In 1996 voters in California approved SB420, known as the Compassionate Use Act. The bill makes medical use of marijuana legal for patients with a doctor’s recommendation. It also establishes guidelines for distribution along with an identification card program.
But according to a recent article written by the Daily News, Pleasanton, California’s Police Chief Michael Fraser and City Attorney Michael Roush are proposing a band on all medical marijuana clinics in town.
The ordinance cites “incidents of armed robberies, burglaries, vagrancy and resale to nonqualified persons in other communities with marijuana dispensaries…” But this does not apply to those who use marijuana for medical use in the privacy of their homes.
The ongoing debate over whether or not to legalize marijuana came after the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed in 2005, the federal government’s power to enforce federal drug laws.
According to the Daily News, “The federal-state conflict led Pleasanton and dozens of other cities to enact moratoriums on the establishment of marijuana dispensaries.”
Why all the fuss about legalizing marijuana--this would depend greatly on who you ask.
In 1950 a quiz show called Truth or Consequences, hosted by Ralph Edwards, came to the American TV audience. The premise of the show was if the contestant could not complete the "Truth" portion; there would be "Consequences," usually something embarrassing. The show was very popular and lasted until the late '80's.
The reason I mention this quiz show is because if the truth is not told about whether or not to legalize marijuana society will suffer the consequences. For this both sides of the argument should be reviewed.
Some medical benefits of legalized marijuana are, 1) access and protection for pain control, 2) legal sale would only be for medical use and not personal pleasure and 3) the prescription drug will bring in added income for government use.
But on the other side some doctors writing prescriptions may be tempted to personally make money on the side by selling in on the black market or patients who use marijuana may become dependant on it and not seek further medical treatment. Also, if marijuana is legalized the likelihood of children being exposed in the privacy of their home becomes a greater possibility.
In my opinion, the most compassionate act is not about making marijuana legal…it’s about helping those who can’t say no—say yes to a healthy life by not being tempted to try it.
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