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Persuasive Essay On Legalizing Marijuana

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The debate over whether marijuana should be legalized or continue to be banned has troubled many American citizens. Marijuana is “the dried leaves and flowers of the hemp plant that are smoked as a drug”. Marijuana is a mood altering drug that has many nicknames, such as pot, weed, sensi, mary jane, herb, and many others. It is an ancient drug that is known from Asia hundreds of years ago. Many cultures have used it during meditation, religious worship, and for intoxication. There is many reason why this drug should be illegal, but there are even more reasons why it should be legal that outweigh the argument against it. So, can the drug marijuana affect a country and the people in a positive or a negative way. How is marijuana harmful? Well …show more content…

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

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