One of the most controversial topics in the news today is the legalization of marijuana. Supporters believe that the drug is not harmful and can have numerous benefits. However, opponents argue that marijuana can lead to addiction and other more dangerous drugs. In the end, marijuana should be legal based on economic, medicinal, and philosophical factors. First, the legalization of marijuana would have a tremendous economic impact. Since “marijuana is thought to be the second most profitable cash crop in the United States,” (Erb __) the government could control and then tax the drug if it is legal. This would mean that an enormous amount of money could be raised through the taxing of the drug. A recent study at Harvard estimated that “marijuana legalization would yield tax revenue of $2.4 billion dollars annually if marijuana were taxed like all other goods and $6.2 billion annually if marijuana were taxed at rates comparable to those on alcohol or tobacco” (Miron ____). The money raised from this tax could be used to improve schools, roads, and public parks. In the end, legalizing marijuana would be a great benefit to the economy. Second, legalizing marijuana would help people who utilize the drug for its medicinal purposes. Often people who suffer from various diseases smoke marijuana to ease their pain. In fact, doctors use marijuana to treat many conditions including muscle spasms, nausea, poor appetite, seizures, and Crohn’s disease (Harding ____). Additionally marijuana can prevent blindness. A recent study found that “cannabinoids (active chemicals in marijuana) are potentially useful to delay retinal degeneration” (Lax ___). Finally, legalizing marijuana would mean that the people who truly need the drug... ... middle of paper ... ...alcohol. Also marijuana is not a gateway drug since studies have shown that is does not lead to more harmful and dangerous drugs. Additionally, marijuana is a safer substance than tobacco since no individuals have died from marijuana use while hundreds of thousands of people have died from tobacco. Research has proven that each of these ideas should not be used to argue against the legalization of marijuana. In the end, marijuana should be legalized. Permitting marijuana would have a great economic impact and could raise money. Also, the legalization of marijuana would allow people who suffer from medical problems to get the drug to treat their pain. Additionally, legalizing marijuana is a philosophical issue since the government should let individuals make their own decisions. In conclusion, the positives for legalizing marijuana outweigh the negatives.
Marijuana or cannabis, according to the Federal Government is considered dangerous and addictive and is, therefore, placed on the controlled substance list as a schedule 1 drug, making its use and possession illegal, as well it is considered one of the worst drugs. Other more harmful drugs such as cocaine are considered schedule II drugs, so according to the U.S Government cocaine is considered less hazardous than marijuana. There have been many studies conducted by scientist proving the benefits of medical marijuana in relieving chronic pain, nausea and a full array of other ailments. The benefits of legalizing marijuana far outweigh the bad. By allowing people to possess and use marijuana for medicinal purposes, we are improving society as a whole and increasing the happiness or utility of individuals who are living with debilitating conditions in turn this would create a happier society all around.
Some of the pros of legalizing marijuana are that it is in the medical field it can be use in treatments for several diseases like AID, Epilepsy, and other conditions, and marijuana is not addictive so it the possibilities of substances abuse is not as greater as if it was addictive. Also by legalizing marijuana the crime rate would go down dramatically. Some of the cons would be that someone who uses marijuana still has the chance to damage his or her respiratory system, immune system, and the brain which can leads to health problems. Also it could lead to the over use of the substances by children and adolescents. No one can know for sure what is more ethical to let people smoke marijuana or to keep the ban on it, but the fact of the matter is that either way it is going to be
I’m a heroin addict now, and I’ve just finished my eighth treatment for drug addiction.” Marijuana is truly not a gateway drug. “Most people who use marijuana do not go on to use other, "harder" substances” (Levine). The government disagrees that marijuana is a gateway drug; they do not see any correlation between marijuana and hardcore drugs. Marijuana can be risky but just like anything else it must be taken with precaution. It is just like alcohol, one must know their limits, and they must know when to quit and how to handle themselves
The legalization of marijuana is a subject that has been debated for many years. Marijuana should be legalized for medical use and it should be decriminalized for recreational use.By decriminalizing marijuana for recreational use, the penalty will no longer be jail time, but a simple fine if caught using it in public.Furthermore, marijuana offers many medical benefits to very ill patients.In short, the benefits of marijuana outweigh the drawbacks, especially for medical purposes, so it should be legalized.First, marijuana should be decriminalized for recreational use.
There are pros and cons to the issue. People have proposed many advantages and disadvantages to having marijuana legalized, however a lot of thought would need to be given to how this is actually done. There are issues such as legal limit, taxes, strength, and agricultural issues. Legalizing marijuana could also end, or significantly reduce, the drug trade as far as "pot" is concerned. Marijuana aka Pot, is a substance that could be rolled into a cigarette or smoked through a pipe. It is already being used for medical purposes. Proponents of smoking marijuana state that it "mellows people out", and can be relaxing. Some people state it can make a person "paranoid". It could also affect judgment. If marijuana is legal, at what point is a person under the influence? When can it be used safely? The following essay will discuss the pros and cons of legalized marijuana. There are several advantages to legalizing marijuana. Most importantly, regulations would make marijuana a certain strength and the product safer. Secondly, it would make sense to purchase it like tobacco in a safe, tax paying store as opposed to "on the street." The United States could also grow the crops and and keep the money in the US. Finally, the taxes generated would help improve the depressed economy. Many say marijuana should not be bought in the store like milk. It is a mind altering drug and is not safe. People
Many “pot-heads” do not believe that weed smoking is an addictive behavior or causes serious problem for daily users. Many people believe that marijuana should not be placed in the same category like heroin, cocaine, and crack, but, should be in the same category as drinking alcohol. Many marijuana users do not to realize that cigarettes and alcohol have bad side effects like any other addictive drug. But, the difference is that a lot of people are making a lot of money from the millions of people buying cigarettes and alcohol each year. Many states would like to legalize marijuana usage because, like cigarettes and alcohol, they can receive a lot of tax revenue from the sale of the marijuana. Like alcohol and cigarettes, the states can place hefty taxes on the sale of marijuana which would generate a lot of revenue for the government. Also, many individuals feel that like alcohol and cigarettes may be worse than marijuana to an individual’s personal health. Marijuana usage would most likely not affect society as a whole. Unlike, cocaine, crack, and heroin, which are drugs that not only affect the user, but their families and society as a whole, due to the fact many go to extreme lengths in order to get the drugs. An individual would steal in order to get cocaine or crack, but a marijuana user is less likely to steal to get the
It could help America’s financial problems. According to Scott Shane from Fox Business wrote, “ it was wise for Colorado and Washington were wise to legalize pot because of the revues “. He states the Colorado marijuana in 2014 would bring in around $70 million of new taxes. With money like this, it could help build more schools and businesses, while helping stop illegal drug trafficking and smuggling. America has a major problem with drugs being smuggled in to our country from Mexico. While legalizing marijuana this could stop one of the most popular drugs being smuggled. This gives law enforcements more time to focus on other drugs being smuggled
The legalization of marijuana has been a topic often debated in the United States especially in more recent times. There are pros and cons with the use of marijuana, however the disadvantages are much less significant than the benefits of legalizing the so called drug. Marijuana is useful medicinally and has other positive attributes and therefore should be legalized.
The legalization of marijuana at a federal level will be greatly beneficial to our country. It will present Americans with a safer alternative method of medicine. Not prosecuting users of marijuana, will cause crime rates to decrease rapidly and the number of criminals in federal prisons will decline. In addition, by taxing the sales, we would increase tax revenue and save millions of dollars on enforcement laws.
As of today the nation stands behind three basic ideas of what to do with marijuana; legalize marijuana, make it legal only as a prescription drug, or keep it as it is, illegal. People, who are pro-marijuana like me, argue that marijuana is considerably less harmful than tobacco and alcohol, the most frequently used legal drugs. Furthermore marijuana has never directly caused anyone's death. People who side with the legalization of marijuana for medical purposes believe that the ends justify the means. But the people who want to keep it illegal think that the medical uses do not outweigh the harmful side effects.
Research shows that the use of cigarettes and alcohol cause far more short and long term health issues than marijuana. Drinking/abusing alcohol can lead to liver disease and can even lead to cancer. Also, drinking too much can kill. It shuts down areas of the brain associated with heartbeat, and breathing. Cigarette smoking also causes major health issues such as lung cancer, heart disease, etc. marijuana on the other hand, has far less consequences
In conclusion The Legalization of Marijuana would benefit the U.S government and it would be more effective in controlling the drug usage. The prohibition of Marijuana has only been costing taxpayers billions of dollars every year and it hasn’t benefited the Economy. The Education and treatment would be the effective way to address Marijuana problems, whereas The Legalization of Marijuana would benefit and boost our economy especially during this economic recession; therefore the Legalization of Marijuana may be the beginning United States Economy re-form; due to the fact that Marijuana Legalization would help subsidize our Economy.
Since marijuana is often sold illegally people believe that legalizing it would only bring more illegal activity but this is not the case. Legalizing marijuana could help reduce crime because this would free up police resources so they can focus on more dangerous cases. Legalizing marijuana will also stop the drug war against it. The economical benefits that marijuana can bring are phenomenal. Marijuana is one of the cheapest yet most effective drugs that can be used. Marijuana should be pursued since it is a cheap and effective way to treat illness. The legalization of marijuana can also open up a tremendous amount of jobs. Marijuana has many benefits if it should be legalized, it is only the bad reputation that it has built up over time that makes people hesitate from legalizing it.
The legalization of marijuana has become as controversial as politics. Whether the herb is used for medical or recreational purpose, the line between marijuana being non-traditional or hazardous is far too thin. For many it is a horrible misconception that marijuana is “bad “only because they know it is not legal. The legalization of marijuana would be immensely beneficial for the U.S as a whole. The herb causes pain relief from many severe diseases like cancer or epilepsy and also increases appetite in people whom have HIV/AIDS or eating disorders. When it comes down to the legalizing of marijuana tho it may be a psychoactive drug that is what makes it all the more beneficial. The good ultimately outweighs the bad when it comes to medicinal
I believe that the legalization of marijuana for recreational use would do more harm than good. Not only does it have the potential to cause dependency, but studies have shown that it can cause functional impairment in mental abilities, and that it is a “gateway drug.” I believe that these negative aspects far outweigh their positive counterparts. I do, however, believe that marijuana should be legal for medical use.