Election Day

Because today was election day, I felt it necessary to brush up on some issues before I voted. Although this issue was not on the ballot that I filled out for this election, a big topic of discussion especially for the state that I am from is the legalization of marijuana. Being from Colorado, there is much debate on this issue. And last November on ballots, Amendment 44, known as The Colorado Marijuana Initiative was listed. This amendment stated that it would be legal for persons over the age of 21 to be in possession of less than an one ounce of marijuana. Before this, anyone over the age of 21 caught for this would be charged with a petty offense and be fined $100. Although this amendment was defeated, it will always be a controversial topic.

Because Colorado has already legalized the use of medical marijuana, I believe this is just another step towards legalizing the substance for everyone. It seems that since that law has passed, medical marijuana shops have been popping up everywhere in Denver. They even advertise on the radio and TV quite often. If law makers think that they can pass a law like making medical marijuana legal, then they need to realize that this is only creating more users of the substance.

Although you need a medical marijuana card in order to buy any from medical marijuana shops called dispensaries, it is getting easier and easier for people to obtain these cards. All they need is a note from a doctor that says they have "chronic pain" (they're are known doctors to go to, especially in Boulder to obtain these doctor's notes), and to know a caregiver who can provide them with the signature to achieve a card, which will later be sent to them by mail. And most of the people with the cards are not in need of the drug for medical reasons at all. They use marijuana recreationally because they have obtained their card.

If a state such as California (where it is also legal to grow and obtain medical marijuana as well) had a question on their ballots today bout the legalization of marijuana, then Colorado should be right there with them, giving people the choice to vote yes or no to legalizing the drug for all.