Should Marijuana Be Legalized?

The legalization of marijuana became a heated political subject in the last few years. Twenty-one states in America have legalized medical marijuana. Colorado and Washington are the only states where marijuana can be purchased recreationally. Marijuana is the high THC level part of the cannabis plant, which gives users the “high” feeling. There is ample evidence that supports the argument that marijuana is beneficial. The government should legalize marijuana recreationally for three main reasons. First, I will present two common arguments against the legalization of marijuana and then refute them. Second, I will explain how there is no proof of harmful effects from marijuana and that there are many health benefits prominent. Third, I will describe how legalization would bring in tax revenue for the government. Finally, I will go into detail on how legalization would decrease crime rates.

Views on marijuana use and its legal status are slowly shifting across America. What was once viewed as a dangerous gateway drug is slowly being legalized across the nation for medicinal and recreational purposes. Alcohol is often used as a comparator to marijuana for good reason. Banning alcohol was attempted before and it was not successful. Marijuana is currently progressing through a similar phase alcohol went through during the Prohibition Era. Four states, including Washington, Oregon, Colorado, and Alaska, now allow the use of recreational marijuana. Ironically, despite marijuana use still being illegal under federal law, Washington D.C., the nation’s capital, allows it as well. Marijuana should be legalized, both medically and recreationally, across the nation because it is less deadly than alcohol, stimulates the economy and generates tax revenue, and provides medical relief for serious ailments.

The debate over legalization of marijuana for recreational use is an issue that has polarized many Americans. On one hand of the spectrum are the marijuana advocates that campaign for the government to lift the ban on the drug, citing beneficial uses for it for the economy and for medicine. On the other side are people who believe that marijuana legalization would serve as an addictive gateway drug for many people and would pose health hazards for people that uses it recreationally. My stance on this issue is that legalizing marijuana should be viewed as a correct decision and a step forward for America and I will elaborate why later on. By analyzing the economic aspects of marijuana legalization, I will argue my case that decriminalizing marijuana will generate billions in revenues for this country’s economy and on the same token save this country billions of dollars on prohibition enforcement. Therefore, I firmly support recreational marijuana being legalized because it is a drug that has the potential to boost the American economy and at the same time save billions of dollars on arresting and incarcerating people with illegal procession of marijuana.

For years, the fight over legalizing marijuana has always been on every state’s agenda. However, marijuana continues to stir a lot of debate as to whether or not there are benefits from its use. Some refer to marijuana as a hard drug such as cocaine or heroin, especially since it is still classified as a Schedule I substance under federal law. Nevertheless, many Americans point out the medicinal benefits of the herb from several decades of research and studies. Meanwhile, with states such as Colorado and Washington already legalizing recreational marijuana, other states are starting to consider the pros of passing laws that would allow recreational use. As the legalization of marijuana continues to become a vote on ballots across the country, states, and counties; many Americans are concerned about the negative consequences this reform will have on the American youth rather than focusing on the medicinal benefits to an ill individual’s relief.

Marijuana legalization would allow for legal distribution and taxation of cannabis as well as decrease expensive enforcement and incarceration costs. Political authorities debate whether legalization or decriminalization is necessary. Derived from the hemp plant called Cannabis sativa, marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States (Glauser). Usually smoked in a blunt, joint, or pipe, the dry, shredded brownish-green mix of stems and leaves can be mixed in food, or brewed into a tea. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannibinol (THC) is the main active chemical that rapidly passes from the lungs into the bloodstream when someone inhales marijuana. Once the THC reaches the brain, the chemical reactions lead to the “high” that users experience when they use marijuana. Only lasting a few hours, these effects are short term. More realistic concerns question whether or not users will become addicted to cannabis. “Compared to other substances, marijuana is especially un-addictive; it’s often paired with drugs like alcohol, cocaine, and heroin, but when discussing addiction, a much more appropriate comparison would be to caffeine” (Glauser). As a non-addictive substance that can be therapeutic, reduce arrests, and boost the economy, marijuana should be legalized.

In order to more effectively address the growing problem of the ‘war on drugs,’ many countries are striving to decriminalize or legalize drugs such as marijuana, considered to be less harmful than other, more dangerous and addictive drugs. Marijuana is currently classified as a Class C drug in the United States, the inclusion of marijuana in the ‘war on drugs’ has not provided the kind of results expected. Rather than eliminating undesirable drugs from the streets, the war on drugs has had the effect of increasing the level of violence in the drug trade, encouraged the development of organized crime, filled prison cells to unprecedented and beyond capacity levels, consumed huge amounts of government capital and yet has done very little to reduce the presence of these drugs within the general population or the numbers of people who make use of them. More recent theories have suggested that legalizing, or at least decriminalizing, lesser drugs such as marijuana may be a more effective approach as a means of reducing levels of violence, decrease incarceration, allow more individuals to remain productive members of society, and make more resources available to combat more harmful substances and criminals. To more fully understand the issue, available literature and theory regarding the topic of legalization will be examined as well as the results of decriminalization in those pockets of government where it’s been allowed and compare these to drug-related crime and possible

Drugs are now everywhere, so the use of drugs has become a worldwide issue in the modern time.[copy] Throughout the history of united state, there are numerous cases against drugs, especially Marijuana dealers, buyers, and users.

As of 2013, fifty-eight percent of Americans are in support of marijuana legalization. States are slowly beginning to defy Federal laws and live by their own guidelines regarding medical and recreational use of the product. Yes, technically, every state has its very own right to do as they wish on this law, but at the same time, individuals can still be Federally prosecuted. This causes the public to feel doubt and distrust. Statistics are beginning to show medical benefits, large profits, and a drop in the percentage of violence and other crimes in states that have already chosen to legalize. Individual states deserve the power to legalize marijuana over the Federal Government, and should be given the opportunity to treat their residents

The legalization of marijuana has achieved national attention within the last few years. Twenty-five states and the District Of Colombia have decriminalized marijuana but only 4 have legalized it strictly for recreational purposes. It has been an increasingly popular idea to legalize it across the U.S, but this new trend should not continue. Marijuana consists of very helpful benefits towards medical issues such as HIV, AIDS, and seizures. However, this drug should never emerge to legalization because it causes short-term affects on the users health and specifically the brain. It causes long-term affects including a negative correlation between smoking marijuana and ones income and learning capabilities. It causes dependency to people who smoke it especially before the age of 18. And, it does in fact show signs of a “gate way” drug for a significant amount of people. Citizens should not easily obtain this drug, especially younger kids. This drug should not meet legalization for these reasons stated; however the medical benefits should continue to help with serious health issues.

Marijuana is known globally for its medical uses. It can be used to relieve pain such as headaches, arthritis, or nerve pain. Additionally, cannabis is used to relax a patient. However, usage of the drug is commonly seen to be a precursor to crime or other more harmful narcotics. For many of these opposing points, however, they are far outweighed by marijuana’s positive effects, both economically and physically.

There was a time when talks of legalizing marijuana went largely untouched by statesmen and policymakers. It seemed that considering legalization was unpopular and that the demand for it existed only in the minds of few. In this ever-changing world, we now see the rhetoric of the matter gradually fade away. That old approach of conservatism seems to be marginalized regarding this groundbreaking social topic. With 75% of the nation expecting that marijuana will find a federal path to legality, the ability to buy, possess, and consume recreational cannabis is perfectly legal in four states. Furthermore, economists have begun to study this subject in great depth. By and large, their analysis has concluded that the nationalized legalization of cannabis would stimulate the American economy. Additionally, black-market criminals would no longer profit from the vast exploitations of the marijuana plant, while licensed growers, retailers, and consumers would all reap the positive ends. In summation, revenue from the federally-mandated legalization of marijuana would prove economically beneficial to both the federal government and domestic businesses. Legalization would, in turn, affect a number of different economic systems, but it might pose some ethical questions for the Catholic Church and other religious institutions.

In today 's world, people are very one-sided on the issues of smoking. There are many types of things that you can smoke but marijuana and cigarettes seem to be the most controversial. Countless amounts of people are against smoking in general, smoking cigarettes, and/or smoking marijuana. Because of the certain setbacks and outlooks on these smoking impacts, the economy adjusts with consumers and non-consumers of both substances. The economy is mainly determined on the types of consumer behavior and responses towards certain laws and events that go on in the world, including smoking cigarettes and marijuana. The government also plays a role in this use because it officially made cigarettes legal for adults and also gave each state the

I know at this point many will think; ok, maybe tobacco and alcohol are worse than marijuana, however legalizing this drug will only lead to an increase in violent crimes, and will cause more accidents on the road due to impaired driving. Furthermore, it will increase the use among teens and minors. As well as becoming a gateway drug that will lead to other dangerous drugs, and what about the use of the drug while a woman is pregnant, how will that effect a baby in the womb? Let me begin by saying, that at this moment there is no research that indicates that a woman smoking marijuana can hurt an unborn baby, but just like tobacco and alcohol it is not safe for a pregnant woman or woman breast feeding to use the drug. With any substance there will always be risk that can be harmful to an unborn baby or babies who are breast fed. But without any research we will never know what effects it can have, the more reason why they should take marijuana off Schedule I and allow for more research to be done.

With recreational drugs becoming more common in our society, the public is growing more concerned with the negative effects of these substances, especially the effects of marijuana. Those who do not know enough about drugs generally think that “marijuana is bad for you” or “marijuana can kill people”. Although these preconceived notions do not often have scientific data as backup, there have also been multiple studies supporting the claims that marijuana is detrimental to people´s health. Even though today many people, especially teenagers, do support the legalization of marijuana, this recreational drug is detrimental to health because it affects motor skills, mental abilities, and suppresses motivation, and therefore should not be

There are no good reasons to legalize marijuana. It will have no benefits in today’s society. Legalizing marijuana will simply add on to the list of harmful intoxicants that are already being fought against such as cigarettes, alcohol, and methamphetamine. Although proponents of the legalization of marijuana claim it is for medicinal uses, there is no scientific evidence of marijuana being bad, and it is no worse than alcohol, marijuana is unacceptable because it causes destructive behaviors, lowers IQ, and causes birth defects.