The terms for it are infinite. You may have heard it as "herb" or "reefer." Avid fans of Reggae music are probably familiar with the term "ganga." More commonly, we probably know it as "weed." Regardless, all these terms refer to the same thing, Marijuana. Marijuana is one of the more interesting subjects in society. While it's still an illegal substance, many claim it to be harmless to the body. This argument has caused many to rally, protest, and call for its legalization. Someone calling for its legalization is one of my colleagues , Mr. Tyler Avey.
In Tyler Avey's editorial, Legalize It!, Mr. Avey believes the state can profit immensely by legalizing marijuana. By legalizing it, the state then has the ability to place a tax on it. Also, Mr. Avey feels the effort to prosecute marijuana users is "mind-boggling." If legalized, the prosecution of marijuana would only be focused on people who try to profit off of trade. He also goes on to express his thoughts on how marijuana is already easily accessible to minors and how public safety is not at high risk of being compromised as people would think. Due to a lack of a definite test to determine the amount of THC in one's body, zero tolerance will be granted to anyone accused of driving under the influence of marijuana. All in all, Mr. Avey believes the legalization of marijuana is not only inevitable, but can be of mutual benefit to the state as well as its citizens.
Mr. Avey does indeed make valid points. Can the state gain a considerable amount of revenue taxing marijuana? Sure. Would legalizing it lessen the burden on law enforcement? Sure. I cannot disagree with any of Mr. Avey's arguments. Yet, I still disagree with the legalization of it. My argument comes from a moral standpoint. Carrying the "boyscout" attitude I have, I still consider marijuana a taboo thing. I don't mean that like I'm some extreme advocate against it. Even as common as its usage is, its just something I refuse to acknowledge as something you should do in a "normal" day. My perception of marijuana is its an addictive substance. I feel legalizing it will just increase its likelihood of abuse and dependency.
My biggest argument against its legalization is its potential negative effects on society. If more and more people begin to smoke marijuana, I believe productivity as a society will dwindle. While it is not a scientific fact, I find the conception that marijuana causes a loss of motivation and increase in laziness to be true. Time and time again, my personal experiences have proven me right. I truly don't believe the younger population in our state can handle such a privilege, assuming that 18 will be the legal age to purchase it. Texas already being towards the bottom of the totem pole in education and closer to the top in poverty do not need its future generation to be a bunch of unmotivated "potheads." I make this point because I believe legalization will not only assure substance abuse, but also a progressive rise in users. Not only will current users increase their desire to use it, but more and more people who chose to avoid it before for moral reasons will now pick up the habit because it is deemed "OK" by stripping it of its unlawfulness.
I also think it makes our community look very unattractive. If legalization is indeed inevitable, I would like to see some regulations on it like the banning of its usage in public settings. I don't have a problem if you chose to smoke it in the confinement of you own property, but smoking marijuana freely and openly in public places feels very classless to me. I honestly would not like to live in a place where every time I walk outside, it looks like a Rastafarian festival is taking place.
In conclusion, there is just too many flaws in our society as is to throw in something like marijuana into the mix. If you are truly that bored, go read a book or go play at the park, maybe help your mom with something in the kitchen. At least that's what I'll be doing. I guarantee you this, the state is not getting a cent more in tax money than what I'm already required to pay.
Texas: Big Guts and Budget Cuts/ Legalize It! / http://biggutsandbudgetcuts.blogspot.com/2011/05/legalize-it.html/ May 2nd, 2011
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Slow It Down Big Fella!
The famous state slogan goes "Everything is bigger in Texas." Maybe we should adopt a new phrase, "Everything is faster in Texas." Things that make the Lone Star State so distinguishable is it's cowboy persona, football heritage, superior barbecue, and soon to be the fastest speed limit in the entire nation. According to proposals, the speed limit on designated highways and roads will be upped to a blazing 85 mph. Having said that, Texas is already near the top of the nation with more than 500 miles of interstate roads at 80 mph.
The motive for increasing the speed limit seems just a little bit wacky, not to mention potentially dangerous. The main flaw with this plan is the risk of public safety. Even with a limit in the 70 mph range along most major interstate, motorist tend to exceed that limit by a considerable margin. A limit essentially serves nothing more then a mere suggestion. Having a speed limit at 85 mph will almost certainly have it's fair share of automobilist who will drive above 90 mph. That is just too risky for not only the driver, but the others sharing the same road. Has the time required to come to an emergency stop even being considered? At such an alarming speed, the chances of coming to a halt will certainly diminish substantially. Any collisions at this fast of pace will almost certainly result in serious injury or fatality. Also, with distractions such as texting causing more accidents then ever, raising the speed limit will only throw gas into the flames.
It is scientifically proven to be a direct correlation between higher speeds and automobile accidents. Raising speed limits up to 85 mph will almost certainly increase the number of car crashes statewide. This could possibly give insurance providers extra incentive to raise their premiums. In a cruel world where inflation is inevitable, not to mention outrageous, we should always capitalize on the few opportunities where we can actually control price fluctuation. There is however, two sides to this argument. With a higher speed limit, the flexibility for drivers is greater. Raising the limit to 85 mph could actually decrease the number of speeding tickets, which in turn, could possibly lower insurance premiums. That being said, I believe the latter is far more the unlikely scenario. Being a teenager, my insurance rates are already stunningly high considering my driving record looks like Mr. Clean just got done with it. Any increase in rates will certainly make good ol' mom and dad ready to put me up for adoption.
Probably one of the biggest topics in the nation continues to be the soaring price of petroleum and gasoline. The relation is obvious. The higher the mph, the lower the mpg. With gas rapidly approaching $4 per gallon for simple 87 octane quality gas, Texans will certainly grimace seeing their bank accounts depleted from time spent at the fuel pump. Citizens don't need to be baited to use any more gasoline then what they already consume. Gas companies will be salivating over this possible amendment. Thanks to the Texas House, these greedy heathens might become even more profitable then before.
There should be absolutely no reason for speed limits to increase in Texas. They are fine the way they are. Raising the speed limit an extra 5 or 10 miles is not worth the risk of civilian casualties, and the price burden it could potentially place on the public. The ends do not justify the means. My ideas and opinion could be thought of as rather traditional, kind of "inside-the-box" if you must say. However, I do see myself as an ordinary citizen, and as an ordinary citizen, these are the things that distress me most . What is so special in Texas that we must rush to anyways? Last time I checked Disney World was in Orlando. I'm sure wherever your commute takes you, it can sure wait the extra few minutes.
MyFoxDFW. "Texas Could Raise Speed Limits to 85". http://www.myfoxdfw.com/dpp/traffic/040711-texas-could-raise-speed-limits-to-85. April 7th, 2011
The motive for increasing the speed limit seems just a little bit wacky, not to mention potentially dangerous. The main flaw with this plan is the risk of public safety. Even with a limit in the 70 mph range along most major interstate, motorist tend to exceed that limit by a considerable margin. A limit essentially serves nothing more then a mere suggestion. Having a speed limit at 85 mph will almost certainly have it's fair share of automobilist who will drive above 90 mph. That is just too risky for not only the driver, but the others sharing the same road. Has the time required to come to an emergency stop even being considered? At such an alarming speed, the chances of coming to a halt will certainly diminish substantially. Any collisions at this fast of pace will almost certainly result in serious injury or fatality. Also, with distractions such as texting causing more accidents then ever, raising the speed limit will only throw gas into the flames.
It is scientifically proven to be a direct correlation between higher speeds and automobile accidents. Raising speed limits up to 85 mph will almost certainly increase the number of car crashes statewide. This could possibly give insurance providers extra incentive to raise their premiums. In a cruel world where inflation is inevitable, not to mention outrageous, we should always capitalize on the few opportunities where we can actually control price fluctuation. There is however, two sides to this argument. With a higher speed limit, the flexibility for drivers is greater. Raising the limit to 85 mph could actually decrease the number of speeding tickets, which in turn, could possibly lower insurance premiums. That being said, I believe the latter is far more the unlikely scenario. Being a teenager, my insurance rates are already stunningly high considering my driving record looks like Mr. Clean just got done with it. Any increase in rates will certainly make good ol' mom and dad ready to put me up for adoption.
Probably one of the biggest topics in the nation continues to be the soaring price of petroleum and gasoline. The relation is obvious. The higher the mph, the lower the mpg. With gas rapidly approaching $4 per gallon for simple 87 octane quality gas, Texans will certainly grimace seeing their bank accounts depleted from time spent at the fuel pump. Citizens don't need to be baited to use any more gasoline then what they already consume. Gas companies will be salivating over this possible amendment. Thanks to the Texas House, these greedy heathens might become even more profitable then before.
There should be absolutely no reason for speed limits to increase in Texas. They are fine the way they are. Raising the speed limit an extra 5 or 10 miles is not worth the risk of civilian casualties, and the price burden it could potentially place on the public. The ends do not justify the means. My ideas and opinion could be thought of as rather traditional, kind of "inside-the-box" if you must say. However, I do see myself as an ordinary citizen, and as an ordinary citizen, these are the things that distress me most . What is so special in Texas that we must rush to anyways? Last time I checked Disney World was in Orlando. I'm sure wherever your commute takes you, it can sure wait the extra few minutes.
MyFoxDFW. "Texas Could Raise Speed Limits to 85". http://www.myfoxdfw.com/dpp/traffic/040711-texas-could-raise-speed-limits-to-85. April 7th, 2011
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