To legalize pot, stop the infighting
(CNN)Opposition to marijuana legalization is rapidly decreasing — from 60% in the mid-2000s to 44% in 2015. But it’s still an uphill battle.
The big question now is: In legalizing marijuana, how should we implement the details?
This is where it gets complicated. There are so many debates over how much home cultivation should be allowed, which medical conditions should be able to use it, what’s the best consumption methods for the average user? And who has the ultimate control over the regulations — the state or the local municipalities?
As the pot industry evolves, more and more groups are finding that they’ve reached their personal stopping point and are upset with those who have different ideas. Home cultivators, medical patients, recreational legalization supporters — can’t we all just get along?
There are people who are upset that legalization in any form means taxes and government regulations. These guys have been privately cultivating for years, decades even. And while they’d be happy to not risk jail time for their endeavors, they are not interested in the hassles, responsibilities and costs associated with legalization.
Some strong medical marijuana supporters believe that recreational use diminishes the medicinal value of the plant. They are fearful that recreational pot creates an image that is too focused on “partying” or just “getting high.” They are afraid that the true medicinal value of the plant will be lost in the shuffle and that patients’ rights will be diminished.