As Colorado took the first step into the realm of legalization, the remaining states looked on in anticipation. Some guessed that the streets would be filled with pot smokers committing random acts of violence, while others feared that smokers would take over the local parks with hula hooping, slacklining and cloud-watching. No noticeable increase in crime or hula-hoop sales have been observed since Washington has joined Colorado as a legalized recreational use state, but much remains to be learned before other states join these two trailblazers.
In an article recently published by NYU Marron Institute of Urban Management Professor Mark Kleiman, what marijuana legalization really needs for success is smart legalization. While on its face, legalizing marijuana in a way similar to post-prohibition alcohol makes sense, doing so could prove fatal to the newborn industry. Alcohol is a BIG industry which, in order to survive, targets those who are most likely to use it or abuse it.
In order to prevent marijuana from taking on the same characteristics of the alcohol industry, Kleiman suggests tackling two important issues: information and price. We have previously discussed some of the unique challenges that states face when it comes to legalization, however, Kleiman’s view on the issue takes marijuana out of the hands of the states and places it at the federal level in order to avoid the Budweiser-ing of bud and maintain equal costs nation-wide. By operating under a “state store” system, currently used by states like Utah and Alabama for alcohol sales, the problems of interstate smuggling due to varying costs and the creation of a BIG marijuana industry is deemed null and void.
Although our governmental authorities say otherwise, the majority of Americans favor legalization and it is only a matter of time before the reflection of public attitudes makes its way into federal law. In the meantime, the more ideas and policies that promote smart legalization, the better! Read more about Professor Kleiman.
Texas culture is definitely changing views on marijuana, but there is a long way to go. Regardless of how many smart people we have addressing the issue of marijuana legalization we can’t seem to get there. So, if you get caught with marijuana, please assert your rights and contact a marijuana lawyer immediately.
