Medical marijuana laws to be reconsidered(Today's Article);
Written by Sakura Robles, Daily Vidette Staff Writer
Wednesday, 04 November 2009 05:57
The Obama administration recently announced they will not be enforcing arrest against medical marijuana users and suppliers, as long as it falls under specific state laws. Fourteen states allow medical marijuana usage under specific legislation, including Alaska, California, Hawaii, Maine and Oregon.
The new policy shows Obama’s previous campaign promise of not interfering with the purchase and use of medical marijuana, as long as it complies with the specific law categorized in each distinct state.
“President Obama’s action of advising the Department of Justice not to pursue criminal prosecutions against those who use marijuana for valid medical reasons essentially implements one of his campaign promises and shows his commitment to state rights,” Professor of politics and government Robert Bradley said.
“Particularly for those states that have taken official actions to legalize certain medical uses of marijuana. This action is unlikely to lead to an immediate successful effort to decriminalize marijuana either nationally or at the state level.
“However, the governor of California had mentioned decriminalizing marijuana and then subsequently taxing its sale as a means to get the state out of its budget crisis,” Bradley added.
“That idea appeared to get little traction.”
Many believe the administration’s new policy is paving the way towards full medical marijuana legalization in all 50 states. Others believe the legalization of the drug, through medical or recreational use, will not change the amount of people currently using pot illegally.
“When it comes to the legalization of medicinal marijuana, I think that this legislation being brought forth is not a bad thing for the people that it will help,” President of the College of Republicans Blair Arden Kelly said.
“I think that realistically this is the first big step to having marijuana legalized and I don’t think that the impact of this on the American public will be very noticeable.” Kelly added. “The people who do marijuana now on a regular basis will always do it regardless of it being legal or not. Those that try it for the sake of trying it probably won’t because of the stigma that is being taken away from it.”
Senior political science major Scott Preston feels that America is a continuously transitioning nation and the battle against or for the legalization of marijuana has yet to be finished.
“This is an interesting situation as some argue medical marijuana benefits significantly outweigh the risks associated with its use, while others uphold greater concern in it getting in the wrong hands,” Preston said.
“The demographic of users and supporters seems to be changing with time. But still does the negative stigma associated with the drug in the minds of people overcome its actual effects? That is a question we have yet to see answered.
“We do know, however, that America today is different than it has been,” Preston added. “The impact our transitioning culture
has had on the medical use of cannabis is already visible, and I’m
sure there is plenty more yet to come.”
