Back to those Pesky School Issues...

Here's what I have heard -

There is a chance that a marijuana decriminalization bill may reach the floor of the State House this year. What this does is turns possession or use of a small amount of marijuana into a civil infraction, complete with a fine, instead of a criminal infraction. There are cost savings involved (courts, prosecutors, police, jails), and this would create a new revenue source (fines). What I would like to see is that revenue source be allocated.

First, I would like to see our education leaders in Olympia work with the folks trying to get this bill on the floor. One of the things that will be done to sell this to more moderate and conservative lawmakers will have to be some sort of prevention or intervention program(s) paid for out of the new revenue source (although, in these difficult economic times, that may not be necessary, but stay with me here).

I think that the first thing to get funding, directed funding, is arts in schools. Band, drama, choir, etc. These are things that not only enrich the brain, but also give kids something to do that don't have the aptitude or desire to do sports, and gives them a creative outlet. Creative outlets are good things.

While I get that it's not that simple, and that Districts would probably not be fond of being given money with strings, too damn bad. We are seeing cut after cut to arts programs across the State. We have a new SPI that supports limiting the impact and necessity of standardized tests, we should be able to allow a broad based education system again.

Of course, I'm sure fines wouldn't be enough to fully, or even partially, fund arts in schools. One big component missing from our state's medical marijuana law is the lack of dispensaries. I would step out and say we should allow for a limited number of dispensaries, do a bit of taxing, and split it between health and education.

But that's just me.