Peter Pendragon
It is very sad to read your recent articles reporting arrests for the
cultivation of marijuana.
Unlike alcohol, which is toxic and leads to
both violence and chronic health problems, marijuana has proven useful
for the treatment of many medical conditions.
Finally, almost a century after hemp was demonized and criminalized
in the United States for the benefit of industrial companies who wanted
their patented synthetic fibers (nylon) to replace natural hemp rope,
more than two thirds of the US population live
in states where marijuana is now legal for medical use. And the tide
has turned, with not just medical but recreational use of marijuana now
fully legal in many US states. For example,
the Adult Use of Marijuana Act was legalized under California law in
November 2016, allowing the possession, sale, use, and cultivation
of marijuana.
The California marijuana market alone was already US$8.5
billion last year, making marijuana by far the state's biggest
agricultural product, exceeding the value of grapes, milk, and almonds,
and generating US$1.5 billion in new tax revenue:
Has the fabric of society crumbled in California as a consequence of
the legalization of marijuana for recreational use and its widespread
retail sale? No, far from it, California has the 4th largest
economy in the world, and innovation is thriving (Facebook, Google,
Twitter, Apple, Instagram, Uber, AirBNB, Tesla, etc.).
And Canada's Senate recently voted 56 to 30 to legalize recreational
marijuana. The legal marijuana industry has literally saved many small
towns in the US, reversing their economic collapse:
Why does the Kingdom continue to regard this natural god-given plant
as a criminal threat? Why not instead legalize it, and not only reap the
many benefits for society, but also enjoy an huge boon in marijuana
tourism from NZ and Australia who also lag behind Canada and the US in legalization?
No comments:
Post a Comment