MARIJUANA IN WASHINGTON By Taylor Wang & Abigail Gates

How did marijuana become legal? The law, I-502, allows people over 21 to use marijuana for recreational reasons. It was approved on November 6, 2012, with a vote of 56% to 44%, and fully began on December 6. The first licensed shop, Cannabis City, opened in Seattle on July 8 the following year.

What is marijuana? Many states allow the use of medical marijuana, but Washington, Colorado, and recently Alaska and Oregon, are the only states to legalize the drug, for recreational purposes Marijuana can relieve certain types of pain, nausea, and vomiting If it is smoked under 25 years old, it can cause long term memory loss and a lower IQ It is less toxic than many of the drugs that physicians prescribe to patients every day Since it is relatively new, there has not been much research done on it

Why is the legalization good? Since the I-502 law was passed, which allows Washington citizens to legally purchase and use marijuana from licensed stores, crime rates involving pot have decreased. Also, because of the legalization, Washington is taking in millions of dollars in marijuana taxes’ profits, which fund education and research on effects of the legalization. Washington has also saved millions of dollars that would have been used on law enforcement of marijuana rules.

Pros Government Safety Boost in revenue (nearly 83 million in marijuana taxes) Saves millions of dollars on law enforcement for the previous restrictions Filings for low-level marijuana offenses are down 98% for adults 21+ All categories of marijuana law violations are down 63% Violent crime has decreased since the passage of I-502 The number of traffic fatalities remained stable since adult possession was legalized Marijuana-related convictions are down 81%

What are some problems? Although making pot legal has positive effects, there are also some issues with it. Like all drugs, there are negative side effects of using marijuana especially when you are a teen and some people could say that this recent law has made it easier for kids to get access to marijuana.

Cons Health/Youth Crime According to a 2012 Washington Youth Survey, more than half of Washington’s 10th graders claim it is easy for them to have access to marijuana Linked to schizophrenia and depression Increase in chances of drugs falling into hands of children which can stop development of their mind and body Still relatively new and not researched enough Marijuana is one of the most prevalent drugs found in accidents Increase in driving while high Danger of second hand smoke to bystanders

A professional’s opinion We asked a cop from Colorado (a state where marijuana is legal) to state his opinion on the legalization. Here is what he had to say…

Many believe that all states will have legalized cannabis Many believe that all states will have legalized cannabis. However, it will probably take years.   Historically conservative states such as Utah and Idaho will be resistant to legalize it until they’ll no longer have a choice.  It will be difficult to justify not legalizing it. Taxes gained from the sales of recreational marijuana are in the millions. Do you think that Washington and Colorado’s marijuana laws have paved the way for other states to legalize pot for their citizens?

Majority of cops really didn’t care about the legalization--- makes their job easier. It was already so prevalent in Washington due to medical marijuana– laws between medical and personal usage became confusing, the legalization made it much simpler Do you think if you were not a trooper, you would have a different opinion on the legalization of marijuana? If so, how do you think your job has affected your outlook on marijuana legalization?

Study recently that showed marijuana use among children had reduced, while it had increased among adults after the legalization Future generations won’t know any different, it will just be a part of society by then Marijuana does damage to young people, such as impaired memory and depression What kind of effect is this law leaving on children and teens in the state? How do you think this law will affect future generations?

The shift is already prevalent. Many people view marijuana in a negative way. I feel the use of marijuana will transform into the same sentiment as cigarettes has. Also, years from now people will begin to understand the health risks associated with using marijuana. Right now it’s too new to understand that, but as research and testing catches up it will become obvious. Do you think marijuana will ever become as common as alcohol as a recreational drug, or should it be strictly regulated as it is now?

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