As of today Marijuana is recreationally legal in four states including Alaska, Washington, Oregon, and of course Colorado. On top of the four completely legal recreational states there are twenty-three states where Marijuana is legal for medical use.  Does three million dollars in a month sound like a lot of money? In the first month of legal recreational Marijuana in Colorado tax revenue topped an astounding three million dollars. The tax percentage varies in all four legal states, in which Colorado has the lowest percentage. That money made in Colorado was then taken and pushed into the school system and scholarships. Legalization of recreational Marijuana in California would benefit the state economically as well as socially, such as in rehab programs for those who need help and money for the education system. 

The topic of recreational Marijuana interests me because I come from an extremely conservative state and family; who both try to suppress anything about Marijuana. Marijuana has always seemed like the "forbidden fruit" to me since I grew up hearing how it will ruin your life. I have never understood how just a simple plant can completely alter your mind state. Growers are now finding the most potent combinations for the highest THC content. The actual growers themselves consider themselves artists because of all the intricate work it takes to produce these plants in mass quantity. Even though I have prior experience writing on the topic, it does not qualify me to write on the topic. 

My first source is from Google Scholar; it summarizes the effects of legalization of recreational Marijuana in the state of California. The book "Altered State", there seems to be definite bias due to the author. My first source says that the reason Marijuana is not already recreationally legal in California is because the prices on Marijuana will drastically drop. If price on Marijuana drops, then the profits from taxing will also drop. I disagree with the source when it says that Marijuana money will deplete if recreational Marijuana is passed. Source one also says that with legalization of Marijuana in California there will be an increase of up to 100% in the consumption of Marijuana. The money made from taxing the Marijuana would be put back into local schools and government rehabilitation programs for recovering addicts.

My second source is more factual than the other two sources. My second source states that California has now reduced a Marijuana charge to a simple traffic ticket. You only get a traffic ticket with less than twenty-eight grams of weed because it has been decriminalized in the state of California. Petty Marijuana crimes can effect a person throughout their life because it will show up in a background check and can keep you from getting a job. Even after your state is legalized that Marijuana charge will still show up. There is no apparent bias to this article.  

My third source talks about Marijuana in California moving to a legal stance. It talks about how Marijuana will be taxed and regulated once it is legalized in the state of California. This move toward legalization would keep Marijuana off the streets and decrease violence in California. 

I agree with my second source saying that marijuana is a petty charge but I disagree with it being permanent on your record. One thing I majorly disagree with is in the first source where the author says that by legalizing marijuana the average tax money will drop. If marijuana is legalized everyone will be interested and have a desire to indulge in the plant. I enjoy getting to see all the other views on Marijuana spanning from legal states to illegal states. Some people in legal states fight against Marijuana just as hard as activates in illegal states. 

One major key that has helped me gain more insight into the world of legal Marijuana was when my father and I took a trip to Breckenridge, Colorado last winter to ski. Before our trip to Colorado I had a view of legal states broadcasting the fact that Marijuana is legal. Upon landing in Vail we continued to travel around sixty miles to get to our destination. Once in Breckenridge I was expecting to see some Marijuana related signs or shops on the road but did not. During the day my father and I went to explore downtown Breckenridge before we hit the slopes. While on main street we walked up on the first Dispensary I had ever seen. This "weed store" does not broadcast its existence, if someone wants Marijuana this shop would be where they come but they do not try to advertise themselves. The heart of Breckenridge is in the skiing, Marijuana just falls into place with the many other exciting things to visit and experience in Breckenridge. 

 After going to a state where Marijuana is legal and seeing how efficiently it is sold and the benefits it brings to the community, it seems ridiculous that Marijuana is not legal in all fifty states. Again I do not think it is fair for only four states to benefit from the tax money off of Marijuana. Society is changing and what is viewed as socially acceptable is being tested throughout this change. California's government needs to discuss the money and public benefits that they are losing just because of a plant. 

