Editor's note: This news is making headlines like crazy–and with good reason. It's a topic likely to stir debate for some time. First, we're dealing with marijuana–still federally illegal–and now Berkeley wants to offer it for free to low-income residents.
This piece by The New York Times is one of the better I've seen in presenting the up- and downsides of Berkeley's decision. While some dispensary owners have been quoted as saying they already set aside a small percentage of their product for "compassionate distribution" (free pot for those who can't afford it), others question the 2 percent mandate. Where DID that number come from? And, as one person stated in this article, with offering free pot to anyone with an annual income less than $32,000 (likely a lot of people, especially in today's economy), "There could definitely be a financial incentive for folks to resell it.” The flip side: Many of those who have already-uncontrollable medical bills and are unable to work could certainly use some help in accessing medication they desperately need. What do you think?
BERKELEY, Calif. – Since the birth of the Free Speech Movement half a century ago, this city has prided itself on its liberal values and policies, be they generous benefits for the needy or a look-the-other-way attitude toward marijuana use.
Now, the city is bringing those policies together with a new amenity for the poor here: The marijuana will be free.
Beginning next August, medical marijuana dispensaries in this city will be required to donate at least 2 percent of their cannabis to low-income residents.
