jordan Perez and Ashley Batugo
Staff Writers

   The legalization of marijuana is a sensitive subject for most people but is becoming one of the highest talked about topics in the U.S. Recently, the Tax and Regulate Cannabis campaign of 2010 received approximately 700,000 signatures for their initiatives guaranteeing that their cause will be seen in this year’s November ballot. California’s legislative committee was the first legislative body supporting the marijuana state law by pushing forward a bill for the adult recreational use and taxation of the drug. The bill will have to be approved by any state wide limits of Cannabis possession. But that decision would not be by the legislature, but by the voters.

    Although marijuana is seen as an illegal drug, it is proven to have medical uses since its legalization for medical use in certain states in 1996. Its medical uses vary from helping chemotherapy patients with nausea and vomiting, creating an appetite for the patients, and curing migraines. It has its benefits. Some argue that marijuana is nothing but an illicit drug and should not be legalized. Yes, it is a drug but more people are harmed and killed by alcohol consumption and cigarettes than marijuana each year and both those substances are legal, so why can’t marijuana be just as legal as those harmful substances?

    According to USDA statistics, if marijuana were to be legal, it would become California’s biggest cash crop. With the state’s estimation, it would bring up state taxes $1 billion dollars a year. Of course there will be restrictions such as no driving under the influence and users must also be 21 years old or over to purchase or smoke marijuana. Some people treat marijuana as their religion. Passionate as some people are about their religion and freedom, they think and worship what they want. Marijuana should be legalized because not only would it bring money to the economy but solve massive drug trade problems and reduce marijuana charges on the streets.

Or Not.... Opinion By Madisson Luna
Staff Writer

    The legalization of marijuana is one of the most controversial subjects being debated today.
California Assemblyman Tom Ammiano introduced a bill for legalizing the drug and regulating it in the same way alcohol is regulated. Just recently, President Barack Obama made it clear that he was against the legalization of the drug. Obama’s decision of not making the substance legal was a wise one due to the fact that legalizing it would not put an end to the war on drugs.

    Although many think otherwise, the legalization of marijuana would not diminish crime rates and would certainly not help in making our country a better one. The marijuana sector of the Drug War has seen annual increases in both its cost and number of arrests. It is estimated that it has reached up to 11 billion dollars. Scientific studies have shown smoked marijuana to be linked to heart and lung disease, throat cancer, and a decreased memory capacity. Anti-marijuana activists also point out that a driver under the influence of marijuana is ten times more likely to be involved in an accident than a driver under the influence of a comparable amount of alcohol.

    The legalization of this drug could lead to increased use and increased levels of addiction. It is obvious that marijuana is a threat to our society both morally and physically. It tends to lead to the use of harder and more powerful substances, which can be more harmful to the public. Besides the various health problems that come along with the legalization of marijuana, our country’s economy will not be improved in any way. With this said, why would we want to make a harmful substance such as marijuana legal, inexpensive, and accessible to satisfy those who already chose to violate our laws? I think most of us would agree that alcoholism and deaths from drunk driving is enough to deal with as it is.