In today’s society, “marijuana is the most commonly used illegal drug in the world; various forms of the drug have been used for thousands of years for their medicinal, social, and aesthetic effects” (“Marijuana, 3”). Despite this fact, “international treaties and laws of almost every country forbid growing, selling, and possessing marijuana” (“Marijuana, 3”). Because of how common the use of the drug is, the treaties and laws governing the use and sale of marijuana makes “lawbreakers out of more than 125 million people who have used marijuana in the past year, and those who supply them” (“Marijuana, 3”). Why not make the drug legal? “The question of legalization concerns whether to change the laws to make it legal to produce, sell, and possess marijuana and, if so, what rules should apply” (“Marijuana, 3”). It seems to me that the answer is simple; marijuana should be legalized because of the tremendous advantages legalization would pose for society and communities across the United States. Legalization of marijuana would allow for medical progress concerning treatments, it would serve as an economic stimulant, promote safer sale, and it would help to resolve several societal issues such as police hostility, the overcrowding of prisons, and black market productions and distributions. “‘Marijuana’ is the American term for dried flowers and leaves of the plant Cannabis sativa. The flowers contain concentrated amounts of mind-altering chemicals known as ‘cannabinoids’
Marijuana is a naturally grown plant that has beneficial properties and the ability to create textiles, paper products, and other goods. Marijuana is currently illegal in many states in the United States. The legalization of Marijuana will produce enormous tax revenue, reduce crime, give us a renewable resource, and give sick and suffering patients a new effective medicine. The legalization of Marijuana in the United States would both benefit the well-being of its citizens as well the economy.
Gwynne, Kristen. “Five Reasons Cops Want to Legalize Marijuana.” Rolling Stone. Wenner, Jane S., 27 June 2013. Web. 12 March 2014.
One of the main benefits that is obvious from legalization would be an increase in safe legal use of marijuana, instead of buying from sketchy dealers or in shady situations. Having a steady, regulated, and legal supply of weed at dispensaries increases the supply in the market, and by doing so would help increase demand for legal safe weed. This is a simple principle of supply and demand we can attach to the idea of weed legalization (Pic. 1). We saw a huge increase in supply during the first year or so in Colorado due to it becoming a major commodity according to Julie Verhage of Bloomberg (2015). When the market opened up for serious business to jump in on the already high demand the market exploded and prices plummeted on driving demand
Every year, 400,000 Americans die of complications caused by tobacco products. Smoking kills more Americans each year than alcohol, crack, heroin, murder, suicide, car accidents, fires, and AIDS all put together. Every week, eight children under the age of eighteen die from alcohol related crashes. Alcohol abuse contributes to almost 50% of all traffic accidents, suicides, and homicides. However, despite the proven dangers of these "socially acceptable" drugs, they are still legal. Marijuana, a much less acceptable drug, is not legal however, despite the fact that research has yet to pin any specific dangers to this drug.
In this paper, I will demonstrate some of the benefits and costs associated with the legalization of marijuana. This paper helps clarify some of the disagreements surrounded the issue today by focusing on the costs and benefits encountered by the consumer, alongside with, the producer and government if marijuana were to be legalized. In previous years, many states have contemplated the notion to legalize the use of cannabis. After the 2016 U.S election to current time, approximately 29 states have legalized medical marijuana, along with nine states and Washington. DC, have legalized marijuana for recreational use, for adults over the age of 21. The legal cannabis industry is accountable for
Marijuana is a drug increasingly being smoked across the nation. Cannabis refers to dried greenery, stems, and flowers
It is a debate that continues to rage on in restaurants, recreational parks, homes, and legislative offices among other varied locations. The debate as to whether marijuana can and should be used for medicinal purposes has divided opinion across the global community. Among all the current trends in medicine today, the potential for marijuana as a tool for medical treatment has proven to be one that is highly controversial and divisive. The extent of this divisive factor is that the use of medical marijuana is legal in some states and illegal in others. In addition, some countries like Holland allow public controlled usage of marijuana while in other countries possession of a small amount
Marijuana was first introduced to the United States in the early 1600’s. Ever since then, it has been used by many adults and teens. Many people believe that marijuana is dangerous because it is illegal; however, most people are not aware of all the benefits marijuana has. Marijuana should be legalized in the United States because it aids in improving medical disorders, stabilizing the economy, and it is proven to be safer than both alcohol and cigarettes.
The most commonly used illicit drug in the United States is marijuana (Why We Should Not Legalize Marijuana, 2010). Its use is prevalent among young people (Why We Should Not Legalize Marijuana, 2010). Rates of marijuana use have stabilized in the past few years after years of rise according to a yearly survey of middle and high school students (Drug Facts: Marijuana, 2015). However, the number of young people who believe marijuana use is dangerous is declining (Drug Facts: Marijuana, 2015).
“Each year, hundreds of thousands or people are around the world who die from preventable drug-related disease and violence. Millions of users are arrested and thrown in jail. Globally, communities are blighted by drug-related crime. Citizens see huge amounts of their taxes spent on harsh policies that are not working.” (annan). Many people use marijuana, illegal and legally. Marijuana use should not be decriminalized because in most states it’s already legal, such as, Columbia, Alaska and Washington. It’s going to decrease the funds used to find, arrest, and house marijuana users.
I ask that you please take into consideration the arguments I will state in this letter, regarding the costs and benefits of legalizing marijuana in America. Currently, nine states have legalized the recreational and medical use of marijuana. The majority of the remaining states has only allowed marijuana to be used for medical purposes. However, even when used medically, marijuana is unreliable and has very little scientific data to support its health benefits. Advocates of the legalization argue that it has a large impact on relieving chronic pains and other symptoms associated with an array of illnesses. But critics of the legalization, state that other better known medications produce the same result as marijuana, and with less risk.
In addition, legalization would reduce the burden on law enforcement, our legal system and overall prohibition enforcement. Currently, from a federal standpoint, marijuana sales for use both medicinally and recreationally are considered illegal. Although some states have passed laws that allow for legalized marijuana sales and use for medicinal purposes, most of these states do not allow recreational use of the drug. Marijuana continues to be sold on the street for regardless of legalization at either the state levels or federal levels. Decriminalization of marijuana sale and use, could result in a windfall of monies back to law enforcement agencies and the criminal justice system. A benefit could be seen from both the taxes collected at the
The question of whether or not to legalize the medicinal and recreational use of marijuana has been an ongoing debate ever since President Nixon declared the war on drugs in 1971. The main question that circulates this debate is, do the benefits of medical and recreational marijuana justify its legality? Marijuana is one of the only drugs that has numerous medicinal properties that can do everything from managing chemotherapy side effects, to putting an end to chronic seizures. Along with its medical benefits, it has many religious uses as well. But since marijuana is illegal this restricts citizens first amendment right to freedom of religion. Legalizing marijuana would bring in an additional three billion dollars a year in taxes alone, which would help bring our nation out of its 18 trillion dollar debt. Not to mention, the legalization of marijuana would lower the number of drug related crimes which would help put an end to “the war on drugs”.
The topic of discussion is whether marijuana should be legalized or not. Marijuana should be legalized. Marijuana has tons of health benefits. It is most connected with chronic pain, and chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting.(Interlandi, Jeneen) Marijuana has been tested and shown that it safer than many different opulates. People are not able to overdose with marijuana unlike other types of medicine, and far less addictive.(Grinspoon, Peter) Currently 29 states have condoned it legal on the state level. But, it is still currently illegal from the government's perspective. When Obama was president, his administration did not even make prosecuting medical marijuana a minor priority. Donald Trump currently states that he will not interfere
Marijuana is a very prominent and controversial issue in society today. Today, marijuana remains illegal. Although many negative claims have been made about marijuana, legalizing marijuana will produce many positive aspects that will not only benefit patient health but the overall economy therefore creating better communities for all. There are a number of benefits that will follow for the general population if Canada legalizes marijuana which include: combating many medical side effects, creating a demand for legal distribution, in turn creating a new educational field in research that needs to be developed and explored further, only to expand markets to better employment opportunities and the overall economy. To better understand why one