Thursday, November 13, 2014
Marijuana still illegal according to the Federal Government, even though it owns over half of the land in states where it is legal
Marijuana legality in this country is highly confusing. The article cited an example in which a woman stayed within Washington state borders, but simply entered a national park and suddenly she was breaking the law. On most social issues, including the legality of marijuana, I am of the opinion that the federal government should allow the states to legislate for themselves. I think congress should end the federal prohibition and treat marijuana like alcohol and allow states to regulate it however they choose.
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This issue is extremely confusing. If the state has legalized marijuana, then people should be allowed to have the drug anywhere within the state without punishment. It's strange that the federal government happens to own large percentages of land in states that have legalized marijuana. Even these federal owned areas should follow the law if marijuana is legal in that state; it makes sense and prevents confusion.
ReplyDeleteRegardless of who owns land, the laws of a certain area should apply to that area. If a state legalizes marijuana, why does that law suddenly become invalid if the federal government is protecting it? Federal laws should apply when necessary, for example with forest fires and littering precautions in national parks, but marijuana has no relationship to nature conservation programs.
ReplyDeleteAs Peachez said, this issue is very confusing. I think it's really unfair how Karen Strand, who was hiking in Olympic National Park in Washington state, got a ticket for crossing over into federal territory. To make it less confusing, the state should be able to decided whether they should legalize marijuana. I agree with Antonella, the federal law should apply when necessary (littering and forest fires). Otherwise they shouldn't be the one declaring a law invalid in certain areas of the state.
ReplyDeleteI am just as confused as the next person with this issue. If a state declares marijuana legal, it should be legal within all boundaries of the state, regardless of what land is owned by the government. Karen Strand, most probably unaware that just because she was in federal territory marijuana was illegal, was inconveniently given a ticket for something she thought was legal. Allowing states to legislate this issue on their own would prevent confusion.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with Antonella. Since those four states legalized marijuana, it should be legal throughout the state; not just in certain parts. People shouldn't be penalized for having marijuana if state legalized it.
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ReplyDeleteI agree with everyone here. You shouldn't have to pull up a detailed map to determine where you are able to smoke marijuana and where you will get punished for smoking it.Either they legalize it throughout the entire state, or they do not legalize it at all. The current system makes sense theoretically, but in practice it is just dumb.
ReplyDeleteIf a state has legalized marijuana, then it should be legal in all of its territory. There is the other side however; if a state has not legalized it then it shouldn't be legal anywhere in its territory. Like Nate said, the system makes sense on the inside but followed out, it's confusing and not right.
ReplyDeleteI agree, it is unfortunate that the laws are so confusing. As for whether or not marijuana should be legalized, I am still at a loss. Many studies have shown that marijuana use before the brain has developed hinders the performance of the frontal lobe of the brain. As of now, marijuana use after the brain has developed has yet to show negative outcomes. With that said do you guys think it should be legalized after a certain age? What about the second hand smoke...it could be inhaled by surrounding children. I have yet to make up my mind on this issue. Maybe it should be tossed in the states' hands.
ReplyDeleteI agree with a lot that was said here. If a state legalizes marijuana, then its law should apply to all land within the borders of the state, regardless of if the federal government owns the land or not. Citizens of a state should not be punished for abiding by their state's laws within its borders. When it comes to legalizing marijuana, I am at a loss just like Schafer. I don't have any strong opinion on it and believe that it is probably best to just let the state's decide it for themselves.
ReplyDeleteThe debate over whether the federal or state government should have authority in marijuana legalization is very interesting. Personally I feel that marijuana should be decriminalized everywhere because I don't think the government should control what people put in there body. However, I do not agree that the states should have precedent over federal law.
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