Proposition 19: Legalization of Marijuana

For my third C-SPAN video, I chose a section of the Washington Journal that discusses Proposition 19. Proposition 19 is to be voted on in California this November and would legalize the possession of marijuana under one ounce for adults 21 years of age and older. The two individuals who are debating this issue on the Washington Journal are Allen St. Pierre the Head of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (N.O.R.M.L.)and Asa Hutchinson former Head of the DEA from 2001-2003.

I chose this video because I have been hearing a lot about this controversial issue in the news lately and I wanted a fair and balanced argument of the facts which C-SPAN provides.

FACTS PRESENTED:
- marijuana has been criminalized for 74 years
- since 1965; 20 Million marijuana related arrest
- In 2010; projected 850,000 marijuana related arrest
-90% of those arrest were for possession only; a non-violent crime
-since late 70s; overall drug use down 50%
- This figure comes from a Government issued survey that ask children in schools along with a survey that ask people in their homes. Therefore, people must be willing to admit to using on a government issued survey.
-Increase in Tax Revenues(data by Miron & Waidock of the Stern School of Business @ NY University; 8.7 Billion per year
- Reallocation of DEA funds; focus on other drugs i.e. coke, ecstasy, meth, prescription.
- 14 states and DC have decriminalized marijuana; Michigan, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Colorado, Alaska, Main, Hawaii, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, Vermont, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island
- This means no criminal action is enforced if quantity possessed is under the legal limit, simply a fine.
- Use is likely to increase if decriminalized.
- Use on job site; banned, like alcohol, it would not be tolerated.
- Federal Law remains supreme to state laws; "Supremacy Law"
- Marijuana is in fact a plant....
- Marijuana is a unbeatable enemy; destabilizing US boarders.
- Caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol all rank higher (for earliest usage) than marijuana as "gateway drugs."
- There is more access to uncontrolled substances.
- We live is a Republic not a Democracy.

I picked some of the main "facts" that were presented in this video clip and will leave it to you and the people of California to decide if you think it should or should not be legalized. One thing I found most interesting about this video clip is that almost every caller; Democrats, Republicans, and Independents, were for the legalization of marijuana. I was really surprised because of what I believed the demographics of the Washington Journal were.. middle aged, middle class, and I just assumed anti drug. There are many good points brought up from both sides and I suggest you watch and drawl your own opinion.