As California Goes, So Goes the Nation
There’s an old saying most of us have heard many times before . . . “As California goes, so goes the Nation.” Short and sweet, it’s intended to recognize Californians for consistently being on the cutting edge of new developments and innovations that eventually end up sweeping the rest of the nation. Culturally, politically, economically and otherwise, Californians have often rightly earned the distinction of being national trend-setters. For better or for worse.
To be sure, imitation is the best form of flattery. And, in many instances, California deserves such flattery for her many cutting-edge ideas in technology, the arts, manufacturing, agriculture, education and the like. Likewise, there are also plenty of examples where the rest of the Nation might be better off going it alone rather than following our lead. How about our current dysfunctional state government. Think it’s worthy of export? Or, how about the way we handle our budget? Doubt it, you say. Okay. Maybe someone would be interested in our prison system management techniques or tips on reducing recidivism rates. You don’t think so?
Mmmmm. I’ll keep trying. Well, I’m sure the business climate we’ve created might be of interest to someone, somewhere. And don’t tell me no one would want to copy our finely honed strategies for dealing with a host of environmental concerns. Of course not you say? Well then, how about our strategic plans to ensure plenty of water and power are available to sustain us in the future? And, our ‘nanny state’ approach to government has got to be of interest to someone. Oh, come on now, you’re being overly critical. There must be something here worth exporting to our neighbors to the East. I don’t mean to be overly flippant nor make it sound like everything in California has gone to pot. It hasn’t, not yet anyway. But, literally speaking, it’s about to. That’s right….gone to pot. That’s grass, weed or reefer for you old guys and gals from the ‘60s. For you younger folks, maybe you’ll find terms like Aunt Mary, skunk, boom, gangster or wacky terbacky a bit more familiar. No matter what you call it, it’s all the same . . . we’re talking about marijuana. Yep, that’s right. And, if some folks get their way, California may soon have the distinction of being the first state in the Nation to legalize its ‘recreational’ use. Now, how’s that for being a trend-setter? According to the State Board of Equalization, it’s conceivable legalization might generate nearly $1.4B annually in tax revenues. Their analysis also suggests marijuana use would likely increase by about 40%, along with a resulting 50% drop in street value. As you’ll recall, voters passed Proposition 215 in 1996 legalizing medical use of marijuana. Many opponents claimed then that medical use was only a ruse in order to get the proverbial foot inside the door, eventually achieving the ultimate goal of legalizing recreational use as well. Appears they may have been right. Since passage, state and federal officials have been at odds, with the feds holding firm on their outright ban on all marijuana use. Federal law seems to trump state law you know. Recently, however, US Attorney General, Eric Holder, has indicated the Justice Department would now defer to state marijuana regulations. How’s that for fair and impartial enforcement of our nation’s laws. Guess the AG gets to pick and choose which laws are worthy of enforcement. Interesting! Now, right on cue, first term legislator Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco) has introduced AB390, intended to legalize recreational use of marijuana. If put into law, it would allow adults 21 and older to legally possess, grow and sell marijuana. Ammiano is promoting his bill as a way to help solve the state’s ailing budget problems. Interestingly enough, though, his bill as written does not allow the state to start collecting taxes until the federal government legalizes marijuana. That could be a long wait my friend. Fortunately, Ammiano’s bill hasn’t apparently received much support thus far. Should he fail this time around, he’s vowed to reintroduce the legislation again next session. Apparently, as a way to cut the legislature out of the process, two initiatives seeking to legalize recreational use of marijuana were also filed with the Secretary of State’s office in July 2009.. They include the Tax, Regulate, and Control Cannabis Act of 2010 and the Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010. Although similar in name, the details of each differ considerably. But all have legalization of marijuana as their ultimate goal. If enough qualifying signatures are received, expect to find one or both initiatives on the 2010 ballot. Strong opinions exist on both sides of the marijuana legalization debate.
According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, the following are good reasons to be against it:
“1) Marijuana is a dangerous, addictive drug that poses significant health threats to users, 2) Marijuana has no medical value that can’t be met more effectively by legal drugs, 3) Marijuana users are far more likely to use other drugs like cocaine and heroin than non-marijuana users, and 4) Drug legalizers use “medical marijuana” as a red herring in an effort to advocate broader legalization of drug use.”
On the flip side, proponents of legalizing, regulating and taxing recreational marijuana use, to include the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, suggest it would 1) Help fight crime by producing cheaper drugs, thereby driving drug cartels out of business, 2) Provide about $1.2 billion in badly needed revenue to the state, 3) Save over $170 million in law enforcement costs, and 4) Generate such spin-off industries as coffee shops, paraphernalia and industrial hemp, creating thousands of new jobs and the accompanying additional income and business tax revenues.
Wish I could be assured California voters, when given the chance, will do the right thing and vote all these pro-marijuana measures down. But sadly, I am not. An April 2009 Field Poll showed 56% of the state’s registered voters supporting legalization and taxing of marijuana for recreational use. That’s pretty darn disturbing!
As for me, I’m sticking with the American Medical Association and their recommendation that marijuana remain classified a Schedule 1 drug with a “high potential for abuse,” “no currently accepted medical use,” and “a lack of accepted safety.” Folks, it’s time to draw a line in the sand and say no more. It’s time to stand up and do what we must to defend our society from further moral decay. It’s time to stop thinking only of ourselves and our selfish needs and begin to consider the interests and welfare of those who will follow in our footsteps.
And remember, “As California Goes, So Goes the Nation.”
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