A Marijuana Emergency or Epidemic?
On July 2, 2017, it became legal to purchase marijuana in Nevada, thus adding just one more evil that tourists can partake of in or near Las Vegas, along with gambling, prostitution, easy divorce, and alcohol available 24 hours a day. Everyone could celebrate just two days later, on July 4th. Those watching the colorful holiday shows could have been as high as the exploding fireworks. The law legalizing the recreational use of pot (authorized by voters in the 2016 election), however, is a bit contradictory.
Those who are 21 and older may (upon the presentation of a valid ID) purchase up to an ounce of marijuana. However, according to the Orlando Sentinel (July 2, 2017), it "remains illegal to light up in public areas, including the Las Vegas Strip, casinos, bars, restaurants, parks, convention centers and concert halls—places frequently visited by tourists" (A4). So, visitors may go to Las Vegas and purchase marijuana, but it can only be smoked in a private home. If anyone smokes in one of the afore-mentioned areas, they can be fined—$600! How is this situation going to play out?
If they fine tourists for using marijuana in a non-residence venue, are the police going to make them pay a fine? If the police go soft on enforcement, then many more visitors to the city will be buying marijuana and paying whatever the tax might be. If officers strictly enforce the law and visiting pot smokers are fined right and left, it may discourage them from coming to Las Vegas. They will need to decide whether they want the taxes or the fines. This dilemma had not yet been resolved when a crisis occurred. The demand for weed was so vast that they ran out of it in less than two weeks.
First, it is beyond sad that United States' citizens are so feeble that they cannot get along without a drug. What has already happened with alcohol is now happening with marijuana. One cannot dine at hardly any restaurant without looking at a menu containing more listings for alcoholic beverages than for food. And now to top off the meal, many want to have a smoke. How dependent is this nation becoming on drugs? Second, the governor of Nevada declared a state of emergency because the supply of marijuana ran out in less than two weeks. No, this is not a "fake" story; it came from Fox News. Usually, emergencies involve floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, or perhaps devastating forest fires. Now a state crisis results if the amount of pot runs low! How desperate and dependent as a nation have we become?