Jacob Sullum on Marijuana Legalization in California

Possessing
up to an ounce of marijuana in California is an “infraction”
punishable by a $100 fine. In other words, state
law treats pot smoking as a transgression akin to jaywalking
or fishing without a license. Yet growing and selling marijuana are
felonies that can send you to prison for years. If consuming
marijuana is not a crime, asks Senior Editor Jacob Sullum, how can
it be a crime merely to help someone consume marijuana? That is a
question voters will confront next fall if the California
Cannabis Hemp Initiative qualifies for the ballot.

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