State policy issues

State  Informative articles

          As a result of the passage of Measure 91 on November 4th, recreational and medicinal usage of marijuana has become legal in Oregon. With this legalization, there will be measures put in place to limit certain aspects of usage, such as the amount that can be possessed for the various forms of the drug. This law is intended to be put in place by July 1, 2015.

The Oregon Marijuana Initiative (Measure 91) was put on the ballot for the Midterm Elections. This measure legalizes recreational marijuana for people ages 21 and older, permitting adults over this age to have no more than 8 ounces of dried marijuana in their possession.

With the passing of this measure, the Yes Vote enables the possession, in-state manufacture, processing, and sale of marijuana. Though within these bounds, certain limits will be instilled when the law is enacted.

          Adults that are in possession or deal with marijuana will eventually be subject to licensing, regulation, taxation by state. All laws concerning the usage of medical marijuana will remain the same.

The voter turn-out on this issue was quite significant, and there was a notable disparity between the Yes and No votes—55.98% voted in support of the issue, and 44.02% were opposed to the measure.

This measure was primarily funded, propagated, and addressed by campaign groups such as New Approach Oregon and Drug Policy Action, who work to promote the safe use of marijuana.  These groups provided about $9, 315,401 in funds toward the campaign

Groups in opposition such as Parents Opposed to Pot and Restore America donated around a total of $179, 427 in funds to stop the legalization of marijuana in the state.

The arguments from both sides of the issue illustrated some of the trepidations and reasoning of the general public in the state.

Groups that opposed the legislation proposed ramifications that would ensue with the passing of the measure. Their arguments addressed the fears of lack of restrictions on marketing and advertising of marijuana paraphernalia, its effect on kids, gauging the safety and quality of marijuana, regulation of the amount being sold, and driving rules for “marijuana impairment,” among others.

Arguments for the Yes vote noted the aspect of the cost of criminalizing marijuana and its social implications, such as the number of arrests for marijuana possession within the state, the increased profits for black markets, as well as regulations on the illicit sales of marijuana within schools. New Approach Oregon explained the downsides of the criminalization of marijuana, emphasizing the financial burden it has on the state and local government, as well as the police force.

          Since the vote was Yes, these policies were considered and will now be addressed with this legislation. Moreover, in order to instill a safer environment for the public, the government of the state of Oregon will impose aforementioned regulations for responsible marijuana usage.

Oregon’s Legalization of Marijuana

California's Economy

Washington state news

     Washington state voters passed the I-594 gun control initiative for mandatory background check for all gun sales and transfers this November following the October 24 shooting at Marysville-Pilchuck High School in Marysville, Washington, that left four students dead, and three more injured.

     Initiative 594 (I-594) is a measure that requires a background check for anyone who would like to purchase firearms. 55.27% percent of the Washington state voters supported this initiative on Election Day. According to an article on the politico website, I-594 attracted significant support from major donors, including Bloomberg, Gates and Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen. The pro-I-594 campaign raised more than $10 million, according to the Associated Press (Topaz).

     I-591 was the other initiative running against the I-594. Initiative 591 prohibits background checks for firearm purchases unless mandated by federal law. This initiative got 44.73% of the total vote. Some say that this issue about background checks for firearm purchases may not end here as a significant number of people voted yes to the I-591 to protect their right to bear arms without a universal background check.

     Seattle Mayor Ed Murray “As the first state to pass this by popular vote, Washington has sent a message of hope to other states that progress is possible: We can act to prevent gun violence. Our goal has never been about finding a single solution that will end gun violence once and for all. Instead, our goal has been to enact a sound system of common sense rules that can, by working in concert, make an enormous difference” (“Who needs Congress? Washington State passes historic gun control measure by popular vote”).

     The state of California’s economy rate has been going up and is continuing to go up. They have made millions of jobs for people of their state and the levels of unemployment has went down greatly. Many other states doesn’t have the power or money to do what California is doing and it is not helping the other countries. But California has many other problems that they are facing like poverty which can be help by this work and job rate that is going up. California has one of the highest poverty rates in the United States, and with this job rate going up California’s poverty rate can go down also.