Legalize recreational marijuana, with regulations

Regarding the article “California lawmakers pass bills to regulate medical marijuana,” (Sept. 12): It was high time that legislation be drawn up to thoroughly regulate the use of medical marijuana in California, something that has taken 20 years since it was first made legal.

This will ensure that everyone involved in each step of the process be licensed and overseen by a special bureau and that the sellers be given criminal background checks. It will also create pesticide standards and mandatory labeling which should make marijuana even safer to consume.

The lawmakers had to get this all in order for the medical side of it since recreational use of marijuana will almost certainly be on the ballot in 2016. Public opinion is steadily favoring the legalization of recreational pot use, and these laws, if passed, would serve as a solid model for its regulation.

I can’t imagine it wouldn’t be passed. Illegal growers, not only dangerous, are destroying wildlife habitats, stealing water and creating pollution. The people of California need to realize that if recreational use is legalized and highly regulated with these laws, our state would be safer and greener.

This story was originally published September 18, 2015 at 9:27 AM with the headline "Legalize recreational marijuana, with regulations."