The Legalization of Marijuana in DCThe Legalization of Marijuana in DC

•The results are in…..The results are in…..

Question: Question: Do you believe that Legalizing Marijuana should be overruled by Government leaders? Why?

BACKGROUNDBACKGROUND

INITIATIVE MEASURE #71

“Legalization of Possession of Minimal Amounts of Marijuana for Personal Use

Act of 2014”

SUMMARY STATEMENTSUMMARY STATEMENT

• Possess up to two ounces of marijuana for personal use;• Grow no more than six cannabis

plants with 3 or fewer being mature, flowering plants, within the person’s principal residence;• Transfer without payment (but not

sell) up to one ounce of marijuana to another person 21 years of age or older; and• Use or sell drug paraphernalia for

the use, growing, or processing of marijuana or cannabis.

• Possess- to have a powerful effect on

• Grow- to become larger : to increase in size, amount, etc.

• Transfer- to cause to pass from one to another; to move to a different place, region, or situation

• Use- the legal enjoyment of property that consists in its employment, occupation, exercise, or practice

Causes of MarijuanaCauses of Marijuana• Marijuana has been used for thousands of years. Similar to alcohol, most

adults who use marijuana continue to perform their expected social roles and do not exhibit serious prob lems. Millions of people have derived pleasure from the plant, and there is evidence that some cannabinoids have important medical benefits (Pacula et al, 2014).

• The correlation between frequent marijuana use among adolescents and a wide range of adverse outcomes, such as poor educational attainment, is strong (Pacula et al, 2014).

• Concurrent use of alcohol and marijuana may increase the risk of traffic crashes, acute health effects, and other harms relative to using either substance alone (Pacula et al, 2014).

Pacula, R. L., Kilmer, B., Wagenaar, A. C., Chaloupka, F. J., & Caulkins, J. P. (2014). Developing Public Health Regulations forMarijuana: Lessons From Alcohol and Tobacco. American Journal Of Public Health, 104(6), 1021-1028. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2013.301766

Unknown Causes in Employment Field?Unknown Causes in Employment Field?

•Marijuana can stay in a person’s system for up to six months. •Unlike alcohol which clears a person’s system relatively

quickly • The longevity of marijuana staying in the system makes this

far more difficult. •With the change in the laws in Washington and Colorado,

employees may think that they now have the “right” to use marijuana outside of the workplace without fear of repercussion if they test positive.

Behind the Scenes of Legalizing MarijuanaBehind the Scenes of Legalizing Marijuana

On July 7, 2014, the DC Cannabis Campaign delivered over 57,000 signatures from DC voters to the DC Board of Elections in order put Initiative 71 on the Nov. 4 ballot.

Decriminalization VS Legalization of Decriminalization VS Legalization of MarijuanaMarijuana

Decriminalization means that the criminal penalties attributed to the act are reduced. Decriminalization of marijuana means that individuals found committing the act would be exposed to lesser penalties like a fine or a special permit.

Legalization is the process of turning a particular action into being legal. All the punishment and consequences attributed to the act are no longer in effect.

Legalization not only removes criminal penalties, but also it allows marijuana to be a new source of taxation and control by local and state government and of federal business income and payroll taxes.

OPINIONSOPINIONS

Question: Question: Do you believe that Legalizing Marijuana should be overruled by Government leaders? Why?

Artist: Aaron M. Williams