The Legalization of Marijuana

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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.

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