Legalizing Marijuana

Huffington Post
Gavin Newsom
There is more talk going around about how California should legalize marijuana. Huffington Post's Gavin Newsom suggested "It is time for California to decriminalize, tax and regulate marijuana and decide who sells it, who can buy it legally, and for how much. When California became the first state to approve medical marijuana, we led the nation on progressive drug policies, and now it is time to lead again." This statement is completely wrong and illogical. Just because marijuana will be legalized, it does not mean that California will be able to regulate who can get their hands on a bag of weed. Vendors off the street make most of their money selling illegal marijuana to minors. Even if marijuana was to be legalized, people will still go to find the cheaper and easier provider. The only plus side to legalizing marijuana would be to have less prisoners in our jails, but, which is the more ideal city? One where people are able to grow weed in their backyards where their children are exposed to it, or a city that has a jail full of people who can cause harm to those around them? Marijuana, no matter who argues that it is not addictive or does not cause permanent harm, still affects your perception and your mind. That, in itself, is the most dangerous thing about drugs.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gavin-newsom/time-for-california-to-de_b_3134929.html