Legalizing Marijuana

Legalizing marijuana in general has been a hot debate around the United States. It is interesting to see states slowly and slowly taking action to legalize marijuana. However, those actions may bite them in the back or may not and it is most likely that Texas will be the one to take last action in the future.

Ms. Vasquez's blog on Legalizing Marijuana uses some great reasoning and examples on how legalizing the green leafy substance will play role in Texas. For example, when she compares a drunk man going out causing a fight rather than being on a drug that will keep you high, which makes a good point. On the other hand, there are some examples she points out that are a little inaccurate, such as the festivals held here in Austin. Although I've never been to a couple of the examples she uses (Marley and Eeyore's festivals), I've been to the two other festivals and I did notice Marijuana in the air but I've also noticed cops arresting those with possession of Marijuana. Therefore, Austin is a low key relaxed area to smoke Marijuana but there will be people arrested with it if they are not in the crowd smoking undercover.

Another great point she makes is when she compares the drug of Marijuana to the drug of Xanax which she showed the purposes of both drugs. Marijuana helps the ill and Xanax helps anxiety. The drug of Xanax is legal and can cause addiction. Marijuana is illegal and there are has been no scientific proof whatsoever on addiction with the drug. I love this comparison she makes because it makes me think, what is the idea behind drugs? Legalizing addicting drugs but prohibiting non-addicting drugs, what's the logic here Texas?

Comparing the other State's economy and crime rates with Marijuana legalized is one more reason she uses to back up the process of legalizing Marijuana. After reading that idea, I researched a little to find some quick statistics in the state of Colorado in the city of Denver. According to the article, there is a 53% drop in homicide deaths, 36% drop in automobile break-ins, and 14% drop in sexual assault. Moreover, in the article it mentions that a 10% of the sales made on marijuana go to the government, and there in three months there is a huge increase of taxes of 1.9 million dollars.

In my opinion, the statistics says it all to me. I don't know what side Ms. Vasquez is on but I'm sure we both can agree that the legalization of marijuana will be fair and logical to process because they are many other drugs out there that are legalized that shouldn't be. Wouldn't this resolved issue be best for society?

Obama's Executive Action

On November 20, 2014, President Barack Obama made a historic speech by using his authority as an executive to take a major step towards immigration reform. The United States have been through years of a broken immigration system but the President is taking a step by giving the opportunity to 5 million undocumented illegal immigrants to pardon the fear of deportation. Obama cannot grant citizenship to those who are undocumented but is urging congress to do so. The President pointed out that since he took over congress there has been a rising 80% of deportations done in America, of those 80% are undocumented immigrants with felonies (Obama immigration). At first, I didn't think Obama didn't really change the immigration system but after hearing how committed he is to fixing the issue and pointing out the statistics I believe that his executive order is a huge step on helping those undocumented immigrants who are in fear every day. 

Living in Texas I know the fear that the illegal immigrants suffer. I see family everyday who are not able to travel across the border to visit their parents, I have cousins who are restricted from gaining scholarships or benefits from education. Furthermore, my family live as Americans working below minimum wage to put food on the table and to clothe themselves. I'm glad Obama made this speech, it is a step that will help families like my family to live safely here in the United States and it is a step that will run the dangerous criminals out of the United States.

However, republicans need to relax and realize that Obama's executive action is best for the country. Texas future governor Greg Abbot is filing a law suit against president Obama's action. Abbot, like many republicans disagree and wish to keep the broken immigration system. With Obama's term running out in two years I'm encouraging some of my family to not join the process that Obama is granting. With the Republicans on Obama's back, they could push the next president to reconsider the executive decision and possibly change it for the worst. Hopefully congress will follow Obama's executive orders but with the issues between Republicans as conservatives and Democrats, issues may not be solved in the future.