On December 6 proposal one will be put into action. Although 56% of Michigan voters supported the legalization of marijuana, there are still many who are uneasy about this change.
A major concern people have is that this law will increase the number of drug users, which could be dangerous as there are risks to giving adults the free range of using drugs. Some are using this law as an example that 18-year-olds are too immature to vote on serious matters and blame them for this new change in policy. But this change is going to help Michigan, not make it unsafe.
The bottom line is the tax dollars gained from legalizing Marijuana is far too good to give up.
Michigan is following the example set by Colorado in 2012, although the commercial sale of marijuana didn’t start until 2014. The state of Colorado reported their total revenue from taxes and fees put on marijuana, in just the first year (2014), to be around $60 million. According to Michigan Radio, when Michigan’s marijuana market is in full motion it could produce up to $260 million in revenue.
This law will not only help Michigan on a large scale but will also help small communities, like our own. In the action that a dispensary is put near Northview, the school system will be gaining 35% of the sales made to go back into our school.
Although the financial gain from proposal one could be substantial, some cities are already choosing to opt out of participating. Hudsonville and Grand Haven are among the cities that are prohibiting marijuana sale and public use.
So although people are concerned about the negative effects this bill may have, the possibility of great financial gain should help put many at ease. This bill is going to help fix roads, provide jobs, and much more.
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I hope that people understand that even though marijuana was voted legal in michigan, even after the date when the law takes effect,IT IS STILL NOT LEGAL. THe federal law still states that marijuana is illegal so, no matter what michigan decides for itself, police will continue to arrest anyone found using, or in the possession of, this highly dangerous drug. “When a state makes a law that contradicts a federal one then the federal law should take precedence according to the constitution. When a state makes a law that legalizes marijuana then the federal government should still make sure that those who break the federal law are prosecuted.” (Annenberg 2)
“Speak Outs – What Happens When States Enact Legislation That Contradicts Federal Laws?” Annenberg Classroom, 1 Oct. 2013, http://www.annenbergclassroom.org/speakout/what-happens-when-states-enact-legislation-that-contradicts-federal-laws-.