the land of the kinda-free and more on why i hate illinois

California seems to be taking the first step towards sanity as they attempt to legalize cannabis for all residents of the state. Though medical marijuana has been legal in the state for some time, laws required patients to pay a hefty $250 fee in order to acquire the license to legally grow and purchase the substance. As of January 12th, the bill that attempts to legalize cannabis for all was approved. While this doesn't mean it is legal yet, the approval reveals a strong desire of Californians and many others alike: the ablility to grow, purchase, and consume a plant that has never been scientifically proven as harmful, without the threat of becoming a criminal and/or being imprisoned.

This event directly relates to non-smokers as well, given that marijuana's illegality has affected society since the beginning of its prohibition. Nonviolent users of the plant are thrown in jail, stripped of their rights, and forced to pay unreasonable fees as a result. Given that the majority of these so-called criminals were adults using or growing a natural plant in the privacy of their own home, paying massive amounts of money to keep them behind bars seems more than ridiculous. In addition to costs related to imprisonment, money that could be used to help track down violent criminals is instead used to capture unsuspecting adults simply having a smoke after work.

Police officers must acquire warrants and go to great lengths in order to catch a suspected cannabis grower. Picture this: ten members of the DEA's SWAT-team style crew on the porch outside of Joe Schmoe's house. They have guns, all of them, and no, not just handguns. They have big bazookas ready to blast any threats inside. Preparing for ultimate doom, they take a deep breath, count to three, KICK DOWN THE DOOR WITH ALL THEIR MIGHT AND "OH MY GOSH, BOYS, I THINK WE HAVE A GARDEN HERE."

Seriously?

Uh, yes, here we are in the land of the free having our doors kicked down on account of a small garden. Well, I'll be.

My question for you kind readers is simply this:

Do you see any logic in the previously given scenario? If so, please kindly explain why and then pass the mic... to your left, of course.