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Marijuana Legalized: How It Can Positively Effect Our Society

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The dispute over the legalization of cannabis sativa, more commonly known as marijuana, is one of the most controversial issues ever to take place in the United States. Its use as a medicine has existed for thousands of years in many countries across the globe. Legalization should be considered despite efforts made by groups who say marijuana is a harmful drug that will increase crime rates and lead users to other more dangerous substances. The legalization of marijuana can improve our society by helping with our economy, freeing legal resources, and benefiting the overall health of the nation though medical uses.
Helping the Economy
Our economy in America is hurting right now. We need something to help boost it and bring our country …show more content…

With the amount of products that could be created through the legalization of marijuana this could only create more jobs to fuel the production of these goods. In addition, private companies or the government are going to need more people to help grow and cultivate marijuana for public sales. President Obama held an online town hall meeting and one of the questions asked was: With over 1 out of 30 Americans controlled by the penal system, why not legalize, control, and tax marijuana to change the failed war on drugs into a money making, money saving boost to the economy? Do we really need that many victimless criminals? (Montopoli, 2009, para. 3)
President Obama’s answer to the question was “The answer is, no, I don't think that is a good strategy to grow our economy. (para. 9)” but he never specified why. Later, he said jobs would come from investing in clean energy technologies. (para. 17) He may be right, but I believe that hemp could be a clean energy technology especially in the bio-fuels department. Hemp biodiesel is a renewable resource that could be procured domestically and burns very clean. This could be a new energy source he is looking for to create new jobs.
Freeing Up Legal Resources
The war on drugs is a costly battle. A great deal of resources go into catching those who buy or sell marijuana, prosecuting them in court, and housing

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