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US: Measure 80: Regulate cannabis, yea or nay? Nay: Legalizing marijuana will have consequences John Tkebuchava The Advocate Friday 26 Oct 2012 Part 1 of 2; to read the column in favor of, see Yea: Marijuana should be an equivalent to alcohol. http://www.advocate-online.net/opinion/column-opinion/measure-80-regulate-cannabis-like-liquor-restore-agricultural-hemp-2289/ Green is a color that is very commonly associated with Oregon for more reasons than one. For one we are known for being environmentalists. But we are also infamously known for our allegedly high amount of marijuana users. This November, Oregon voters have the opportunity to take some of the “infamy” out of marijuana with Measure 80, which would legalize its use and cultivation by adults. I’m sure by now that you’ve heard to no end the positives the state would reap if such a law were passed, especially with it being a popular topic in speech and writing classes, but something you almost never seem to hear are some of the negatives. An example of such would be in a study last year by the Society for Neuroscience revealed that use of marijuana by adolescents can lead to long-lasting effects on brain development. The research shows that people who start using marijuana at a young age have more cognitive shortfalls, such as difficulties on being attentive. Now, I know what you’re thinking, but marijuana would still be illegal to be used by minors, right? My point is that with Measure 80 will be much more accessible to minors as a result, even if the use of marijuana may still be illegal for them. After all, how do minors get access to alcohol? Aside from the occasional fake I.D. user, someone who is not a minor will get it for them. And if marijuana is legalized, potential smokers no longer have to look to their dealers to provide them with what they need, but can just go buy it from a store whenever if they have the cash. As such, marijuana use among minors may become that much more prevalent. Though I obviously may have my issues with Measure 80, I’m not exactly against the idea either. The “war on drugs” is obviously not working. Decriminalizing possession and use of marijuana is a step in the right direction in that regard. We need the police spending chasing dangerous criminals, not pot-smokers. In the end, while I don’t believe Measure 80 may be a bad thing for Oregon, as a journalist, I believe in a better-informed society. This measure most certainly will do some good, but you are lying to yourself if you think that that’s all it will do. So whether you vote for or against this measure this November, make sure you understand all the consequences, good or bad. http://www.advocate-online.net/opinion/column-opinion/measure-80-regulate-cannabis-yea-or-nay-2296/
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