Mike Novak

Health 106 Prof Beck

Marijuana Legalization
The great state of Stonehead has just decided to legalize marijuana and you have been asked to
be the states first Marijuana Commissioner. In this capacity, you have been asked to set up
guidelines governing the legality of marijuana use in Stonehead. At your first press conference,
you are asked the following questions by reporters. Please respond directly to each question in
3-4 sentences. No political side stepping here!
1.

At what age will marijuana smoking be legal? Why are you choosing this age?
Marijuana will be legal to smoke at the age of 21. Just like alcohol, marijuana is known the
cause changes in the brain and brain chemistry. We also know that the brain is not fully
developed until adulthood, therefore, to prevent any negative brain changes, marijuana
smoking will be limited to those who are 21 or older, and thus have a much more developed
brain. Legalizing marijuana for those under the age of 21 would be irresponsible on our part
because adverse consequences would be destined to occur.

2.

Will marijuana be sold through state stores? Through supermarkets?

Through convenience stores? Special marijuana distribution centers? Why?
Marijuana will be sold through distribution centers, much like how pharmacies dispense
prescription medications. It will still be taxed, but selling it though distribution centers will
allow citizens whom operate these facilities to partake in the growing industry and thus
profit. Marijuana will also be sold through state stores, but not through supermarkets or
convenience stores. It would be much easier for robberies of theft of marijuana to occur at
supermarkets or convenient stores than highly controlled dispensaries and state stores.

3.

Penalties regarding alcohol drinking and driving have not eliminated alcohol-related
traffic injuries. What do you propose to do to limit marijuana-related traffic fatalities?
To limit marijuana-related traffic fatalities, there will be enforcement of driving under the
influence of this substance much like alcohol. Roadside tests will be developed to determine
if a driver is under the influence of marijuana. If a driver is found to be under the influence of
marijuana, they will be cited, given a DUI and forced to attend substance abuse classes so
they can become educated and aware of the dangers regarding driving while high. Public
advertisements and social media will also employ numerous techniques to make the public
aware of the dangers associated with driving under the influence of marijuana, not just
alcohol.

4.

What penalty do you propose for (explain EACH answer in 3-4 sentences):

a second conviction?

Mike Novak
Health 106 Prof Beck
Marijuana Legalization
o A second conviction of possession of marijuana under the age of 21 would have to
call for more intense punishments. I proposed that second offenders be placed on
probation with required random drug testing. This would steer offenders from
consuming marijuana while on probation, and perhaps be much more careful
regarding its use and possession after the fact. In addition to probation, it should
be considered for second offenders to be placed on house arrest for a period of 7
days. This would inhibit the offender from leaving the house, and thus
participating in marijuana selling, dealing, buying, or possession.

selling to minors?
o Selling to minors would pose a huge risk to our youth. If one was caught selling
marijuana to a minor, they should expect to face severe penalties including the
inability to purchase marijuana in a dispensary in the future. Along with this
consequence, offenders caught selling to minors should submit themselves to
probation with random drug testing as well.

marijuana-related traffic violation?

o Marijuana-related traffic violations will be taken as serious as driving while
drunk. Although marijuana may not cause incapacitation like alcohol, attention,
memory, and ability to focus on the road and other driver can be impaired by
marijuana. Drivers caught under the influence of this drug will be subject to jail
time, forced to take classes regarding drugs and their various effects on driving
ability, and placed on probation with random drug testing as those above. Their
license will also be suspended for a minimum of 3 months.

5. Current law forbids the production of moonshine whiskey. Are you going to prohibit the
personal growing of marijuana?
The personal growth of marijuana will be prohibited to an extent. It will be legal for a
given person to grow up to 2 plants of marijuana, granted they have a license from their state
government to do so. Requirements will need to be met before personal growth can begin, such
as the building of a designated marijuana growing house that must be highly secured. If there
were no such requirements or license required for people to personally grow marijuana, then it
would surely be grown outside the 2 plant limit. Also, if anyone was allowed to grow marijuana
at home without a license, crimes such as burglary may increase in attempt for criminals to
obtain marijuana from those growing it personally.
6. A certain amount of revenue (i.e., state taxes on marijuana products) may be realized. What
polices or programs would you fund using this income?

Mike Novak
Health 106 Prof Beck
Marijuana Legalization
From the large amount of revenue generated from taxes on marijuana, we will initiate and
improve existing programs that aim to inform the general public on the dangers of driving under
the influence of marijuana and other drugs. Part of this revenue would go towards improving
quality control of marijuana and establishing federal agencies that would monitor the strength
and purity of marijuana being sold at both state stores and distribution centers. Also, revenue will
be put into developing new policies that will work to establish common grounds regarding legal
levels or marijuana and the differentiation between patients using marijuana medicinally or
recreationally.
7. Assuming marijuana legalization does not result in a tremendous increase in problems, would
you favor legalizing other drugs such as cocaine, morphine and LSD?
No I would not favor legalizing other drugs such as cocaine and LSD. While marijuana is
a natural plant and not extremely potent, cocaine and LSD are both extremely potent drugs with
a heavy side effect/risk profile. Marijuana, in comparison to the later drugs, has light effects and
its overdose potential is not very high. Drugs such as cocaine and LSD have much lower LD50
levels than marijuana and can be easily overdosed when combined with other drugs. LSD,
heroin, ecstasy, and cocaine are much harder drugs, each having only marginal and skeptical
medicinal use. Marijuana already has many know medicinal used, while LSD, heroin, ecstasy,
and cocaine do not, at least their medicinal use is highly outweighed by the risks associated with
these drugs.