November 2016: The Green Rush 2.0? | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics

November 2016: The Green Rush 2.0?

"When you smoke the herb, it reveals you to yourself" - Bob Marley

10
November 2016: The Green Rush 2.0?
The Huffington Post

With just 23 days until Election Day, Americans are excited to hit the polls to cast their vote. However, besides electing a new president of course, there will be several other important issues on the ballot – gun control, healthcare, minimum wage and marijuana – that will have an impact nationwide.

Although all of the controversial issues are of great importance, marijuana legalization, whether recreational or medicinal, is an ever-growing movement that has only seen increase in support by Americans for the past three years, according to a 2015 Gallup poll. A majority of Americans – 58 percent – support the legalization of marijuana, with younger generations more supportive than older generations, and an overall increase in support since the late 1960s by adults ages 18 to 34; 35 to 49; 50 to 64; and 65-plus years old.

According to BallotPedia, the encyclopedia of American politics, nine states – Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, Montana, Nevada and North Dakota – will have some form of marijuana amendment, measure or proposition to expand the already existing marijuana laws, the legalization for medicinal purposes or the legalization of recreational use marijuana altogether.

Medical Marijuana, Inc., the first publically traded cannabis company in the United States, has over 200,000 current shareholders and exhibits a growing interest in the cannabis industry, heading the so-called cannabis revolution in the nation. According to the site, Arizona, California, Maine and Nevada have the best chance of legalizing marijuana for recreational use.

As the first state to legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes in 1996, this year may be when California embraces the legal, recreational use of marijuana. The Adult Use of Marijuana Act will allow for adults 21 years of age and older to use marijuana and will regulate, treat and tax marijuana like alcohol. According to the Act, the marijuana industry in California generates more than $1 billion annually of which will be distributed to school districts across the state, among other public health and community programs.

Similar to California, the Nevada Marijuana Legalization Initiative, or Question 2, will allow for adults 21 years of age and older to posses up to one ounce of marijuana, and will permit individuals to grow up to six plants. Nevada will regulate and tax marijuana like alcohol, and the public will be able to purchase at any licensed retail facility.

In Maine, residents show strong support for the legalization of marijuana, with a total of 55 percent, according to an October 2015 Critical Insights poll. The Maine Marijuana Legalization Initiative will permit for adults 21 and older to posses up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana – including concentrates – and will allow for the cultivation of up to six plants. According to the initiative, the legalization will generate millions of dollars in tax revenue and will create thousands of jobs for Maine residents.

For residents of Arizona, the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, or Proposition 205, will legalize the use of marijuana and will allow the cultivation of up to six plants, similar to several states. In an advertisement paid for by the campaign, supporters of Proposition 205 state that of the approximately $123-plus million generated in taxes and license fees, Arizona school districts will receive more than $55 million each year. In addition, the campaign states that more than $495 million will be taken out of the criminal market.

As of May 2016, 25 states – including D.C. – have some form of medicinal marijuana laws in place that allow for at least some form of possession. Of these 25, four states – Colorado, Oregon, Washington and Alaska – permit the recreational use of marijuana, as well as D.C.

Come this November, a surprising number of states will have its citizens cast their vote and have their voices heard on the legalization of marijuana. The opposition of marijuana has cost taxpayers millions and incarcerated thousands since the initiation of the so-called War on Drugs. There were a total of 574,641 marijuana-related arrests last year, due to the possession of a small quantity, according to Governing, an online media platform covering politics and policy across the country. Although crime in the country has steadily declined over the past two decades, the marijuana-related arrests last year outnumbered the arrest made for violent crime.

More and more states across the country are beginning to buy into the huge profits to be made from the marijuana industry and as support grows among American citizens, the states that have yet to allow it will soon follow.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

588812
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

478022
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments