The California Initiative on Marijuana - Essay Example

The said initiative had qualified for last November's ballots since it gathered the required number of signatures which met the deadline. If ever this would be implemented, then this is would be the first law of the United States which allows marijuana legally for personal consumption. Although marijuana was allowed in the state strictly for medical use more than a decade ago, still allowing it for personal consumption is another matter. Those who advocate the passing of the initiative into a law argue that the tax would greatly benefit the state which is currently suffering from an economic crisis. According to Weber (2010), “supporters say state-run studies have found that taxes on marijuana could raise as much as $1.4 billion in annual revenue”. This would help the ailing economy as Governor Schwarzenegger announces a second round of tax breaks for new home buyers to boost the housing industry. Somehow, the additional income would be a welcome relief for the government.

A survey was conducted in April last year which revealed that more than half of the voters support the said initiative. Similarly, Weber reported the enthusiasm of the people behind the initiative: "It was very easy", the initiative's main proponent, Richard Lee, told the paper. "People were eager to sign. We heard they were ripping the petitions out of people's hands to do it" (qtd. from Marijuana Legalization Could End Up in Ballot, 2005).

However, not all sectors of society are happy about these developments since law enforcers as well as prosecutors believe that legalization would produce more problems for society. This would involve drug-related crimes and it would be too late then to arrest the problem when the use of marijuana becomes legal. The use of marijuana promotes negative externalities which can also become a precedent for legalizing other vices in society. It is still the government’s accountability and responsibility to balance the advantages and disadvantages of a public policy. Public policy reflects the core values of a society. Although the benefit of providing more income for the government is utilitarian and practical, still, traditional sectors uphold moral ethics. Besides, the enforcement of the law for those who commit crimes would become complicated when the use of marijuana becomes legal. The demand for marijuana may even increase as young people have the access to its use and even propagation. There is always room for possible abuse of such substances. In conclusion, the initiative hasn’t passed or failed yet but there is a great possibility that it can become a law that could become a precedent for other states.