Marijuana Blows High On The American Winds
With Pennsylvania now joining the medical marijuana fraternity in the USA, that makes 24 states that have legalized medical cannabis for the welfare of many thousands of sufferers. From what? Marijuana relieves juvenile seizures, chronic pain and gastric ailments besides being the well-known tension reliever and sleep inducer. Presumably, it is common knowledge that the four American states of Colorado, Oregon, Washington and Alaska have legalized recreational cannabis in addition to the medical facility. Nevada could also go a similar way soon.
While it does not mean that you can go wild with ecstasy since there are some restrictions like the age and the quantity, it does bring freedom of choices and expression since cannabis promotes creativity like in the arts and the developed world believes strongly in that.
Globally, several countries are following suit and Australia and Portugal are some countries that have decided to take the lenient approach, perhaps better for everybody concerned.
Have you heard of the Global Marijuana March?
The movement began in 1999 and happens on the first Saturday in May, and just occurred in fact on 7th May. Over a hundred cities globally hold meetings and rallies, concerts and music festivals to celebrate the deities of marijuana. Shall we call it the World Cannabis Day or the Million Marijuana March? Something far greater, perhaps.
Perhaps the statistics would convince better. One authority estimates that as many as 22 million Americans presently use marijuana in some form or the other. Just imagine the dollars behind that vast consumption and it is set to increase with liberalization planned by more and more states.
Will marijuana prices fall with legalization?
Common sense indicates likewise that legal pathways would control prices, making it far more affordable for the average consumer. Yet that also indicates that more consumers would come forward and perhaps begin to misuse and exploit the situation. That may bring some problems too, like excessive consumption that could lead to psychotic conditions of tremendous mental stress and deterioration of student life and job performance.
The advantage would be the end of criminal drug cartels that have caused enough havoc already like the Mexico episodes of gang murders. Yet what happens if prices drop excessively with vast production of the green gold? Governments have the job of maintaining price levels, though underhand trade could commence if cannabis is produced in excess. Do not forget that the marijuana market is vast indeed, far greater than heroin and cocaine, though inexpensive in comparison globally and less harmful too with no known cases of deaths due to overdose. Portugal legalized all drugs, particularly to control crime. Shouldn’t other nations learn a lesson from that?