Chapter Seven: Marijuana Legalization Polls

Oregon, Alaska, D.C Next to Vote on Legal Marijuana

Recently I came across an article from yahoo.com that came from "Constitution Daily" from the National Constitution Center. This article discussed the upcoming polls in Oregon, Alaska, and District of Columbia (D.C) and in particular focused on the topic of marijuana legalization.

In early November, voters in the three aforementioned states will be able to decide on the legal status of marijuana as they did in Colorado and Washington back during the election of 2012. The status of marijuana in these two states are constantly developing even to this day. Originally, the states allowed recreational marijuana sales and use, and now officials have approved a tax and distribution infrastructure. Despite these state laws conflicting with federal regulation, the Justice Department will not criminally prosecute recreational marijuana users and state-approved growers and vendors in the states in which the recreational sale and use of marijuana is legal.

An issue arises with the District of Columbia. When it was originally founded from land owned by Maryland and Virginia, it was intended to act as a safe and secure district; it was made clear that the District of Columbia was not a state. This makes the legalization process different than other states and there may be resistance in the legalization of marijuana. In the case of Oregon and Alaska, the November 4th ballot allows for possession, growth of limited plants, and sale of limited amounts of marijuana for personal use. In D.C. however, the sale of marijuana would not be legalized. The aspect that all these will have in common? A state tax on the cultivation and sale of marijuana.

Critique of Mainstream Media

Politically speaking, I had to educate myself as I lacked sufficient knowledge in the subject to truly be able to critically analyze any article on the political aspect of marijuana. Although this article lacked any sort of scientific knowledge, it still served it's purpose; to shed light on the current political tides and the changes that may soon take place in early November. This article was a sort of snap-shot of the upcoming political events that could drastically effect marijuana's status in 3 states. 

I think within a week the marijuana movement can either be fueled even further, or the movement could come to a sudden halt. If the states were to pass the laws, it would be incentive for other states to continue with the "trend" (for a lack of better term) and may be the first of many changing state policies. It can further build upon the changes that Colorado and Washington have caused across the nation and will make 2016 one of the most important years for marijuana and its legalization. On the other hand, if the state voters choose to not pass the changes, then the momentum that had built up in the marijuana movement would possibly come to a sudden halt.

I enjoyed the fact that it put into perspective the different legalization measures that the polls would use. While all the poll questions are relatively similar, they each have nuances that make them subtly different. For example, D.C. polls aren't considering the legalization of the sale of marijuana. Oregon allows for possession of 8 ounces and 4 plants of marijuana, while Alaska allows for possession of 1 ounce and 6 plants of marijuana. It's interesting to see how each state has their own differences when it comes to the cultivation, possession, sale, and use of marijuana yet they all make it legal (with the exception of D.C.). This coming week, in my opinion, will mark either a revolution in marijuana status in the United States or will completely cease the momentum built up by marijuana activists. 

References

• http://blog.constitutioncenter.org/2014/10/oregon-alaska-d-c-next-to-vote-on-legal-marijuana/

Image Source

• http://www.eastbayri.com/tag/election-2014/