The Social Benefits of Legalization of Marijuana

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.

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

. Forty percent of the people in federal prison are drug law violators” (Long 114). One can only imagine what this figure would be like today. Too much money is wasted on a cause that seems to be no end to. “In 1989, a Republican county executive of Mercer County N.J. estimated that it would cost him as much as 1 billion dollars to build the jail space needed to house all the hard-core drug users in Trenton alone” (Long 128). All of this money could be used on better things.

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.

"...We haven't seen a big spike in teenage consumption, we haven't seen a big spike in any consumption"- Anonymous. Though it is now legal people haven't been taking advantage of the drug (in only 26 states), which is a good thing, showing that just because its ok doesn’t mean people are going to do it all the time. Marijuana has been helpful over the years by increasing income, jobs, and helping medically.

In this research paper, we will be discussing one specific herb, Marijuana, as there are many misconceptions around it rendering it illegal, and we will attempt to argue with its unfounded illegality. What is Marijuana? Where, how and why is it consumed? What are recurrent misconceptions? First, we will be talking about the origins of the plant and where it is mainly found and grown, then we’ll be discussing the various uses for it and its effects on consumers, to finish off with its legality and position in today’s

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).

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.

Recognizing that marijuana will be in the market for a while, this paper will pinpoint detailed information on the production, transportation, effects of marijuana, and its effective control. The review of the claims integrated in the paper offers evidence and conclusive results of the local and foreign production. While using marijuana can be unsafe to a person, it is not as nearly as harmful as the stereotypes about marijuana claim to be. Furthermore, the drug seems to be well established as a social drug, especially in the Western countries. Despite the criminalization of marijuana, a significant number of people still use the drug for medicinal or recreational purposes. The old trends that focus on the drug prohibition policies should develop alternative policies that will allow the effective control of marijuana. Detailed information is presented on the local and foreign production of the drug, its persistence in the market, and the effects it may have on a society.

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

Smoking marijuana was known as having benefits for the terminally ill, and made sure there was a safe benefit for those who needed it. There was an eleven year study that states that the drug can stimulate appetite, help control pain, and help nausea. It can help control anxiety, which results in an therapeutic benefit. Marijuana use can also help people with insomnia and sleep apnea. This is because the THC found in marijuana relaxes the body and makes the body tired. It eventually leads to a deeper sleep. The National Cancer Institute announced in a study that people who used an extract spray of cannabis before they went to bed, had a more restful sleep. Outside of Washington, there was a push to legalize the drug, and so far six states have

Drugs legalization is likely to be beneficial for the government by reducing the funds of drug law enforcement. Legalizing drugs can decrease the amount of criminal activity, which probably leads to the less expenditure on salary and other assets by the curtailment of police resources. According to Miron and Zweibel (1995), in the United State in 1993, there was sixty percent of the seventy-seven thousand federal detainees imprisoned for drug-related criminal acts (cited in Cussen & Block, 2000). As a result, this possibly caused not only the increase of the tax dollars consumed in the drug wars but also the rise of police resources. In addition, while US government expended more than $20 billion annually on the war on drugs (reported by U.S

Ask anyone why they would not try marijuana and you will always end up with the same iteration of : “I am scared of…” However many of these fears are irrational. If you are able to see through these fears, marijuana has countless benefits, not just medicinal. However, like every other drug, there are side-effects. The dangers of marijuana are real to an extent, but completely overstated and overdramatized. To compare a much more potent and dangerous drug is legal all around the world there are no objections to its legality: alcohol. Compared to the dangers of alcohol, marijuana barely lives in its shadow. Lastly, and most importantly, if marijuana is already being sold illegally, there is an opportunity to capitalize. There is money to be made