As the election results came in last Tuesday evening, it quickly became apparent that it would be a night of frustration.
It shouldn’t have come as too much of a surprise, however, and optimism for anything else was simply wishful thinking.
Beyond the failure of politicians, the fight for Proposition 19 (which would have legalized possession and growing of small amounts of marijuana in California) drew my hope the most.
Ultimately, it also became the biggest cause of my disappointment.
With a split of 53 percent against and 46 percent for, Proposition 19 failed, and marijuana unfortunately remained illegal.
Once again, the tactics of fear and distortion in smear campaigns worked, and common sense bowed before the will of special interests groups.
While I have no interest whatsoever in using the stuff (legal disclaimer), this type of legislation might be the necessary stepping stone to start looking at similar laws in our country.
Proposition 19 could have started a wave of reconsideration for our federal laws on marijuana and even other “illicit” activities.
Beyond our questionable regulation of other possibly harmless drugs, the “illicit” activity that first comes to mind concerns one of mankind’s oldest professions: Prostitution.
While pot and prostitutes may not have too much in common at first glance, the comparisons become clearer when one examines how their illegality affects society.
Just like marijuana usage (as well as many other currently illegal activities), the laws against prostitution don’t stop it from occurring across the country.
Additionally, just like a person who buys pot illegally risks smoking harmful cutting agents, a person who frequents whore houses risks a myriad of STDs.
In both cases, the government could regulate the activity, helping to combat the health risks accompanying them while also eliminating the criminal element involved.
Nevada, Holland and Germany are all examples of governments that have not only legalized marijuana but have also regulated it.
What hasn’t been taken advantage of (at least in Nevada) and is a reason many people give to support the legalization of marijuana is its potential for tax revenues.
In Nevada, for example, there was a push last year to put a $5 tax per prostitute visit on the state’s legal brothels.
This bill, pushed by Sen. Bob Coffin, D-Las Vegas, was estimated to bring in at least $2 million and upward of $4 million if it had passed.
That estimated amount only comes from the 28 active legal brothels in Nevada, and one can only imagine the revenue that could be brought in should it be more common — or if they raise the tax to $10.
In these economic times, shouldn’t we be taking advantage of this, as we should be with marijuana?
However, if this all goes down, strict human rights regulation would undoubtedly have to take place.
The last thing we need is to have women forced into prostitution against their will or joining the profession while underage.
All of this is just speculation for now with Proposition 19’s failure, and we can do nothing more than speculate whether America will continue to let ridiculous taboos and morals     control our laws.
Whether we like these activities or not, they do not hurt society.
They have and will continue to happen despite their legality   — just look at some of our politicians’ use of prostitutes.
What we need to do is capitalize on these activities, make them safer for everyone involved and remove the criminal element.
Until then, it looks like we’ll just keep helping those special interest groups like those who helped shoot down Proposition 19.
Zachary Davis is a 19-year-old history sophomore from Warsaw, Poland. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_zdavis.
—
Contact Zachary Davis at [email protected]