Legalize Marijuana, Says Former US Surgeon General

Next month, California voters will decide whether or not to legalize marijuana in the state for recreational use. And former U.S. Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders recently made an announcement on CNN that she supports both the initiative and the decriminalization of marijuana.

"What I think is horrible about all of this, is that we criminalize young people," she told reporters. "And we use so many of our excellent resources ... for things that aren't really causing any problems. It's not a toxic substance."

Proposition 19, the California bill that will legalize marijuana if passed, has come under fire from opponents that insist it will be the downfall of the state. But proponents of the bill say that removing marijuana from the controlled substance list will make it available to people that need it while decriminalizing thousands who have been jailed or fined, many while using it for legitimate treatments.'

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