Colorado Legalization And The Netherlands Drug Policy

Colorado Legalization and The Netherlands Drug Policy Amanda McKeel Monmouth University Abstract The purpose of this paper is to discuss the legalization of marijuana in Colorado as well as the Netherlands drug policy. It has been found that even though Colorado has legalized marijuana, there are provisions that must be followed. The Netherlands however have not legalized marijuana, but they do feel that seeing possession of marijuana is not a crime, so therefore marijuana is tolerated. Colorado’s society does not agree with this legalization due to adolescent use, however the Colorado Amendment 64 protects this. The Netherlands is seen as too liberal, but they are only doing what is in the best interest of the users.†¦show more content†¦The main question is, with marijuana being legalized in Colorado and tolerated in the Netherlands, what is the affect of such legalization? The legalization of marijuana, for some, is not something to take lightly, but I do not think it is the worst drug. In my own opinion heroin and cocaine are two drugs that should not be legal because of the harmful effects they cause. Marijuana, in my own opinion is the lesser of the two evils, so if states and countries want to legalize it, they can do what they please. Now I know some people would disagree with me on this, but everyone is entitled to their own opinions. I would rather see marijuana legalized then heroin or cocaine. Colorado Colorado’s legalization of marijuana began in 2000 with the Colorado Amendment 20. According to Davis, Mendelson, berkes, Suleta, Corsi Booth (2015) the Colorado Amendment 20 legalized cannabis for medical use only. Even though this was true however, not just anybody was allowed to obtain marijuana. Any person wishing to obtain cannabis had to have a condition that was debilitating. â€Å"Debilitating conditions approved by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and included in Amendment 20 are cancer, glaucoma, HIV or AIDS, cachexia, severe pain, severe nausea, seizures, muscle spasms, and any other condition approved by CDPHE† (Davis et.al, 2015, p.1). This Amendment lasted for nine years and in 2009, anyone was allowed to obtain medical cannabis. There was no