Persuasive Essay On Legalizing Marijuana

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.

Legalization of marijuana is an important issue; most people recognize it as “harmful and addictive,” from the essay “Marijuana Should Not Be Legalized,” while others regard the ban on marijuana as ineffective, expensive, and unjust (1). According to Senator Bernie Sanders, “too many Americans have seen their lives destroyed because they have criminal records as a result of marijuana use. That’s wrong.” The ban is unjust for Americans because it is a complete waste of our tax dollars to continue criminalizing citizens for marijuana use. Legalization of marijuana in every state will be beneficial; for our economy, medical value and breakthroughs, lowering crime rate, aiding people who are victims of drug abuse, and more. The following paragraphs will explain further.

Have you ever wondered when and why marijuana was made illegal? The herbal plant, commonly used in medicines, was not considered a drug in the early 1900s. The Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 banned the use and sales of marijuana. This act was put in place due to careless slander. Marijuana, in America should be legalized because it is safer than alcohol and tobacco, marijuana funds gangs and cartels, and marijuana can replace toxic, addictive pharmaceuticals.

The legalization of marijuana will bring in much needed revenue to the US economy through tax revenue, the creation of jobs, decrease in the number of those incarcerated for marijuana possession, and help treat various health conditions that would otherwise cause an enormous amount of pain. Although marijuana is often looked down upon as a Schedule I illegal drug, this medicinal plant has been around for more than a decade and has been used for more than the "get high" purpose. Marijuana is non-toxic compared to multiple types of medications now on the market and it has never caused an over dose. It is also less expensive, if legalized than most of the overly priced medications provided by

Not only does the legalization have many medical benefits and tax revenue but also benefits the society as whole by providing job opportunity and a decrease in unemployment and crime. Many have always believed that with the legalization of marijuana would come with higher crime rate but since Colorado

There is little doubt that legal cannabis growers across the country are helping to boost local and state economies. However, the industry is under pressure from a growing number of people and organizations to curb power consumption. What's more, heavy competition is driving prices down, which tightens profit margins. Growers are looking for ways to reduce costs while still producing high quality crops. However, the equipment growers use is inherently power hungry, using massive amounts of energy. The cannabis industry is so new that there are no standards for growing methods, leaving growers responsible for capping their own energy use.

One of the biggest and most important pro legalization arguments refers to the economic benefits of decriminalizing and legalizing marijuana. “Another major argument in legalizing marijuana refers to the economic gains of such a decision. First, the pressure, and implicitly costs, in the criminal justice system would be alleviated through a great decrease in the number of drug offenses brought forth, resulting in less overcrowding of the courts and prisons for marijuana-related offenses, currently very numerous. Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug, used by 81% of current illicit drug users. Second, costly drug-control programs would be eliminated and furthermore the state would be able to collect taxes out of the controlled sale of marijuana.

This action would also free up multi-millions of dollars that are being spent on the imprisonment of nonviolent drug offenders. Such a shift in laws and policy would lift a huge burden off the penal system and allow for the money to be spent on positive things, such as rehab or other treatment programs. Instead of punishing users of marijuana, the money could be focused on people who are addicted to cocaine or other hard drugs. With less people in jail for cannabis related charges, the prisons would be relieved from having overcrowded inmate populations and would be able to give their undivided attention to serious criminals, such as sex offenders, arsonist, murderers and other felony type charges. The legalization of weed can impact crime by reducing crime rates and drug related death

In today’s society, marijuana or cannabis is commonly utilized by many teens and adults. Whether it is for medical reasons, socializing, obtaining a high, or escaping depression; marijuana has impacted the lives of us humans in a lively manner. Even though cannabis is an illegal drug, countless amounts of people do not stop from getting a hold of it. There is only so much the law enforcement can do if the people do not wish to listen. Although marijuana affects the natural brain functions such as: memory, coordination, learning, and the ability to problem solve; allowing it to stay illegal causes no difference in the use, but inflicts on other more important issues that need to be dealt with.Many people have a problem with legalizing marijuana, actually current drug laws are doing more harm than good. Legalizing Marijuana will actually help the U.S. with its major problems, Legalizing Marijuana will: Deal a massive blow to drug cartels, which would suddenly leave cartels without 75% of their income, Allows police, courts, and prisons to focus their resources on dangerous criminals, and it will also help the U.S economy and will help the law enforcement save money. This will help out the United States because it will resolve their problems and help them at the same time.

Marijuana in the United States is such a widely conversed topic you will get very different opinions from anyone you talk to. There are those who say it should be legal, and there are those who say it shouldn’t be. Marijuana is widely known throughout the countries and is used whether it is legal or not. Currently in the United States Marijuana is legal for recreational use in Alaska, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington. Marijuana can be taxed and regulated by the government. Marijuana is said to be safer than recreational alcohol consumption. Marijuana also has several health benefits. Although Marijuana is said to be a drug, it should be legalized.

”Marijuana use can be used to treat and prevent the eye disease glaucoma, which increases pressure in the eyeball, damaging the optic nerve and causing loss of vision.” 20 states have already legalized marijuana in the US, because the only real cons to marijuana use is mental problems such as psychosis and paranoia versus the hundreds of pros marijuana can do for the body and mind. Marijuana should be legalized because it can help mentally, by increasing someones state of mind, and physically, by repairing lung damages caused by carcinogens in tobacco.

Second, marijuana plays a very significant role in the criminal justice system. The fact that marijuana is illegal causes problems for many people today. A significant amount of the nation’s prisoners have been charged with drug related crimes. Many people arrested for smoking or possession for usually very small amounts of marijuana can be locked away for years at a time. In this way, the justice system is flawed; the so called “war on drugs” has done nothing but spend tax dollars on filling prisons with people that committed minor crimes such as marijuana possession. They are trapped in this revolving door and can be potentially turned into lifelong criminals. Further, legalization of marijuana could potentially do good on the street. Legalization would make marijuana regulated and publically available. This action could put drug dealers across the country out of business. In addition, an argument could be made that a reduction in street justice and gang violence. If marijuana is legal, why would anyone have to fight over it? As a result, less people will be caught in the cross fire of street violence, drug dealers will have no business, and police officers will be freed up to focus on more serious crimes. In addition, there will be nobody charged with possession thus the Justice system will be repaired and

Marijuana has been the topic of debate in the United States for decades. With everyone having different views on the drug and its effects, it is indeed illegal as of now in most states and is legal in some such as California and Colorado. Marijuana comes from the leaves of the hemp plant Cannabis sativa. It is a green or gray mixture of dried shredded flowers. It is also referred to by names such as “Mary Jane”, “pot”, “ganja”, “herb”, “weed” and the list goes on. Marijuana smoking has remained stable in adults since the 1990s. Presently, marijuana are used in what are called blunts. Blunts are cigars with tobacco inside of it. The tobacco is emptied and one will fill the blunt with cannabis before smoking. The main active chemical in marijuana is THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol). THC is said to binds the membranes of certain nerve cells that has protein receptors. Once this chemical hits the brain cells, it

First off, how will marijuana help boost our country and economy. “Average annual trade in marijuana is estimated at $113 billion, which represents nearly $45 billion in taxes slipping through our fingers”(Smith.1). If we would tax it an extra $45 billion, this could really help our country financially.”Right now medical marijuana in California brings in 14 billions dollars a year and with legalization it is expected to rise by 4 billion and that’s only in California”(Derek.1). Legalizing marijuana would take it out of the black market which would end the war on marijuana, that is costing the government billions yearly. Legalization would dramatically cut down on prison spending, “an estimated one and four people are in prison solely because of non-violent drug offenses, including possession, sales,and repeat offenses related to marijuana”(Smith.1). A lot of prisons are becoming over populated, this would more than likely cut down on prison space as well. If one will think about pot legalization this can and will create more jobs, because there will be companies that will produce the drug. This would benefit the economy with extra jobs. That is how marijuana could help boost our country and

The first benefit to the legalization of marijuana would be the decreased spending on law enforcement. Many of America’s jails are filled to the brim with people who got long and unfair sentences for possession of the drug. Part of the