The Pros and Cons of Marijuanna Legalization this November

On November 2nd, you will hopefully be heading out to the polls to vote on the legalization and taxation of Marijuana in California.

I was looking through the initiative data and found interesting pros and cons.

Full legalization will lead people to consume marijuana without the advice or guidance of a medical professional, and that could be dangerous for a number of people. Kevin Reed, who owns the Bay Area Green Cross medical marijuana delivery service, says, “This ballot measure, which likens cannabis to alcohol or tobacco, instead of ibuprofen or aspirin, hurts patients.

I guess the obvious problem here is that even though Marijuana may help manage pain, it really isn’t just an aspirin. It would be good for everyone to be guided on not abusing it and being careful, but medical guidance doesn’t seem to help people who abuse vicodin or painkillers. Marijuana is a drug – like alcohol. I think it’s a fine comparison.

Marijuana is illegal under federal laws. If marijuana becomes legal in California under state law, it will still be federally illegal.

True, but they have to be out of their mind to pursue this. They didn’t pursue Prop 215 that harshly.

Estimated fiscal impact: Savings of up to several tens of millions of dollars annually to state and local governments on the costs of incarcerating and supervising certain marijuana offenders. Unknown but potentially major tax, fee, and benefit assessment revenues to state and local government related to the production and sale of marijuana products.

I do think the fiscal impact will be a great positive one. There has even been talk to create a “Hemp Valley” similar to Napa Valley. Imagine the tourist effect, on top of the taxation.

The Field Poll released survey results in April 2009 which indicated that 56% of Californians support legalizing marijuana.
A PPIC poll on marijuana legalization in mid-May showed a very close match-up in sentiment between support and opposition. There were demographic differences, however: 62% of Latinos oppose legalization, men favor legalization more than women, and support for legalization declines with age.

Interesting – why do Latinos oppose legalizing marijuana? Maybe someone can enlighten me on this point.

Full text of the act: Click Here

And obviously, I would vote Yes.
November 2nd. Be there!

Ps. Happy Bday Sebastian! This post fits you, lol.

George Bush joins Facebook

Better late than never, I guess. His page boasts over 60,000 fans already. He joined on June 2nd, 2010. And even though his PR person once said that the former president “would never tweet” for some reason, he’s also joined twitter.

Any why now, you might ask? Well, his memoir, “Decision Points” is coming out soon. Looks like he’s going to use social networking to increase the buzz around the book, which by the way, I think is aptly named.

I think this book tour might revitalize his image, considering how well Laura did with her book. But who knows..

So what’s in the final healthcare bill that passed?

I don’t like making political posts alot, but the healthcare bill just passed, and I was really interested about what’s actually in it. I found a summary here and thought I’d share. Here’s a clean-cut summary of what’s in the final healthcare bill:

Coverage:

• Would expand coverage to 32 million Americans who are currently uninsured.

Health Insurance Exchanges:

• The uninsured and self-employed would be able to purchase insurance through state-based exchanges with subsidies available to individuals and families with income between the 133 percent and 400 percent of poverty level.
• Separate exchanges would be created for small businesses to purchase coverage — effective 2014.
• Funding available to states to establish exchanges within one year of enactment and until January 1, 2015.

Subsidies:

• Individuals and families who make between 100 percent – 400 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and want to purchase their own health insurance on an exchange are eligible for subsidies. They cannot be eligible for Medicare, Medicaid and cannot be covered by an employer. Eligible buyers receive premium credits and there is a cap for how much they have to contribute to their premiums on a sliding scale.

Federal Poverty Level for family of four is $22,050

Paying for the Plan:

• Medicare Payroll tax on investment income — Starting in 2012, the Medicare Payroll Tax will be expanded to include unearned income. That will be a 3.8 percent tax on investment income for families making more than $250,000 per year ($200,000 for individuals).
• Excise Tax — Beginning in 2018, insurance companies will pay a 40 percent excise tax on so-called “Cadillac” high-end insurance plans worth over $27,500 for families ($10,200 for individuals). Dental and vision plans are exempt and will not be counted in the total cost of a family’s plan.
• Tanning Tax — 10 percent excise tax on indoor tanning services.

Medicare:

• Closes the Medicare prescription drug “donut hole” by 2020. Seniors who hit the donut hole by 2010 will receive a $250 rebate.
• Beginning in 2011, seniors in the gap will receive a 50 percent discount on brand name drugs. The bill also includes $500 billion in Medicare cuts over the next decade.

Medicaid:

• Expands Medicaid to include 133 percent of federal poverty level which is $29,327 for a family of four.
• Requires states to expand Medicaid to include childless adults starting in 2014.
• Federal Government pays 100 percent of costs for covering newly eligible individuals through 2016.
• Illegal immigrants are not eligible for Medicaid.

Insurance Reforms:

• Six months after enactment, insurance companies could no longer denying children coverage based on a preexisting condition.
• Starting in 2014, insurance companies cannot deny coverage to anyone with preexisting conditions.
• Insurance companies must allow children to stay on their parent’s insurance plans through age 26.

Abortion:

• The bill segregates private insurance premium funds from taxpayer funds. Individuals would have to pay for abortion coverage by making two separate payments, private funds would have to be kept in a separate account from federal and taxpayer funds.
• No health care plan would be required to offer abortion coverage. States could pass legislation choosing to opt out of offering abortion coverage through the exchange.

Individual Mandate:

• In 2014, everyone must purchase health insurance or face a $695 annual fine. There are some exceptions for low-income people.

Employer Mandate:

• Technically, there is no employer mandate. Employers with more than 50 employees must provide health insurance or pay a fine of $2000 per worker each year if any worker receives federal subsidies to purchase health insurance. Fines applied to entire number of employees minus some allowances.

Immigration:

• Illegal immigrants will not be allowed to buy health insurance in the exchanges — even if they pay completely with their own money.

[Source] for the above information. Also, Here’s a PDF of the budget information for the healthcare bill.

On a personal note, this means that I now get my insurance reinstated, as well as my brother, and also Dary has a good chance of getting insurance as well by 2014.