After two years of protracted discussions about change, the Presidential election was filled with drama in the final two weeks. Voters obsessed on two subjects - the economy and the war. But tucked neatly at the bottom of a few state ballots was a question that could bring about disastrous social consequences for the next generation. At issue was the decriminalization of possession of an ounce or less of marijuana.
One ounce does not seem like much - a few joints, a couple of bowls or blunts. And proponents suggested that arresting people for possession of this substance does little more than create a backlog of cases in the court system. So in the name of legal expediation the proposal was put forth for the popular vote.
In a landslide vote of three to one, the majority spoke and the question passed. NOW WHAT?
Did anyone give thought as to how such a change in the law should be executed? Or how this would effect teens? Police are running around unsure if they should stop drivers when they suspect marijuana is the underlying cause for impaired driving. Teens are laughing aloud as they stand on corners openly thumbing their noses at law enforcement while 'blazing' in public. Drug treatment clinics are caught short when attempting to elucidate the merits of harm reduction as a means to control addiction to cannabis, to addicts who do not see the consequence of smoking. SO, NOW WHAT?
