No, I do not believe government leaders should overrule the legalization of marijuana. The people of DC voted to legalize small amounts of marijuana through a ballot initiative process, and overruling that decision would go against principles of democracy. While legalization may have some risks, such as potential negative health impacts on adolescents, it will allow for regulation and taxation of the drug as well as reduce criminal penalties. Most adults can use marijuana responsibly without serious problems. Overall, the will of the DC voters should be respected unless there are truly compelling public safety reasons to overrule it, which does not seem to be clearly demonstrated.

2. The Legalization of Marijuana in DCThe Legalization of Marijuana in DC
•The results are in…..The results are in…..

3. Question:Question: Do you believe
that Legalizing Marijuana
should be overruled by
Government leaders? Why?

4. BACKGROUNDBACKGROUND
INITIATIVE MEASURE #71
“Legalization of Possession of Minimal
Amounts of Marijuana for Personal Use
Act of 2014”

5. SUMMARY STATEMENTSUMMARY STATEMENT
• Possess up to two ounces of
marijuana for personal use;
• Grow no more than six cannabis
plants with 3 or fewer being
mature, flowering plants, within the
person’s principal residence;
• Transfer without payment (but not
sell) up to one ounce of marijuana
to another person 21 years of age or
older; and
• Use or sell drug paraphernalia for
the use, growing, or processing of
marijuana or cannabis.
• Possess- to have a powerful effect on
• Grow- to become larger : to increase
in size, amount, etc.
• Transfer- to cause to pass from one
to another; to move to a different
place, region, or situation
• Use- the legal enjoyment of property
that consists in its employment,
occupation, exercise, or practice

6. Causes of MarijuanaCauses of Marijuana
• Marijuana has been used for thousands of years. Similar to alcohol, most
adults who use marijuana continue to perform their expected social roles
and do not exhibit serious prob­lems. Millions of people have derived
pleasure from the plant, and there is evidence that some cannabinoids have
important medical benefits (Pacula et al, 2014).
• The correlation between frequent marijuana use among adolescents and a
wide range of adverse outcomes, such as poor educational attainment, is
strong (Pacula et al, 2014).
• Concurrent use of alcohol and marijuana may increase the risk of traffic
crashes, acute health effects, and other harms relative to using either
substance alone (Pacula et al, 2014).
Pacula, R. L., Kilmer, B., Wagenaar, A. C., Chaloupka, F. J., & Caulkins, J. P. (2014). Developing Public Health Regulations for
Marijuana: Lessons From Alcohol and Tobacco. American Journal Of Public Health, 104(6), 1021­1028. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2013.301766

7. Unknown Causes in Employment Field?Unknown Causes in Employment Field?
• Marijuana can stay in a person’s system for up to six months.
• Unlike alcohol which clears a person’s system relatively
quickly
• The longevity of marijuana staying in the system makes this
far more difficult.
• With the change in the laws in Washington and Colorado,
employees may think that they now have the “right” to use
marijuana outside of the workplace without fear of
repercussion if they test positive.

8. Behind the Scenes of Legalizing MarijuanaBehind the Scenes of Legalizing Marijuana
On July 7, 2014, the DC Cannabis Campaign delivered over 57,000 signatures from
DC voters to the DC Board of Elections in order put Initiative 71 on the Nov. 4
ballot.

9. Decriminalization VS Legalization ofDecriminalization VS Legalization of
MarijuanaMarijuana
Decriminalization means that the criminal penalties attributed to the
act are reduced. Decriminalization of marijuana means that individuals
found committing the act would be exposed to lesser penalties like a
fine or a special permit.
Legalization is the process of turning a particular action into being
legal. All the punishment and consequences attributed to the act are no
longer in effect.
Legalization not only removes criminal penalties, but also it allows
marijuana to be a new source of taxation and control by local and state
government and of federal business income and payroll taxes.

10. OPINIONSOPINIONS

11. Question:Question: Do you believe
that Legalizing Marijuana
should be overruled by
Government leaders?
Why?
Artist: Aaron M. Williams